Discover idyllic scenery and maybe a bit more of yourself on Europe's greatest pilgrimage
From uncovering the history of ancient ruins to tasting Galician specialities and bathing in holy springs, the Camino de Santiago is an enriching journey in many ways. With your local leader by your side, you can focus on putting one foot in front of the other without sweating the (not-so) small stuff – like organising accommodation and luggage transfers – which is all taken care of for you. This means more time to immerse yourself in the culture of Spain or Portugal. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure that'll get you out of your comfort zone.
From charming medieval districts to its famous blue tiles, it's no wonder the UNESCO Heritage Listed city of Porto captures the hearts of travellers. Watch life go by on the River Douro with a glass of port, hunt down the best petiscos (Portuguese tapas), or sample a little bit of everything on our Bites and Sights Urban Adventure.
With the sounds of Galician bagpipes welcoming you, walking through the gates to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a moment you'll wish you could bottle. St James, one of Jesus's 12 apostles, is purportedly buried here, and the cathedral is the spiritual heart of Old Town. Join other pilgrims inside to soak up the holy atmosphere and marvel at the impressive stone facades, soaring towers and elaborate ceilings.
There'll be plenty of opportunities to sample delicious Galician cuisine en route. Local specialities include crispy Padron peppers sprinkled with sea salt, pulpo a feira (market-style octopus drizzled with olive oil and smoked paprika), and creamy Azuruan cheese. Walking the Camino is as much of a journey for your tastebuds as it is for your feet!
Stopping in the charming town of Caldas de Reis will give your body, mind and soul a much-needed rest from all the walking. The mineral-rich hot spring water here is believed to be holy. Soaking your tired muscles is the perfect way to recharge before the final stretch to Santiago de Compostela.
Queimada, or 'fire drink', comes from Galicia's Celtic past and is believed to purify the soul and ward off evil spirits. The comforting drink is made on a big stove pot with lemon peels, coffee beans, cinnamon and a strong alcoholic liqueur called oruju. The liquid is set alight until the flame turns blue before being ladled into cups. Evil spirits aside, qeimada is bound to put a fire in your belly and a spring in your step.
The journey doesn't end when you reach the Cathedral. Santiago de Compostela's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features a maze of cobbled streets, lively squares, perfectly manicured gardens, and elaborate Romanesque and Baroque architecture. From meandering local markets to watching street performers and eating in traditional taverns, Old Town shouldn't be missed.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to
share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that
include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip
or reveal personal details.
Filter by rating
Walk the Camino de Santiago
Lisa · Traveled August 2024
This is a wonderful trip! New friends, conversation, laughter, beautiful scenery, delicious (and amazingly cheap) food, brilliant knowledgeable, caring and fun guide. Put your worries and your responsibilities aside for a week and let yourself be led along the Camino. Walk and talk and look and laugh and learn.
Review submitted 01 Sep 2024
Walk the Camino de Santiago
Rebekka · Traveled August 2024
Our experienced Camino guide, Christina, was enthusiastic, inclusive, communicative, knowledgable, and effortlessly organized. Daily stretching, foot care (vaseline, compeet blister bandaids), and three daily breaks, kept us going. Drinkable tap water everywhere saved on water purchases. I always felt cared for and like I knew what was going on for that day.
Review submitted 01 Sep 2024
Portugal Real Food Adventure, featuring Galicia
Ursula · Traveled August 2024
I recently celebrated my 50th birthday with a tour around Spain & Portugal. It was nothing short of amazing, thanks to our incredible tour guide, Adrian. His deep knowledge of the country’s history, culture, and hidden gems added so much depth to our journey. Each day was filled with fascinating stories and experiences to last me a lifetime. Thank you for making my 50th birthday so magical!
Review submitted 29 Aug 2024
Explore Spain & Portugal
Neil · Traveled August 2024
Excellent trip with a lovely guide. Would absolutely recommend
Review submitted 28 Aug 2024
Walk the Camino de Santiago
Angela · Traveled August 2024
I really enjoyed the trip and I will bring this wonderful experience with me for the rest of my life. I will miss our long walks in the woods, chatting with travel mates/pilgrims and sharing delicious and authentic food with them. Everything was very well organized and the group was very welcoming. Cristina, our group leader did an oustanding job, making sure we were all enjoying our stay. She is a wonderful and caring person and never lost sight of the situation. We were also very lucky to have Miguel with us. He was of great support for all of us and his knowledge was a great plus. I couldn't have asked for more and I am glad I had the chance to meet such beautiful people!
Review submitted 17 Aug 2024
Camino de Santiago travel FAQs
The Camino de Santiago, or “the Way of St James,” is one of Europe's oldest and most iconic pilgrimages.
Thousands of pilgrims walk to the Cathedral of Santiago Compostela in Galicia, Spain, every year.
The cathedral is purportedly where the tomb of St James (one of Jesus’s 12 apostles) is located. It has been one of the most spiritually significant places for Christians since the 10th century.
Walking the Camino is a personally enriching experience, no matter your beliefs, as it uniquely brings people from diverse backgrounds together.
Back in the Middle Ages, thousands of pilgrims walked to the holy site of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia from all over Europe and we have them to thank for the many Camino routes across Spain, Portugal and France today.
Each route is beautiful in its own way ranging from idyllic rural Spanish countryside to the wind-swept Portuguese coast.
The most popular Camino walking routes are:
Camino Frances: 772 km (480 mi)
Camino Portugues: 610 km (380 mi)
Camino del Norte: 827 km (514 mi)
Camino Primitivo: 321 km (199 mi)
Camino Ingles: 119 km (74 mi)
Camino Finisterre: 90 km (155 mi)
Most Camino routes are in mild oceanic or Mediterranean climate zones with warm summers and mild winters so that you can do it comfortably anytime.
The best time of year to walk the Camino depends on what you want to gain from the trip.
The summer months (June through September) are the busiest. While the weather is reliably warm and sunny, the routes are highly trafficked and might not be the best option if you want solitude.
If you don’t cope well in the heat, spring and autumn may be better options – it’s also quieter at this time of year.
December through February are the coolest and wettest months. Still, the routes are super quiet, peaceful and arguably more comfortable to hike without the summer sun beaming down on you.
There are many Camino routes across Europe, some of which are up to 1000 kilometres (621 miles) long.
You don't need to commit to that distance, though.
To get the Compostela (the official Certificate of completion for the Camino de Santiago), you only need to walk the last 100 kilometres to Santiago on any of the Camino trails.
On a guided Camino de Santiago walk, your main luggage will be transported to each place you stay, so the good news is you don't have to lug it around with you!
For clothing items, you'll need comfortable and lightweight activewear. This includes leggings, vests, t-shirts and shorts.
You should also bring a light jumper to pop on in the evening if the temperature drops and a wind-proof jacket if you're visiting in the cooler months.
You'll also need a comfy pair of hiking boots (make sure they've been broken in), several pairs of hiking socks, and a pole.
Lastly, remember to use a small day bag to carry essentials like a reusable water bottle, a change of clothes, ID and snacks.
Most of the Camino walking trails are well-signed, and it's easy and safe enough to walk without a guide.
Although you could book accommodation, organise luggage transfers and do the walk alone, you might not get to experience the benefits of connecting with other like-minded travellers like you do in a group setting. You'll also miss out on the guidance and inside knowledge of your local leader, who'll be by your side, sharing stories, history and banter along the way.
The journey is long and bound to challenge you – whether physically, mentally or emotionally – but if you do a guided walk, your leader and group will support you, and vice versa. Compared to a self-guided Camino walk, everything is taken care of, so you can focus on immersing yourself in the gorgeous scenery, eating delicious food, getting to know others, reconnecting with yourself, or whatever inspired you to embark on this journey. You can also access immediate assistance if you twist your ankle, get sick or experience any emergency.
We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.