4 Reasons Bendueños Might Be the Best Albergue on any Camino de Santiago Route
Epic mountain views. A private hillside church. One of the warmest hospitaleras you’ll ever meet. These are all highlights of the Bendueños albergue, an incredible pilgrim hostel found on the Camino de San Salvador route.
The Camino del Salvador is a challenging Camino route that connects the Camino Frances to the historical city of Oviedo. Pilgrims take the mountainous route to visit the stunning Cathedral of San Salvador of Oviedo and maybe explore the worthwhile UNESCO-recognized Pre-Romanesque-style churches.
From here, pilgrims can continue on the original Camino de Santiago route of the Camino Primitivo to reach the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, many pilgrims ending point.
The small Bendueños hostel is a short detour off the Way of San Salvador, and it is definitely one of the most memorable albergues I’ve ever had the pleasure to sleep at.
Here are all the reasons to sleep at the Albergue Parroquial Virgen de Buendueños and why it’s worth the short detour.
Table of Contents
- Overview of Albergue Parroquial Virgen de Buendueños
- All of the Reasons to Sleep at the Buendueños Albergue
- Conclusion | Bendueños is Worth the Short Detour
Overview of Albergue Parroquial Virgen de Buendueños
The Parroquial pilgrim hostel in Bendueños is a fantastic donativo hostel found on the Camino del Salvador. Most pilgrims walk the Camino San Salvador in 5 days, but sleeping in Buendueños will typically make the scenic mountainous way a total of 6 days.
Bendueños village is a short detour on Stage 4 of the Camino San Salvador between Pajares and Pola de Lena.
The albergue is found off the main way a total of 1.5 Km (just under a mile) right before the village of Herias. There is a direct signboard indicating the detour.
Don’t be fooled by the short distance, the last climb to the hostel is up a steep road. The rewards of sleeping at Bendueños will make that climb more than worth it.
- Albergue Location: Bendueños Asturias Spain
- Private Albergue on the Camino del Salvador
- Pilgrim Beds: 8
- Open: March 1 to October 31
- Pilgrim Credencial Required: Yes
- Contact Points | Sandra | Email: benduenosalbergue@yahoo.es | +34 674 671 706
- Reservations: It’s best to contact Sandra the night before to let her know you’re coming
What is a Donativo Albergue?
Donativo Albergues can be found on many of the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage routes, although they are becoming a bit more scarce.
Donativo does not equate to free, rather it is expected that you will leave a donation for your stay and services received. A pilgrim I met along the Camino San Salvador said it best, but I will simply paraphrase it.
“Our brothers and sisters walk the Camino before us and gift us to sleep in a bed and eat here, so we provide the same gift for tomorrow’s pilgrims.”
Of course, always leave what you feel is fair. The best donations come from the heart and with the intention of benevolence.
The Bendueños albergue relies completely on donations. That means that your stay and all the meals, snacks, and services are included. A good rule of thumb is to leave a donation depending on how much things cost along the way. So take into consideration the average night of a stay at an albergue, pilgrim meal, laundry services, etc.
💬 Real Talk | I was so impressed with this albergue that I left a larger donation than I had originally planned on.
Reasons to Sleep at the Buendueños Albergue
Here’s what makes the Bendueños albergue one of the best albergues on any Camino de Santiago route.
1 | Location, Location, Location
The Parroquial hostel is located nestled at the end of a quiet road with mountain views. The outdoor terrace is the perfect place to soak it all in and reflect on the journey thus far. The Albergue overlooks the fertile valley.
Across from the Albergue is the Santuario de Nuestra Señora De Bendueños, a unique church built around the 16th century. Don’t miss the backroom of the “Sacristy.” There are paintings on the wall that are said to be of historical significance and may even have some sort of connection to Cuba. The sacristy section of the church may also be the oldest.
The church also has its own “Door of Pardons.”
Although some say that Bendueños is a small detour, the Camino has always followed chapels and churches. As Sandra explains, this spot has always been part of the original Camino route, which can visually be verified by the scallop shells carved at the top of the sacristy room of the church.
There are many myths and legends surrounding the Church of Bendueños, including if it was built on top of an ancient structure. Another peculiar matter is that near the church there is a natural attraction of lightning bolts. The church is even rumored to have ties to the Knights Templar. A special place for sure.
2 | The Most Amazing Hostess (Hospitalera) with the Mostess
Sandra is the hospitalera of the Bendueños albergue. She is the true embodiment of the Camino with her kindness and attention to the smallest details. She has created a cozy space that feels more like a home than a place for pilgrims to sleep. Every pilgrim is welcomed with a huge smile and generosity.
Sandra is happy to share the history of the village, church, and the Camino del Salvador route. She also speaks English and is responsive to any questions.
Sandra is the true epitome of what it means to walk the Camino in life.
3 | Eat Delicious & Hearty Meals
Sandra may know the way to a pilgrim’s heart is through their stomach and there is no shortage of food. This is why it’s best to call the night before so that she can have ample time to prepare hearty meals and replenish snacks and goodies.
There was a hearty stew waiting for us in a pressure cooker upon arrival. At night she also prepared a huge and delicious salad from ingredients straight from her garden. It looked more like a work of art than a salad and it was fantastic, maybe the best salad I’ve ever had on any Camino route.
The fridge is stocked with beer, wine, Asturias cider, and tons of hydration drinks. There are endless snacks and canisters filled with breakfast foods. A real treat is the ground coffee with a percolator. Find fresh fruit waiting in a basket and varieties of tea bags.
There is no shortage or lack of food and drinks. at the Bendueños albergue.
4 | Bendueños Albergue Has Everything You Could Possibly Need and More
The Albergue has the best location, an incredible hostess, and so much food. On top of this, Benduenos has even more highlights.
✔ There is a well-stocked kitchen with a plethora of cookware, utensils, and even a coffee percolator (spoiled)!
✔ The bathrooms are stocked with hygiene products.
✔ A new bonus addition is a washer and dryer to wash clothes. There are plenty of drying racks outside to airdry clothing, too.
✔ The Bendueños albergue has so much personality, is colorful, and radiates good energy.
✔ The village is truly authentic. A local man stopped to chat with me while walking his dogs and was wearing the traditional wooden shoes of Asturias.
⁉️ Important to rejoin the Camino San Salvador, make sure to follow the same road path back to Herias, and don’t take any of the grass paths that look like shortcuts. The grass trails do not rejoin the way and cross through private lands.
☛ Upon arrival in Oviedo, make sure to pick up your Salvadorana Certificate for completing the Camino de San Salvador route.
Conclusion | Bendueños is Worth the Short Detour
In short, the Albergue Parroquial Virgen de Buendueños is a spectacular donativo albergue found on the Camino de San Salvador. With a stunning location, caring hostess, spectacular food, and so many perks, this may be the best albergue on any Camino de Santiago route.
Remember, places like these survive not only by the incredible hospitaleros who run them but also by the donations of pilgrims who walk the way.
Have you stayed at the Parroquial Pilgrim Hostel in Bendueños? What did you think?
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