Albergue El Convento de Foncebadón

Great place to stay in Foncebadon as a Pilgrim on the way to Santiago de Compostela! Really cheap, great facilities, no kitchen, good breakfast options, amazing location! Beautiful surroundings

We’ve been on a winning streak with Albergues since SJPDP, so I suppose the universe decided it was time to balance the scales with an “educational” one. Arrived 25th in line at the Parrochial hostel at 1 PM, kids in tow, so I had to move fast. Scampered down the hill and scooped up some camas at Albergue Convento like a contestant on a budget game show. Pro-tip: Google Image Search is a great way to identify the mystery insects around your bed. Unfortunately, to the untrained eye (mine), bed bugs and red cockroaches look like they could be cousins… or possibly the same species. The hospitalera’s reaction when I asked? Let’s just say she wasn’t lining up to co-author my insect memoir. The plumbing has a nostalgic charm — like grandma’s house, every time someone flushes upstairs, the pipes sing the song of their people right through your bedroom. Temperature-wise? Imagine Hades on a summer day. The only air movement was from the bathroom door opening, which briefly created a breeze — or maybe that was just the sound of hope escaping. Still, with more pilgrims than beds, I guess Foncebadon can afford to keep the standards “authentically medieval.”

For the pelgrims I find this value for money. I was most impressed by the pelgrim menu del dia; the best I’ve had on the Camino for this price. €15,- and you have a wide range of choices for 1st, 2nd and 3rd course with complimentary drink. Big portions and well prepared. Rooms are 3 bunk beds and each room has it’s own bathroom. I believe great value for money overall. And again > I recommend the menu!

Honestly, I would not recommend this place. I’ve lived in spain and long time so can confidently say this was an anomaly. The staff was extremely rude, all but one women who worked there who made us feel like our existence was an imposition despite the fact that the entire town is albergues. There weren’t many pilgrims so perhaps during busy seasons they don’t need to be kind so people take what they can get. But we had to ask for toilet paper for the bathroom upon arrival. And at night despite happily taking our money for wine the host then 10 minutes later locked the door to our room to our accommodation to force us to leave the bar despite there being multiple patrons and friend of his at the bar who would be there for a while. It really put a bad taste in my mouth

Great great stay. I had a solo room on the 2nd floor. Super super peaceful sleep. Gracias! Nice building ! Everything Great. Strong coffee. ;-)