Walking the Camino in a Holy Year

The Camino de Santiago is a unique experience for any pilgrim but for those pilgrims who are taking a spiritual pilgrimage, some years hold more significance. These are known as ‘Holy Years’, when many more pilgrims are expected to complete their Camino. Find out all you need to know about walking the Camino in a Holy Year…

The Camino Holy Year occurs when the Feast of St James (25 July) falls on a Sunday. These special years follow a repeating pattern that occurs several times each generation. The next Holy Year will be in 2027, followed by 2032, 2038 and 2049.

This is the only time the Door of Mercy (also known as the Porta Santa) is opened for pilgrims to enter the cathedral. The door is located on the east side of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, facing Quintana Plaza. It is normally closed to the public behind wrought iron gates and is opened in a special ceremony on 31 December before the first day of the Holy Year.

The opening ceremony involves the Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela striking a temporary wall (erected the day before the ceremony) three times with a ceremonial silver hammer. When the wall collapses and reveals the door the Archbishop cleanses the area with holy water and olive branches and is the first person to walk through. On 13 November at the end of the pilgrim season, the door is sealed until the next holy year with a similar ceremony which replaces the temporary wall and blesses the stones laid with incense. 

A Camino holy year is significant for many Catholics as it provides an opportunity to have their sins to date forgiven and pardoned by decree of the Pope, which is only available in holy years. It is a religious rite called a plenary indulgence. If you complete a pilgrimage to Santiago in a holy year and participate in certain sacraments (religious observances) you are granted the plenary indulgence. In layperson’s terms, this means your sins to date are forgiven and any punishment relating to them in this life or eternal life is pardoned.   

As well as completing the pilgrimage, to receive the plenary indulgence you must complete some rituals. These include:

• visit the Cathedral of Santiago where the tomb of the apostle James is and enter through the Holy door
• recite a decree of faith such as the apostles’ creed
• pray for the Pope’s intentions and the Pope himself
• go to confession
• meditate on mercy and take communion within the 15 days before or after your visit to the Santiago Cathedral which can be done by attending mass (a Catholic church service).

Due to the spiritual significance of a Holy Year for Catholics, the Camino experiences a noticeable increase in pilgrim numbers compared to other years. This is especially evident on the final sections into Santiago, including Sarria to Santiago on the Camino Francés, Baiona to Santiago on the Portuguese Camino, Ribadeo to Santiago on the Camino del Norte and Ferrol to Santiago on the Camino Inglés. All of these routes take in the last 100km which you are required to walk in order to receive your Compostela certificate.  

Book early for a Camino Holy Year

If you are planning to walk the Camino during a Holy Year, it is important to book well in advance. Pilgrim numbers increase significantly, and accommodation fills quickly, particularly on the most popular sections of the trail. To avoid the rush for beds in albergues (hostels) and to enjoy comfortable accommodation in a private room with your own ensuite bathroom, we recommend booking at least six months in advance, if not earlier. Our Camino Experts will help you plan your journey and secure your accommodation well ahead of time. Prices are typically higher during Holy Years, and availability becomes more limited as departure dates approach.

Consider walking in the shoulder seasons

April, May, September and October fall outside the main European and American holiday periods and usually offer cooler temperatures. June to August is the hottest and busiest time on the Camino, so consider walking in the shoulder seasons to avoid the heat and crowds.

Time your trip around festivals

Travel in July will be more expensive due to the celebrations of the Feast of St James, which occurs during the last 2 weeks in July in Santiago. Accommodation may also be difficult to find around the Semana Santa (Easter) Festival period in April.

Tailor your camino journey

Short on time? Choose a bite size Camino adventure. At RAW Travel, we can tailor itineraries to suit your schedule, walking pace and ability. Here are some of our most popular shorter journeys.

• Camino Highlights (Combine walking and train travel to complete the full length of the trail from St Jean to Santiago)
• St Jean Pied de Port to Logrono (Cross the Pyrenees, pass through vibrant Pamplona and finish among the vineyards of Logroño)
• Sarria to Santiago (Walk the final 100km into Santiago and celebrate with your Compostela)

Walk a less popular route

The Camino Francés is the most popular route and attracts the highest number of pilgrims, especially during a Holy Year. If you prefer a quieter experience, there are many other Camino routes to consider with less foot traffic.

At RAW Travel, we offer a wide range of alternative Camino journeys, including:

• Portuguese Coastal Camino
• Le Puy Camino, France
• Camino Inglés, Spain
• Via Francigena, Italy
• Camino del Norte, Spain
• Camino Primitivo, Spain

The RAW Travel Difference

At RAW Travel, we specialise in expertly planned Camino de Santiago walking tours designed around you.

• Flexible self-guided and group Camino trips tailored to your travel style
• Customised daily walking distances to match your fitness, timeframe and goals
• Carefully selected accommodation to suit your comfort preferences and budget
• Expert Camino knowledge and personalised support before, during and after your walk
• Seamless logistics, including luggage transfers and detailed navigation resources

Our experienced team has walked the routes we offer, so you can plan your Camino with confidence and focus on the journey ahead. If you are planning to walk during this special time, don’t delay. Contact our team today to take the first step!