State of the Camino this week
What has changed on the Camino and in Santiago, checked at the official source. I review it every Monday.
Week of 9 November 2026 · Checked on 9 November 2026
The Pilgrim Office now opens at 10:00, not 9:00
The official website of the Pilgrim Reception Office (Rúa Carretas 33) now says "every day from 10:00 to 19:00". It used to say 9:00 to 19:00. It still closes on 25 December and 1 January. If you arrive early, there is no need to get up early for the Compostela queue.
Source: Pilgrim Office, its official website read on 9 November 2026 · See the source
O Porriño: new albergue "O Cristo" in the official Xunta register
The official Xunta register of accommodation, updated on 1 November, includes a new albergue: Albergue o Cristo, in O Porriño, with 38 beds. It is on the Camino Portugués. It is private: call before you go, the register gives neither a price nor whether beds are left.
Source: Xunta tourism register, file of 1 November 2026 read on 9 November 2026
The public albergues in Ferrol and Betanzos are still closed
Checked today on the official Xunta page: the public albergue in Ferrol has been closed since 19 October with no reopening date, and the one in Betanzos (Casa da Pescadería) is closed until 5 February 2027. No change since last week.
Source: Xunta de Galicia, official albergue pages read on 9 November 2026 · See the source
Previous weeks
Week of 26 October 2026
Casa Ivar luggage storage: closed for Christmas from 21 December to 3 January
Casa Ivar (Rúa Nova, 7) closes for the Christmas break on Monday 21 December 2026. It opens again on Monday 4 January 2027. If you arrive in Santiago on those dates, leave your backpack at another luggage storage.
Source: Casa Ivar, opening hours on its website read on 20 October 2026 · See the source
Ferrol: the public albergue is closed since 19 October, with no reopening date
The official Xunta de Galicia (regional government) page marks the Albergue de Ferrol, where the English Way starts, as temporarily closed since 19 October 2026. For the reopening date it says «indefinite». If you start in Ferrol, find other accommodation for the night before you set off.
Source: Xunta de Galicia, official albergue page read on 20 October 2026 · See the source
Betanzos: the Casa da Pescadería public albergue is closed until 5 February 2027
The official Xunta page marks the Casa da Pescadería albergue (Calle Pescadería, 4), on the English Way, as temporarily closed from 5 October 2026 to 5 February 2027. If you sleep in Betanzos, look at the other albergues in the town.
Source: Xunta de Galicia, official albergue page read on 20 October 2026 · See the source
The 9:30, 12:00 and 19:30 Pilgrim’s Masses are held in the church of San Agustín
Since 16 October, because of works on the high altar of the Cathedral, the Pilgrim’s Masses at 9:30, 12:00 and 19:30 are held in the nearby church of San Agustín until further notice. The 7:30 Mass stays in the Cathedral, in the Communion chapel. Cathedral visits carry on as usual, from 7:00 to 21:00.
Source: Cathedral of Santiago, notice of 17 September 2026 (updated on 25 September 2026) and liturgy page, read on 20 October 2026 · See the source
The Botafumeiro is temporarily out of use
The Cathedral says on its liturgy page that the Botafumeiro is temporarily out of use because of restoration works. It gives no return date. If you were going to the Pilgrim’s Mass hoping to see it, it is not being used for now.
Source: Cathedral of Santiago, liturgy page read on 20 October 2026 · See the source
Casa Ivar luggage storage: closed from 14:00 to 17:00 in October and November
Casa Ivar (Rúa Nova, 7) now opens Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 18:00. Until September it opened from 10:00 to 18:00 without a break. Saturdays stay at 10:00 to 12:00 and Sundays at 19:30 to 20:00. If you drop off or pick up your backpack on a weekday, do not go between 14:00 and 17:00.
Source: Casa Ivar, opening hours on its website read on 20 October 2026 · See the source
Lalín: Albergue Lalín Centro has closed
The Lalín tourist office tells us so, and the Peregrinus Dezae association confirms it on 18 October 2026. It is still listed in the Xunta register of 1 October 2026, so we keep it on the Winter Way map with a closed notice. If you were planning to sleep there, find other accommodation in Lalín before you arrive.
Source: Lalín tourist office, email of 30 September 2026 · Peregrinus Dezae association, email of 18 October 2026 · Xunta register (REAT) of 1 October 2026
Vilalba: the tourist office is closed until 2027
The Vilalba tourist office, on the Northern Way, closed on 10 October 2026 and does not reopen until 2027. The reopening date has not been set yet.
Source: Vilalba tourist office, email of 2 October 2026
Fisterra: two albergues may be closed
Another albergue in Fisterra tells us that Albergue do Sol e da Lua and Albergue Langosteira may be closed. They are still listed in the Xunta register of 1 October 2026. If you were planning to sleep at one of them, call before you go.
Source: Notice from an albergue in Fisterra (27 September 2026) · Xunta register (REAT) of 1 October 2026
Week of 19 October 2026
Casa Ivar luggage storage: closed for Christmas from 21 December to 3 January
Casa Ivar (Rúa Nova, 7) closes for the Christmas break on Monday 21 December 2026. It opens again on Monday 4 January 2027. If you arrive in Santiago on those dates, leave your backpack at another luggage storage.
Source: Casa Ivar, opening hours on its website read on 20 October 2026 · See the source
Ferrol: the public albergue is closed since 19 October, with no reopening date
The official Xunta de Galicia (regional government) page marks the Albergue de Ferrol, where the English Way starts, as temporarily closed since 19 October 2026. For the reopening date it says «indefinite». If you start in Ferrol, find other accommodation for the night before you set off.
Source: Xunta de Galicia, official albergue page read on 20 October 2026 · See the source
Betanzos: the Casa da Pescadería public albergue is closed until 5 February 2027
The official Xunta page marks the Casa da Pescadería albergue (Calle Pescadería, 4), on the English Way, as temporarily closed from 5 October 2026 to 5 February 2027. If you sleep in Betanzos, look at the other albergues in the town.
Source: Xunta de Galicia, official albergue page read on 20 October 2026 · See the source
The 9:30, 12:00 and 19:30 Pilgrim’s Masses are held in the church of San Agustín
Since 16 October, because of works on the high altar of the Cathedral, the Pilgrim’s Masses at 9:30, 12:00 and 19:30 are held in the nearby church of San Agustín until further notice. The 7:30 Mass stays in the Cathedral, in the Communion chapel. Cathedral visits carry on as usual, from 7:00 to 21:00.
Source: Cathedral of Santiago, notice of 17 September 2026 (updated on 25 September 2026) and liturgy page, read on 20 October 2026 · See the source
The Botafumeiro is temporarily out of use
The Cathedral says on its liturgy page that the Botafumeiro is temporarily out of use because of restoration works. It gives no return date. If you were going to the Pilgrim’s Mass hoping to see it, it is not being used for now.
Source: Cathedral of Santiago, liturgy page read on 20 October 2026 · See the source
Casa Ivar luggage storage: closed from 14:00 to 17:00 in October and November
Casa Ivar (Rúa Nova, 7) now opens Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 18:00. Until September it opened from 10:00 to 18:00 without a break. Saturdays stay at 10:00 to 12:00 and Sundays at 19:30 to 20:00. If you drop off or pick up your backpack on a weekday, do not go between 14:00 and 17:00.
Source: Casa Ivar, opening hours on its website read on 20 October 2026 · See the source
Lalín: Albergue Lalín Centro has closed
The Lalín tourist office tells us so, and the Peregrinus Dezae association confirms it on 18 October 2026. It is still listed in the Xunta register of 1 October 2026, so we keep it on the Winter Way map with a closed notice. If you were planning to sleep there, find other accommodation in Lalín before you arrive.
Source: Lalín tourist office, email of 30 September 2026 · Peregrinus Dezae association, email of 18 October 2026 · Xunta register (REAT) of 1 October 2026
Vilalba: the tourist office is closed until 2027
The Vilalba tourist office, on the Northern Way, closed on 10 October 2026 and does not reopen until 2027. The reopening date has not been set yet.
Source: Vilalba tourist office, email of 2 October 2026
Fisterra: two albergues may be closed
Another albergue in Fisterra tells us that Albergue do Sol e da Lua and Albergue Langosteira may be closed. They are still listed in the Xunta register of 1 October 2026. If you were planning to sleep at one of them, call before you go.
Source: Notice from an albergue in Fisterra (27 September 2026) · Xunta register (REAT) of 1 October 2026
Week of 12 October 2026
From Friday 16 October, the Pilgrim’s Masses are held in the church of San Agustín
Because of works on the high altar of the Cathedral, the Pilgrim’s Masses at 9:30, 12:00 and 19:30 move to the nearby church of San Agustín until further notice. The 7:30 Mass stays in the Cathedral, in the Communion chapel. Cathedral visits carry on as usual, from 7:00 to 21:00.
Source: Cathedral of Santiago, notice published on 17 September 2026 and updated on 25 September 2026 · See the source
The Botafumeiro is temporarily out of use
The Cathedral says on its liturgy page that the Botafumeiro is temporarily out of use because of restoration works. It gives no return date. If you were going to the Pilgrim’s Mass hoping to see it, it is not being used for now.
Source: Cathedral of Santiago, liturgy page read on 12 October 2026 · See the source
Casa Ivar luggage storage: closed from 14:00 to 17:00 in October and November
Casa Ivar (Rúa Nova, 7) now opens Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 18:00. Until September it opened from 10:00 to 18:00 without a break. Saturdays stay at 10:00 to 12:00 and Sundays at 19:30 to 20:00. If you drop off or pick up your backpack on a weekday, do not go between 14:00 and 17:00.
Source: Casa Ivar, opening hours on its website read on 12 October 2026 · See the source
Lalín: Albergue Lalín Centro has closed
The Lalín tourist office tells us so. It is still listed in the Xunta register of 1 October 2026, so we keep it on the Winter Way map with a closed notice. If you were planning to sleep there, find other accommodation in Lalín before you arrive.
Source: Lalín tourist office, email of 30 September 2026 · Xunta register (REAT) of 1 October 2026
Vilalba: the tourist office is closed until 2027
The Vilalba tourist office, on the Northern Way, closed on 10 October 2026 and does not reopen until 2027. The reopening date has not been set yet.
Source: Vilalba tourist office, email of 2 October 2026
Fisterra: two albergues may be closed
Another albergue in Fisterra tells us that Albergue do Sol e da Lua and Albergue Langosteira may be closed. They are still listed in the Xunta register of 1 October 2026. If you were planning to sleep at one of them, call before you go.
Source: Notice from an albergue in Fisterra (27 September 2026) · Xunta register (REAT) of 1 October 2026
Week of 5 October 2026
Casa Ivar luggage storage: closed from 14:00 to 17:00 in October and November
Casa Ivar (Rúa Nova, 7) now opens Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 18:00. Until September it opened from 10:00 to 18:00 without a break. Saturdays stay at 10:00 to 12:00 and Sundays at 19:30 to 20:00. If you drop off or pick up your backpack on a weekday, do not go between 14:00 and 17:00.
Source: Casa Ivar, opening hours on its website read on 5 October 2026 · See the source
From Friday 16 October, the Pilgrim’s Masses are held in the church of San Agustín
Because of works on the high altar of the Cathedral, the Pilgrim’s Masses at 9:30, 12:00 and 19:30 move to the nearby church of San Agustín until further notice. The 7:30 Mass stays in the Cathedral, in the Communion chapel. Cathedral visits carry on as usual, from 7:00 to 21:00.
Source: Cathedral of Santiago, notice published on 17 September 2026 and updated on 25 September 2026 · See the source
The Botafumeiro is temporarily out of use
The Cathedral says on its liturgy page that the Botafumeiro is temporarily out of use because of restoration works. It gives no return date. If you were going to the Pilgrim’s Mass hoping to see it, it is not being used for now.
Source: Cathedral of Santiago, liturgy page read on 6 October 2026 · See the source
October albergue register: one added in Redondela, one removed in Samos
The Xunta has published its official register of albergues dated 1 October 2026. As Madriñas da Illa, in Redondela, is added with 20 beds: it appears on the Portuguese Way and the Portuguese Coastal Way. The register gives no phone number for it. Val de Samos, in Samos (French Way), is no longer listed and we have removed it from the map. Thostel, in Santiago, goes from 62 to 98 beds. The public albergue in Vilasantar (Northern Way) is now listed as Albergue de Peregrinos de A Laxe. There are still 451 albergues on the 9 Caminos in Galicia. The maps and the PDF lists are up to date.
Source: Register of Tourism Businesses and Activities (REAT) of the Xunta, dated 1 October 2026, downloaded on 5 October 2026
Lalín: Albergue Lalín Centro has closed
The Lalín tourist office tells us so. It is still listed in the Xunta register of 1 October 2026, so we keep it on the Winter Way map with a closed notice. If you were planning to sleep there, find other accommodation in Lalín before you arrive.
Source: Lalín tourist office, email of 30 September 2026 · Xunta register (REAT) of 1 October 2026
Vilalba: the tourist office closes on 10 October
The Vilalba tourist office, on the Northern Way, closes on 10 October 2026 and does not reopen until 2027. The reopening date has not been set yet.
Source: Vilalba tourist office, email of 2 October 2026
Fisterra: two albergues may be closed
Another albergue in Fisterra tells us that Albergue do Sol e da Lua and Albergue Langosteira may be closed. They are still listed in the Xunta register of 1 October 2026. If you were planning to sleep at one of them, call before you go.
Source: Notice from an albergue in Fisterra (27 September 2026) · Xunta register (REAT) of 1 October 2026
Week of 28 September 2026
From Friday 16 October, the Pilgrim’s Masses are held in the church of San Agustín
Because of works on the high altar of the Cathedral, the Pilgrim’s Masses at 9:30, 12:00 and 19:30 move to the nearby church of San Agustín until further notice. The 7:30 Mass stays in the Cathedral, in the Communion chapel. Cathedral visits carry on as usual, from 7:00 to 21:00.
Source: Cathedral of Santiago, notice published on 17 September 2026 and updated on 25 September 2026 · See the source
Fisterra: two albergues may be closed
Another albergue in Fisterra tells us that Albergue do Sol e da Lua and Albergue Langosteira may be closed. They are still listed in the Xunta register. If you were planning to sleep at one of them, call before you go.
Source: Notice from an albergue in Fisterra (27 September 2026) · Xunta register (REAT) of 1 September 2026
451 albergues on the 9 Caminos in Galicia
That is the number of albergues, public and private, on our map of the 9 Caminos, taken from the Xunta’s official register. When the Xunta publishes a new register, we will report here which albergues open or close. On 28/09 we added the official route via Verín, Xinzo de Limia and Allariz, at the request of the Verín tourist office.
Source: Register of Tourism Businesses and Activities (REAT) of the Xunta, downloaded on 1 September 2026
What I read every week
The websites of the Cathedral and the Pilgrim's Office, the Xunta's network of public albergues and those of San Lázaro and Monte do Gozo, the Correos and Santiago luggage storage, backpack transfer, the city buses, the showers at the Multiusos Fontes do Sar and the Xunta's official register of albergues. If something changes, I check it and report it here. If nothing changes, I say so.