Camino Holy Year | All You Need To Know

Camino Holy Year 2027: Your Complete Guide to Xacobeo 2027

2027 is the next Camino de Santiago Holy Year, the Ano Xacobeo. It happens because July 25th, the Feast of Saint James, falls on a Sunday. The Holy Door of Santiago Cathedral opens for the whole year, and a plenary indulgence becomes available. Pilgrim numbers will likely break every record. Planning to walk in 2027? Book as early as you can, because rooms on the most popular routes are already filling up.

Use our Camino Planner to check availability and get an instant quote, or contact our team for personal advice. For a step-by-step guide, read how to book the Camino for Holy Year 2027.

What is the Camino Holy Year?

The Camino de Santiago has a Holy Year whenever the Feast of Saint James (July 25th) falls on a Sunday. In Galician, people call it the Ano Xacobeo. Because of leap years, Holy Years follow an irregular cycle of 6, 5, 6 and 11 years. As a result, there are roughly 14 per century. To understand the full story behind this ancient pilgrimage, see our history of the Camino de Santiago.

The last Holy Year was 2021. Pope Francis extended it into 2022 because of the pandemic. Only once before had a Jacobean Year spanned two calendar years: 1937–38, during the Spanish Civil War. After 2027, the next Holy Years will be 2032, 2038 and 2049. Meanwhile, the Pilgrim Office of Santiago de Compostela issued 530,987 Compostelas in 2025 alone, the highest figure on record. That makes 2027 a rare event. If you miss it, the next chance is five years away.

What Makes the 2027 Holy Year Special?

Two things define a Holy Year on the Camino de Santiago:

• The Holy Door opens. The Porta Santa, the Holy Door of Santiago Cathedral on the Praza da Quintana, stays sealed in ordinary years. On December 31st, 2026, the Archbishop of Santiago will open it in a ceremony. It then stays open for all of 2027. Walking through it links you to a thousand years of pilgrims who did the same.
• A plenary indulgence is available. Since the 12th century, pilgrims who visit the shrine in a Holy Year can receive a plenary indulgence. In Catholic tradition, this means a full forgiveness of sins. To qualify, visit the cathedral and pray at least the Creed and the Our Father. Add a prayer for the Pope’s intentions. Then receive Confession and Communion within 15 days before or after your visit. The Church also recommends attending Mass. This is one of the oldest traditions of the Camino, and it draws Catholic pilgrims from across the world.

Even for non-religious walkers, the Holy Year transforms the Camino. Expect more pilgrims, more cultural events and a strong sense of shared purpose. For more detail, read walking the Camino in 2027: what to expect.

What to Expect on the Camino in 2027

• More pilgrims than ever. In 2025, the Pilgrim Office issued 530,987 Compostelas. That was the highest figure on record, beating every previous Holy Year. Holy Years add a big wave of demand on top of this. So demand in 2027 will likely exceed anything the Camino has seen before.
• A full calendar of events. Santiago de Compostela and Galicia prepare well for Holy Years. Concerts, exhibitions, festivals and religious celebrations fill the calendar throughout 2027. The Xunta de Galicia coordinates the official cultural programme. Around the St James’ Day celebrations on July 25th, the atmosphere in Santiago is extraordinary.
• Higher demand for accommodation. In Holy Years, the busiest stages of the Camino Francés and Camino Portugués fill up months ahead, especially in summer. See our full guide to Camino de Santiago accommodation and book as early as you can.
• Improved infrastructure. Galicia invests heavily in the Camino before each Holy Year, with restored paths, better signs and more services. In addition, the Spanish government has declared the 2027 Xacobeo an Event of Exceptional Public Interest.

Which Camino Route Should You Choose for 2027?

All routes will be busier than usual in 2027, but some will feel it more than others. For a full comparison, see our Camino routes guide and level of difficulty guide. You can also read our guide to the best Camino routes for Holy Year 2027.

• For the full Holy Year atmosphere: walk the Camino Francés from Sarria or the full Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. These routes offer the biggest crowds, the liveliest atmosphere and the most services.
• For the Holy Year with fewer crowds: try the Camino Portugués Coastal from Vigo or the Camino Inglés from Ferrol. Both qualify for the Compostela and are quieter than the Francés. Each one reaches Santiago de Compostela in time for you to walk through the Holy Door.
• For a truly quiet Holy Year Camino: choose the Camino Primitivo, the Via de la Plata or the Camino de Invierno. They will be busier than usual, yet still much quieter than the Francés. The Primitivo in particular offers spectacular scenery and a remote feel.

Not sure which route is right for you? Our guide to the best Camino for beginners and am I fit enough to walk the Camino will help you decide.

When to Walk the Camino in Holy Year 2027

• The Holy Door is open all year, from January 1st to December 31st, 2027. You do not need to arrive on July 25th to walk through it or to receive the plenary indulgence. For a month-by-month breakdown, see walking the Camino month by month.
• Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) offer the best balance of mild weather, manageable crowds and availability. We recommend these windows for most pilgrims in 2027.
• July and August will be the busiest months by far. Peak season and Holy Year demand come together. Rooms will be scarce and expensive, so only choose summer if you are happy with busy trails and can reserve now.
• January–March and November–December offer the quietest Holy Year experience. You also get to walk through the Holy Door with far fewer fellow pilgrims.

How Far in Advance Should You Book for 2027?

Now. The most popular routes and dates for 2027 are already filling up. In previous Holy Years, rooms on the Camino Francés from Sarria and the Camino Portugués from Vigo ran short early in the year. Spring and summer departures go first.

Our guide on how to book the Camino for Holy Year 2027 walks you through choosing your route, dates and accommodation. When you’re ready, use our Camino Planner to check availability and get an instant quote.

How CaminoWays Can Help You Plan Your 2027 Camino

Every CaminoWays package includes hand-picked accommodation, daily luggage transfers, detailed maps and walking notes, and 24/7 support throughout your trip. The Pilgrim Passport is not included, but we will help you get one. We have helped pilgrims plan their Camino for over 15 years, and we know the Holy Year routes inside out.

Maybe you want a quiet solo walk on a lesser-known route. Or perhaps you want the full Camino Francés in the heart of the Holy Year. Either way, we take care of everything so you can focus on the walk. For first-time pilgrims, our beginner’s guide to walking the Camino is the perfect starting point.

FAQs