There are many Camino de Santiago routes coming from different points across Europe; the most popular come from France, Portugal and different parts of Spain.
Each Camino route has its own history and uniqueness. The top three Camino routes are the Camino Frances which atracts approximately 60% of all pilgrims; followed by the Camino Portugues which atracts roughly 20% of pilgrims and the Camino del norte which attracts nearly 6% of all pilgrims.
The beauty of the Camino is that there are many routes to choose from and you you can start at any point, making it as short or long as you like:
The Last 100km: From Sarria to Santiago
The last 100km of the Camino Frances route is the classic Camino experience. This is the most popular stretch as you can get your certificate in Santiago and it can be completed in just a week. You will walk from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela across the green Galician countryside, meeting many pilgrims along the way.
Camino Frances: from Saint Jean Pied de Port
The Camino Frances of French Way is the most famous route of the Camino, featuring in movies such as Martin Sheen’s The Way and books such as Paulo Coelho The Pilgrimage. The Camino Frances starts in the French Pyrenees and crosses the La Rioja wine region, passing fantastic cities such as Pamplona and Burgos, before reaching the stunning mountains of León, the Templars Castle of Ponferrada and finally Galicia across the wonderful O Cebreiro mountains.
Camino Portugues: Lisbon-Porto-Santiago
This is the second most popular Camino route. Starting in beautiful Lisbon, the Camino Portugues takes walkers across beautiful villages, unspoilt rural landscapes and UNESCO sites in Portugal such as Porto before reaching the South of Galicia.
Portuguese Coastal Camino: Porto to Santiago
This coastal Camino is quickly becoming a favourite, particularly for Summer months. Starting in wonderful Porto, the route takes pilgrims along the Atlantic Ocean, stopping in seaside villages on the way. The route takes in the scenic shores of Northern Portugal and the Rias Baixas in Galicia.
Camino del Norte: along the North Coast
The Camino del Norte, or Northern Way, is another stunning coastal Camino: it starts in chic San Sebastian, in the Basque Country, and follows the lush Northern coast of Spain into Cantabria and Asturias. You will get the chance to sample the region’s delicious cuisine and go for a swim in one of the many beaches along the way.
Camino Primitivo or Original Way
The Camino Primitivo is the oldest and first Camino route. This is a mountainous and more challenging Camino route, starting in the city of Oviedo and crossing the mountains of Asturias into Galicia. You will get rewarded with peaceful and magnificent views. Highlights also include city of Lugo with its spectacular UNESCO Roman wall.
The Camino Ingles
The Camino Ingles is the route traditionally taken by pilgrims from Britain and Ireland who would have arrived by boat to the Northern shores of Galicia and continued on foot towards Santiago de Compostela. This is a short Camino, starting in the port cities of Ferrol or A Coruña. Along the way, you will stop in lovely historic towns such as Pontedeume and Betanzos.
Camino de Fisterra and Muxia: to the end of the world!
The Camino to Fisterra or Finisterre Way is the only route starting in Santiago and takes pilgrims to the ‘end of the world’, Cape Fisterra, on the rugged and beautiful Atlantic Coast. The Cape, on the Costa da Morte, has a mystical allure for pilgrims. We recommend you continue to Muxia to admire its sanctuary and fascinating ‘magic rocks’.
Via de la Plata: from Seville
Via de la Plata is the Camino for adventurers, the road less travelled. The trail starts in the fascinating Andalucian city of Seville and heads North across rural landscapes but also passing beautiful historic cities or wonderful culture and rich Roman heritage such as Merida, Salamanca and Ourense.
The Arles Camino: from the South of France
Our Arles Camino route starts from Montpellier, in the South of France. This trail takes walkers along one of France’s most remote and unspoilt beautiful landscapes, the Larzac Plateau; as well as stunning villages such as St-Guilhem-le-Désert and wonderful Toulouse, the pink city.
Le Puy Camino: a classic French route to Santiago
The Le Puy Camino is a truly spectacular trail, starting in Le Puy-en-Velay in the heart of France with its imposing cathedral and volcanic landscapes. Le Puy Way is the most popular Camino route in France and a classic trail, passing some of France’s most beautiful towns such as Conques, Cahors and the picturesque Lot Valley. It is also known as Via Podiensis.
The Paris & Tours Camino
This was the route traditionally followed by pilgrims coming from the north of France and Europe and the trail has been an important road since Roman times. This Camino takes you through the famous Loire Valley and Bordeaux wine region, as well as the city of Tours, a popular pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages.
The Vézelay Camino: Burgundy and the Pyrenees
Starting in Burgundy, the Vézelay Way to Santiago starts in the shrine of Mary Madgalene and a magnificent abbey of Vézelay. This trail joins the Camino routes coming from Paris and Le Puy near Ostabat where pilgrims can continue all the way to the Pyrenees and join the Camino Frances.
The Geneva Camino
The Geneva Way is one of the most recent Camino routes, starting in the Swiss city of Geneva at the foot of the Saleve Mountain. This is a route of superb mountain views, passing gorgeous countryside, dotted with lovely villages where you can sample the local cuisine. It joins the Le Puy Way at Le Puy en Velay.
The Cluny Camino: vineyards and volcanoes
The Cluny Camino starts in the French town of Cluny, by its medieval abbey, and crosses the Beaujolais hills towards Le Puy-en-Velay to join the Le Puy Way to Santiago.
*You might also like to read our blog posts:
How to choose the right Camino route
For more information about the Camino de Santiago routes or to book your trip, contact our travel specialists
