Planning your Camino
Which Camino de Santiago route should you choose?
The Francés, the Portuguese from Porto, the Norte along the coast, the Primitivo through the mountains… How to choose your Camino depending on the days you have, your fitness, the season and what you are looking for.
In this guide
There is no single Camino de Santiago but dozens of routes that all end at the cathedral. The best one for you depends on four things: how many days you have, what kind of walking you enjoy, the time of year and how fit you feel.
The main Caminos at a glance
| Camino | Starts in | Km | Stages | Total climb | Tarmac | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camino Francés | Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port | 768 | 32 | 11,205 m | 32 % | The classic: most walked, most services |
| Portuguese Camino (Central) | Lisboa | 622 | 24 | 7,066 m | 70 % | Second most walked; gentle and varied |
| Portuguese Coastal Camino | Oporto | 270 | 12 | 3,028 m | 72 % | The sea beside you, mild temperatures |
| Camino del Norte | Irún | 839 | 30 | 16,128 m | 67 % | Sea and mountains; hard and spectacular |
| Camino Primitivo | Oviedo | 313 | 13 | 7,726 m | 47 % | The oldest; mountains and solitude |
| Camino Inglés (from Ferrol) | Ferrol | 112 | 5 | 1,963 m | 65 % | Short, one week; estuaries and hamlets |
| Vía de la Plata | Sevilla | 707 | 29 | 6,532 m | 30 % | The longest; calm, history and heat |
| Camino Sanabrés | Granja de Moreruela | 363 | 14 | 5,859 m | 53 % | The continuation of the Vía de la Plata |
| Camino de Invierno (Winter Way) | Ponferrada | 259 | 10 | 5,176 m | 57 % | A quiet alternative through the Ribeira Sacra |
| Camino to Finisterre and Muxía | Santiago de Compostela | 116 | 4 | 2,151 m | 53 % | The only Camino that starts in Santiago |
| Camino del Salvador | León | 118 | 5 | 2,456 m | 53 % | Short and high in the mountains |
| Camino de Madrid | Madrid | 317 | 11 | 3,105 m | 24 % | Sierra and Meseta, very few people |
| Camino Aragonés | Somport | 164 | 6 | 1,996 m | 23 % | |
| Camino Baztanés | Baiona / Bayonne | 104 | 5 | 2,474 m | 58 % | |
| Camino Catalán por San Juan de la Peña | Tàrrega | 246 | 10 | 3,028 m | 26 % | |
| Camino Complutense | Alcalá de Henares | 128 | 5 | 2,876 m | 24 % | |
| Camino del Ebro | Sant Carles de la Ràpita | 426 | 16 | 2,783 m | 47 % | |
| Camino Inglés (from A Coruña) | A Coruña | 76 | 3 | 1,234 m | 61 % | |
| Camino Lebaniego | San Vicente de la Barquera | 67 | 3 | 2,280 m | 66 % | |
| Camino Lebaniego Castellano | Palencia | 205 | 9 | 2,495 m | 15 % | |
| Camino de Levante | Valencia | 365 | 15 | 2,247 m | 41 % | |
| Camino Manchego | Ciudad Real | 122 | 5 | 755 m | 25 % | |
| Camino Mozárabe | Granada | 404 | 16 | 4,630 m | 46 % | |
| Camino Mozárabe desde Málaga | Málaga | 155 | 8 | 3,345 m | 39 % | |
| Camino Olvidado | Bilbao | 470 | 20 | 7,259 m | 45 % | |
| Camino Portugués de la Vía de la Plata | Zamora | 211 | 9 | 4,190 m | 34 % | |
| Camino del Sur | Huelva | 183 | 8 | 2,631 m | 45 % | |
| Camino del Sureste | Alicante | 766 | 31 | 5,818 m | 29 % | |
| Camino Vasco del Interior | Irún | 203 | 9 | 3,707 m | 60 % |
PeregriNeo data based on © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Copernicus DEM GLO-30 elevations (© DLR e.V. 2010-2014 and © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH 2014-2018, EU and ESA).
How many days do you have?
- About a week: Sarria to Santiago (Camino Francés), Tui to Santiago (Portuguese) or the Camino Inglés from Ferrol. All three qualify for the Compostela.
- Two weeks: León to Santiago, Porto to Santiago, or the Primitivo from Oviedo.
- A month or more: the whole Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the Norte from Irún, or the Vía de la Plata from Seville.
Details in how many days the Camino takes.
What are you looking for?
- Company and atmosphere: the Francés, especially from Sarria, or the Portuguese from Porto.
- The sea: the Portuguese Coastal route or the Camino del Norte.
- Mountains and solitude: the Primitivo, the original Camino.
- History and towns: the Francés, with Pamplona, Burgos, León and Astorga.
- Very few people: the Vía de la Plata, the Sanabrés or the Camino de Invierno.
What time of year?
- Spring and autumn suit almost every route.
- Summer: the Norte and the Portuguese Coastal route are cooler; avoid the Vía de la Plata and the Meseta at midday.
- Winter: the Portuguese Camino and the last stretch of the Francés, with albergues checked in advance. Mountain routes can have snow.
How fit are you?
The Portuguese Camino and the Francés from Sarria are the gentlest. The Norte and the Primitivo have a lot of climbing every day. Whatever you choose, walking several days in a row matters more than one long walk.
FAQ
What is the most popular Camino?
The Camino Francés, followed by the Portuguese Camino.
What is the easiest Camino?
The Portuguese Camino from Tui or Porto, and the Francés from Sarria: short stages, lots of services and not much climbing.
What is the most beautiful Camino?
It is personal, but the Norte along the coast and the Primitivo through the mountains top many lists. The Francés is the most varied.
Which Camino is best for a first time?
The Francés or the Portuguese from Porto: good waymarking, plenty of albergues and lots of pilgrims.
