Maria

Written by Maria

Maria is from Viveiro, in the misty and beautiful northern coast of Galicia, and now calls Ireland her adopted home. She adores Santiago, where she studied Journalism at Santiago de Compostela University. She also loves travel, food, books, and arty and crafty. She has walked and cycled many trails including many Camino routes, Japan's Kumano Kodo, the Kerry Camino in Ireland and many others.

Great restaurants in Santiago de Compostela

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Many of you are walking the Camino de Santiago soon and have asked the CaminoWays.com team to recommend great restaurants in Santiago de Compostela. Fish and shellfish lovers will be in for a treat while in Galicia, considered to be the seafood capital of Spain. If it swims, Galicians are probably eating it! However, if […]

Great restaurants in Santiago de Compostela Read More »

Many of you are walking the Camino de Santiago soon and have asked the CaminoWays.com team to recommend great restaurants in Santiago de Compostela. Fish and shellfish lovers will be in for a treat while in Galicia, considered to be the seafood capital of Spain. If it swims, Galicians are probably eating it! However, if

24 Hours in Santiago de Compostela

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24 Hours in Santiago de Compostela You’ve walked for days and finally reached the promised land: Santiago de Compostela! You are sitting at the Praza do Obradoiro, your aching feet finally getting a rest, staring in awe at the mighty Cathedral de Santiago, and you are wondering… were to do next? Well, if you are

24 Hours in Santiago de Compostela Read More »

24 Hours in Santiago de Compostela You’ve walked for days and finally reached the promised land: Santiago de Compostela! You are sitting at the Praza do Obradoiro, your aching feet finally getting a rest, staring in awe at the mighty Cathedral de Santiago, and you are wondering… were to do next? Well, if you are

Camino Culture: Muxia & Our Lady of the Boat

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A Sanctuary by the Atlantic The Virgin of the Boat, or Our Lady of the Boat, is Muxía’s most beloved sanctuary. It stands at the very end of the Camino Finisterre and Muxía, overlooking the powerful Atlantic Ocean. Pilgrims who complete this route find peace in its breathtaking coastal setting. A Unique Camino Route The

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A Sanctuary by the Atlantic The Virgin of the Boat, or Our Lady of the Boat, is Muxía’s most beloved sanctuary. It stands at the very end of the Camino Finisterre and Muxía, overlooking the powerful Atlantic Ocean. Pilgrims who complete this route find peace in its breathtaking coastal setting. A Unique Camino Route The

Finisterrana Certificate

Finisterrana and Muxiana Camino Certificates

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What is the Finisterrana? Many of you will be familiar with the ‘Compostela’, the pilgrim certificate you can obtain from the Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela if you have walked a minimum of 100 of the Camino de Santiago to the city or cycled at least the last 200. But did you know that

Finisterrana and Muxiana Camino Certificates Read More »

What is the Finisterrana? Many of you will be familiar with the ‘Compostela’, the pilgrim certificate you can obtain from the Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela if you have walked a minimum of 100 of the Camino de Santiago to the city or cycled at least the last 200. But did you know that

Camino Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela

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Camino Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela. If you finish your Camino trip in Santiago de Compostela, you will receive your Compostela certificate and a warm welcome from the people at the Pilgrims Office. The Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela (Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino) is located in the city centre, just a few

Camino Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela Read More »

Camino Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela. If you finish your Camino trip in Santiago de Compostela, you will receive your Compostela certificate and a warm welcome from the people at the Pilgrims Office. The Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela (Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino) is located in the city centre, just a few

The Fishermen’s Trail: Walk Portugal’s Wilderness

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The Fishermen’s Trail: Walk Portugal’s Wilderness I’m sitting on a sun-warmed boulder, applying an undercoat of factor 50 to face, neck and limbs, when the first dollops of a downpour sent me rummaging for my waterproofs. The Fishermen’s Trail: Walk Portugal. It’s late October in southern Portugal, so a drop of rain is to be expected

The Fishermen’s Trail: Walk Portugal’s Wilderness Read More »

The Fishermen’s Trail: Walk Portugal’s Wilderness I’m sitting on a sun-warmed boulder, applying an undercoat of factor 50 to face, neck and limbs, when the first dollops of a downpour sent me rummaging for my waterproofs. The Fishermen’s Trail: Walk Portugal. It’s late October in southern Portugal, so a drop of rain is to be expected

The History of the Camino de Santiago

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History of the Camino de Santiago The Camino de Santiago is considered a bucket list destination for many people, whether you consider yourself a spiritual person or not. But how did the Camino de Santiago come to be so popular among modern travellers and what do we know about the history of the Camino? Thousands

The History of the Camino de Santiago Read More »

History of the Camino de Santiago The Camino de Santiago is considered a bucket list destination for many people, whether you consider yourself a spiritual person or not. But how did the Camino de Santiago come to be so popular among modern travellers and what do we know about the history of the Camino? Thousands

Camino Culture: The Galician Hórreo

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Camino Culture: The Galician Hórreo If you are walking the Camino de Santiago, you will start noticing some exciting structures close to most homes in rural areas as you enter Galicia. These rectangular structures are granaries called ‘hórreos’, a widespread construction across rural Galicia. Their function is to store grain and other food crops for

Camino Culture: The Galician Hórreo Read More »

Camino Culture: The Galician Hórreo If you are walking the Camino de Santiago, you will start noticing some exciting structures close to most homes in rural areas as you enter Galicia. These rectangular structures are granaries called ‘hórreos’, a widespread construction across rural Galicia. Their function is to store grain and other food crops for

7 things not to miss on the Finisterre Camino

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The Finisterre Camino has had a magical appeal for pilgrims since medieval times. Having arrived in Santiago de Compostela after walking for many weeks across Europe, they would continue their journey to Cape Fisterra. Cape Fisterra was once believed to be the last place on Earth, the edge of the known World, Finis Terrae. Many

7 things not to miss on the Finisterre Camino Read More »

The Finisterre Camino has had a magical appeal for pilgrims since medieval times. Having arrived in Santiago de Compostela after walking for many weeks across Europe, they would continue their journey to Cape Fisterra. Cape Fisterra was once believed to be the last place on Earth, the edge of the known World, Finis Terrae. Many

What does the word ‘Ultreia’ mean?

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The Camino is full of interesting facts and phrases, and it’s always a delight to learn of another one. You might have heard or seen the word ‘Ultreia’ mentioned when researching, reading, or while walking the Camino de Santiago. The word “Ultreia” is derived from the Latin word “ultra,” which means “beyond” or “farther.” In

What does the word ‘Ultreia’ mean? Read More »

The Camino is full of interesting facts and phrases, and it’s always a delight to learn of another one. You might have heard or seen the word ‘Ultreia’ mentioned when researching, reading, or while walking the Camino de Santiago. The word “Ultreia” is derived from the Latin word “ultra,” which means “beyond” or “farther.” In

Traditional Scallop Shell on the Camino

The Scallop Shell and the Camino de Santiago

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The scallop shell is one of the most iconic symbols of the Camino de Santiago. Today, it is used, along with the yellow arrow, to guide pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela along its many different Camino routes. Painted on trees, sidewalks, tiles, etc… the scallop shell (or ‘Vieira’ in Galician and Spanish) will help

The Scallop Shell and the Camino de Santiago Read More »

The scallop shell is one of the most iconic symbols of the Camino de Santiago. Today, it is used, along with the yellow arrow, to guide pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela along its many different Camino routes. Painted on trees, sidewalks, tiles, etc… the scallop shell (or ‘Vieira’ in Galician and Spanish) will help

Camino Culture: The story of As Marias

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Camino Culture: The story of As Marias As an exercise of made-up statistics, I would guesstimate that nearly 99% of pilgrims and visitors to Santiago de Compostela get a picture taken with the colourful statue of As Marias in Alameda Park. Hands up? If you haven’t been to Santiago but you are about to, or

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Camino Culture: The story of As Marias As an exercise of made-up statistics, I would guesstimate that nearly 99% of pilgrims and visitors to Santiago de Compostela get a picture taken with the colourful statue of As Marias in Alameda Park. Hands up? If you haven’t been to Santiago but you are about to, or

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Unmissable Christmas Activities in Santiago de Compostela

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6 Unmissable Christmas Activities in Santiago de Compostela Whether you’re heading to Santiago for a little pre-Christmas holiday or if you happen to be finishing up your Camino de Santiago (quite a chilly walk we’d imagine) during the festive season, there are some unmissable Christmas activities to keep you entertained in this Spanish city. If

Unmissable Christmas Activities in Santiago de Compostela Read More »

6 Unmissable Christmas Activities in Santiago de Compostela Whether you’re heading to Santiago for a little pre-Christmas holiday or if you happen to be finishing up your Camino de Santiago (quite a chilly walk we’d imagine) during the festive season, there are some unmissable Christmas activities to keep you entertained in this Spanish city. If

O Magosto Festival – Celebrating Chestnuts and Winter

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There are many wonderful festivals taking place throughout the year on the Camino de Santiago. One of these is O Magosto, Galicia’s classic autumn festival. This festival welcomes the winter season and is dedicated to one special product: the chestnut. If you are travelling along one of the Camino routes in late October and November,

O Magosto Festival – Celebrating Chestnuts and Winter Read More »

There are many wonderful festivals taking place throughout the year on the Camino de Santiago. One of these is O Magosto, Galicia’s classic autumn festival. This festival welcomes the winter season and is dedicated to one special product: the chestnut. If you are travelling along one of the Camino routes in late October and November,

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Useful Spanish for the Camino

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Useful Spanish for the Camino Walking the Camino de Santiago (particularly along the French Way route and as you get closer to Santiago de Compostela), you will meet people of all nationalities. Most people will come back from the Camino having made at least a few friends. You will find some Useful Spanish for the Camino

Useful Spanish for the Camino Read More »

Useful Spanish for the Camino Walking the Camino de Santiago (particularly along the French Way route and as you get closer to Santiago de Compostela), you will meet people of all nationalities. Most people will come back from the Camino having made at least a few friends. You will find some Useful Spanish for the Camino

Spanish bullfighter

Camino de Santiago lingo

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Camino de Santiago lingo Heading to the Camino de Santiago routes soon? We have put together a short and fun guide to the most useful Camino de Santiago lingo, a few sentences in Spanish and Galician to help you along the way!: Buen Camino! – This is the one sentence you will always remember. It

Camino de Santiago lingo Read More »

Camino de Santiago lingo Heading to the Camino de Santiago routes soon? We have put together a short and fun guide to the most useful Camino de Santiago lingo, a few sentences in Spanish and Galician to help you along the way!: Buen Camino! – This is the one sentence you will always remember. It

Orbis Ways caminos

Camino FAQ: What are the busiest months on the Camino?

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Planning your next Camino de Santiago adventure? Wondering which month of the year would be the best for you? What are the busiest months on the Camino? We have taken the most recent statistics from the Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela to give you an idea of the number of pilgrims arriving in Santiago

Camino FAQ: What are the busiest months on the Camino? Read More »

Planning your next Camino de Santiago adventure? Wondering which month of the year would be the best for you? What are the busiest months on the Camino? We have taken the most recent statistics from the Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela to give you an idea of the number of pilgrims arriving in Santiago

Camino Planner

Who are the top Camino pilgrims by nationality?

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Have you ever wondered where your country ranks in terms of Camino pilgrims by nationality? These are the Top International Camino Pilgrims It is difficult to determine the top nationalities of pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, as data on the nationality of pilgrims is not consistently collected. The popularity of the Camino de Santiago

Who are the top Camino pilgrims by nationality? Read More »

Have you ever wondered where your country ranks in terms of Camino pilgrims by nationality? These are the Top International Camino Pilgrims It is difficult to determine the top nationalities of pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, as data on the nationality of pilgrims is not consistently collected. The popularity of the Camino de Santiago

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Useful Galician for your Camino trip

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Useful Galician for your Camino trip While on the Camino de Santiago, you will encounter and befriend fellow pilgrims of many nationalities and many languages, particularly as you get closer to Santiago de Compostela. You might have learnt a bit of Spanish before but did you know Galicia has its own language? It is called ‘galego’, Galician.

Useful Galician for your Camino trip Read More »

Useful Galician for your Camino trip While on the Camino de Santiago, you will encounter and befriend fellow pilgrims of many nationalities and many languages, particularly as you get closer to Santiago de Compostela. You might have learnt a bit of Spanish before but did you know Galicia has its own language? It is called ‘galego’, Galician.

Amazing coastal route

6 Amazing Camino Coastal Trails

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6 Amazing Camino Coastal Trails Waves of the sea of Vigo, have you seen my loved one? Wondered Martin Codax, a famous medieval troubadour in the 13th century. If, like a medieval Galician troubadour, the sea is your muse; these are 6 Amazing Camino Coastal Trails to inspire your next walking trip: 1 – Portuguese

6 Amazing Camino Coastal Trails Read More »

6 Amazing Camino Coastal Trails Waves of the sea of Vigo, have you seen my loved one? Wondered Martin Codax, a famous medieval troubadour in the 13th century. If, like a medieval Galician troubadour, the sea is your muse; these are 6 Amazing Camino Coastal Trails to inspire your next walking trip: 1 – Portuguese

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