Where to stay along the Compostela pilgrimage?

Are you going to make the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela? According to your itinerary, here are some ideas of cities where to stay along this pilgrimage!

Travel now more cultural and spiritual than religious, the Compostela pilgrimage is traveled since the 9th century and is a hike that attracts more than 200,000 walkers and pilgrims every year. A Catholic pilgrimage whose aim is to reach the tomb of the Apostle Saint-Jacques the Maggiore in the crypt of the cathedral of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle (Galice, Spain), is a sacred path that is more than 1,200 years old.

Do you want, for religious, cultural or sports reasons, to make a end of this path? But where to sleep along Camino Francés (“French path”, the name given to the way through Spain from France, concentrating 2/3 of the walkers)? The commune of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques, is often considered a starting point for hikers. For you who have chosen to make this spiritual journey for your holidays, here is, on the Spanish side, where to sleep along the pilgrimage of Santiago de Compostela!

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Located in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques department, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a town classified as "More Beaux Villages de France" since 2016, on the foothills of the Pyrenees. For your first step, do not miss seeing the Citadel of Mendiguren, the ramparts of the high city and the Arrankuntzea Gate (or Porte Saint-Jacques ), or the prison of bishops. In the old town, take a look at the rue de la Citadelle – its facades in rose stoneware, some houses dating from the 16th century -, the bridge and the Notre-Dame Gate or the church of the Assumption-de-la-Vierge.

Roncevaux (Roncesvalles)

It's better to choose to sleep Roncevaux if you don’t have the feet and calves enough to continue the hike.

This step is on the Spanish side, about thirty kilometers from your first stage. There are many hotels where to stay in Roncevaux (compared to the size of the commune), to recharge the batteries for the following walking days. Roncevaux houses an interesting historical and cultural heritage to discover, including the cross of the Pilgrims, the museum of the Collégiale, the chapel of Santiago or the table of Roland.

Pamplona

Pamplona – Pamplona – could be your fourth or fifth day of walking.

The capital of Navarre, it houses a population of 197,989 inhabitants and houses many historical monuments to visit. Are you planning to find a place to sleep in Pamplona? Enjoy it to discover the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Pampelune or the church of Saint Nicholas if you love religious buildings. In the city centre, there are many hotels where to stay, between Avenue Conde Oliveto and the banks of the Arga.

Logroño

Accommodation Logroño , the capital of La Rioja, will allow both to recover an urban life and a green setting where to stroll: Logroño is crossed by the Ebro, the most powerful river of the Spanish rivers, and has a large amount of green spaces.

In addition to this, the city concentrates a large-scale architectural, historical, cultural and religious heritage: the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Redonda, the bridge and the city centre prove it in themselves. The Porte du Revellín is a still standing vestige of the old medieval fortifications of the city.

Burgos

Why choose to stay in Burgos ? Because it’s about half the course.

If you continue to Santiago de Compostela, book one or two nights to visit Burgos, the cradle of Old Town. Visit it Cathedral of Santa Maria – in Gothic style, built between 1221 and the 15th century – the old town via the bridge of Sainte-Marie. Enjoy the cafés, terraces and gardens of the esplanade Paseo del Espolón , a pleasant area where to sleep in Burgos, animated day and night.

León

Eenth stage of the pilgrimage in Castile and León: the city of León , 125,317 inhabitants (2017), is a common stage of the pilgrimage of Santiago de Compostela where pilgrims found the lodging and the cover at the monastery of San Marcos.

To see in León : la Cathedral , the Basilica of Saint Isidore, the hostal San Marcos, Guzmanes Palace . The noctambuls will like to stay in León in the wet area ( Barrio Húmedo ), an area where to party. The city also receives the processions of Holy Week (previous Easter).

Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle

You finally arrived at the end of the pilgrimage, after about a month of walking and a long journey of 1,500 kilometers? Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle – Santiago de Compostela – counts 95,671 inhabitants and is the culmination of the pilgrimage, to the Cathedral – built between 1098 and 1750 in Romanesque and Baroque styles – where pilgrims honor the tomb of Jacques de Zébédée since the 9th century.

The old town is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and has many buildings, squares and alleys must-see . Staying in Santiago de Compostela allows a journey through time, between tradition, spirituality and modernity.