Albergue de Peregrinos de Markina-Xemein

The Albergue Convento del Carmen occupies a working Carmelite convent in the Basque town of Markina-Xemein, giving pilgrims on the Camino del Norte and Camino Vasco interior the relatively rare experience of sleeping within an active religious community. The convent itself has roots going back centuries, and the building retains much of its original character.

The albergue opened in 2007 and is run by volunteer hospitaleros from the Agrupación de Hospitaleros Voluntarios for Bizkaia, a group dedicated to supporting pilgrims across the province. Owned by the Carmelite order, it operates on a donativo minimum basis, with the standard shared dormitory rate set at 15 euros. The dorms are large, sleeping between 12 and 16 people, with 51 total places available across the facility.

The albergue is open seasonally from mid-March through mid-October, with check-in from 3pm and doors closing at 10pm. Basic facilities include a microwave, fridge, and washing machine, and the convent issues the pilgrim credential for a small fee. Pets are welcome and there is secure bicycle storage. Disposable sheets are available, noted as an extra cost.

Markina-Xemein itself is worth a look. The town is known for its traditions around Basque rural sports and is home to the unusual hexagonal church of San Miguel de Arretxinaga, built around three large boulders that sit inside the chapel, considered sacred long before the Christian era.