Is the Camino too crowded?


Is the Camino too crowded? Don't go in the summer. First, it's the most crowded period. Albergues are usually packed, and people can get cranky. Second, summer in Spain is brutally hot. Go during any other season, even winter, which sees little snow on most of El Camino.


How many hours a day do you walk on the Camino?

Daily distances on the Camino de Santiago are between 20 km and 25 km. The average walking speed of an adult is 5 km/3 mi per hour. If you walk at that pace it'll take you 4 to 5 hours of walking per day.


Which Camino is best for first time?

I'd say one of the most popular Camino routes e.g. Camino Frances or Camino Portuguese from Porto is the best route for beginners. Why? Simply because these routes have a very good infrastructure which means it's easy to find accommodation, support, and help.


What is the average cost to walk the Camino?

Most pilgrim budgets fall in the $30-60 (€25-50) per day range, meaning a 30-day walk would cost $900-1800 (€750-1500). If you don't already have hiking gear, new gear could easily cost $300-600 (€250-500) if you need to get new footwear, backpack and sleeping bag.


Do you lose weight doing the Camino?

I lost about 8kgs, around 18 lbs, over a four week period. So yes, I did lose a lot of weight on the Camino. However, losing weight was never one of my reasons for walking the Camino. I did not set out on the Camino to lose weight, and I must admit that it never entered my mind at any time while I was there.


How many days do you need for Camino?

How much time do I need to walk the Camino? To walk the classic Camino Francés route from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port or Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela, most people require between 4-6 weeks, however, the time needed depends on your daily mileage and whether you take any rest days.


Where do you sleep on the Camino?

Accommodations are available on the Camino at a variety of budgets, from affordable dormitory beds to posh 5-star hotels. Pilgrim Albergues are the most convenient and economic choice, but bring your earplugs! Pensiones, Hostales, Casas Rurales and Hotels offer more privacy in a variety of prices ranges.


Is the Camino crowded?

The busy months between May and August are the most crowded on Camino routes. It's worth remembering that the most numerous nationality on the Camino are from Spain and therefore their public holidays in this country also coincide with the busy times on the Camino de Santiago.


Can you sleep in a tent on the Camino?

While not as common, some pilgrims opt to carry a tent and camp along the way. It offers a close connection to nature, though it's essential to camp in designated areas and respect the environment.


Is it better to walk or bike the Camino de Santiago?

Biking the Camino allows you to cover more ground over the same number of days, and you're able to bike at a relaxed pace. Walking from Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela takes around 28 days, whereas you can bike from Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela in about 15 days.


What are the busiest Camino months?

Summer (June-August) By far the most popular time to walk the Camino is summer, particularly June-August, which accounts for more than half of the yearly pilgrim traffic. St. James Day is July 25, and many pilgrims try to time their walk to arrive on this day.


Can you walk the Camino in 2 weeks?

Following our Camino Portugués guidebook's itinerary, you could walk from Lisboa to Santiago in 26 days averaging 24km/15 miles a day. Many pilgrims walking the Camino Portugués start from Porto and can complete the trip to Santiago in just under two weeks at a similar daily distance average.


How to choose Camino?

Camino Cheat Sheet: A Quick Guide to Choosing your Camino
  1. Can I experience the meditative nature of the walking? ...
  2. Are there food pilgrim routes? ...
  3. I'm short on time, are the flexible options available? ...
  4. I'm more of a highlights kind of person, what's a good option? ...
  5. I don't want to miss a thing, what do you recommend?


Do you need a sleeping bag on the Camino?

The time of year that you choose to walk the Camino de Santiago may influence your decision as to whether you pack a sleeping bag or not. If you are walking in off-season, any time before March or after September, then you may wish to carry a lightweight sleeping bag rather than sleep sheet.


Is the Camino Walk hilly?

Camino Primitivo (the Original Route) The walk is about 180 miles long and is quite challenging, as it includes a fair amount of hill climbing and the weather can be very erratic.


What is the prettiest Camino?

Generally, most people believe that the Camino del Norte is the most beautiful in terms of landscape. This is because you walk along Northern Spain and at times have the option to walk on a direct coastal path overlooking the ocean.


What is the average age of people walking the Camino?

The average age of Pilgrims walking El Camino de Santiago is between 30 and 60 with nearly 60% of Pilgrims finishing the Camino being in this age group. There are also 15% of Pilgrims being over 60 years old and this is a growing group with more and more seniors walking the Camino de Santiago.