Camino de SantiagoThe Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela
For more than a thousand years, pilgrims have walked across Europe to the tomb of the Apostle James the Greater in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia (northwest Spain). In 2025 a record 530,987 pilgrims received the Compostela certificate (Pilgrim Office statistics).
2027 is a Holy Year. The Holy Door opens on 31 December 2026 and stays open all of 2027. Expect the biggest crowds in modern history: book private beds early. Holy Year 2027 →
The routes
Camino Francés
The French Way: the classic, from the Pyrenees to SantiagoCamino Portugués
Lisbon or Porto to Santiago, inland (Central) or by the sea (Coastal)Camino del Norte
The Northern Way along Spain's Cantabrian coastCamino Primitivo
The Original Way: Oviedo over the Asturian mountainsCamino Inglés
The English Way, from the port of FerrolVía de la Plata
The Silver Way: Seville to Santiago on a Roman roadFinisterre & Muxía
The epilogue: from Santiago to the 'end of the world'
The French Way: the classic, from the Pyrenees to SantiagoCamino Portugués
Lisbon or Porto to Santiago, inland (Central) or by the sea (Coastal)Camino del Norte
The Northern Way along Spain's Cantabrian coastCamino Primitivo
The Original Way: Oviedo over the Asturian mountainsCamino Inglés
The English Way, from the port of FerrolVía de la Plata
The Silver Way: Seville to Santiago on a Roman roadFinisterre & Muxía
The epilogue: from Santiago to the 'end of the world'
Plan your Camino
Credencial & Compostela
The pilgrim passport and the certificate: the exact rulesWhen to go
Seasons, crowds and weatherAlbergues & daily costs
Where you sleep and what it costs in 2026Getting there & back
Airports and connections for each routePacking list
Light is right: aim for about 10% of your body weightHistory
From a hermit's star to half a million pilgrimsHoly Year 2027
Xacobeo 2027: the Holy Door and what it means for your trip
The pilgrim passport and the certificate: the exact rulesWhen to go
Seasons, crowds and weatherAlbergues & daily costs
Where you sleep and what it costs in 2026Getting there & back
Airports and connections for each routePacking list
Light is right: aim for about 10% of your body weightHistory
From a hermit's star to half a million pilgrimsHoly Year 2027
Xacobeo 2027: the Holy Door and what it means for your trip
Quick answers
- Shortest route that earns the Compostela: Camino Inglés from Ferrol (~112 km, 5 days), or Francés from Sarria (~114 km).
- Most popular: Camino Francés (45.6% of 2025 pilgrims), then the two Portuguese routes (~36% combined).
- Cheapest bed: Galician public albergues, €10 a night, no reservations.
Sources
Oficina del Peregrino · Xunta de Galicia Camino site · Gronze · santiago.es route comparison · Confraternity of St James · American Pilgrims on the Camino · Wise Pilgrim
Last verified: October 15, 2026. Prices, hours and rules change: confirm with the official source before you go.