Camino de Santiago. All you need to know

What is the Camino de Santiago?

Prepare yourself for an extraordinary adventure! The Camino de Santiago also celebrated as the Way of St. James, is far more than just a trip. This legendary pilgrimage, rich in medieval allure, attracts individuals from diverse backgrounds to the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in the beautiful Galicia region in northwest Spain. This journey is not merely a trek – it’s a profound spiritual voyage!

The captivating tale behind this pilgrimage is truly remarkable. Imagine this: the remains of the Apostle St. James the Great are believed to rest within the majestic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. This extraordinary find dates back to a shepherd in the 9th century. Even more fascinating is the city’s name, Santiago de Compostela, which is a homage to St. James, translating to ‘St. James of the Field of Stars.’ Exploring the Camino’s storied heritage is an unmissable experience for those who love history!

But that’s not all! The Camino de Santiago is more than just a popular route; it’s a globally cherished treasure. Since 1993, Camino has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – talk about an impressive endorsement! With its various paths, each offering a distinct charm, the Camino attracts seekers, adventurers, and pilgrims from all corners.

And the best part? For centuries, this remarkable pilgrimage has served as a dynamic crossroads of cultures, uniting people from across Europe and the world. It’s a rich blend of traditions, languages, and stories – a living mosaic of global connection and exploration.

So, here’s the essence: The Camino de Santiago is not merely a path but a transformative adventure, a journey through history, and a worldwide gathering, all in one. How can anyone resist the lure of being part of this incredible experience?

So, what exactly is the Camino de Santiago?

Nowadays, the Camino de Santiago transcends a mere pilgrimage; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With its diverse Camino routes, this journey draws thousands from across the globe, offering a unique and unforgettable adventure.

Where does the Camino de Santiago start?

There is no singular starting point for the Camino de Santiago. There are many different routes to Santiago and, in turn, many starting points. Your route depends entirely on your preferences and interests and what you want to get out of the experience.

The reason for the huge variety in starting points is that the original pilgrims would have commenced their Camino journeys from their own homes. So that’s why so many different Camino ways have emerged over the centuries.

Despite this, there has been a clear favourite among the routes. The Camino Frances, also known as the French Way, is the most famous and popular of the Camino routes. Due to this, Sarria, located 100km from Santiago, is the top starting point for pilgrims.

The Camino Portugues Coastal is the second most popular route, especially the last 100km starting in Vigo. If you are curious about our other popular starting points, make sure to have a look at our last 100km Camino collection.

What are the Camino de Santiago routes?

The Camino de Santiago routes are a network of many different paths, all leading pilgrims to the city of Santiago de Compostela. Each route has its history, heritage and charm, and there is a route for every interest and ability.

Choosing the most suitable Camino walk for you is essential for you to make the most of this memorable experience. To help you decide, we have a guide to choosing your perfect Camino, and you can also discover the experiences of previous pilgrims.

Each year, the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago lists the most popular routes based on starting points, nationalities, etc. These statistics can also help you choose the best route for you.

Based on those figures, our dedicated team have selected the Top Camino de Santiago walks and described what makes them unique.

Camino de Santiago Route Map

1. Camino Frances

The Camino Frances is the most famous Camino de Santiago trail, featured in books and movies about the Camino, such as ‘The Way’ with Martin Sheen and ‘The Pilgrimage’ by Paulo Coelho.

While it’s not the oldest of the routes, it has been the most popular and well-known route ever since the Middle Ages. Its popularity is so great that 55% of pilgrims walking the Camino do so on the Camino Frances.

This route is 800km long and takes about 5 weeks to walk if you choose to start the journey from St Jean Pied de Port Camino Frances, but you also can start at any point along the route.

Many pilgrims begin their Camino in the Galician town of Sarria and walk The last 100 km of the Camino Frances in about a week. The Camino Frances is the most social Camino, so you’ll be sure to meet fellow pilgrims and maybe make some friends for life as you experience the authentic local culture and food along the way.

2. Camino Portugues

This route was the traditional trail to Santiago de Compostela taken by Portuguese pilgrims, and today the Camino Portugues is the second most popular trail for pilgrims.

This stunning walk weaves along the coastline north of Porto in Portugal and into Spain, taking in some beautiful fishing towns and scenery. The seafood along the route is gorgeous, with fresh produce served in most restaurants.

The Camino Portuguese Coastal starts in the colourful UNESCO city of Porto and follows the Atlantic Ocean before crossing by ferry to A Guarda, in Galicia, and the heart of the Rías Baixas wine region. A popular starting point is Vigo, which is at the beginning of the last 100km of the Camino Portugues to Santiago de Compostela.

Spend time on the white sandy beaches of Northern Portugal and Southern Galicia and soak in the laid-back atmosphere of maritime culture on this peaceful Camino route.

3. Camino del Norte 

The Camino del Norte (Northern Way) begins in the stylish city of San Sebastian in Spain’s Basque Country. San Sebastian is a seaside city that is world-renowned for its culinary excellence. This paradise for food lovers is one of the top 10 cities in Europe for Michelin-star restaurants; the only food problem you’ll encounter here is choosing where to eat!

The two most popular sections of this Camino route are the Camino del Norte from San Sebastian to Bilbao in one week and the slightly easier Northern Camino from Bilbao to Santander.

The Camino del Norte takes pilgrims along the coastal villages and towns of ‘Green Spain’, crossing the Basque Country, Cantabria and Asturias before heading inland towards Santiago, carrying pilgrims on a more off-the-beaten-track trail to Santiago.

You can take a dip in the sea to cool off on one of the multitudes of gorgeous beaches and enjoy the atmosphere of the many great towns along the way.

4. Camino Primitivo

The favourite route of the Spaniards, the Camino Primitivo is the oldest of the Camino routes. Also known as the ‘Original Way’, it is the route that has been in use since at least the 9th Century, when much of Spain was under Moorish control.

This challenging route starts in Oviedo in North-Eastern Spain and takes pilgrims on a 311 KM journey from Oviedo to Santiago. There is also the option to do the last 100 KM of the Camino Primitivo into Santiago.

Pilgrims walking the Camino Primitivo will have the chance to experience the UNESCO city of Lugo, considered the best place to eat in Galicia.

5. Camino Ingles

The Camino Ingles was the preferred route for pilgrims from Britain and Ireland, who used to take the boat to one of these two coastal cities. This Camino route has two starting points: Ferrol and A Coruña, and it’s the shortest Camino route.

If you start your Camino in Ferrol, you will be able to get your Compostela Certificate in Santiago as you will be walking 100km. If you start in A Coruna however, you will need to combine this route with a 25km pilgrimage in Ireland as the route from A Coruna to Santiago is only 75km.

6. Other Camino Routes

The Camino de Santiago is not limited to the routes mentioned above. Pilgrims from all over Europe were walking to Santiago de Compostela to experience the unique nature of the trails.

Interested in choosing a route on the Camino de Santiago that best suits your interests? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Camino for some inspiration, whether you’re a foodie, history buff or serious hiker.

Other Camino Routes include:

• The Camino Finisterre is a spectacular Camino walk to the world’s end, with cliffs, lighthouses and old monasteries. This Camino has been highlighted in many Camino movies and books over the years.
• The Camino Espiritual Coastal is a variant of the Portugues way, through the inlet of the “Sea of Arousa”. It’s a stunning Camino for lovers of coastal walks.
• Le Chemin du Puy is a beautiful hike in rural France, taking pilgrims through some of the most magical villages and national parks on any of the Camino routes.
• On the Via de la Plata, you will experience the beauty of Galicia as the charming countryside from Ourense to Santiago has remained mostly untouched.
• The Camino de Invierno is the real hidden gem of the routes. It’s a variant of the Via de la Plata and starts in medieval Monforte and crosses the much-loved Ribeira Sacra wine region.
• The Via Francigena is also known as the Camino to Rome. While it is in Italy, we have included it among our routes because it is just as stunning, spiritual and scenic as the Camino de Santiago. Also, Italian food is second to none!

Cycling the Camino de Santiago

While 92% of pilgrims choose to walk to Santiago de Compostela, approximately 5-8% of pilgrims prefer to do the Camino by bike (they are known as ‘Bicigrinos’ or ‘Bicigrinas’, bike pilgrims).

Cycling the Camino allows you to experience the trail on two wheels and in turn, you cover more ground daily. However, you’ll need to cycle at least 200km to receive your Compostela certificate in Santiago (as opposed to 100km walking).

Hitting the trail on a mountain bike is a thrilling experience, but we only recommend it to experienced cyclists and those familiar with bike maintenance.

Who walks the Camino de Santiago?

People of all ages and backgrounds walk and cycle the Camino Routes each year. In 2019, people from 190 different countries arrived in Santiago de Compostela.

Camino Statistics released from the pilgrim’s office for 2020 showed that almost 54,000 pilgrims received their Compostela, with the majority of pilgrims coming from European countries and 76% doing it for spiritual reasons.

Many pilgrims do the Camino for religious or spiritual reasons, but many others experience it for its culture, heritage, or as a fitness challenge.

Why should I walk the Camino de Santiago?

The Camino de Santiago attracts pilgrims from all over the world; nearly 350,000 Compostela pilgrim certificates were issued in 2019 alone (compared to just over 1200 in 1985), which will give you some idea of how popular it’s become in recent years.

The reason modern pilgrims walk the Camino ancient trail has evolved, and it’s now a rewarding experience for anyone who enjoys walking or cycling.

There are many ways to embark on this unique challenge and you will meet some wonderful people along the route and visit beautiful Spanish sites. Here are just a few things to enjoy along the way:

• Admire historic sites and monuments.
• With every Camino Way different, you can sample various cultures.
• Enjoy the various landscapes travelling across the country, from coastal Camino routes to vineyards, mountains, or tiny hamlets.
• Taste delicious tapas at every stopping point. In Galicia, they also have lovely pintxos to accompany your favourite evening drink.
• Meet other walkers worldwide and learn about their reasons for taking on this long-loved adventure.
• Discover yourself!

How far do I need to walk?

The beauty of the Camino routes is that you can walk as much or as little as you want; you could spend weeks walking from Le Puy to Santiago, one month walking from St Jean Pied de Port, a week or just a few days.

There is a Camino route for everyone but the one thing to keep in mind is that in order to receive your Compostela pilgrim certificate, you will need to walk at least the last 100km into Santiago de Compostela or cycle the last 200km.

In addition, you should stamp your Pilgrim Passport, also known as the ‘Credential’, along the way to prove that you have indeed walked the distance.

How do I follow the Camino de Santiago trail?

The Camino de Santiago trails are very well marked with scallop shells and Camino markings painted everywhere (trees, roads, walls…). All you have to do is simply follow the yellow arrows and they’ll guide you to Santiago de Compostela!

For more information about the Camino de Santiago and its routes, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can also plan your trip using our unique Camino route planner.