Although it has been considered something exclusive for Catholics who needed to reaffirm their faith, the pilgrimage through the Camino de Santiago has become a sensation for people of all faiths or non-believers in the last years. Many of them see this as an adventure and a new way of exploring the Spanish country (or Portugal).

And more specifically, this 2022 the Camino de Santiago has become the ultimate experience for people from all over the world looking for a safe way to travel and recover from the sedentary lifestyle we lived during the pandemic lockdowns.   

These are the reasons why.

What is the Camino de Santiago?

The Camino, or Way of Saint James, is a path that thousands of pilgrims have followed through the centuries to reach Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of the Apostle Saint James are believed to lie since their discovery around the 9th century.  

Since then, and though the religious reasons for this pilgrimage are still present nowadays, many people have decided to take this adventure because they love hiking, cycling, meeting people of different nationalities and travelling to other countries. And the Camino de Santiago brings you all of them. 

What are the options if I want to do the Camino de Santiago?

What is known as the Way or Camino de Santiago actually consists of a variety of different routes that you can choose, depending on your physical condition or the type of landscape you want to enjoy. This is the main advantage of the experience: you can decide almost all factors, from the path to the type of accommodation.

The two most popular routes are the French Way, which starts at Saint Jean Pied de Port (France) and the Portuguese Way, from Lisbon: these paths do not require an excellent physical-condition and are walked by pilgrims of all ages. Besides, you can decide the starting point and the distance you want to walk each day, as you will only need to cover at least 100 kms to Santiago if you want to get your “Compostela”, which is the official certificate of having completed the Camino. 

The preferred type of accommodation for most pilgrims (and the cheapest option) are the hostels with bunk-beds. These hostels allow you to be more in touch with people living the same experience as you, but if you are looking for something more comfortable or private,  there will be hotels along the way too.

You won’t even need to carry your own backpack: nowadays, many companies offer you the option of transporting your belongings from each stage to the next one.

What will I find in Santiago de Compostela? 

But if you think the path is the only thing you will enjoy doing the Camino, you couldn’t be more wrong. 

Upon your arrival to Santiago de Compostela, you will have the chance to discover a historical town that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the beauty of its old town, its Cathedral and its narrow streets always full of life with people, students and pilgrims. Visit the many churches, buildings and palaces, and find the best wines and fresh food served at any of its many bars and restaurants.

Do not miss the chance to explore northwestern Spain while enjoying the experience of the Camino: because the place is Santiago, and the time is now. 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here