History and symbols
The 2027 Holy Year (Año Xacobeo)
2027 is a Holy Year on the Camino de Santiago, the first since 2021-2022. What it means, when the Holy Door opens and how to plan a Camino in a very busy year.
In this guide
2027 is a Holy Year (Año Santo Jacobeo, or Año Xacobeo in Galician). It is the first since 2021-2022, and for many people it is the year they have chosen to walk the Camino. Here is what it is, why it falls in 2027 and how to plan a Camino in a year when far more pilgrims than usual are expected.
What a Holy Year is
A year is a Holy Year whenever 25 July, the feast of Saint James, falls on a Sunday. During that year the Church grants a jubilee to those who visit Santiago Cathedral and meet certain religious conditions. By tradition the privilege goes back to the 12th century and Pope Callixtus II, and it was confirmed by Pope Alexander III's bull Regis aeterni in 1179.
Why 2027
25 July 2027 is a Sunday. Because of the calendar, Holy Years follow a pattern of 6, 5, 6 and 11 years. The recent and upcoming ones are:
| Holy Year | Note |
|---|---|
| 2010 | |
| 2021 | Extended through 2022 because of the pandemic |
| 2027 | The next one |
| 2032 | |
| 2038 | |
| 2049 |
The Holy Door
The cathedral's Holy Door, on Praza da Quintana, only opens in Holy Years. By tradition the archbishop opens it in a ceremony on the afternoon of 31 December of the year before, and it stays open until the Holy Year ends. For many pilgrims, walking through it is one of the moments of the journey.
More pilgrims
Holy Years bring many more pilgrims. Recent years have already broken records without one: according to the Pilgrim's Office, 499,239 pilgrims arrived in 2024 and 530,987 in 2025. Expect 2027 to be very busy, especially on the last 100 km and in summer.
How to plan your Camino in 2027
- Choose your dates carefully. If you can, avoid July and August, and above all the week of 25 July. May, June, September and October are still good options.
- Book ahead, especially in Galicia and at the most popular stage ends.
- Consider other routes. The Portuguese Way from Tui, the English Way from Ferrol, the Primitivo from Lugo or the Sanabrés from Ourense all earn the Compostela with fewer people than Sarria.
- Sleep away from the usual stage ends. Stopping in the villages in between avoids the queues.
- Get your credential before you reach your starting point.
In a Holy Year, knowing where you sleep each night takes away a lot of stress. Book early for the nights of the last 100 km and for weekends.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next Holy Year on the Camino?
In 2027, because 25 July falls on a Sunday. The next ones will be 2032 and 2038.
What happens in a Holy Year?
The Holy Door of Santiago Cathedral opens and the Church grants the jubilee to those who visit the cathedral and meet certain conditions. Many more pilgrims also arrive.
Do I need to do anything special for the jubilee?
The conditions are religious and set by the Church. The official information is on Santiago Cathedral's website.
Will the Camino be busier in 2027?
Pilgrim numbers usually rise sharply in Holy Years. Book ahead and, if you can, avoid the summer.
