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HomeVia de la PlataRabanal Del Camino PonferradaMolinaseca
VillageCastilla y Leon / Mountains212 km to Santiago de Compostela

Molinaseca

Molinaseca is a beautiful Bierzo village on the river Meruelo, with a stone Romanesque bridge as the pilgrim entrance. Has albergues, hotels, restaurants, bars, supermarkets, a pharmacy. The river is a popular pilgrim swim in summer.

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Riego de Ambrós

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AccommodationRestaurantCafeGroceryPharmacyClinicWaterATMnot availableTrainnot availablePost Officenot availableAirportnot availableBusnot availablePilgrim Officenot availableTobacconistnot available
About Molinaseca

Molinaseca sits in the province of Leon on the banks of the river Meruelo, in the highlands of the El Bierzo region. It is the first proper town pilgrims reach in El Bierzo after the mountain crossing, and is a notably attractive village built in slate stone with steep narrow streets and traditional balconies. The Camino enters the town across a stone Romanesque bridge over the Meruelo, with the Santuario de las Angustias on the far bank welcoming pilgrims into town.

The town's name comes from molino seco, dry mill, referring to the old riverside mills that turned with the Meruelo's water. The Camino crosses the bridge and runs straight through the centre of the old town along the Calle Real, lined with stone houses, traditional balconies, and old hospital and pilgrim buildings. The Santuario de las Angustias is a Baroque chapel that has welcomed pilgrims for centuries. The medieval church of San Nicolas de Bari sits in the heart of the village. El Bierzo is a notable wine region (the Mencia grape is the local variety) and Molinaseca is one of the gateway towns into the comarca.

Molinaseca has the full range of services pilgrims need. There are albergues including the municipal Albergue de Peregrinos San Roque and private albergues, hotels, casas rurales, restaurants, cafes, bars, supermarkets, a pharmacy, and ATMs. The town has bus connections to Ponferrada.

Where to stay

Beds in Molinaseca, night by night

Every kind of bed in one place: online booking, direct-contact albergues, walk-ins and donativos. Live prices for your night.

September 27 to October 10Each night shows how many places you can book online and the lowest price. Select a night to see the detail.
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Sunday, September 27Albergue dorms and private rooms both count. Walk-in and donativo albergues never sell out online: arrive early in the day instead.
Prices come live from our booking partners and change with demand. Walk-in and donativo albergues are not counted here: they are in the full list at the bottom of the page.
Quick info
Coordinates42.5381°N, 6.5205°WPopulation618Elevation580 mRegionCastilla y Leon / MountainsRemaining212 kmAccommodation15 places
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Where you are on the Camino
212 kmto Santiago de Compostela
Saint Jean Pied de Port72% walkedSantiago de Compostela
Previous townRiego de Ambrós5 km backNext townCampo4 km aheadThis StageRabanal del Camino → PonferradaCamino Francés
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Explore Molinaseca

The Camino through town, with prices where the beds are. Amber is the route; each pin is a place to stay.

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Things to do

Things to do in Molinaseca

4 things
RelaxationSwim in the Rio MerueloAfter the steep, punishing descent from the Cruz de Ferro, Molinaseca greets you with a natural swimming spot in the river right in the centre of the village. On a hot day, pilgrims wade in with their boots off and their feet aching. The medieval Puente de los Peregrinos (Pilgrims' Bridge) frames the scene. This is one of the most refreshing moments on the entire Camino.
SightCross the Puente de los PeregrinosA beautiful Romanesque bridge that has carried pilgrims over the Rio Meruelo for centuries. The bridge marks the entrance to Molinaseca from the mountain path. Walk across it slowly and look down at the clear river water below. After the rocky descent, this bridge feels like a gateway to a gentler world.
RelaxationWalk the Calle RealMolinaseca's main street is lined with stone houses, flower-filled balconies, and small bars with terraces. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. Order a cold beer and sit in the shade. Some pilgrims like this village so much they decide to stop here rather than continuing to Ponferrada. There are worse decisions.
FoodTry El Bierzo WineYou have entered the Bierzo wine region, known for its Mencia grape reds. The wines here are lighter and fruitier than the Riojas you have been drinking for the past week. Order a glass at any bar in the village and taste the difference. The terraced vineyards on the surrounding hillsides are responsible for some of Spain's most exciting wines.
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Places to stay in Molinaseca

Our Koala Picks first, then donativos, albergues and hostels, hotels, and everything else. Within each group the best-reviewed places lead.

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Previous Location

Riego de Ambrós

Next Location

Campo