Albergue Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques

Albergue Gîte de la Porte Saint-Jacques

Albergue Gîte de la Porte Saint-Jacques Overview

Type: The Gîte de la Porte Saint-Jacques is a private albergue / gîte run with a pilgrim-friendly approach – open to both pilgrims and other travellers, not restricted strictly to those with a pilgrim’s credential.
Location: 51 Rue de la Citadelle, 64220 Saint‑Jean‑Pied‑de‑Port (Donibane Garazi), France — in the historic centre of the town, very close to the official start of the Camino Francés pilgrimage route.
Opened: Established in 2018 (in a restored building from the traditional Basque town).
Accessibility: The gîte is set in a traditional multi-storey house, so while comfortable, it may involve stairs and does not overtly advertise lifts or full wheelchair access. Reservations are accepted and recommended.
Contact:
Phone: +33 6 30 99 75 61
Email: giteportestjacques@gmail.com
Website: giteportesaintjacques.com (as listed)

Albergue Facilities

Rooms: Two shared dormitories, with a total capacity of approximately 6 beds.
Prices: Dorm bed typically around **€29** (including breakfast) in recent information.
Total Capacity: Around 6 guests.
Reservations: Accepted and recommended (especially in peak season).
Pilgrim Credential: Not strictly required — open to travellers without it.
Operating Season: Open from about **1 April to 31 October**.
Hours: Typical check-in from ~14:00; rooms fill early in high season.

Learn everything you need to know about Albergue life on the Camino de Santiago

Albergue Amenities

• Communal kitchen (microwave, refrigerator) for guest use.
• Shared bathrooms with showers, hot water and heating.
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the property.
• Secure bicycle storage available.
• Garden/terrace area for relaxing after the day’s walking.
• Breakfast included in the price of the dorm bed.
• No large laundry facilities listed (washing machine/dryer not always confirmed) — those needing laundry may need external options.

Pilgrim Insight

The Gîte de la Porte Saint-Jacques offers a compact, well-located start to the Camino journey in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Pilgrims appreciate the small size (just 6 beds) which gives it a quieter, more personal atmosphere compared to larger albergues.

The location in the heart of the historic town puts you right in the mix of cafés, pilgrim services and the iconic bridge or “Porte” gate. Because space is very limited and demand can be high, arriving earlier in the afternoon or booking ahead is a good move. While it may not have the full scale of amenities of bigger hostels (e.g., full laundry service or large dorm beds), the value, comfort and central location make it an attractive choice for the first night of the Camino. If you value calm, small-scale lodging and are starting fresh in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, this albergue is a strong option.

Check out the other Albergues in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

We have also self-published a Camino Francés Journal for Pilgrims walking the route so you can record all your day-by-day memories. Have fun and journal away…