Scenic view of Puente la Reina on the Camino Aragonés

Puente la Reina

Camino Aragonés

Common overnight stop · 18 places to stay

PUENTE LA REINA ON BOOKING.COM

Getting here

The ground behind you: what the walk into Puente la Reina crosses, and where it could have been broken.

Services

Puente la Reina (Gares in Basque) is built along a single main street — the Calle Mayor — that runs from the Iglesia del Crucifijo at the eastern entrance to the famous medieval bridge at the western exit. In between lies a handsome town of stone houses, arcaded streets, and two churches worth seeing. The town's medieval grid of three parallel streets, laid out in the French bastide style, survives largely intact.

The Iglesia del Crucifijo, at the entrance to town, was founded by the Knights Templar in the late 12th century. It houses a striking Y-shaped crucifix — a 14th-century work, likely of German Rhineland origin, that arrived here via pilgrim hands. The unusual shape, with Christ's arms raised above his head on a tree-like cross, makes it unlike any other crucifix on the Camino. The church has two naves: the original Romanesque nave and a Gothic addition from the 14th century.

Further along the Calle Mayor, the Iglesia de Santiago has a Romanesque doorway with a multilobed arch showing Moorish influence — one of the finest carved portals in Navarra. Inside is the Santiago Beltza, a 14th-century Gothic wooden statue of Santiago Peregrino, darkened by age and once coated in soot. The name means "Black Santiago" in Basque.

The bridge itself — the Puente de los Peregrinos — is a six-arched Romanesque span over the Arga, 110 meters long, with smaller vent arches between the main arches to handle flood waters. It originally had three defensive towers, though only fragments of one survive. Cross it at the end of the day when the light hits the stone and you'll understand the fuss.

Several albergues operate in town, along with a handful of hotels and pensiones. Bars and restaurants line the main street, and there's a supermarket for provisions. The town has a pharmacy and an ATM. If you're arriving from the Camino Aragones via Eunate, you'll enter from the south and join the Frances here.

Fiesta:

Santiago is the patron saint — fiestas run from July 24 to 30 with music, processions, and bullfights. Harvest festivals in September celebrate the piquillo peppers grown in the surrounding hills between here and Eunate.

History:

The bridge was built in the 11th century, commissioned — according to tradition — by a queen of Navarra. Historians debate which queen: the leading candidates are Dona Mayor (wife of Sancho III el Mayor) and Dona Estefania (wife of Garcia el de Najera). Whoever ordered it, the bridge was built specifically to serve pilgrims crossing the Arga.

The town received its fuero (charter) in 1122 from Alfonso el Batallador, designed to encourage settlement. The town grew up around the bridge with its French-style bastide layout of parallel streets. It was fortified in the 13th century with a rectilinear wall of 26 towers. Most of the wall has been absorbed into private houses — the Hotel El Cerco incorporates stonework from one of the original towers, and the Calle Cerco ("wall street") traces the old perimeter. Of the four original gates, only the one opening onto the bridge survives.

The Knights Templar maintained a presence here from the mid-12th century, when King Garcia Ramirez IV donated land to the order. They built the Iglesia del Crucifijo and its attached pilgrim hospital. When the order was dissolved in 1312, the facility passed to the Hospitallers (Order of St. John), who added the Gothic nave to the church in the 14th century.

The Camino:

The camino crosses the bridge and turns left, crossing the main road and picking up a footpath. Almost immediately it begins a short, steep climb on terrain that gets slippery when wet — a common sight here is cyclists pushing their bikes up. The footing improves quickly and the route continues through pleasant agricultural land toward Maneru, about 5 km ahead.

Accommodation in Puente la Reina

Parish

Private

Image of Albergue Jakue , pilgrim accommodation in Puente la Reina
Albergue Jakue
30
@ 22+€
53€
60+€
BOOKING.COM

Hotel

Rural hotel

Hostal

Image of Hostal Zubi XXI, pilgrim accommodation in Puente la Reina
Hostal Zubi XXI
30-50€
40-60€

Apartment

Pension

Questions about Puente la Reina

Where can I sleep in Puente la Reina?
Puente la Reina has 18 places to stay: 5 private, 5 apartment, 3 hotel, 2 hostal, 1 parish, 1 rural hotel, 1 pension.
Is there a municipal albergue in Puente la Reina?
Yes. Puente la Reina has 1 municipal or parish albergue, alongside 17 other places to stay.

... comments from pilgrims using the Wise Pilgrim app

23. September 2026 - 21:31

Ganbara

Gorgeous clean apartment, excellent food & wine and a Gorgeous host!

16. August 2026 - 14:44

Albergue Jakue

First one we saw so tired. But walkins aplenty and the private room with bathroom and two beds very afordable

21. April 2026 - 9:57

Albergue Jakue

Very nice accommodations but about 1/2 km away from town. Doesnt sound like much but if you walked all day, you dont really want another km for dinner or groceries or…

7. April 2026 - 0:15

Albergue Puente

I had great difficulty trying to book an albergue in this town. Most of the places do not have an official website, which makes it very difficult to book online. I messaged a few of the other albergues, who either did not respond or told me I cannot book through WhatsApp (even though that was the only option). I chose Albergue Puente for convenience but I am very impressed! I have written a review on the tab linked above. The town itself is beautiful and the food was delicious! Lovely locals, however the bell tower chimes every 15 minutes. It is just after midnight and it chimed 4 times at 0000 and then dung 12 times. I am a very light sleeper, so this is very inconvenient. I’m still happy with my choice in albergue and definitely recommend to other pilgrims. Good night. Buen Camino!

5. June 2025 - 16:00

Ganbara is a lovely apartment for 1-3 people.

This lovely apartment is clean and spacious. Quiet as well. See more info on the Ganbara review page.

19. April 2025 - 14:23

Alb. Puente pura peregrinos the price is different

This alb. The bunk bed the price is 17€.

31. August 2024 - 19:50

Hotel Royal Bidean ⭐️

A great stay with a clean private room for my mother and I. The ceiling fan was a nice touch for a warmer night, and the restaurant downstairs served food all day. Highly recommend.

17. August 2024 - 18:29

Albergue Estrella Guia Solo Peregrinos

Had THE BEST experience here. Stayed in August. Very friendly staff, they have a massage service and it was perfect for the sore muscles at this stage. The breakfast has boiled eggs and oatmeal and yogurt (and other things) to nourish you. There is a terrace, washing machine and also hand washing and plenty of places to hang out your washing. There is a common room also. For this price point this is a very good establishment, clean, well run and highly recommended. Thank you.

15. May 2024 - 20:04

Hotel Jakue

My favorite hotel of the route! Beautiful outdoor bar, living room space and restaurant served a hearty dinner. Highly recommend booking a private room.

3. May 2024 - 16:14

Hotel el cerco - perfect

Clean nice modern hotel
Reception extremely helpful
Very good breakfast 8euro
Quite
One word-perfect

Thank you

1. May 2024 - 16:34

hiking shop on C Mayor - Planeta Agua

Small but very Pilgrim-relevant shop with a good range of gear.

18. July 2023 - 19:04

Loved my stop here

Beautiful walking through the village. Lots of stores if you need stuff. Great restaurant choices. Loved my Albergue (Estrella)and the bridge.

4. July 2023 - 20:44

Albergue de Los Padres Reparadores

The Albergue is clean, nice green space to hang out after a long walk. The dining room and kitchen were packed with people preparing their meal. There was a short wait for the showers upon arrival. At €9 each it is a deal.

4. July 2023 - 20:42

La Plaza

Had the best meal of the Camino tonight at La Plaza. Food was great, wine was great, prices were reasonable.

1. July 2023 - 22:05

Albergue puente para los peregrinos

Great price for private rooms in this centrally located Albergue, plus a kitchen, terrace with hammocks and cheap laundry washing. Recommend rooms 6 & 7 to have your own terrace.

20. April 2023 - 8:50

Hostal La Plaza

 I had a double room all by myself because no one else booked. I had a private bathroom because so few people there. I absolutely loved it. Also had a great balcony just off my room so I was able to dry my clothes on the line on my balcony. The only problem was the following morning. I was not able to send my Pack with Jacotrans because the bar was closed so I had to carry it on next morning. So if you plan to stay here, just make different arrangements to transport your bag if that’s what you wanted to do.

20. April 2023 - 8:47

Albergue Jackue

I did not stay here, but I met some friends for a drink. They had an amazing outdoor bar area. That was beautiful. They also had a treehouse for Glamping. It looks like a lot of fun and my friends stay there and loved it.

27. October 2022 - 23:46

Hike store

There is a good hike store in town

25. August 2022 - 17:38

Hostal La Plaza

Great accomodations. Beautiful room with Balcony. Own bathroom.. Super clean. Owner is very helpful.

28. April 2022 - 12:25

Allergies Jakue

The good point about this place is they have a lift. Otherwise wholly unimpressive and tired.

Programa MOVES IIIMinisterio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico — IDAEXunta de GaliciaInstituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA)Financiado por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEUPlan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia

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.

Más información sobre la financiación recibida →