The Camino de Santiago is a bucket-list experience for many people, and the journey to Santiago along the Way of St. James has been popular for centuries. If you’re hoping to experience the Camino, here are 20 interesting Camino de Santiago facts you should know before you set off: 20 Camino de Santiago Facts to …
Camino Pilgrim Passports, Certificates, and Compostela Most people have a clear idea of why they want to walk the Camino de Santiago. It may be for religious or spiritual reasons, for a healthy challenge, for a break from everyday life, or even just the social aspect. Whatever your motivation for walking the Camino routes, you …
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The name of Don Elías Valiña Sampedro might not ring any bells but you will certainly recognise his most ‘famous’ creation: the yellow arrows on the Camino, pointing the way to Santiago de Compostela. Don Elías (1929-1989) was the parish priest in O Cebreiro in Lugo and studied the history of the St James Way pilgrimage to Santiago …
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 …
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 …
8 Unique Camino Rituals Rituals and traditions established by pilgrims in medieval times have continued to the present day. In celebration of these wonderful Camino de Santiago traditions, we want to share a few of our favourite unique Camino rituals. From the classic pilgrim greeting to iconic stops along the Camino routes, there are many …
One big hug in Santiago de Compostela. The experience is simply incomparable. On a cold, almost chilly, day at the end of winter, you stand on the roof of one of Europe’s most historic cathedrals and have a sweeping view of a heritage city. As the rogue wind touches your face intermittently, you imagine the …
Why the epic Camino trail across Spain is a route to true happiness You will have heard about life-changing journeys, but if I describe a 500-mile Camino trail to Santiago de Compostela, I suspect your reaction would be: turn the page. But please don’t! I’d reached a time when I needed to re-assess, to reflect …
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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 …
Halloween is right around the corner so it’s no surprise that we’re getting into the spooky spirit. Whether you’re a fan of ghosts and ghouls or just a little bit superstitious, you can add some ghostly fun to your walk with these 7 spooky Camino facts! As we know, the Camino de Santiago takes walkers …
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Santiago de Compostela is not just the final point of the Camino de Santiago, it is a fantastic place to explore, wandering around its alleys and quaint granite streets. There are also many things to do in Santiago de Compostela. It is quite pocket-sized too, so make sure you dedicate at least a couple of …
Santo Domingo de la Calzada: the Miracle of the Hen Santo Domingo de la Calzada in La Rioja, is home to one of the most famous miracles or legends on the Camino de Santiago. Located on the third section of the French Way of the Camino de Santiago, the history of Santo Domingo de la …
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8 things you didn’t know about the Camino. Thousands of people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds walk (or cycle!) the Camino de Santiago each year. Over 278,000 pilgrims received their Compostela certificate in Santiago in 2016 alone. Whether they walked a whole month on the Camino Frances from Saint-Jean or a week on the …
6 things that make the Camino special Thousands of people decide to take on the Camino de Santiago every year. These people have various reasons for their decision; some are pilgrims, some are looking for a spiritual experience, and some are simply looking for an adventure. See the 6 things that make the Camino special …
Portomarin and its two villages Did you know that the whole village of Portomarin, on the last section of the Camino Francés, French Way Camino de Santiago, was moved to its current location in the 1960s, when the Miño River was dammed to build the Belesar reservoir (Encoro de Belesar). This meant the old Portomarín …
Cycling or walking the Camino? That is a question we get asked quite a lot! To give you an idea, in 2019 approximately 6% of all ‘Compostela’ certificates are issued to bike-pilgrims or ‘bicigrinos’; while most other pilgrims choose to make their way to Santiago the traditional way: on foot. A small percentage will choose …
Responsible Travel with Camino Ways If you want to experience authentic local food and interact with people of diverse cultural backgrounds on your next holiday, then look no further. Responsible Travel with Camino Ways. Camino Ways, the walking and cycling tour specialists, offer a fun, relaxing and invigorating walking or cycling experience without harming culture, heritage …
Where is the start of the Camino de Santiago? This is a general question we get here at CaminoWays.com. Many people talk about ‘el Camino‘, but there are many ways and many Caminos, all leading to one place: Santiago de Compostela and the tomb of Saint James in the city’s cathedral. The Camino de Santiago …
Katriona’s Camino Diary Katriona McFadden, a reporter from Mooney on RTE Radio 1 in Ireland, was walking the Camino de Santiago with her fiancé JP. Katriona is walking the last 110km of the French Way, starting ‘full of vim and vigour’ in the town of Sarria and finishing in Santiago de Compostela. The Mooney Show is …
Following the Yellow Arrows to Santiago The name of Don Elías Valiña Sampedro might not ring any bells but you will certainly recognise his most ‘famous’ creation: the yellow arrow pointing the way along the Camino de Santiago. Don Elías (1929-1989) was the parish priest in O Cebreiro in Lugo and studied the history of the St James …