I have walked this section of the Camino Frances a few times and one of the things the majority of new pilgrims always ask is about Albergues in Torres del Rio, the other accommodation options and should they book ahead.
My favourite accommodation in Torres del Rio is a Hostel Rural and is detailed below for quick access along with the other albergue options.
Hotel Rural La Pata de Oca
- 42 beds, 8 rooms
- €60 per 3 bed room
- Open April to October
- Garden bar, small pool, restaurant, dinner
Torres del Rio
The Camino de Santiago stretches from France to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Spain and passes through many different cities and towns.
For those who have not yet made the journey on foot, Albergues are available to pilgrims to stay in and offer meals, showers, a place to rest your weary feet, and much more.
Some are amazing and some a bit basic.
I’ve walked this stretch of the Camino Frances many times from St Jean Pied de Port and every time the albergues in Torres del Rio has been a welcome stop. Especially for a cold beer and one of the accommodation options has a small pool.
Here’s some helpful advice for selecting the best Hotels and Albergues in Torres del Rio so you can make the most of your time on The Camino Frances and this fantastic small village once occupied by the Knights Templar.
what to do in torres del rio
Torres del Rio is a small village that is located in a rural area of northern Spain, and as such, it offers a small range of activities that are centered around village, its history and the local culture. Here are some of things you can do when stopping here:
Explore the village: Torres del Rio is a charming village with a rich history and it is worth taking some time to explore the narrow streets, the old stone houses and the ancient church of the village.
Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre: This church is located in the center of the village and is one of the most important historical landmarks in Torres del Rio. It was built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century and has a unique octagonal shape.
Wine tasting: Torres del Rio is located in the heart of the Rioja wine region and the wines are fabulous. This is a great way to experience the local culture and taste some of the famous Rioja wines.
Gastronomy: The local cuisine of Torres del Rio is based on traditional recipes and ingredients and there are restaurants in the village that offer delicious regional dishes.
Be sure to try some of the local specialties such as roast lamb, red peppers and Rioja wine. I ate at the San Andres and the food was fabulous and only €15 per person for the Pilgrim meal with wine included.
Where to eat in Torres del Rio
As I have mentioned there are a couple of nice restaurants in the village. Ive eaten at them all but on my last walk through Torres del Rio I ate at the Hotel de San Andres and it was really good.
We had a pilgrims meal which included a great tuna salad for starter and a delicious lamb shank for the main meal.
It also came with desert and free red wine which was actually really nice. All for €15 euro per person. I recommend eating here.
The other Hostel Rural in the village, the Rural le Pata de Oca, also has a dinner service every evening and is a really good option for. nice Pilgrim meal.
Albergues in Torres del Rio
We stayed in the Albergue Hotel Rural le Pata de Oca in the centre of the village. It’s a great old Knights Templar hotel and even has a small plunge pool to have a swim in on a hot day.
The history of the Knights Templar is really interesting and evident all around the hostel.
Available beds – 42 beds in 8 rooms with a garden bar, plunge pool, restaurant and peaceful vibe.
Cost – 60 Euro for a 3 bed private room which really suited us.
The Hotel de San Andres that we ate in also has rooms which are also nice. Its a good combination if you want a private room and a good place to eat dinner.
The public albergue in the village is called Casa Mariella and has 70 rooms for 10 euro a night bookable on arrival. All 3 are worth staying in 🙂
Summary
Overall Torres del Rio offers a range of activities and experiences for Pilgrims who are interested in nature, history, culture and nice food. The Albergues in Torres del Rio offer a good varied choice for every Pilgrim.
Whether you are a pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago or simply looking for a relaxing break in the countryside this charming village has something to offer everyone.
Hostel Rural La Pata de Oca
- 42 beds, 8 rooms
- €60 per 3 bed room
- Open April to October
- Garden bar, small pool, restaurant, dinner
Hostel Rural San Andres
- 18 rooms
- €59 per double/twin
- Amenities very good
- Open all year
Albergue Casa Mariella
- 70 beds
- €10 per person
- Open April to October
- Shared bathrooms
