You mentioned avoiding social media at this time, and I concur. I am so grateful that I was not on social media for 6 months prior to my first Camino in 2022. I did my planning the old fashioned way, without social media.
1st of May is a public holiday in many European countries, including Spain. In the UK this year it is 6th May as our bank holidays are always on a Monday.
I can't speak to May, but I began the Camino Frances last year on Sept 20 and it was jam packed to Astorga. That was the last town with albergues turning away pilgrims. You should talk about how Camino tourism is huge and there will be big tour buses in every big town, little village, and every town in between. Camino tourism is HUGE with Asian countries who have pilgrims of all ages, but majority under age 40, and seniors from English speaking countries. The tour operators have snapped up every bunk bed they can for their groups. And the bus pilgrims walk a little, ride the bus a little. Hop off the bus and get a stamp in their credential... Actually sounds not too bad! You get tired of walking, hop on the bus. I had the best luck booking albergues with less than 25 beds. That's because the tour bus groups are larger and they don't want to be split up in different albergues.
Thanks for sharing! I can’t really speak to that because it was not my experience on the CF when I did it, but I’ve heard that it’s becoming more common. Just another challenge to adapt to, I suppose. Buen Camino!
I’ll readily admit to not booking ahead, Katie. It’s only caught me out once, at Zubiri. I got to see that fantastic bridge though. That was the main thing. My best to Cashew.
Last year I started from Pamplona on May 16 and there were no issues with crowds. I did book everything ahead though, just because that is my preference, but I didn’t hear anything about bed issues.
great advice, Kate! regardless...booking ahead for the first couple of days from SJPDP and from Saria to Santiago is always a good idea!
You mentioned avoiding social media at this time, and I concur. I am so grateful that I was not on social media for 6 months prior to my first Camino in 2022. I did my planning the old fashioned way, without social media.
I’m extremely thankful I was not very involved in Camino social media groups before my first time!
1st of May is a public holiday in many European countries, including Spain. In the UK this year it is 6th May as our bank holidays are always on a Monday.
Yup, France too. Actually, most of May is a holiday in France. 😂 I’m so happy we usually have our bank holidays on Mondays, like the UK.
I can't speak to May, but I began the Camino Frances last year on Sept 20 and it was jam packed to Astorga. That was the last town with albergues turning away pilgrims. You should talk about how Camino tourism is huge and there will be big tour buses in every big town, little village, and every town in between. Camino tourism is HUGE with Asian countries who have pilgrims of all ages, but majority under age 40, and seniors from English speaking countries. The tour operators have snapped up every bunk bed they can for their groups. And the bus pilgrims walk a little, ride the bus a little. Hop off the bus and get a stamp in their credential... Actually sounds not too bad! You get tired of walking, hop on the bus. I had the best luck booking albergues with less than 25 beds. That's because the tour bus groups are larger and they don't want to be split up in different albergues.
Thanks for sharing! I can’t really speak to that because it was not my experience on the CF when I did it, but I’ve heard that it’s becoming more common. Just another challenge to adapt to, I suppose. Buen Camino!
I’ll readily admit to not booking ahead, Katie.
It’s only caught me out once, at Zubiri.
I got to see that fantastic bridge though. That was the main thing.
My best to Cashew.
One of my absolute favorite albergues is in Zubiri! I (usually) love not booking ahead.
A lot of people fly in on Friday or Saturday, and start walking on Sunday or Monday, so it would be worth avoiding those days as well.
100%! May 1, 2026 and 2027 will be bananas I’m sure.
May 1st is universally a holiday across Europe . . .
Excellent point.
Last year I started from Pamplona on May 16 and there were no issues with crowds. I did book everything ahead though, just because that is my preference, but I didn’t hear anything about bed issues.
Awesome! I say in the video that I believed starting in the second half of May would not have the same issues, so this helps confirm that. 😃