A calendar that changes with the pilgrims
The Camino de Santiago continues to evolve and, with it, so do its infrastructure. The shelter managed by ANFAS in Estella has decided to adapt to the new habits of pilgrims with an important change in its opening calendar.
This 2026, the hostel has brought its opening forward by more than a month and a half compared to other years, starting the season in spring and extending it until the end of September or even October. However, it introduces a striking novelty: it will be closed during the month of August.
The decision responds to an increasingly evident reality on the Camino: the flow of pilgrims is changing.
Less summer, more spring and autumn
During recent years, those responsible for the shelter have detected a decrease in pilgrims in the hottest months, especially in August. High temperatures are causing many walkers to choose to avoid summer.
On the other hand, the influx in spring and autumn has increased significantly, consolidating themselves as the preferred times to walk the Camino.
This change has led the shelter to reorganize its activity, concentrating efforts on the months when there is really more movement.
A model based on inclusion
The ANFAS hostel in Estella is not just another accommodation on the Camino. It is a social project with more than two decades of history, where people with intellectual disabilities actively participate as hospital workers.
This approach makes the experience something different for both pilgrims and those who work at the shelter. Hospitality is mixed with inclusion, creating a space where the human encounter takes on a special value.
In addition, the hostel has established itself as a benchmark in accessibility within the Camino, facilitating the stay for all types of pilgrims.
More than a hostel, an experience
Every season, hundreds of pilgrims pass through this hostel, where they not only find a place to sleep, but also a different way of experiencing the Camino.
The direct contact with the hospitaleros, the close atmosphere and the spirit of the project make many remember their time in Estella as one of the most special moments of the tour.
This year's motto, focused on enthusiasm and shared experiences, summarizes that philosophy well.
Adapt to continue growing
The change in the calendar is not only a specific measure, but a way to adapt to a new reality of the Camino de Santiago. A Path that continues to grow, but that is also changing in its times and in the way of traveling it.
The ANFAS hostel thus demonstrates that the key is knowing how to listen to the pilgrim and evolve without losing the essence.
Because, beyond the stages or the kilometers, the Camino continues to be a meeting space.
