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The Camino de Santiago or the Means of St.James is a community of pilgrimage to the tomb of Apotles St.James in Santiago de Compostela. Strolling the Camino is a lifetime expertise. Among the finest issues about it’s that anyone can do it. You don’t need to be an skilled hiker or tremendous athlete to stroll it. Camino de Santiago has many various route choices from a brief 120 km stroll to the lengthy and difficult 800 km and even 1000 km routes. Relying on how a lot time you could have, what you wish to see, and the way far you may stroll you may select any of the prevailing routes. I have to warn you the Camino is perhaps addictive, many individuals come again time and again after finishing their first route.
We’ve got the Camino de Santiago useful resource web page the place you could find all our posts devoted to the pilgrimage. It’s simple to navigate as all of the posts are grouped based mostly on their subject.
As of March 2024, we’ve accomplished 9 completely different Camino routes and several other connecting and different routes. You could find many detailed Camino posts on our Camino de Santiago web page. We tried to create one of the best useful resource that pilgrims can use to plan their journey.
The Camino de Santiago that we’ve accomplished:
We couldn’t do any Camino in 2020 as a result of pandemic. In 2021 our daughter was born we didn’t get an opportunity to stroll. In 2022 we restarted our Camino journey. As of March 2024, we’ve accomplished some elements of the Portuguese Camino together with the Non secular Variant, and a few connecting routes between the Coatal and the Central routes. We’re planning to stroll extra within the coming months.
Watch our YouTube video about issues to know earlier than strolling the Camino de Santiago
What’s the Camino de Santiago?
The Camino de Santiago or the Means of Saint James is a pilgrimage path to Santiago de Compostela, a metropolis in Galicia (Spain). It’s believed that within the cathedral of Santiago, the physique of the apostle Saint James was buried. The historical past of the Camino de Santiago goes again to the ninth century when Spanish King Alfonso II accomplished the first-ever pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela from Oviedo. These days this route is called the Camino Primitivo. The Camino de Santiago isn’t a single route however a community of routes that begin in numerous cities, primarily in Spain (some in Portugal and France), and end in Santiago.
Why is the Means of St.James so vital?
The Camino de Santiago is among the oldest pilgrimage routes in Europe that has been walked by thousands and thousands of pilgrims over centuries. The ultimate level of the pilgrimage the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is among the three Christian temples constructed over the tomb of the twelve Apostles. Individuals who stroll the Means for non secular causes see it as the best way to hunt penance and forgiveness. Within the previous occasions, it was the principle motive for strolling the Camino. These days all people has completely different causes and motivations for finishing the pilgrimage.
In the event you get overwhelmed firstly of your Camino planning and have many questions that should be answered we created a devoted publish answering many FAQs in regards to the Camino de Santiago.
Totally different routes of the Means of St.James
As I discussed above the Camino de Santiago isn’t a single route, as some folks suppose referring to the most well-liked route – Camino Frances. It‘s a community of routes. You can begin strolling in direction of Santiago from wherever in Europe however exterior the established Camino de Santiago routes it is going to be troublesome to discover a good infrastructure for pilgrims; lodging, route markings, and many others.
There are a number of established routes of the Means of St.James, all of them begin in numerous cities and finish in Santiago de Compostela;
Camino Frances (the French Means) – the most well-liked route, about 55% of all pilgrims select this Camino. The French route begins in Saint Jean Pied de Port, a French city close to the border with Spain. Complete distance 790 km. In the event you’re planning to finish your complete route learn our publish on find out how to get to St.Jean Pied de Port. 50% of pilgrims who full this route stroll solely the final 100 km from Sarria. The final 100 kilometers to Santiago on any Camino is a required minimal for getting the Compostela (the Certificates of the Camino de Santiago).
Camino Portugues (the Portuguese Means) – the second standard route. It begins in Lisbon however most individuals begin their stroll in Porto or Tui. Complete distance from Lisbon – 616 km, from Porto 260 km or 280 km, relying on the route you are taking, 119 km on the route from Tui. There are two completely different routes from Porto; the Coastal route, which is walked solely by 4% of the pilgrims, and the Central route, which is walked by 20% of the pilgrims. The Coastal Route goes alongside the coast from Porto to Vigo, the Central Route goes inland to Santiago.
Camino del Norte (the Northern Means) – this route is rising in recognition, In 2019 6% of all pilgrims who arrived in Santiago accomplished this Camino. The Northern Means is a good different to the French Camino. I’ve walked each and favored the surroundings on the Camino del Norte extra. The route begins in Irún, a small Spanish city on the border with France. The entire distance of the Camino is 825 km.
Camino Primitivo (the Unique Means) – one of many lesser walked Camino routes, about 5% of all pilgrims. It’s comparatively brief, 321 km but it surely’s thought-about to be one of many hardest routes as a result of many steep ascents and descents. The Camino Primitivo begins in Oviedo, Spain.
By way of de la Plata (the Silver Means) – the longest established route of St.James, about 1000 km, one of many least walked routes, 3%. It’s not one of the best path to stroll as the primary Camino, it has much less infrastructure, longer phases, and many others. It begins in Seville, Spain.
Camino Inglés (the English Means) – a brief, 120 km stroll, from A Coruña/Ferrol, Spain. One of many least walked routes (3,5%) on the Camino. It’s in all probability the most suitable choice for individuals who simply wish to get a style of the Camino earlier than embracing an extended stroll.
There are lots of lesser-known Camino routes in Spain. From Valencia – Camino de Levante; from Almería – Camino Mozárabe (joins with By way of de la Plata after Merida); from Barcelona – Camino Catalán; from Madrid – Camino de Madrid – the final two be part of with the French Means after about two weeks. There may be even a route on the Canary Islands known as the Camino de Gran Canaria. All these routes mixed are walked by lower than 1% of the pilgrims a yr so you may think about how little infrastructure they’ve.
There may be one “particular” route Camino Finisterre-Muxía, not like the opposite routes, it begins in Santiago de Compostela and goes to Finisterre and Muxía, two coastal cities in Galicia. Folks normally stroll it after finishing one of many different Camino routes. Complete distance from Santiago to Finisterre – 89 km and to Muxía – 86 km.
You could find extra particulars on route choices in our publish on the Greatest routes of the Camino de Santiago.
How lengthy does it take to stroll the Camino de Santiago?
The time and distance required for finishing the Means of St.James rely upon the chosen route. It may be from 4 days on the Camino de Gran Canaria to 45+ days on the By way of de la Plata. The preferred route the Camino Frances takes on common between 30 and 35 days to finish. In the event you don’t have time to finish one of many longer routes and nonetheless wish to get the Compostela Certificates you may stroll the final 100 km to Santiago de Compostela on any Camino route.
If you wish to full one of many longer routes of the Means of St.James however don’t have sufficient time you may break up it into elements and stroll them over a few years each time you could have a vacation.
The place does the Means of St.James begin and finish?
The start line of the Means of St.James relies on the chosen route. All Camino routes begin in numerous cities throughout Europe, largely Spain. All Camino de Santiago routes finish in a single place – Santiago de Compostela. There are solely two exceptions: the Camino de Gran Canaria which is on the Canary Islands and the Camino Finisterre-Muxia which begins in Santiago de Compostela.
Santiago de Compostela is a good metropolis with many issues to do. You probably have a few days after ending the Means of St.James I might suggest spending them there.
How exhausting is it to stroll the Camino?
The Camino de Santiago is a difficult route, particularly for first-timers who’ve by no means finished a multi-day stroll/trek earlier than. It’s bodily demanding to stroll on common 20-25 km each day even for those who stroll one of many shorter routes or do solely the final 100 km to Santiago de Compostela. I might suggest performing some coaching for the Camino de Santiago beforehand.
On longer routes (from our expertise) you will get emotionally burned out as effectively. Simply think about getting up every single day packing your stuff in a backpack strolling for days sleeping each evening in a unique place typically in a shared room with strangers. After all, it’s a novel expertise, and the challenges that we overcome type part of it but it surely’s not a straightforward stroll within the park even for those who’re an avid hiker.
What number of hours a day do you stroll?
You stroll 20-25 km/12,4-15,5 mi per day on the Camino de Santiago on common. In the event you take a mean strolling pace of 5 km/3,1 mi per hour it’ll provide you with 4-5 strolling hours a day. Add to that an hour or two since you normally cease on the best way to take photographs, drink espresso, eat lunch, and many others. Be able to spend on the street between 5 and seven hours a day. Some folks stroll slower some sooner. Even on the identical Camino route strolling time could fluctuate relying on the panorama; within the mountains (as a result of ascents and descents), you stroll slower than on the plain.
What’s the finest month to stroll the Camino de Santiago?
One of the best months for doing the Camino rely upon the route you select, some routes are nice in summer season e.g. Camino del Norte, Camino Primitivo – it’s good and heat, with no rain; on some Caminos, the warmth is insufferable e.g. By way of de la Plata, and the Portuguese Camino (Lisbon half) – it’s scorching scorching, dry with no shadow to cover.
The busiest time for many of the routes is July and August we’ve by no means walked any Camino throughout these months as a result of we simply don’t prefer it when it’s too busy with too many individuals. In our expertise, one of the best strolling months in sense of climate and individuals are; Might, June, September (not for the By way of de la Plata, it’s nonetheless too scorching in September), and the primary half of October.
We had nice climate in Might on the Portuguese Camino, okay climate in June on the Camino Primitivo (it was warmish however we bought numerous rain which wasn’t regular for June), good climate in October on the Camino del Norte, and dangerous (wet and windy) climate in November on the Camino Finisterre. For By way of de la Plata we’d counsel late March – April and the start of Might – it’s heat, no rain, and never too scorching but.
As for strolling the Means of St.James fully low season from November to February, the French Means might be one of the best to stroll primarily as a result of there’s extra infrastructure (extra albergues) and a few of them are open all yr spherical. On different routes e.g. Camino del Norte, most albergues are closed for the offseason and also you’ll have to remain in inns although it’ll be cheaper than within the season.
Climate-wise winter isn’t one of the best time it could rain quite a bit and it will get chilly (not all albergues have heating), within the mountains, you will get snow and a few passes is perhaps closed. If you’d like a really quiet Camino with no folks – winter is an efficient time in any other case attempt to do it between March and the start of November.
What do I would like for strolling the Camino de Santiago?
Anyone can stroll the Camino de Santiago. You don’t want any particular paperwork or permits. All you want is a pair of fine footwear and a snug backpack for the Camino. After all, you’ll need to do some planning and preparation however even for those who make a spontaneous resolution to stroll the Means of St.James you’ll be advantageous.
The one particular factor you want for the Camino de Santiago is a Credential – a printed ebook or spreadsheet with pilgrim info (title, nation, start date, and many others) and empty areas for stamps. On this ebook, you gather stamps from albergues, church buildings, eating places, and bars on the route. On the finish of the Camino in Santiago de Compostela you’ll want your Creential with stamps to get the Compostela, a certificates that’s granted for finishing the Camino. The Credential is obligatory to have if you wish to keep in public (municipal) albergues as effectively.
How a lot does it price to stroll the Camino?
Strolling the Camino isn’t costly reasonably low cost, but it surely relies on how a lot of your consolation you may sacrifice. The most affordable approach to stroll the Camino is;
to remain primarily in public (municipal) albergues
to prepare dinner
to not cease on the best way for espresso, cool drinks, and many others.
to not exit for beer or drinks
In the event you stick to those guidelines your Camino funds might be as little as 15-20 Euro per individual per day. Simply keep in mind don’t sacrifice an excessive amount of to save lots of extra, attempt to make your stroll gratifying.
Camino de Santiago one week price, per individual
Lodging – 8 Euro x 7 days = 56 Euro per week, per individual
Procuring – 10 Euro x 7 days = 70 Euro
Consuming out (non-obligatory, you should buy all meals in supermarkets) – 10 Euro x 7 days = 70 Euro
Laundry – 6 Euro, could be divided between 2 or extra folks
Different – 10 Euro, in case you have to purchase plasters or medication
Complete; 212 Euro pp. per week or 30 Euro pp. per day, plus transport to get to and again. For a snug stroll, we’d counsel planning 30-32 Euro pp. per day together with consuming, going out for a drink, and staying in albergues. In the event you reduce off on consuming out you are able to do it for below 147 Euro pp. per week or 20 Euro pp. per day.
You could find extra particulars on the price of strolling the Camino together with money-saving ideas, an in depth clarification of what you will get on 20, 30, and 40 Euro per day, and a comparability of the price of completely different routes in our publish The price of strolling the Camino de Santiago.
Baggage switch on the Camino de Santiago
In the event you don’t wish to stroll with an enormous backpack every single day it’s doable to rearrange backpack supply on the Means of St.James. It really works very simply; your backpack will get delivered every single day from place to position. They choose it up within the morning on the reception of your albergue/lodge and drop it off by lunchtime at your subsequent lodging place. A number of corporations provide baggage switch companies on the Camino de Santiago. The Spanish publish workplace Correos is the principle one, they cowl most Camino routes. The value is round 7 Euros per backpack per stage.
Journey insurance coverage for the Means of St.James
Strolling like another outside exercise includes a danger of getting an damage or shedding among the gear. It’s really helpful to have journey insurance coverage for the Camino de Santiago. Although Camino isn’t a high-altitude hike by way of distant areas it’s nonetheless a bodily difficult expertise and accidents are fairly frequent. It makes the stroll much less disturbing when you understand you’re lined in case of any unpredictable emergencies.
World Nomads journey insurance coverage has been designed by vacationers for vacationers, with protection for greater than 150 actions in addition to emergency medical, misplaced baggage, journey cancellation and extra.
The right way to plan the Camino de Santiago?
These easy steps will assist you in planning and getting ready for the stroll.
Select which route you wish to stroll. Don’t be afraid to decide on an off-the-beaten-track route, base your alternative on what you’d prefer to see and expertise.
Ensure the time you could have accessible is an efficient season to stroll the route (not too scorching, not too chilly or wet, and many others.).
E book your aircraft, practice, bus ticket, and lodge (really helpful to do for those who’re planning to stroll in peak season – June – September).
Purchase journey insurance coverage that covers the interval of the stroll.
In the event you suppose it’s essential to start out coaching (stroll extra, do a few hikes, and many others.).
Verify packing suggestions and be sure you have all of the necessities e.g. good footwear, a backpack, and many others. Don’t go away looking for these until the final second, you’ll want a while to get used to new mountain climbing boots.
Get the Credential in your nation or examine for those who’ll be capable to get it at the place to begin of your Camino route; some albergues, cathedrals, or pilgrim info places of work promote them.
Make a listing of stuff you wish to see or locations you wish to cease to be sure you gained’t miss one thing on the best way.
Make a draft of your strolling itinerary (phases) based mostly on locations you wish to keep, albergues, and distances. You don’t have to stay to it but it surely’s good to have some form of a strolling plan.
Get a superb ebook/audiobook for studying/listening to you’ll have time for that on the Camino.
When you could have every thing prepared pack your backpack and attempt to stroll with it for a few kilometers. If it feels too heavy rethink your baggage and go away pointless stuff at dwelling. It’s vital to pack gentle for the Camino to make your stroll simpler.
One in every of my fundamental Camino de Santiago ideas is don’t stress out – as the skilled pilgrims say “The Camino gives”. Every part will work out in the long run and also you’ll be advantageous.
What’s the lodging like on the Camino de Santiago?
Hostels for pilgrims are known as albergues. They are often municipal (public) or non-public. The municipal albergues are run by the municipality with the assistance of volunteers. Non-public albergues belong to an individual or group. In excessive season municipal albergues on the favored routes fill fairly rapidly if you wish to get a spot you have to be there earlier than 1 pm and wait within the queue. Even for those who don’t get a spot there might be one or two non-public albergues the place you may keep for 4-5 Euros extra.
There are albergues for a donation they are often non-public or public, they don’t have a longtime worth, and pilgrims donate as a lot as they need or can. Notice! Many individuals reap the benefits of this and don’t go away any donation or give 1 Euro. For that reason, there are fewer and fewer donation albergues on the Camino de Santiago. Donation albergues are just for pilgrims with Credentials, can’t be booked, and normally have the identical services as private and non-private albergues.
After all, there are many inns and guesthouses on the Means of St.James. It really works out dearer to remain in non-public each evening, particularly on longer routes but it surely’s 100% price it. We normally attempt to keep in non-public at the least a couple of times per week to have higher relaxation.
Municipal albergues
The value is 8 Euro per individual.
They are completely for pilgrims (you want a Credential to remain there).
Can’t be booked, first come first serve precept.
Verify-in normally begins between 1 pm and three pm.
Take a look at by 8 am the following morning.
Don’t enable to remain for a couple of evening.
Often, they’ve disposable bedding included or for 1 Euro additional.
Usually have a kitchen, typically with out utensils or cutlery.
Often, they’re fairly huge and might accommodate between 20-40 folks on common. There are some fairly small municipal albergues.
Non-public albergues
Value 14 Euro common.
Not just for pilgrims however extra like hostels the place anyone can keep.
They are often booked prematurely, many albergues are on reserving.com.
Usually open for check-in from 1 pm.
Take a look at earlier than 9 am-10 am.
Enable staying so long as you need.
Often however not at all times have higher services than public albergues.
Disposable bedding is included, some locations have regular sheets and bedding.
Often however not at all times have a kitchen. Some non-public albergues have a bar and don’t have a kitchen they anticipate you’ll eat on the bar.
Usually they are smaller than public albergues, which might accommodate 10-15 folks. There are some huge non-public albergues as effectively.
How do I discover albergues on the Camino?
No want to fret about it, they’ll discover you. The way in which to municipal albergues is at all times marked, simply comply with the arrows and really possible you’ll find yourself on the albergue. Most non-public albergues have indications pointing their method (they need you to search out them), some is perhaps barely off the route however normally, they’re situated fairly near the Camino. Within the peak season (July, August) if you wish to keep in a particular non-public albergue (as a result of it’s very good or someone really helpful it to you, and many others.) it’s higher to ebook it prematurely, some albergues could be present in reserving.com, some could be booked over the telephone.
Discover extra info on lodging on the Camino in our complete publish Albergues on the Camino de Santiago.
What’s the meals like on the Camino?
It’s not an issue to search out locations to eat on the Camino, most routes, particularly the extra standard ones, have loads of eating places and bars. Menu del Día is the most well-liked meal on the Camino. It’s a set menu that features salad or soup, a fundamental dish (meat, rooster, fish), wine/water/cool drink to select from, bread, espresso, or dessert. The menu prices 12 Euro on common and it’s normally an enormous meal. Many eating places, bars, and personal albergues serve it for lunch, and a few locations provide a dinner menu but it surely’s a bit dearer.
Many bars and cafes provide breakfast. It’s normally a cup of espresso with a sandwich or pastry and a glass of orange juice. In some vacationer locations, you could find an enormous English or American breakfast but it surely’s not one thing typical in Spain. Locals drink a cup of espresso with a cookie or a small pastry for breakfast.
Tapas or pinchos (relying on the area) may be very standard in Spain. Tapas or pinchos could be something; a small portion of paella, a little bit sandwich, a bit of tortilla, and many others. Some bars give tapas free of charge together with your drink, and a few cost additional, normally 2 Euro. Pinchos are typical for Northern Spain (the Basque County, Navarra). You at all times pay for pinchos, the worth is 3-4 Euro.
The primary meals drawback on the Camino is for those who keep on with a particular food regimen e.g. vegetarian or vegan. In huge cities, you could find eating places serving vegan or vegetarian menus however in smaller locations, it is perhaps troublesome. The most suitable choice is to discover a place to stick with a kitchen the place you may prepare dinner your self. Most cities and villages on the route have supermarkets or grocery retailers. Some non-public albergues provide communal dinners for donation, these dinners are normally vegetarian or vegan.
Native meals on the Camino de Santiago is part of the expertise. I’d suggest making an attempt among the conventional Spanish dishes and going out for tapas and pintxos at the least as soon as.
How do I discover the Camino de Santiago route?
All established Camino de Santiago routes are well-marked from the begin to the top. We not often had an issue discovering the best way. A few occasions in huge cities we misplaced the trek as a result of the route typically is marked with metallic scallop shells on sidewalks, however normally, it’s very simple to comply with. The Caminos are marked with yellow arrows and yellow scallop shells painted on sidewalks, tiles, partitions, poles, and many others. In Galicia, the route markers present the space left to the cathedral in Santiago.
From our expertise, we by no means wanted GPS or a map for strolling the Means of St.James.
Is it protected to stroll the Camino solo?
We’ve walked 4 completely different Camino routes and by no means felt unsafe; strolling out of massive cities by way of so-called industrial areas, strolling by way of the forest, or subject, or alongside the seaside. Essentially the most disagreeable for me is strolling on or alongside the street I simply don’t prefer it after I hear a automobile and even worse a truck approaching from behind however even once we needed to stroll on the street it by no means felt like a automobile would drive over us, folks attempt to watch out and decelerate in the event that they see a pilgrim on the street. The primary “hazard” on the Means of St.James is theft, don’t go away your worthwhile stuff unattended wherever; albergues, eating places, picnic spots.
One of the best guidebooks for the Means of St.James
Disclosure: Stingy Nomads participate within the Amazon Companies LLC Associates Program. While you purchase one thing really helpful on this publish, we could get an affiliate fee — but it surely by no means impacts your worth or what we choose.
In our opinion, Brierley’s guides are one of the best guidebooks for the Camino de Santiago. Sadly, he has solely guides for the most well-liked Camino routes: Camino Frances, Camino Portuguese, Camino Ingles, and Camino Finisterre.
A Pilgrim’s Information to the Camino de Santiago (Camino Francés): St. Jean Pied de Port • Santiago de Compostela, John Brierley, 2022
A Pilgrim’s Information to the Camino Portugués Lisbon – Porto – Santiago: together with Camino Central, Variente Espiritual, Camino da Costa, & Senda Litoral, John Brierley, 2022
A Pilgrim’s Information to the Camino Finisterre: Together with Muxía Circuit: Santiago ― Finisterre ― Muxía ― Santiago, John Brierley, 2022
A Pilgrim’s Information to the Camino Inglés: The English Means often known as the Celtic Camino: Ferrol & Coruña — Santiago, John Brierley, 2021
A Pilgrim’s Information to the Camino Sanabrés & Camino Invierno: Ourense or Ponferrada ― Lalín ― Santiago, John Brierley, 2021
Camino del Norte: Irún to Santiago alongside Spain’s Northern Coast (Village to Village Map Information), 2019
The Vía de la Plata and the Camino Sanabrés – A Information to the Camino from Sevilla to Santiago [2022 Edition]
The Means of St.James planning sources
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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, accountable for all our land adventures (mountain climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack reasonably than to do a ten 000 km street journey (really any street journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
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