A Tale of Two Albergues

Two nights ago we stayed at the Parroquial Albergue San Juan Bautista in Grañón, and last night at the private Albergue San Roque in Villambísta. Two more different experiences in pilgrim hostels would be difficult to imagine.

Both did feature communal meals, which I very much enjoy. Not many albergues do this, which is too bad, since it fosters camaraderie and friendships amongst the pilgrims. But beyond this similarity, they were very different. 

In Grañón, we slept on mats in the church hall, located in the church bell tower. Mass before a simple dinner, an abbreviated (and multi-lingual) version of Compline after. 

In Villambísta, the albergue is located over a restaurant. There were solid bunks. Dinner was a scrumptious feast. 

Neither experience is objectively “better”, and everyone who comes on the Camino should probably try both.