Camino de Santiago Walk

Highlights

This is one of Europe's classic walks following one of the most ancient pilgrimage routes in the world! There's a real sense of camaraderie and achievement as you chat to fellow walkers from all parts of the globe. Surprisingly good hotels too!

Posada Regia, Leon

The Posada Regia is perfectly located in the centre of Leon, just off the main (largely pedestrian) street and around a five minute walk from the impressive central cathedral. The hotel has two buildings on adjacent streets.

The main building is where the restaurant and bars are located. Once inside you enter the world of 'old Leon' as even part of the original Roman city wall has been incorporated into the structure of the new building. The atmosphere is rustic with lots of timber and tile floors, and this building is next to a lively square where it is pleasant to sit out for drinks of an evening. The second building (where Headwater rooms are located) is 20m down a quieter street. Bedrooms are attractive with bold colours and smart new bathrooms.

Further details on the hotel website.

Independent hotel reviews on Trip Advisor.

Posada de Muriel

Juan Belda is one of the larger than life characters in this little riverside village of Molinaseca. A warm welcome awaits to his characterful little hotel of 8 rooms that faces a small square in the village right on the Camino de Santiago. Juan has walked the route all the way from France three times, taking one of his children with him each time in order to get to know them better! The hotel itself is charming and although quite modern in construction, feels homely and rather countrified inside, with each of the rooms named for a Templar Knight. Although Juan speaks basic English he prefers Spanish so a phrasebook will come in handy.

One of the many towns along the Camino, Molinaseca is a pretty backwater with several hotels and restaurants catering primarily to pilgrims. The Camino cuts right through the heart of the village and the hotel is on your left as you approach.

Further details on the hotel website.

Independent hotel reviews on Trip Advisor.

Hotel O'Cebreiro

The Valena family have run much of the accommodation in O'Cebreiro for generations, and the village certainly looks like time has stood still. With amazing views in all directions, this tiny place is one of the most charming on the Camino. There are rooms in three different buildings, each just 20m apart and made from the heavy, grey stone typical to this area.

One building is an C11 monastery and is actually connected to the little church next door so the monks could walk directly between their rooms and their pews! Rooms are light and more spacious that you would suspect in such small 2 storey buildings.

The main restaurant is next to the cafe and bar, often filled with characters from the village. English is in short supply but there are so many nationalities passing though here you will always find someone to help!

Rectoral de Goian

A rectoral in Spain is the equivalent of a parsonage in the UK. A grand home, often in a picturesque location built of attractive old stone. Such is the case with The Rectoral de Goian - a gorgeous property set in isolated countryside in landscaped gardens that are just too perfect. Javier will collect you from the Hotel Roma cafe opposite the station in Sarria and bring you the 8km to the hotel, and will also drop you off in the morning in the same place to continue the walk.

The Rectoral building is horseshoe shaped - it has an open patio and balconies facing the garden so it is ideal for eating al fresco in the evening. There is even a tiny chapel in the garden that is still used!

Bedrooms are gorgeous with stone walls, beams, wooden floors and modern bathrooms, all with views on to the patio or the garden. Raquel and Javier don't speak English, so a phrase book will come in handy here too.

Further details on the hotel website.

Casa Rural Santa Marina

Casa Rural Santa Marina is run by Mario - a popular and welcoming host in Portomarin. The extensive area of land that he owns is on the shore looking down the lake and is extremely attractive. He has his own vines in front of the main stone two storey building from which he makes the wine you receive at dinner, and he keeps horses in the meadow adjacent to the timber building that houses the bedrooms. Bedrooms are all wooden with modern bathrooms and all share a communal sitting room with a TV and panoramic windows with views of the lake.

Adjacent to the restaurant there is also an orchard for pitching tents which is why so many people walking the Camino choose this as a place to stay, giving it a lively and friendly atmosphere.

Rectoral de Lestedo

Set deep in the countryside directly on the Camino, on a hillside with fabulous north facing views, this ancient light stone ruin has been restored by Susana and Cesar (a local vet). The sloping garden gives all the rooms pleasant country views, and the public spaces are very effectively designed to maximise natural light and make the most of the views. The 9 bedrooms are light and spacious with black and white photos on the walls, wooden floors and some striking designer touches that you might not expect in a building of this age.

Selected departures will be staying in Casa Roan, a spectacular original walled Galician farmhouse 3km from the Camino de Santiago. (You will be picked up from Eirexe by the owners, Pilar and Jose Manuel Rodriguez Vasques). Their rambling walled farmhouse has fireplaces you could park a car in, and 8 homely bedrooms are decorated in rustic style. There is also a grand stone dining room that looks as if it could host a gathering for the entire village. Pilar and Jose Manuel don't speak English, so a phrase book will definitely come in handy. The website is www.casaroan.com

Further details on the hotel website.

Casa de los Somoza

In the tiniest village of just a few houses, Jesus Cardelle's rustic country Turismo Rural is a popular stop on the Camino. The house was originally a farm, and has an old world charm about it with tiled floors and wooden beams throughout. The garden outside is always full of passing pilgrims having a drink in the sunshine, and playing his typical in house Galician skittle game. This is a simple village and a simple hotel, full of rustic charm. There is no English spoken here.

O Muino de Pena

Just off the Camino (you will be picked up from Pension Compas which is on the Camino by Javier), can be found some of the loveliest and most unusual properties to stay in, and this is one of them. Hidden in the backwoods and valleys this ancient mill sits next to a rushing river and weir, instantly relaxing you with the sound of running water. The bedrooms are on the top floor as you enter (you enter on the second floor as it is built on a steep hill), and all are utterly charming with beams, stone walls and dark wooden furniture.

Downstairs, much of the heart of the mill has been retained, with giant wheels and massive machinery blending perfectly with the bar and dining area and looking quite spectacular. The open riverside garden is perfect for a drink, and the entire place fells as if it is a mythical secret hideaway. Javier will drive you back to the Camino (10 minutes) in the morning.

Further details on the hotel website.

Hotel Petit Palace Londres, Madrid

The Hotel Petit Palace Londres enjoys an excellent position just off the bustling Puerta del Sol Square, which is considered one of the central spots in Old Madrid. The hotel itself lies just off the pedestrian area to the north where the famous Corte Ingles department s t o re is located. You are ideally situated for exploring all of Madrid's famous sights.

The hotel has a charming turn of century facade and many of the rooms have wrought iron balconies from which you can sit and watch the world go by.

The 75 rooms are furnished in a modern style with laminate flooring and crisp white decor. All are double glazed and air-conditioned and are equipped with mini bar, satellite television and direct dial telephone. The bathrooms are well appointed and many have hydro massage showers.

Further details on the hotel website.

Independent hotel reviews on Trip Advisor

Hotel Virxe da Cerca

Just on the edge of the historic centre in Santiago de Compostela, the Virxe da Cerca sits just below the old market - it is still used by the locals daily and is definitely worth wandering through. The hotel is a grand old building with 4 floors and period rooms that back on to an extensive garden at the back. The breakfast room overlooks the garden while the in house restaurant is on the ground floor in the depths of the building with solid stone walls and a cosy atmosphere. It is only a 5 minute walk into the heart of the old town so it is perfect for exploring, and feels like coming back to your very own stately home in the city.

Further details on the hotel website.

Independent hotel reviews on Trip Advisor