Walk the Camino de Santiago – Europe's great historical and cultural route

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

This delightful mountain town at the foothills of the Pyrenees is the traditional starting point for pilgrims walking the Camino Francés. You will see many people arriving and preparing for the challenging crossing. Decide if you will take the Napoleon route (very scenic but more difficult) or the Valcarlos route (for bad weather).

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Roncesvalles

Roncesvalles (‘the valley of thorns’) is a beautiful spot still cloaked in a medieval atmosphere. Make sure you visit the beautiful 12th-century church, cloisters and museum.

Akerreta

In the small village of Akerreta, about 6km past Zubiri and 17km before Pamplona, there is a beautiful converted country house (casa rurale) that featured in the movie ‘The Way’.

Pamplona

This vibrant Spanish city is bursting with artistic, historical and gastronomical highlights! We recommend dining in the city’s award-winning restaurants that specialise in elaborately prepared ‘pinchos’ (finger foods) and doing a foodie tour.

Puenta de la Reina

The small town of Puenta de la Reina (translated as ‘Bridge of the Queen) is famous for its perfectly balanced 11th century stone bridge; it’s one of the most famous photos of the Camino. It is the point where the Camino Francés meets the Aragonese Route. As a result of the two paths crossing, Puente la Reina has been a major meeting point along the Camino for hundreds of years.

Estella

Estella is a lovely small town split in two by the Ega River and surrounded by conic, wooded hills topped with castles (or their ruins) and churches attesting to its long history as a crucial centre of commerce. Just outside of Estella you will find the famous Irache fountain that dispenses free red wine to thirsty pilgrims (courtesy of the Bodegas)!

Los Arcos

Los Arcos is another charming village situated along the Camino. It is a classical pilgrim halt that is known for its old town, with cobbled streets and well-preserved buildings. The village offers a range of services for pilgrims, including restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies and medical facilities.

Logroño

The capital of the La Rioja region is home to some of Spain’s most celebrated red wines. It has one of the most distinguished culinary traditions in Spain. There are over 50 taperías (tapas restaurants) located within a four-block area close to the town centre. The traditional tapas restaurants often serve only one tapa (such as mushroom), served as pincho (pintxo in Basque), meaning one serving. Many pilgrims also elect to include a rest day here.

Nájera

Historically important, Nájera was used by Navarran kings during medieval times after King Garcia Sanchez chose it as his base. The town is built on the banks of the river Najerilla and along its banks, you will find the Monasterio and Iglesia de Santa María La Real built in 1032. You enter this town via the modern eastern quarter and the old town sandwiched between the river Najerila and the towering rock face that acts as a spectacular backdrop with its ancient Castillo.

Santo Domingo de la Calzada

This town owes its inspiration to Saint Dominic of the Road who dedicated his life to improving the physical route for the pilgrims and built a pilgrim’s hospital (now the Parador) and a church which has now evolved into the Cathedral. Both buildings are located in the historic town square Plaza del Santo where you will find a good variety of places to eat and shop.

San Juan de Ortega

This small village in the province of Burgos is home to the Monastery of San Juan de Ortega, a Romanesque architectural gem. Setamidst beautiful forests and fields, it is peaceful and tranquil.

Burgos

Burgos is sometimes known as the Gothic capital of Spain. The Burgos Cathedral is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is often considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Spain. The city’s dining scene offers a taste of Castilian gastronomy. Pilgrims often have a rest day here.

Hornillos del Camino

In this classic pilgrim village, little has changed over the centuries. It is a great place to immerse yourself in the ancient atmosphere of ‘the way’. Once you leave Hornillos del Camino you are again travelling along the Meseta. There are few towns en route to Castrojeriz, so make sure you are well stocked with any water and supplies you may need.

Castrojeriz

Castrojeriz is the perfect place to rest for the night as it is a small sleepy town with an obsession for siestas. If you still have enough energy it is well worth the walk to the hilltop castle Castillo where you enjoy lovely views over the town and countryside. If not, relax with a beer in one of the local bars.

Frómista

Frómista is best known for the beautiful 11th century Iglesia de San Martin which was built with gorgeous mellow stone. With over 300 external corbels each carved with a different human, animal or mythical motif, this is a must-see site.

Carrión de los Condes

This fascinating town retains its medieval atmosphere with its quiet side streets. At one time it was home to no less than 14 pilgrim hospitals! The town has a variety of shops, bars and restaurants.

Terradillos de los Templarios

This small humble village of just 80 residents is the approximate halfway point of the full length Camino.

Calzadilla de los Hermanillos

This small village in the province of León is set amidst the beautiful Castilian landscapes, characterised by open plains, farmland, and the distant peaks of the Cantabrian Mountains. The scenery adds to the tranquil and rural ambiance of the place.

Mansilla de las Mulas

As you head towards the walled town of Mansilla de las Mulas the landscape becomes a little hillier with wine storage cellars and bodegas set into the hills. The town’s name is derived from the Latin ‘mansio’, which means ‘stopping place’. Notable landmarks include the Puerta del Sol, a medieval gate that was part of the town’s defensive walls, and the Church of Santa María, which is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture.

León

León is a beautiful city with an incredible Gothic cathedral, renowned for its marvellous stained-glass windows. In the evening the narrow streets and plazas come alive when locals flood the local bodegas, cafes and restaurants. León is surrounded by picturesque natural landscapes, such as the Picos de Europa mountain range and the green, hilly countryside of Castile and León. Pilgrims often have a rest day here.

Hospital de Órbigo

The small town of Hospital de Órbigo is famous for its remarkable medieval bridge, the Puente de Órbigo. This bridge, also known as the “Passo Honroso” (the Passage of Honor), was the site of a medieval jousting tournament where knights vied for the affection of a lady. The bridge and its history are significant for pilgrims on the Camino.

Astorga

Astorga has a rich history dating back to Roman times and remnants of Roman walls and mosaics can still be seen in the town. The cathedral is a Gothic and Renaissance masterpiece and a must-visit. Astorga is also famous for the Episcopal Palace designed by the renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. This modernist building is a distinctive architectural gem and now houses the Gaudí Museum.

Rabanal del Camino

This village has a long history related to the Camino de Santiago. It was historically known for its hospitality to pilgrims and many pilgrims find it to be a spiritually significant place.

Molinaseca

This picturesque village offers a charming atmosphere with its cobbled streets and a medieval bridge over the Meruelo River.

Villafranca del Bierzo

This charming town is nestled in the hills that mark the border into Galicia. Both Molinaseca or Villafranca del Bierzo are great places to consider an additional rest day.

O’Cebreiro

The atmospheric hilltop hamlet of O’Cebreiro feels vaguely Irish. It’s known for its straw roof houses (pallozas) and is located on the Galicia border, about 150km from Santiago.

Triacastela

Triacastela is a charming village located in the province of Lugo. It is surrounded by beautiful Galician landscapes, including rolling green hills, lush forests, and serene rivers.

Sarria

Sarria is a busy, modern town with plenty of shops, hotels, restaurants and bars. It is bustling with pilgrims – those who began their Camino hundreds of kilometres back as well as the large number that walk the final 100km to Santiago de Compostela to qualify for their Compostela.

Portomarin

Portomarin has been inhabited for thousands of years and its importance grew with the popularity of the Camino in the middle ages. At one time it had three orders of Knights: the Knights Templar, the Knights of St John and the Knights of Jerusalem, which may go some way to explaining the castle-like edifice of the 12th century Romanesque Igelsia San Nicolas church which still stands in the square at the centre of town.

Palas de Rei

This town was a favourite place of residence of the Galician nobility and the importance of the Jacobean pilgrimage in this village goes back to time immemorial.

Arzúa

This is the last large town before you reach Santiago. It has plenty of restaurants bars and cafes and a few ATMs. The 14th century Capilla de la Magdelena is the town’s main monument. Arzúa is most famous for its local cheese, Queixo, a smooth creamy cheese made from cow’s milk which most restaurants feature in some way and is definitely worth trying.

O Pedrouzo

This small busy town has plenty of shops, restaurants and bars. It is the last stage of the Camino before entering Santiago de Compostela.

Santiago de Compostela

The wonderful and historic city of Santiago is the end of the Camino journey for most pilgrims. Praza do Obradoiro and the wonderful ancient Cathedral form the city’s heart. Attend the midday pilgrims mass and watch the steady stream of pilgrims arriving into the square as they finish their epic journey. There are many enticing tapas bars and restaurants in which to celebrate your journey.

Finisterre

Since ancient times pilgrims have been making their way beyond Santiago to Finisterre (Fisterra in Galician) literally the ‘end of the world’. It is the most westerly point in Europe and a fitting end to the epic Camino walk. Four days of walking brings you to the sea and the rugged coastal landscapes of Galicia.