Best Ways to Santiago de Compostela 2026: 5 Camino Routes Compared

1. Camino Francés (French Way)

• Distance: 800 km. Duration: 30-35 days walking.
• Start: St-Jean-Pied-de-Port (France).
• Why most popular: well-marked, plenty of albergues (50+), supportive infrastructure.
• Highlights: Pyrenees crossing, Pamplona (Hemingway), Burgos cathedral UNESCO, León cathedral, Galician mountains.
• First day brutal: 27 km Pyrenees climb. 1,200m elevation.
• Best for: first-time pilgrims, those wanting community.
• Crowded: last 100 km Sarria-Santiago has busloads of 100km tourists.
• 200,000+ pilgrims/year complete this route.

2. Camino Portugués (Portuguese Way)

• Distance: 240 km from Porto, 640 km from Lisbon.
• Duration: 12 days from Porto, 24-28 days from Lisbon.
• Why popular: shorter, less crowded, ocean views, mild weather.
• Two variants: Coastal Way (along Atlantic) + Central Way (inland).
• Highlights: Porto, Coimbra (UNESCO university), Tui-Valença bridge crossing, Pontevedra, Caldas de Reis.
• Easier than Francés: flatter terrain, milder climate.
• Less infrastructure: albergues fewer but quality good.
• ~80,000 pilgrims/year.

3. Camino del Norte (Northern Way)

• Distance: 825 km. Duration: 32-38 days.
• Start: Irún (border with France).
• Coast follow: Atlantic coast. Beautiful Cantabrian Mountains.
• Cities passed: San Sebastián, Bilbao (Guggenheim), Santander, Comillas, Llanes, Gijón, Oviedo (joins Camino Primitivo).
• Harder than Francés: hilly terrain, weather changes (Atlantic rain).
• Less crowded: 30,000 pilgrims/year. More authentic.
• Best for: experienced pilgrims, scenery seekers.
• UNESCO sections: some routes recognize Camino as world heritage.

4. Camino Primitivo (Original Way)

• Distance: 320 km. Duration: 12-14 days.
• Start: Oviedo (Asturias).
• Why “original”: oldest documented Camino route. King Alfonso II walked it 9th century when Apostle James’s tomb was discovered.
• Hardest physically: Asturian mountains. Constant up + down. Few flat sections.
• Fewest pilgrims: 10,000-15,000/year.
• Best for: experienced hikers seeking solitude.
• Highlights: Pre-Romanesque architecture (UNESCO), green Asturian valleys, mountain pass at Hospitales.
• Joins Camino Francés at Melide (50 km from Santiago).

5. Vía de la Plata (Silver Route)

• Distance: 1,000 km. Duration: 35-40 days.
• Start: Sevilla (Andalusia).
• Why “silver”: Roman road from Mérida to Astorga (silver trade route).
• Hottest route: southern Spain summer 40°C+. Best done October-April.
• Fewest pilgrims: 5,000-8,000/year.
• Best for: serious pilgrims wanting historical/spiritual depth.
• Highlights: Sevilla Cathedral start, Mérida Roman ruins UNESCO, Cáceres UNESCO, Salamanca UNESCO, Astorga Gaudí palace.
• Combine with Camino Sanabrés through Galicia.

Other Camino routes

• Camino Inglés (English Way): 110 km from Ferrol, 5-7 days. Minimum length for Compostela.
• Camino Mozárabe: from Granada/Málaga, joins Vía de la Plata.
• Camino Aragonés: from Somport (French border), joins Camino Francés.
• Camino del Sureste: from Alicante, less popular.
• Way of St James in France: 4 routes converge at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
• Caminho de Santiago Brasileiro: Brazilian Camino (yes, exists).

Pilgrim certificate (Compostela)

• Get Credencial: at start (€2). Pilgrim passport.
• Minimum requirements: 100 km walking or 200 km cycling.
• 2 stamps/day: at albergues, churches, restaurants.
• Reasons stated: religious, spiritual, or cultural.
• Pilgrims office in Santiago: present passport, get Compostela.
• Compostela in Latin: for religious/spiritual reasons. Certificate of Welcome for cultural.
• Holy Years: when July 25 (St James Day) falls on Sunday. Last 2021. Next 2027. More pilgrims, special masses.

Choosing your route

• First-timer + community: Camino Francés.
• Less crowded + ocean: Camino Portugués.
• Scenery + hills + coast: Camino del Norte.
• Solitude + history: Camino Primitivo.
• Hot + serious + Roman: Vía de la Plata.
• Time-limited: Camino Inglés (110 km, 5-7 days).

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Camino route for first-timer?

Camino Francés (French Way) — most popular (200,000/year), well-marked, plenty of albergues, supportive community. 800 km, 30-35 days from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

Shortest Camino?

Camino Inglés 110 km from Ferrol (5-7 days, minimum for Compostela certificate). Camino Portugués from Porto: 240 km (12 days). Last 100 km of Camino Francés (Sarria to Santiago).

Most beautiful Camino?

Camino del Norte (Atlantic coast — Bilbao, Santander, Comillas) for sea views. Camino Primitivo for green Asturian mountains. Camino Portugués Coastal for ocean.

How much does Camino cost?

€25-40/day basic (albergue + meals). Total Camino Francés (35 days): €875-1,400. Plus flights + gear.

Best season for Camino?

April-June (mild, blooms), September-October (harvest, fewer crowds). AVOID July-August (40°C heat, overcrowded). November-March: many albergues closed.

Do I need to be religious?

No. Pilgrim passport asks reason: religious, spiritual, or cultural. Most modern pilgrims walk for personal reasons. All are welcome.

See also

• Camino de Santiago guide