When is the best time to walk the Camino? This is a frequently asked question among pilgrims and one that has many possible answers!
The best months to walk the Camino will depend on the route and section you choose but mainly on what ‘you’ expect to get out of your Camino journey; and how you want to experience it also.
The main factors to keep in mind are the number of pilgrims, the actual route or section, and the weather:
PILGRIMS ON THE CAMINO
Most Camino routes are best enjoyed from Spring to Autumn (from April to October). The busiest months on the Camino routes are actually the Summer months (July and August), as they coincide with the holiday season in Spain and many other European countries.
If you are looking for a social experience, the Camino Frances has a good number of pilgrims on the trail most of the year, particularly the last section walking into Santiago de Compostela.
The Camino Frances attracts approximately 66% of all Camino pilgrims, to give you an idea of just how popular the route is.
If you are looking to meet a few fellow pilgrims but you would prefer to avoid the busy Summer months on the Camino Frances, the Camino Portugues is a great alternative.
By contrast, if what you are looking for is a totally off-the-beaten-track route, trails such as the Via de la Plata or the new Camino de Invierno are just perfect and crowd-free.
WEATHER ON THE CAMINO
Weather is a big factor for many people when tackling a walking or cycling adventure such as the Camino.
Some might prefer sunny skies and a bit of heat, while others prefer cooler temperatures and don’t mind a bit of rain.
Summer in North West Spain and Galicia in particular generally doesn’t have extreme temperatures but as they say in Spain: ‘it never rains to everyone’s taste’ so we recommend you check our ‘weather’ tab when booking your tour to check out the average temperatures and rainfall per month to help you plan your trip.
This way you will be able to assess if that’s the kind of weather that suits you. Our interactive weather on the Camino map is also a really useful planning tool, you can find it here: Weather on the Camino.
Some routes, such as the Via de la Plata particularly the sections in Andalucia and Extremadura will be too hot for Summer, in our opinion.
Some sections, particularly across mountains, are not recommended for winter months as snow might make them impassable.
CAMINO ROUTES
The most famous route, the Camino Frances is manageable most of the year; apart from the first section across the Pyrenees and other mountainous regions that will be too challenging in the winter months.
Coastal routes and sections such as the Portuguese Coastal Camino, particularly the first section from Porto to Baiona; and the Finisterre Camino are perfect for Spring and Summer, from April to September or even October.
Via de la Plata is best explored in Spring and Autumn, avoiding the hot Summer months across Andalucia and Extremadura.
Remember you can download all our Camino ebooks for free to help you plan your trip here: CAMINO EBOOKS.
If your dates are flexible, we recommend you check with our travel specialists about the best dates to travel.
For more information about the best time to walk the Camino, advice on specific routes, or to book your Camino trip, contact our travel specialists.
