
Hereâs what to know before walking the Camino!
When youâre undertaking something as BIG as walking across Spain (or Portugal ?), you want to be as prepared as possible. Here are the most important things to know before walking the Camino de Santiago.
If you havenât already, be sure to check out my post about Camino de Santiago preparation. These tips for hiking the Camino build upon the information I shared there.
While walking the Camino may seem straightforward, failure to prepare properly can result in injury, disappointment andâworst of allânot reaching Santiago de Compostela.
But, thatâs not going to happen to you!
You, my friend, found this treasure trove of helpful things to know before walking the Camino de Santiago.
These are all the tips, tricks and insights I wish someone would have let me in on before I walked my first (and second!) Camino.

What do I need to know before walking the Camino?
You donât just want to walk the Camino. You want to make the most of the experience.
In this post, Iâm laying all my own Camino mistakes bare in the hope that you can learn from what Iâve done wrong.
Once youâre done reading, you will have the information you need to not only reach Santiago de Compostela but also enjoy the journey along the way.
If youâre planning on walking the Camino de Santiago in 2021, you need to know what guidelines are in place for COVID-19. This post details what to expect on the Camino during the coronavirus pandemic.
Camino Tip #1: Know How to Identify Bed Bugs
It doesnât matter if youâre staying in municipal or private albergues: bed bugs can strike anywhere.
Heck, when I was on the Portuguese Camino, those little suckers shut down a convent.
Rather than putting your faith into a (most likely ineffective) spray, learn to identify bed bug infestations with your own two eyes.
When you get to your bunk at an albergue:
- Check the seams of your mattress
- Look for dark red/black residue
- NEVER put your backpack on the bed
When you get home from your Camino, put all your stuff (shoes, clothes, backpack, etc.) into a big garbage bag. Tie it up and let it sit for a month to kill any little camigos you might have brought home.
Camino Tip #2: Use the Two-Sock Method
Thanks to the two-sock method, I walked the entire Portuguese Camino without getting a single blister.
Every morning, before leaving the albergue, Iâd apply globs and globs of Vaseline to my feet. Donât forget between your toes!
Then, Iâd pull on a thin pair of Injinji toe socks as my base layer. Next, Iâd put on a pair of Balega hiking socks.
Not. A. Single. Blister.
Camino Tip #3: Look for Your People
If youâre nervous about setting out on the Camino alone, donât be.
Especially on the most popular routes, you may actually need to make an effort to walk alone. To say the Camino is social would be an understatement.
That being said, donât feel like you need to be best friends with everyone who strikes up a conversation with you.
Iâm not advocating for blatant rudeness, but if youâre not vibing with someone, donât be afraid to go your own way.
Every pilgrim wants to find their Camino family, so donât be shy.
Ask a fellow pilgrim to grab a coffee. Cook dinner together. Split accommodation.
It may take some time, but once you find your people, thatâs when the real fun starts.
Camino Tip #4: Be Smart About Walking in the Dark
Youâll hear lots of pilgrims talk about waking up before the sun rises to start walking.
If thatâs something you want in on, make sure youâre properly equipped. I highly recommend a headlamp â your phone flashlight just isnât going to cut it.
Additionally, have something reflective (tape, flasher) to put on your backpack so drivers can see you when youâre walking alongside the road.
Camino Tip #5: Choosing the Right Footwear
On my first Camino, I wore hiking boots and it was one of the biggest mistakes of my life.
My second time around, I wore the Altra Womenâs Torin 4 Road Running Shoe and could not have been happier.
The Camino de Santiago, especially the two most popular routes, doesnât require hiking boots. Because of the changing terrain (dirt path, highway and cobblestone â just to name few), youâre better off going with lightweight, comfortable shoes.
While I loved my Altra shoes and will definitely wear them for my next Camino, many pilgrims swear by the brand Hoka Ona.Â

Camino Tip #6: Start Out Slow
Even if youâve done Camino-specific training, the reality is you werenât walking 15-miles per day (for weeks on end) with a fully-loaded pack.
Training, although good, can only prepare you so much for the Camino.
The fact is youâll need to do the bulk of your training on the trail.
The first week of walking is all about getting your body used to the idea itâs going to walk across Spain. Youâre going to be excited and want to walk far, but I IMPLORE YOU to ease into it.
At least the first few days, do fewer miles than you plan on averaging. Your body will thank you for it.
Camino Tip #7: Adjust for Spanish Meal Times
If youâre coming from outside of Spain, chances are youâre not familiar with Spanish meal times.
In Spain, people generally eat lunch between 2-4 p.m. and dinner between 8-10 p.m. Outside of these hours, many restaurants donât have their kitchens open.
Keep this in mind when youâre planning when and where youâre going to eat.
Personally, I didnât want to be a hostage to Spanish meal times, so I made a point of ALWAYS having snacks on hand and preparing most of my dinners at the albergues.
Camino Tip #8: Donât Eat A Lot at Lunch
I learned the hard way that itâs not a good idea to stuff yourself at lunch when you still have 10 km to get to the albergue.
Pilgrimâs menus seem like a great deal, and they are! But, sometimes, itâs better to order a la carte than order the pilgrimâs menu and over-eat.
Consider how much further you have to walk that day before you stuff your face.
Camino Tip #9: Know That Nothing Is Really Waterproof
âŠExcept for plastic.
Feel free to spend hours scouring the web for the perfect âwaterproofâ gear, but you should know that, when you walk in the pouring rain for seven hours straight, nothing is waterproof.
Not the rain cover on your backpack. Not your fancy jacket. NOT. YOUR. SHOES.
Some things will stay dry longer than others (my Altra shoes and North Face rain jacket held up well), but at some point, youâre going to get wet.
Thatâs why I recommend you store everything inside your backpack in plastic bags.
On the very rainy Portuguese Camino, I double-bagged my sleeping bag and kept all my clothes in one giant Ziploc and my passport, wallet, credentials, headphones, etc. in another.
Camino Tip #10: Resist the Urge to Prepare for Anything
When it comes to packing for the Camino, remember that every ounce counts.
I know some Boy Scout somewhere will hate me for saying this, but resist the urge to prepare for anything.
Walking the Camino isnât backcountry camping. Youâll be passing through lots of cities and towns, which means you can pick up anything you forgot or realize you need.
Camino Tip #11: Forget This âRealâ Camino Nonsense
OOF, I really hate Camino snobs.
There are people who will try to tell you what the ârealâ Camino is. Theyâll look down on anyone who does anything different.
Iâm here to tell you the ârealâ Camino is the one youâre on.
Each pilgrimâs journey is unique, and itâs not a competition.
Regardless of what route you take, how many miles you do, what albergues you stay in and whether or not you carry your pack, if you walked the Camino de Santiago, you walked the ârealâ Camino.
Someone who feels the need to discount other peopleâs Caminos really missed the point.

Camino Tip #12: Some Nonessentials are Essential
While Iâm all about packing light, there are a few nonessential items worth their weight.
Here are a few Iâve found particularly useful on the Camino:
- Hairdryer
- Compression pillow
- Collapsible Tupperware container
- Journal and pen
Of course, donât just throw all these in your bag. Research your Camino packing list and decide which nonessential items you want to include.
Camino Tip #13: Get to Municipal Albergues Early
If youâre trying to save money and walk the Camino on a budget, you should plan on arriving at municipal albergues early in the afternoon.
Remember, itâs first come, first serve.
I walked the Portuguese Camino during the shoulder season and witnessed 80-bed dormitories filling up by 4 p.m.
The closer you get to Santiago de Compostela, the more important it will be to arrive at municipal albergues early.
You donât want to end up like the guy I saw trying to sleep on a bench outside the municipal albergue in Pontevedra during a rainstorm.
Camino Tip #14: Donât Forget Itâs Supposed to be a Vacation
Walking the Camino is nothing like sipping piña coladas on the beach, but itâs still a vacation.
It will challenge you, but you shouldnât resign yourself to being miserable the entire time.
If you want to sleep in one morning, sleep in. If the weather or an injury is making walking difficult, stop early.
The Camino de Santiago may have gotten its start as a religious pilgrimage, but you donât need to be a martyr.
If youâre not enjoying yourself (at least some of the time), take stock of the situation and make an adjustment.
Camino Tip #15: Embrace the Grunge
Do yourself a favor and abandon any ideas you have about staying clean on the Camino.
If youâre serious about packing light, then you need to accept the fact youâre going to be a little grungy.
When I stayed at an albergue with a washer and dryer, I took advantage of it. Otherwise, I wore the same clothes day after day.
I know that sounds gross, but everyoneâs a little stinky, so no one is going to call you out.
Camino Tip #16: Donât Let âYeah Butsâ Stop You
Yeah, but Iâm too old. Yeah, but Iâm too fat. Yeah, but Iâve never walked that far before.
Please donât let any of that mierda hold you back from walking the Camino.
Over the course of my two Caminos, Iâve seen nearly every type of person out on the trail.
Plus-size pilgrims. Moms pushing strollers along rocky paths. Pilgrims who could be my great-great-grandparents.
Whatever âyeah butâ is holding you back from walking the Camino, just forget it. Chances are someone whoâs had those same thoughts as you has already made it to Santiago de Compostela.
Camino Tip #17: Make Sure Your Backpack Fits
For many people, the Camino is their first long-distance hiking experience.
Just as important as it is to have the RIGHT gear, itâs critical to have the RIGHT fit.
Always start with loosened straps. When youâre fitting your backpack, hereâs the sequence of adjustments:
- Hip belt
- Tighten it over your hips. This fit is very important because it carries most of the weight.
- Shoulder straps
- Pull down on the end of the strap. These keep the weight of your pack forward and tight to your back.
- Load lifters
- These are ideally set at 45 degrees. Tighten these just enough to ease some of the pressure off your shoulders.Â
- Sternum strap Â
- This brings your shoulder straps inward to relieve some of the pulling.
Camino Tip #18: Document Your Journey
Even if youâre not a writer, you should make an effort to journal on the Camino.
Years later, I still read back on the entries I wrote about my first Camino. When I couldnât figure out what the Camino meant to me, they helped me process the experience.
If youâre too tired to write, consider recording a voice note each day on your phone. You can transcribe it later.
Other great ways to document your journey are video and photos.Â

Camino Tip #19: Be Prepared for Bad Days
Walking the Portuguese Camino was, hands down, one of the best experiences of my life.
But, Iâd be lying if I told you it was rainbows and butterflies.
There were some bad days.
Tears were shed, curses were shouted and, at one point when I was laid up in a random budget hotel in Nigran, I wondered if I was even going to be able to finish.
What got me through the bad days?
Well, before I even set foot on the Camino, I spent time thinking about how Iâd handle adversity on the trail.
If you think you can walk across two countries without a single bad thing happening, youâre kidding yourself. Itâs important to acknowledge there are going to be bad days so youâre not surprised when they happen.
Camino Tip #20: Donât Underestimate How Tired Youâll Be
Iâll never forget arriving at the municipal albergue in Negreira, laying down on the bed, putting my arm over my face and immediately falling asleep.
Just absolute exhaustion. Iâd never been so tired in my life.
Before I did my first Camino in 2016, I had this actual thought: Itâs JUST walking. HA!
In case youâve had that same thought yourself, Iâm here to tell you walking is serious business.
The Camino is, by far, the most mentally and physically exhausting thing Iâve ever done.
Donât underestimate how tired youâll be after a day of walking. Youâre not going to have the energy to wash your face let alone sightsee.
Camino Tip #21: Carry Cash
Even though most places along the Camino accept credit cards, itâ still a good idea to always have cash on you.
Spanish restaurants are known for their delicious food â not their speedy service.
When you stop somewhere, you want to be able to leave when youâre ready. Instead of wasting time waiting to pay with a credit card, have cash ready that you can just leave on the table.
Youâll also want to carry cash to pay for municipal albergues. They usually donât accept credit cards.
Camino Tip #22: Learn (At Least) a Little Spanish
While you definitely donât need to be fluent in Spanish (or Portuguese) to walk the Camino, just knowing a little of the local language can go a long way.
Especially since youâre walking through small towns and villages, donât expect people to know English.
I recommend knowing greetings, how to read a menu/order food and directions.
For that last one, make sure you know both how to ask as well as basic proficiency in direction-vocabulary (right, left, straight, etc.) for when the person youâre asking gives you a response
Google Translate can also help you out.
Iâve witnessed full conversations between people just using the app and passing a single phone back and forth. Make sure you have data on your phone to be able to utilize this helpful tool!
Camino Tip #23: Drink the Tap Water
The tap water in both Spain and Portugal is safe to drink.
Instead of relying on bottled water, drink from the tap.
Lots of restaurants and bars along the Camino will be willing to fill up your water bottle for you. Just ask after youâve paid the bill.
Camino Tip #24: Give Yourself Time to Process the Experience
I wish I could tell you youâre going to get to Santiago de Compostela, look up at the cathedral and find exactly what youâre looking for.Â
Everyone who decides to walk the Camino de Santiago is looking for something.
Peace of mind. A challenge. Community. An escape.
Thereâs a chance you just read that and are thinking, âOh, not me, Alex.â
You ARE looking for something. You might not know what it is yet, but you are.
There are people (the Amazon Kindle bookstore is full of them) who find what theyâre looking for on the Camino. Epiphanies happen (I like what this Forbes contributor has to say), but theyâre not as common as eBook authors would have you believe.
For both my Caminos, I didnât arrive in Santiago de Compostela, look up at the cathedral and feel like a different person.
It took time to process my experience and realize what it meant to me.
You might get to Santiago and think, âThatâs it?â Iâm here to tell you that itâs not.
It can take weeks, months and, even, years to fully understand how the Camino affected you.
Personally, I love that. The Camino is the gift that keeps on giving.
But, if youâre walking the Camino to find answers, just know clarity isnât on-call.

Camino Tip #25: Realize Thereâs More to the Camino Than Finishing
Plot twist: I wrote this post to help you get to Santiago de Compostela, and now, Iâm telling you thereâs more to the Camino than finishing.
Itâs not about the destination. Itâs about the journey.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
When you set out on the Camino, you do so with the intention of finishing. By all means, go after that goal with everything youâve got. I know I did.
But, I caution you against getting so caught up in reaching Santiago that you forget to live in the moment. Thatâs where all the best stuff is happening. Â
As good as it felt to get to Santiago de Compostela, the moments that had the greatest impact on me took place miles away from the cathedral.
When I reflect on the Camino, I think about:
- The profound friendships I formed
- The kindness of strangers
- Digging deep and pushing past what I thought my limits were
- Drinking wine at 10 a.m.
- Laughing so hard I had to stop walking to catch my breath
- Trying to talk in Russian accents for hours after we met a hot guy from Siberia at one of the albergues
- Dancing down the trail in my ridiculous red poncho
I think about how, four months after my dad died, it felt so good to be so happy.
I wish I could promise that if you follow every tip in this post youâll get to Santiago.
But, things happen.
Iâm not saying that to discourage you. Itâs just a reminder that nothing in life is guaranteed.
With that understanding, I hope youâll embrace each and every day on the Camino.
More Things to Know Before Walking the Camino de Santiago
- How to Prepare for the Camino de Santiago Like a Pro
- Budget Hacks for Doing the Camino Cheap
- Answers to 13 FAQs About the Camino de Santiago
- What You Do & Donât Need to Pack for the Camino
Final Thoughts on What to Know Before Walking the Camino
Whew, I know I just threw a lot at you, but these are the things I believe every aspiring pilgrim should know before walking the Camino de Santiago.
I may not know you personally (not yet!), but I know you can do this.
You can walk the Camino de Santiago. You can make it to Santiago de Compostela.
Hopefully, these Camino de Santiago tips will help you make the most of your journey.
Donât forget to bookmark this post or pin it for later so you have these Camino tips when you need them.
If you have any questions about the Camino de Santiago, feel free to leave a comment below.
Alex, I agree with so many of theseâŠexcept those non-essentials!! I didnât bring any of those on my 2 Caminoâs. Injinji Socks, Trail Runners, plastic bags, headlamps, Camino snobs, taking it easy the first week, itâs not a race and all of the reflections during and after⊠Absolutely spot on!! I would also add the warning that once you walk a Camino that it will NEVER, ever leave you and you will always be thinking of returning.
Hi, Rick!
Ah, yes! I thought those essential non-essential might be controversial đ I donât think I could personally ever commit to carrying a hairdryer, but my walking buddy (who I met on the Camino) had one & it really came in handy on the rainy Portuguese Way. I love what you said about the Camino never leaving you. That is so SO true. I think about it every single day and canât wait for whenever it is that I am able to walk the Camino del Norte. Thanks so much for reading & taking the time to leave a comment!
Buen Camino,
Alex
Literally, the first thing I thought about walking the Camino is that itâs just walking. But yes, I should definitely take this more seriously. Iâve read so many stuff by âCamino snobsâ online. Your article really stands out. Itâs very insightful. And what you said about recording the experience really stuck with me. Iâd love to bring my journal with me. And I know Iâll love reading it after the whole experience. When I think Camino, I used to think of it as this race. Somewhere I had to go as fast as possible. But you made the whole deal of âwalking the Caminoâ something much more. And now I know that the journey is the most important part. And I plan to make the best of it.
Chard Kim recently postedâŠBest Travel Crib Review 2020 â Why Most Moms Love âSwaddleme By Your Side Sleeperâ
Hey, Chard!
Thanks for reading my post & taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment.
Yes, the Camino is so much more than just walking haha. When I walked my first Camino in Sept. 2016, I greatly underestimated it & ended up hating it. Taking the time to mentally prepare is essential.
For me, walking the Camino (the Portuguese Coastal Way) was one of the greatest adventures of my life. Youâre definitely going to want to document it, so you can look back on it for years to come.
Thanks again for reading & as always, feel free to reach out with any questions!
Buen Camino,
Alex
What an absolutely informative, thorough, delightful, and interesting post on walking the Camino. Iâve read numerous since I decided Iâm going in 2022 and this one is my favorite. Thank you!
Hi, Kat!
Your comment made my day! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the post & hope you will reach out with any Camino questions. Thanks for reading & buen Camino!
Hi there! đ I can totally agree with all you stated here. I walked the French Way a year ago, in 2019, and it was the absolute best experience I have ever had.
For those, who are planning to go, just do it. The only thing you must do is to start. Anywhere, anytime. The rest will come in the perfect time.
Just one addition: if you donât want to carry a hairdresser, you can ask for it in almost every albergue. They donât have it in the bathroom, but they sure have 1-2 in some cupboard, or under the reception desk. đ
Buen Camino for everybody all over the planet! đ
Hi, Vicki! Thank you so much for reading & taking the time to share about your Camino experience. Iâm planning on either walking the French Way or the Camino del Norte post-COVID. Your advice to just start is perfectâŠthereâs only so much training & preparation a person can do. Eventually, you have to take those first steps! Thanks for the tip about the hairdryer! Unless I walk my next Camino during a super rainy season, I probably wonât carry one with me. I will just follow your tip to ask for one at the front desk. Thanks again for sharing & buen Camino, Vicki!
Idk when i can be able to do my camino, but i always do research for my goals and its like destiny when i read this! Thank you alex!
When the time comes for you to walk the Camino, you will be ready, Linds! Iâm so excited for you whenever that special day might be. All the best, Alex
Hi Alex! I have never walked the Camino before, I am fifteen and I have been completely in love with the idea of doing this the year after I graduate, but I have a few questions I thought someone who has done this walk before could answer for me. What would you say is the most important thing to take with me? And I was thinking maybe I could take my best friend with me, but honestly do think this would be more rewarding if I did it by myself? And last one, I promise, but what is something I should remember when I do hit those hard days you were talking about, how did you get through it when you felt that way?
Thanks for reading, Mikayla! Here are the answers to your questions:
The most important thing to take with you is a good pair of shoes. Go to a shoe store where the sales associates know their stuff and have one of them analyze your stride so you can get the right footwear for your body. Then, make sure you break them in. Beyond shoes, I think the most important item to bring is a journal. Spend time each day documenting your experience. Even if youâre dead tired, jot down a few thoughts. The Camino is going to be transformative & youâll want to look back on your journal as you continue to process the experience weeks & months after you finish.
As for asking a friend to go with you: personally, I enjoyed the Camino I did on my own A LOT more than the one I did with my boyfriend. Youâre much more likely to connect with other pilgrims when youâre solo & doing the Camino on your own is an empowering experience.
Finally, how did I get through the hard days? Itâs so important to know your âwhyâ for wanting to walk the Camino. Spend time thinking about and, even, journaling on this topic before you set foot on the trail. If you can have one concise sentence detailing your âwhyâ that you can come back to in those tough moments, it will give you the strength to push through.
Good luck & buen Camino!
Hello Alex, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. They are right on!
I did my first Camino, Frances, in 2016, with my husband of 40 years. It was our transition from working life to retired.
It was the best thing we ever did. Yes, hard spots, but it was amazing. I think about it every day!
We were in Portugal to do the central route when Covid hit, fast forward, we hope to return to repeat the Frances in August. When the time is right!
Prepare before you go, and just take that first step!
Great job with the info!
Buen Camino!
Thanks for reading & taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment, Theresa! I hope you & your husband are able to hit the trail again in August. Buen Camino!