Camino Holy Year 2021 | All you need to know
We are very much looking forward to the Camino Holy Year 2021 – The Xacobeo 2021 on the Camino de Santiago. For pilgrims everywhere, the year 2021 is filled with hope and will be a very special year to travel to the Camino de Santiago. Walking the Camino de Santiago in 2021, you can expect a very memorable trip filled with joy, hope, and spirituality. The Spirit of the Camino is alive and well and will be in full force in 2021!
2021 is going to be a very special year on the Camino de Santiago, as it is considered a Holy Year or Ano Xacobeo. This means the Feast of St James, 25th July, falls on a Sunday. This only happens every few years and the last Ano Xacobeo was 2010, 10 years ago. In fact, due to leap years, this holy year happens only 14 times in a century. But first, let’s learn a little about what is Xacobeo 2021 and what it means to pilgrims.
What is the Camino Holy Year 2021?
It’s the St James Holy Year 2021. The feast of St. James, July 25th (which is on a Sunday in 2021) celebrates St. James, the patron saint of Spain. According to the New Testament, James was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus. His remains are buried in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and it is to his remains in the church that pilgrims have traveled for thousands of years on “The Way of St. James”. July 25th is also the national day of Galicia, the traditional home of the Camino.
During the Holy Year, a special entrance called the “Holy Door” is opened on the east side of the Cathedral and since the 12th Century, pilgrims who visit the shrine on the Holy Year are granted a Plenary Indulgence.
In 2021, there is an expectation that there will be record numbers of pilgrims on the Camino and it will be the most significant Camino year in living memory.
Planning to do the Camino de Santiago during Holy Year 2021?
During the Camino Holy Year 2021, it is very likely there will be more pilgrims on the trails than ever before. While this is wonderful for meeting like-minded people and sharing in a very unique experience, planning your trip as soon as possible is a good idea. A question we often get asked is “How far in advance should I book?” The answer is as far in advance as possible. If you can book far in advance you are more likely to secure the type of experience you are looking for.
There is limited availability for accommodation along the popular routes so the earlier you book the better! That is the advantage of booking with caminoways.com, where we can take the hassle out of arranging accommodation and luggage transfers. We also have many Camino de Santiago Guided Tours available for 2021 if you would prefer to be part of a tour.
Which Camino de Santiago route to choose for 2021?
It might be advisable to choose a lesser-known or quieter route such as the Camino Primitivo. The Camino Primitivo is the oldest of the routes and one of the most challenging. However, the views are spectacular and the route is likely to be a little less busy. There is also the Via de la Plata, the longest of all of the routes. The last 100 KM of the Via de Plata, however, is the most beautiful of all of the ways into Santiago so this could be an option for a less busy and beautiful Camino journey. We have more Camino routes to choose from for 2021 so there will be something for every interest and level of ability.
How CaminoWays.com can help you plan your trip
Early booking is advised as this will be a very popular year to travel to the Camino de Santiago. We look after the maps, walking notes, luggage transfers, accommodation and have a 24 hours support line for all our clients to ensure your trip is as hassle-free as possible. Get in touch with us now by clicking on the button below to start your Camino journey for Xacobeo 2021.
Have you got more questions?
- Read our HOLY YEAR 2021 FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Watch our Holy Year 2021 Webinar Live Video
**Update on the Camino Holy Year – the Holy Year is now extended into 2022 to allow for greater recovery and celebrations to occur throughout 2021 and 2022. You can read more information about the update on the Confraternity of St. James website.
