Los Arcos is a frontier town strung along streets that run parallel to the Río Odrón. You enter from the north, and the first thing you notice is that the place has the solid, well-built feel of a town that once had money and strategic importance.
The Iglesia de Santa María de la Asunción dominates the main plaza. It's a far grander church than a town this size would normally warrant — the Plateresque facade, the late Gothic cloister decorated with animal and plant carvings, and the extraordinary 1760 organ (possibly the most elaborate in Navarra, with three tiers of pipes and carved musician angels) all speak to the town's prosperous past. If the church is open, go in.
Several albergues, hotels, and pensiones operate in town. Bars and restaurants line the main street. A couple of bars near the main road on the southeast side open early for pilgrims and truck drivers. Saturday is market day.
Market day is Saturday. The patronal fiesta for Santa María runs from August 14 to 20.
Los Arcos dates to the Roman period and sits on the frontier between Navarra and La Rioja. Its hilltop castle (now gone) stood to the east of the approach. As a border town, it saw repeated destruction by land-hungry nobility and corresponding prosperity from the toll and currency exchange that every border crossing demanded. The Arco de Felipe V, through which the camino exits, bears the coat of arms of the first Bourbon king of Spain.
The camino exits through the Arco de Felipe V and crosses the Río Odrón. A few albergues are on the west side of the river. From here the route heads through rolling country toward Sansol and Torres del Río — about 7 km with some ups and downs that earn this stretch the local nickname 'The Knee Wrecker.'
30. June 2026 - 12:04
Pilgrims Oasis has a food truck BEFORE Los Arcos (6-7 km) Tuesday thru Saturday! Juices, sandwiches, veggies and hummus. A great stop after that long stretch!
18. May 2026 - 7:41
Hotel Rural LATORRIÉN DE ANE just outside of town is very nice. If you WhatsApp them, they’ll come pick you up in Los Arcos and drop you off in the morning.
16. May 2026 - 9:41
The Church of Iglesia de Santa María is absolutely beautiful — one of the highlights of my Camino so far. Peaceful atmosphere, stunning details inside, and a perfect place to stop and reflect for a while.
Afterwards I ate at Restaurante Mavi and the food was excellent. Generous portions, tasty homemade dishes, and very friendly service. Exactly what a tired pilgrim needs after a long walking day. Highly recommended!
1. May 2026 - 19:38
I think the only reason this place is one of the ‘main stops’ is distance. If possible, do yourself a favour and stay in Luquin or Villamayor and avoid this place. Admittedly, I only walked through it and had coffee but it has a strange feel to it and doesn’t seem friendly.
16. October 2025 - 9:51
Such an interesting place, like a large student rented house owned by post war European immigrants in Melbourne in the seventies or eighties. Historical and political vibes emanate from the walls. And Vicente is a Templar Knight - and a wonderful warm, friendly character to go with it. And what a cook!
3. October 2025 - 14:59
A shocking, upsetting experience. Vicente the owner evicted an English lady at 9:30pm for no apparent reason . I wish I had never stayed there.
17. August 2025 - 14:10
This village doesn’t have a nice vibe. I would go to Sansol to avoid having to stay here.
1. May 2025 - 17:20
I agree with the previous commenter’s review. Casa Arquena should be included as one of the options in this app. It just opened 10 days ago. It is very clean and comfortable. Kathy is very helpful and welcoming. There are cookies in the kitchen and free laundry. The rooms are very nice and clean. I stayed in a room with two bunk beds. The bathroom and shower are in one and very clean. Real sheets, covered bedding, and pillows plus towels. All very new and clean. There are plenty of restaurants nearby
1. May 2025 - 15:54
This is a quaint Albergue run by Martinette - who is such a lovely host. There is dinner and breakfast available if you wish and all beds are stand alone singles, with about 5 in each rooms. Good location also.
20. April 2025 - 15:41
This private Albergue is not listed on here. I found it on booking.com. It is absolutely fantastic. Rooms are clean. Has a washer that's free with detergent provided. Full kitchen with free coffee and teas. Very homey feeling. Four people per room. Only has 12 beds. The host is fantastic and is very close to Santa Maria with a grocery and food near by.
28. August 2024 - 14:24
This is a nice enough place with excellent staff. However, it is 1,9 kms by car from Los Arcos and 3,7 to walk. So if you are planning on staying here factor in you might want a cab to bring you and a cab to take you back to Los Arcos and the camino path.
23. August 2024 - 20:23
We had the best pilgrim meal so far here - and they start serving at 6:00 pm for the pilgrim who needs to get up early for the long walk tomorrow! Go in the hotel entrance and up 1 flight of stairs to the restaurant.
24. May 2024 - 7:55
There's a food truck about 6km before Los Arcos.
18. July 2023 - 18:35
Beautiful little spot along trail. We stayed at the tables in main square with cathedral all afternoon. Was a lovely stop.
6. June 2023 - 21:27
Should try plan to stay somewhere else if ya can
14. September 2022 - 19:49
This place is silly expensive- they are out to take advantage of pilgrims!
19. July 2022 - 16:25
Stayed in Pension Ostodar, the owner was so kind and caring to my friend who was feeling the I’ll effects of too much sun.
A beautiful pension with excellent facilities.
23. June 2022 - 18:59
Be careful not to go there as their next step is to charge you entry, I mean an empanadas for € 7.... Really??
Are we in Dubai????
25. April 2022 - 15:01
The village panaria on the way in is charging exhorbitant prices. Over 5 euro.for a small.piece of pizza. steer clear.
6. April 2022 - 19:16
Exceptional friendly staff. The one gig drawback is only one bathroom each for men and one for women. Can't say for men but women has 2 toilets and 3 shower's for the entire 3 levels of rooms. I think there are over 40 to 55 beds. Arrive early if i want a bottom bed and get a bed across from bathroom.
Esta entidad ha sido beneficiaria de una ayuda del Programa de incentivos a la movilidad eficiente y sostenible (MOVES III), gestionado por la Xunta de Galicia a través del Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA) en el marco del Real Decreto 266/2021, y cofinanciada por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEU, dentro del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.
