Tin du lịch Explore the beautiful Camino de Santiago walking routes in Spain.

What is the best route to walk? How many days do I need for the Camino? Where is the Camino de Santiago? Read our entire article to answer these questions and more.
The Camino de Santiago (or Way of St. James) in northern Spain has become one of the most popular adventures to undertake in recent years, and rightly so.
Camino is a network of pilgrimage routes throughout Spain and Portugal, or you can even start walking from farther European countries. All these routes ultimately lead to the same place: Santiago de Compostela in the northwest of Spain.
It has religious origins, medieval times, but today it is considered a long hiking holiday for those with a sense of adventure. People walk the Camino for many reasons and it is seen as a budget-friendly alternative vacation for many budget-conscious travelers from around the world.
Planning your Camino de Santiago route is an important decision and not an easy one to make. There are seven main routes to choose from, although there are actually a total of 281 routes listed; 49 of those in Spain and 9 in Portugal.

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What are the best routes for the Camino de Santiago?​

For this Camino de Santiago route planner, we will look at the three best routes to choose from: the famous French Route, the Portuguese Coastal Route, and the beautiful Camino del Norte.

Each of these three routes has its own great highlights, so let’s see what they have to offer as you plan your Camino adventure.

1. The French Way (Camino Frances)​

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The French Way (or Camino Frances) is undoubtedly the most popular route that most pilgrims take to Santiago de Compostela.

Starting at St Jean Pied de Port: The actual starting point of this route begins in France at St Jean Pied de Port, a small town near the Pyrenees.

The first few days on the way from this point are considered the toughest as you have to cross the highest mountain pass through the Pyrenees to enter Spain.

The entire distance from here to Santiago de Compostela is a staggering 780 km and takes about a month to complete. This depends on whether you walk fast or slow, and it could take more or fewer days depending on whether you are in a hurry or want to take your time.

Of course, you don't have to start at this point if you don't want to. That's the great thing about the Camino; you can choose the distance you want to walk depending on several factors: your fitness level, the amount of time you have, and even your budget.

But for the purposes of this post, let’s assume you start from St Jean Pied de Port. Throughout the month of walking, you will pass through several towns and cities across northern Spain.

To detail each stage of this route would require a very long blog post, so instead, let’s look through the main stops you will likely visit:

Pamplona: The first major city you will pass through, Pamplona is famous for the Running of the Bulls (San Fermin) festival, which takes place annually over several days in July. This is where people run from the bulls chasing them down the streets of the city.

Logroño: A few days later on your walk, you will visit Logroño, located south of Bilbao and a lovely medieval city.

You will see the stunning views of the Ebro River as you walk over some bridges here. The most famous bridge is Puente de Piedra, or the Stone Bridge, which dates back to the 11th century.

Burgos: The next major city on the French Way is Burgos, home to some particularly stunning medieval architecture. The most prominent landmark here is the Cathedral of St. Mary, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Meseta: Between Burgos and the next notable city is what some pilgrims dread the most; the Meseta, referred to as the mental part of the Camino. This is a 200 km stretch of the Camino with mostly flat landscapes.

This can be challenging due to the lack of shade along this stretch and the monotony of the continuous flat scenery can make it mentally challenging. With no visual distractions left, this part of the road becomes a path into one’s mind—great for quietude and reflection.

The Camino is difficult to walk at the best of times, so it is important to ensure you are physically prepared and ready for all aspects of it.

León: After the challenge of the Meseta is another large city worth exploring on the French Way; León.

This is another charming city known for its medieval Cathedrals and Churches. It is certainly worth spending an extra day here to explore all that it has to offer.

Galicia: Once you leave León behind, you will soon arrive at one of the most beautiful regions of Spain: Galicia. Upon arriving, you will notice a distinct change in the landscape; everything is greener with endless hills resembling regions of the UK more than Spain.

Santiago de Compostela: And finally, the anticipated destination appears on the horizon, the capital of Galicia; Santiago de Compostela.

This ancient city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of the most beautiful urban places in the world.

The centerpiece is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where it is rumored that the remains of St. James are buried inside.

2. The Portuguese Way (Camino Português)​

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Another Camino route that has become popular in recent years is the Portuguese Way, considered to be the second most popular route after the French Way.

There are two main starting points here, which are two of the most beautiful cities in Portugal; Lisbon and Porto.

And there are two distinct routes for you to choose from on the Portuguese Way whether you start in Lisbon or Porto. You can choose to walk the central route or the coastal route.

Needless to say, the coastal route is the better choice. It is around 33 km longer than the central route but you will walk along the Portuguese coast, making for a beautiful journey.

Walking the Portuguese Way offers a completely different experience compared to the Spanish routes. Portugal has a completely different culture but it is also rich and fulfilling. Many people say that the Portuguese are much friendlier and warmer than the Spanish. Clearly, this is a generalization but still something to keep in mind when choosing the best path to walk on the Camino.

3. Camino del Norte​

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Camino del Norte is often referred to as the most beautiful route on the Camino, but it can also be one of the most challenging. This route runs along the northern coast of Spain and offers some stunning coastal landscapes along the way.

This route is longer than the two previously mentioned routes, measuring 850 km from Irún at the French border to Santiago de Compostela.

The terrain can sometimes be quite difficult on this route, particularly in the first few days and also in the section from Deba a Markina to Xemein.

It also passes through some beautiful cities, so let’s highlight three of the best cities you will visit on the Camino del Norte:

San Sebastian: Perhaps the most beautiful city along the entire Camino del Norte. San Sebastian is a seaside town in the Basque region of northern Spain. It is a truly beautiful place and well worth staying an extra day or two to take advantage of the famous beaches and restaurants here.

Bilbao: A few days later you will reach the next major city on the Camino del Norte: Bilbao. This is informally known as the capital of the Basque region.

This is an interesting place known for the iconic Guggenheim Museum, which is certainly worth your time to visit while passing through.

Santander: The third notable city you will stroll through on the Camino del Norte is Santander. This is the capital of the Cantabria region in northern Spain and is known as a popular summer vacation destination for the Spanish. It boasts plenty of beautiful sandy beaches as well as stunning mountain scenery and architecture.

How many days do you need to walk the Camino?​

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As mentioned earlier in this blog post, how many days you want to walk the Camino is entirely up to you. However, if you intend to walk the entire length of one of the three routes we have looked at here, here is a quick guide:

The French Route: You can walk the entire length of this main route in under a month, but most experts estimate at least 35 days, possibly more. It is best to plan for more days rather than fewer, so give yourself 4 to 5 weeks to be on the safe side.

The Portuguese Way: Similar to the French Way, it all depends on where you choose to start walking.

If you decide to start in Lisbon and follow the coastal route, then finishing in Santiago de Compostela will take around 25-30 days. Meanwhile, the coastal route from Porto is a much shorter option, taking only 12 to 14 days.

Camino del Norte: Camino del Norte is the longest of the three routes we have looked at in this blog post, measuring 850 km from start to finish. If you decide you want to walk the entire length of this route, it will take a total of around 5 weeks, so plan accordingly.

How do you not get lost on the Camino?​

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It is quite likely that you will at some point get lost on the Camino! However, all you have to do is pay attention to the yellow arrow markers that are placed all over each main route.

You will see yellow arrows on signposts, on walls, or in the form of doodles on sidewalks and roadways. Sometimes the exact direction of the arrows can be confusing, but you will soon get the hang of it after the first few days.

When is the best time to walk the Camino?​

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The spring or fall months are considered the best time to stroll the Camino because during these months the temperatures are most suitable for hiking—not too hot and not too cold.

You definitely do not plan to walk the Camino in the winter months for obvious reasons, and the summer months can also be really harsh with temperatures soaring above 30 (degrees Celsius) or more.

Conclusion: The best routes to Camino de Santiago​

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So, those are the best routes to consider when planning your walk on the Camino de Santiago. No matter which option you choose, be prepared for a few weeks of life-changing experiences.

Sometimes the Camino will push you to your limits; it may well be the toughest challenge you face from a physical perspective.

But it is also one of the most rewarding adventures you will ever experience. From the breathtaking changing landscapes to the friends you meet along the way while participating in the Camino de Santiago.