Everything You Must Know About The Camino de Santiago

It’s been almost two years since I walked the Camino de Santiago trail, but hardly a day goes by that I don’t think about my experience. The Camino was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done, but it was also one of the most rewarding. If you’re considering walking the Camino, look no further than this Camino de Santiago guide for answers to the most frequently asked questions. Buen Camino!

Images & Text Overlay: Backpacking Brunette

More Posts About the Camino de Santiago:

• The Ultimate Camino Packing List for Women
• How Much Does the Portuguese Camino de Santiago Cost?
• How to Prepare for the Camino in 3 Easy Steps
• The Cost of Walking the Camino de Santiago {French Way}
• Portuguese Camino Coastal Route Stages {2020 13-Day Guide}

What is a Camino walk?

The Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James, is a network of pathways across northern Spain. The trail begins wherever a pilgrim leaves their doorstep and ends in Santiago de Compostela, where tradition state the first martyred apostle is buried. During the Middle Ages, it became an important pilgrimage for Christians.

Since the mid 1980s, the Camino has experiences a resurgence in popularity. In 2017, over 300,000 pilgrims made their way to Santiago de Compostela. Most travel by foot, but others elect to go by bicycle or on horseback.

Where do you start the Camino?

Officially, your Camino begins when you leave your front step. Every pilgrims needs to decide how long or short their Camino walk will be.

Sarria, where I began my Camino, is a popular starting point because pilgrims need to walk at least the last 100 km of the Camino in order to receive their certificate of completion. I think Sarria is something like 112 km from Santiago de Compostela—where the Camino “officially” ends.

What are the different Camino routes?

In 2017,the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela reportedly received 301,006 pilgrims. Pilgrims walk the Camino for however long or however short they choose. The decision is a personal one, and various factors should be taken into account.

Below are descriptions of some of the most popular Camino de Santiago routes. Routes extend from several European countries and, even, North Africa.

Camino Francés

By far the most popular and well-known route, the Camino Francés starts in St Jean Pied de Port on the French side of the Pyrenees. On their way to Santiago, pilgrims pass through Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos and León.

Camino Portuguese

The full route begins in Lisbon, but many pilgrims choose to start in Porto. The Camino Portuguese is the second most popular route.

Related Post: How Much Does It Cost to Walk the Portuguese Camino de Santiago?

Camino del Norte

Perhaps the most challenging of all the Camino routes due to significant changes in elevation, the Camino del Norte runs parallel to Spain’s northern coast. Many pilgrims begin in San Sebastián.

Camino Primitivo

Don’t let the 261 kilometers fool you. The Camino Primitivo, or Camino Original, may be short, but the hilly terrain makes it tough. It is the oldest route and begins in Oviedo.

Route to Finisterre

In recent years, it’s become popular for pilgrims to continue on to Finisterre after reaching Santiago. This route leads you to the coast and what the Romans believed was the end of the world.

Camino de Santiago Guide: My Story

In September 2016, I spent eight days on the Camino de Santiago and walked from Sarria to Finisterre. In all, I trekked 203 kilometers (126 miles). I averaged just over 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) per day.

I elected to begin my Camino journey in Sarria because I was determined to walk the final 100 km (62 miles) of the popular Camino Francés. My goal was to reach Santiago de Compostela and earn my certificate of completion. After Santiago, I continued on to Finisterre because I couldn’t resist walking to the “end of the world.”

What is the best time of year to walk the Camino de Santiago?

Most pilgrims consider April, May, June and September to be the best months to walk the Camino. During these months, temperatures range from warm to hot. I walked in mid-September and didn’t deal with any rain. The route from Sarria to Santiago is fairly shaded, so for the most part, the sun wasn’t an issue.

July and August are the most popular months on the Camino, so be prepared for busy albergues (pilgrim hostels).  Many Spaniards take a long holiday during the month of August and choose to walk all or a portion of the Camino during this time.

How long does it take to walk the Camino de Santiago?

For those interested in walking the “whole” Camino, the Camino Francés spans nearly 800km (500 miles) and takes at least four weeks. That allows for one or two rest days along the way.

In order to earn your compostela, you must walk at least the last 100km (62 miles) on any of the routes to Santiago. It took me four days to walk from Sarria to Santiago on the Camino Francés.

What is a compostela, and how do I earn it?

For sale all along the route, the pilgrim passport serves as proof you have done the Camino. The passport must be stamped a minimum of twice per day at albergues, restaurants, churches and other establishments along the Camino. Once you reach Santiago de Compostela, you must present the stamped passport at the Pilgrim’s Office in order to receive official recognition of your pilgrimage: a compostela.

I purchased my passport (€2) at the church in Sarria the day before starting my Camino.

Who walks the Camino de Santiago?

Today, the Camino is popular among both religious persons as well as individuals seeking a challenge and/or respite from modern life. In 2017, nearly 181,000 pilgrims walked the Camino Francés, according to the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela.

I found the Camino truly remarkable in that I saw people from all walks of life walking. There really isn’t one type of person who does the Camino. I witnessed pilgrims of all different ages and fitness levels making their way to Santiago.

Which is exactly why you shouldn’t fall into the trap of thinking you don’t belong on the Camino. Don’t let any limiting beliefs stop you—that’s one of the most important things you need to know about the Camino.

How much does it cost to walk the Camino de Santiago?

I believe budgeting for the Camino is essential to a successful pilgrimage. I must not be alone in thinking so because my budget breakdown of my eight-day Camino journey is one of this blog’s most popular posts to date.

Don’t miss the SUPER POPULAR post where I break down how much it costs to walk the Camino de Santiago {Sarria to Santiago de Compostela}!

While everyone’s budget will vary, this should give you a good idea about the cost of walking the Camino de Santiago.

IN TOTAL, THE COST OF WALKING THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO FOR EIGHT DAYS WAS:

€552.13 ($585.97)

AVERAGED, THE COST OF WALKING THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO PER DAY WAS:

€69.02 ($73.42)*

*That figure includes gear, transportation, accommodation, food and miscellaneous costs.

**Many blogs choose to calculate the cost of walking the Camino de Santiago without the cost of gear. Minus gear, the average cost per day was €40.91 ($43.41).

What do I pack for the Camino de Santiago?

Packing for the Camino de Santiago is something you should research and take seriously. With that being said, only stress out to a certain extent. This is supposed to be fun, remember? Keep in mind you’re not trekking through the Amazon. You’re hiking across northern Spain. Along the way, you’ll be passing through small towns and, occasionally, large cities. If you forget something, you’ll be able to buy it somewhere.

Check out my COMPLETE CAMINO PACKING LIST including the awesome backpack I used!

How do I prepare for the Camino de Santiago?

I had big plans to train for the Camino de Santiago, but in the end, I only did a few short hikes with my pack. Fortunately for me, it’s possible to do the Camino without a ton of preparation.

The Camino is refreshingly straightforward. Essentially, my trip itinerary was: walk, walk, walk, sleep then wake up and walk some more. Many pilgrims agree part of the beauty of the Camino is its simplicity. So, embrace it!

Regardless of how much you have or haven’t trained, it’s important to ease into your Camino. On my very first day, I busted out over 30km (18 miles) and paid for it the next morning. Many pilgrims say the first week is the toughest and to give your body an opportunity to adjust.

Want to walk the Camino de Santiago but not sure where to begin? Don’t miss this SIMPLE GUIDE to prepare for the Camino in 3 EASY STEPS!

Where do I stay along the Camino de Santiago?

Pilgrims walking the Camino traditionally stay in albergues. Albergues are dormitory-style accommodations which can range in price from €5 to €15.

Since I was trying to keep costs down, I opted to spend the majority of nights in municipal albergues. Local government bodies sponsor municipal albergues, and they’re often staffed by volunteers. Some of the municipal albergues I stayed in were really quite nice, clean and comfortable. Others weren’t in so good of shape.

You can’t reserve a bed in a municipal albergue as they operate on a first-come first-served basis.

Three of my eight nights on the Camino, I opted for a night’s stay in a private albergue. Just like it sounds, a private albergue is owned and operated by private individuals. Private albergues often come with “extras” such as wifi, towels and meals. I stayed in three incredibly clean and quiet private albergues.

What do I eat on the Camino de Santiago?

Since in Spain lunch is the main meal, I usually stuffed my face around 2 or 3 p.m. after I had finished walking for the day. To keep costs down, I took advantage of specials like menu del día or menu del peregrino. Both include bread, a glass of wine, dessert and your choice from among a few plates.

Popular dishes in Galicia are pulpo (octopus), lentil stew, caldo gallego (white bean soup) and tarta de Santiago (almond cake).

Some nights, I stopped in at a local grocery to buy breakfast items and snacks for the trail (fruit, cookies, granola bars). I saw plenty of pilgrims cooking dinner in the albergues. A pasta dinner is cheap, easy and will replenish your depleted carbohydrate stores.

Around 9 or 10 a.m., I would stop in at a cafe for coffee, fresh orange juice and pan con tomate (a toasted baguette topped with olive oil, tomato and garlic).

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