Pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago

The presence of Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago has been around since the 9th century. That was when a peasant known as Pelayo discovered a tomb, supposedly of the apostle James, who had been beheaded in Palestine by King Herod and his body stolen.

Since then, thousands of believers have ventured to walk long distances on journeys lasting more than thirty days. Always looking for a transformative experience, which will bring great reflections and self-knowledge.

Despite this, over time, the place began to attract pilgrims from the Camino de Santiago on spiritual journeys, which are not connected with the Catholic religion. In many cases they are not connected with any religion.

More recently, the pilgrim routes that lead to Santiago de Compostela also began to receive the presence of athletes, seeking endurance experiences whether on foot or by bike.

The city of Santiago de Compostela is located in northwest Spain and is famous for its Christian pilgrimage. The Camino de Santiago was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. Find out more about Santiago de Compostela.

The interesting thing is the freedom that today’s pilgrims enjoy, to follow the route they prefer, starting and ending wherever they want, in their own time. Furthermore, enjoy various extraordinary places and landscapes along the way, such as castles, churches, forests, rivers, and much more.

Among the many possible routes, three are the most famous:

Pilgrims of the French Camino de Santiago

This is the most well-known path. It is most popular with pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, as it offers a better structure to welcome them along the route. It begins in the pueblo of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France.

It begins by crossing the Pyrenean Mountains, located between Roncesvalles in Spain and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France. The distance to Santiago de Compostela is approximately 800 km, which is usually covered in 28 to 35 days.

Pilgrims of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago

It is the second most popular route among pilgrims, as it has a flatter and shorter route. It usually has 3 different starts: in Porto, Lisbon or Tui in Spain.

• Starting from Lisbon, the official starting point, the route lasts approximately 25 days with around 600 km to cover.
• Starting in Tui, you can take the shortest route to get your Compostelana. It can be done in 6 days, reducing the distance to around 160 km.
• Find out more about the Camino de Santiago in Portugal!

Pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago from the north

Of the three, it is the least popular path, with the least structure. It begins in Irún in Spain or Hendaye in France. Its route is the longest, with the distance to Santiago de Compostela being around 850 km, which can be covered in 30 to 38 days.

There are also two other modalities that pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago consider on their journeys. With a bicycle you can travel in less time and on horseback you can remember the experience people had in the past.

But what is the overnight stay like for Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago?

On all the routes there is a wide range of hostels to spend the night, both public and private. Public hostels are part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrim hostel network, and cost a ridiculous amount.

• Some hostels and support points rely on volunteers and donations. The experience involves detachment and exchanges.
• On the Camino Francês, as it offers a better structure, there are more and better tourist hostel options.
• Public hostels cost between 6 and 10 euros and private ones usually start at 15 euros.

Furthermore, it is recommended to always have cash on hand. Not all inland towns have a good supply of debit or credit card terminals. At the weekend, especially on Sundays, services close very early.

Although there are several good and cheap markets with everything you need for meals, it is worth taking precautions depending on the day.

Items that Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago usually carry

• It is recommended that you have a backpack suitable for long journeys. Trekking backpacks are normally used.
• This backpack usually has a capacity of 30 to 45 liters.
• Shoes need to be comfortable, both sneakers and boots. It is important that they are waterproof and one or two sizes larger than your usual shoes, as your feet can swell a lot.
• It is essential to have raincoats, a sleeping bag, comfortable clothing suitable for different temperatures, a flashlight and hiking poles.
• In addition to those necessary for tourists, everyone carries the pilgrim’s credential. This credential is a booklet that can be purchased in the main churches and cathedrals where the Camino de Santiago passes.
• In Portugal it can be purchased in Lisbon and Porto. Other places usually have them in their cathedrals.

When to go on the Camino de Santiago?

If you are thinking about becoming one of the pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago, it is good to know that the best times to walk the paths are between April and June – during spring – and then from September to early November – during autumn.

It is not recommended to go in the summer as it is much more exhausting, in addition to being a vacation period for all of Europe, resulting in crowded accommodation. In winter it is also not recommended due to the snow and cold.

But what makes a person a pilgrim?

Along the journey, at each establishment along the way, pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago stamp their pilgrim credential. At the end of the journey, the pilgrim can issue the Compostela, which is a certificate to prove that the Camino de Santiago was followed.

It is worth remembering that on foot the shortest distance accepted to issue the Compostela is 100 km and by bike 200 km. Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago must obtain at least two stamps per day on their journey, but it is common to collect much more than that!

Whether you are a religious believer or not, it is valid and very welcome to walk the paths to Santiago de Compostela. With the certainty that it is an unforgettable and evolutionary experience for anyone, you too can become a pilgrim!