Albergue El Congreso

Albergue El Congreso occupies a converted traditional hostel building on Villaviciosa's main square, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, known locally as Plaza del Güevu. Its central position in town makes it one of the more conveniently located stops for pilgrims passing through on the Camino del Norte or the Camino de la Costa.

The building opened as a pilgrim hostel in 2016 and is run by SMD Hostelería SL. It offers a mix of shared dormitories and private rooms, with the dormitories arranged in four-bed bunk configurations. Guests receive a key, so there is no enforced curfew, which gives pilgrims some flexibility if they want to explore Villaviciosa in the evening.

Villaviciosa itself is worth a look. The town is the cider capital of Asturias and sits at the mouth of the Ría de Villaviciosa. Its old quarter contains the church of Santa María de la Olivia, a Romanesque-Gothic structure with genuine historical weight, and the town has a relaxed, working character that feels a long way from tourist infrastructure. The albergue's location on the main square puts pilgrims right in the middle of it.

The hostel provides bed sheets, towels, individual lockers, a kitchen, and laundry facilities. Breakfast and an eight-euro dinner are available, which matters after a long day's walk. Pets are permitted under certain conditions, and there is covered bicycle storage, though spaces are limited. The hostel is open from March through October.