Camino de Santiago Tours

Camino de Santiago Tours are a life changing experience that allow travellers to walk in the footsteps of historical pilgrims. Take in the sights and sounds of the Spanish countryside as you meander through charming villages and idyllic landscapes on the way to the resting place of one of Jesus’ apostles in Santiago de Compostela.

The Camino de Santiago

Every year thousands of pilgrims set out on a multi-day journey known as the Camino de Santiago, making their way across the Spanish countryside in order to arrive at the resting place of Saint James the Great in Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, pilgrims visit holy sites and collect stamps to verify their journey, often undergoing a personal or spiritual transformation in the process of making their way to the end point at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

While this incredible journey certainly has religious value, it is also an unforgettable experience for the average traveller, many of which opt to book a Camino de Santiago Tour. There are many different routes that make up this vast pilgrimage network and hiking the Santiago de Compostela, in any one of its iterations, will be sure to highlight the natural beauty, architectural prominence, and historical significance of this tucked-away corner of Spain.

Whether you set out from France, Portugal, or Spain, and have your sights set on a religious reawakening or personal growth, a journey along the Camino de Santiago will surely be an experience unlike any other on this earth!

When is the Best Time to Walk the Camino de Santiago?

Pinpointing the best time to walk the Camino de Santiago is difficult due to the wide geographic range of the individual routes; however, the best window overall is between May and September. The most popular camino trails can be found in Northern Spain, which is characterized by warm summers, mild winters, and a fair amount of rainfall, making the summer months ideal for walking. Some of the other routes, such as the Camino Frances and Camino Primitivo, pass through more mountainous terrain, making the late-autumn, winter, and early-spring seasons inadvisable. Check out our article for a more detailed breakdown of the best time to walk the Camino de Santiago.

Best Camino de Santiago Routes

There are a number of different route options when it comes to choosing a Camino de Santiago Tour, all of which have their own advantages and disadvantages. Read on to discover which variation of the Camino de Santiago is right for your pilgrimage:

Camino Francés

The most popular of all the camino trails, the Camino Francés takes pilgrims on a 780 kilometer journey from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France to Santiago de Compostela. This route traverses the rugged terrain of the Pyrenees, making it a more difficult journey than many of the other caminos.

Camino Portugués

While the Camino Portugues is a much longer route that actually begins in Portugal - hence the name - there is a shorter variant that covers the final 100km from Tui to Santiago. Additionally, anyone looking to complete the Camino Portugues can also opt for the Coastal Route, which leaves behind the hilly interior to experience the natural beauty of the coastal landscape.

Camino del Norte

The Camino del Norte (Northern Way) is a wonderfully scenic route that will lead you through Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia. At over 800 kilometers in length, it is the second longest camino route, and arguably the most beautiful!

Camino Primitivo

Also referred to as the Original Way, the Camino Primitivo is the oldest of the pilgrimage routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, and was heavily used in the 9th and 10th Centuries. Although less than 5% of today’s pilgrims opt to follow this route, the 300km Camino Primitivo is still a magical and stories experience.

Camino Inglés

A route that historically led pilgrims to Spain from Northern Europe and England, the Camino Inglés - or English Way - is a much shorter route today than it was in the past. Due to the short length of both its A Coruña and Ferrol variants, it is one of the least popular camino routes in modern times.

Camino Invierno

Also known as the Winter Way, the Camino Invierno is an interesting route, in that the conditions in the winter are often better than those on other trails like the Camino Frances. This has lead the Camino Invierno to become an increasingly popular option for pilgrims looking to walk in the off-season.

Vía de la Plata

The longest of the camino routes, the Vía de la Plata is a 960 kilometer long adventure that begins in Seville in the south of Spain. Due to the length and difficulty of the trail, as well as high summer temperatures, this route only sees about 3% of camino foot traffic, making it a more secluded experience.

Camino Finisterre

While not really a full; camino in its own right, the Camino Finisterre is often utilized as an extension of the traditional camino routes. Setting out from Santiago de Compostela, the Camino Finisterre leads pilgrims 90km to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, offering stunning views overlooking the coastal landscape and the sea.

Spanish Camino de Santiago Map

It can be difficult to wrap your head around the vast network of trails that one can experience on a Camino de Santiago Tour without a visual reference, so we’ve put together this Camino de Santiago map to give you a better understanding of all the different options, allowing you to follow the camino with ease!

Book a Spanish Pilgrim Experience on a Camino de Santiago Tour

Making all of the arrangements for a pilgrimage is quite an involved process, as you will need to plan out your stops, secure accommodations, and find interesting things to do along the way! If all of that planning doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, why not leave it to the professionals? By booking a Spanish pilgrim walking tour with 10Adventures you can leave the fuss behind and focus on the spiritual journey ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Camino de Santiago

Is it possible to book guided Camino de Santiago tours?

Yes, guided Camino de Santiago tours, such as the Guided Camino Frances in 7 Days, are able to be booked.

How long is the Camino de Santiago?

The length of the Camino de Santiago depends entirely on which camino trail you choose, with the Vía de la Plata being the longest at 960km and the Camino Inglés Via Coruña being the shortest at 75km - although you need to walk at least 100km in order to receive the compostela.

What is the Camino de Santiago?

The Camino de Santiago is a network of long distance pilgrim routes that lead to the resting place of Saint James the Great in Santiago de Compostela.

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

The amount of time it takes to walk the Camino de Santiago ultimately depends on which route you choose, with longer routes taking up to 38 days and shorter routes taking as little as 5 days.

Where does the Camino de Santiago end?

All of the Camino de Santiago routes end at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

Is it safe to walk the Camino de Santiago alone?

Many pilgrims choose to walk the Camino Portugues alone and find it extremely rewarding to do so; however, if you are travelling solo you may want to stick to highly-trafficked paths to ensure that there are always people around.

What to pack when hiking the Camino de Santiago?

When hiking the Camino de Santiago it is important to come prepared with appropriate clothing, a proper pack, sturdy hiking boots, travel documents, and plenty of water/snacks. Be sure to check out our Camino de Santiago Packing List article for a more detailed breakdown of what to pack.

How do I get my certificate after completing a Camino de Santiago tour?

If you have met all of the criteria for the pilgrimage, you will need to make your way to the Official Pilgrim’s Office after completing your Camino de Santiago tour in order to validate and collect your “compostela” or certificate.

Camino de Santiago Tour Highlights

When choosing the right route for your Camino de Santiago tour, highlights are one of the main considerations to have in mind. Here are some of the amazing Camino de Santiago tour highlights travellers can take in while out on a pilgrim walking experience:

Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos is a French Gothic style church that dates back to 1221 when its construction began. Situated in the center of the city of Burgos, the cathedral underwent improvements in the 15th, 16th, and 18th centuries that embellished its grandeur and resulted in what is today an instantly recognizable piece of architectural design. The church is one of the highlights for pilgrims travelling along the Camino Francés, as the route passes right through Burgos.

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Located in Galicia in the northwest of Spain, the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is said to be built on the burial site of Saint James the Great. Due to the holy nature of the Roman Catholic church, the site has become a pilgrimage destination for travellers making their way along one of the Camino de Santiago routes. The Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is of Romanesque design with later Gothic and Baroque elements, and hosts over 2.5 million visitors per year.

Additional Information About Camino de Santiago Tours

There are a lot of factors that come into play when choosing the right trail for your Camino de Santiago tour, such as the type of terrain, standard of accommodations, and level of infrastructure. Make sure that you enter your planning and booking phase with every tool at your disposal by checking out our comprehensive guide to the Camino de Santiago. You can thank us later!

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