Scenic view of Pasajes de San Juan on the Camino del Norte

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Pilgrims on the road and friends along the way send me changes every day, and they go out the same day. The Camino del Norte app carries all of it offline, and it's still being built — new features arrive routinely.

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Getting here

The ground behind you: what the walk into Pasajes de San Juan crosses, and where it could have been broken.

Tomorrow from Pasajes de San Juan

Towns with beds within a day's walk of Pasajes de San Juan

Nothing says you have to stop here, or there. These are simply the towns within a comfortable day's walk, so you can decide tonight.

Townkm from hereSharedPrivateThe walk
San Sebastián7.5✓ Yes✓ YesThe walk from Pasajes de San Juan to San Sebastián
Igueldo14.3— No✓ YesThe walk from Pasajes de San Juan to Igueldo
Orio24.4— No✓ YesThe walk from Pasajes de San Juan to Orio
Zarautz29.9✓ Yes✓ YesThe walk from Pasajes de San Juan to Zarautz

Services

Pasajes de San Juan (Pasai Donibane in Basque) is one of the most unusual places on the entire Norte. The village is a single street wide, wedged between the harbor and the cliff, with houses stacked five stories tall and their balconies nearly touching overhead. There's no room for cars — everything arrives by foot or by water.

The harbor is a natural inlet so narrow and deep that it served as one of Spain's most important naval bases for centuries. The village sits on the east bank; the working port of Pasajes de San Pedro faces it on the west. A small ferry connects the two — a crossing of barely two minutes that feels like traveling between centuries.

Victor Hugo lived here in 1843, in a house on the waterfront now marked with a plaque. The fresh seafood restaurants along the quay are a strong argument for a longer stop.

The albergue is located high up on the hillside above the village.

Fiesta:

June: San Juan on the 24th and San Pedro on the 29th. July: The patron, San Fermín, on the 7th. Followed by Santiago on the 25th and San Pantaleón on the 27th.

History:

The harbor of Pasajes was one of the most strategically important on the Cantabrian coast. Ships for the Spanish Armada were outfitted here. Whale oil was processed in these streets, and the fleets that sailed to the New World were supplied from this port. The harbor's natural concealment — invisible from the open sea — made it invaluable in an age of naval warfare.

Accommodation in Pasajes de San Juan

Municipal

Questions about Pasajes de San Juan

How far is Pasajes de San Juan from Irún?
Pasajes de San Juan is 16.3 km on from Irún, the previous town with beds. The next one, San Sebastián, is 7.5 km further.
Where can I sleep in Pasajes de San Juan?
Pasajes de San Juan has one place to stay: 1 municipal.
Is there a municipal albergue in Pasajes de San Juan?
Yes. Pasajes de San Juan has 1 municipal or parish albergue, alongside 0 other places to stay.
Where can I walk to tomorrow from Pasajes de San Juan?
Within a normal day's walk, 15 to 32 km, the towns with beds are Orio (24.4 km), Zarautz (29.9 km).

... comments from pilgrims using the Wise Pilgrim app

22. October 2025 - 6:33

Albergue is very very basic…

… for a minimum donation of 11€

25. May 2025 - 20:07

Climb out if Pasajes de San Pedro

Be aware the climb out of Pasajes de San Pedro is steep and tough. Do not attempt if it is raining, very slippery and dangerous. Perhaps stay in Pasajes de San Juan and try the next day.

25. May 2025 - 20:07

Climb out if Pasajes de San Pedro

Be aware the climb out of Pasajes de San Pedro is steep and tough. Do not attempt if it is raining, very slippery and dangerous. Perhaps stay in Pasajes de San Juan and try the next day.

23. May 2025 - 17:54

More than just an Albergue

Stayed at Donibanea, Boutique hotel. Many restaurants and bars nearby.

9. May 2025 - 16:23

Important.

At this hostel they do not have blankets, so it is necessary to bring a good sleeping bag, since in the spring and autumn months, the temperature is quite cool at night.

1. July 2024 - 17:49

Cambio número tel. albergue

Ruego cambien el número de teléfono que aparece en la aplicación; el actual es: +34 676 519 309

5. May 2024 - 20:38

Ferry is 1,85€ now

Must have been another increase, it’s now 1,85€, maybe that’s because it was Sunday morning and I was the only passenger, but, hey, I had the ferry all to myself, it was as short trip but great view!

5. May 2024 - 16:20

Santa Ana

Was lucky enough to get a bed at Santa Ana. I arrived at 14:30 and was 8th in line. Total of 14 beds which filled up just shortly after official opening at 16:00. Very nice hosts, beautiful small Albergue, slamazing view. No coffee/pilgrim diner but options in town (unless it’s Sunday morning…).

21. April 2024 - 18:23

Albergues were all fully booked before noon

Looked like a nice place but couldn't get accommodation

18. April 2024 - 18:38

Ferry

Ferry is now 1.85

6. September 2022 - 14:16

Increase in Ferry prices

Now €1.10 as of 6 September. This may be due to the high season.

10. May 2022 - 18:14

Ferry tickets

As of May 10, 2022, ferry tickets are €0.90 per person. We just got off now

27. April 2022 - 10:35

Albergue

Very nice Albergue but basic. No dinner of breakfast, but there are enough options in the village below.

27. April 2022 - 10:35

Albergue

Very nice Albergue but basic. No dinner of breakfast, but there are enough options in the village below.

3. July 2021 - 21:31

Ferry ticket costs 0.90 cents

Ferry ticket costs 0.90 cents, only cash (they have change)

3. July 2019 - 18:35

Very nice albergue and

Very nice albergue and helpful hospetalerio

29. December 2018 - 13:39

You can buy a ferry ticket on

You can buy a ferry ticket on the boat itself

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 →