Hotels in Santo Domingo de la Calzada

Calle Mayor and around the cathedral

The heart of the town is Calle Mayor, the urban stretch of the Camino de Santiago. If you sleep here, you step out in the morning to the cathedral, its free-standing tower and, a few steps away, the town hall on the Plaza de España. Houses with coats of arms, pintxo bars and souvenir shops are on the same streets.

It is the natural choice for a short break without a car. In the afternoon pilgrims arrive with their backpacks and the centre fills with life. Then, at night, the town falls silent, because it is a small place with a gentle pace.

Best-rated in this area: Parador de Sto. Domingo Bernardo de Fresneda, with a score of 8.8 from 2,260 reviews.

By the river Oja and the saint's bridge

To the west, the Camino leaves the old town over the bridge across the river Oja, which tradition says the saint himself built. This part has more residential streets and walks along the river. You stay a step from the centre, but with fewer visitors around. If you are continuing on the Way of Saint James towards Burgos, you start the stage without crossing the whole town.

Exits on the N-120 and towards Ezcaray

On the edges of town, near the N-120 linking Logroño and Burgos and the turn-off to Ezcaray, there are roadside places to stay and houses with parking. It suits those touring La Rioja Alta in their own vehicle: one day up into the sierra, another down to Haro, and back to sleep without entering the narrow streets.

Grañón, Bañares and nearby villages

Grañón is the next stop on the Camino towards Castile, with a parish hostel much loved by pilgrims. Bañares, to the east, is another small village among cereal fields. In these villages you will find rural houses and lots of calm. You need a car to have dinner in Santo Domingo or get around the area, but in return you sleep surrounded by countryside.