31 de July, 2025
Legend has it that everything began with a constellation. A light in the sky — the compostela — is said to have guided a hermit to a forgotten tomb in northern Spain. There lay the remains of the apostle James. It was the 9th century, during the height of the Reconquista. For King Alfonso II, this was more than a religious discovery: it was an opportunity to unify the kingdom under Catholicism. Thus, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela — also known as the Way of Saint James or simply The Camino — was born. Today, it is one of the oldest, most symbolic pilgrimage trails in Spain, attracting people from all over the world.
Today, thousands of pilgrims follow this walk pilgrimage in Spain, heading toward the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Among the most walked paths are the French Way, the Portuguese Way, and other well-marked Camino trails that span across Europe. Whether on foot, by bicycle or even on horseback, the Camino walk in Spain continues to thrive — driven by diverse motivations, but always with the same intensity as centuries ago.
In this article, we’ll explain what the Camino de Santiago de Compostela is, share historical curiosities, present the most popular routes, talk about the symbols, the rules to receive the official certificate, its impact on the local economy, and the best websites and apps for the Camino. Shall we begin?
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The Camino walk is an ancient pilgrimage route leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, northwestern Spain, where the relics of the apostle James — one of Jesus’ closest disciples — are believed to rest. Over the centuries, this journey has developed multiple paths, with various trails and starting points across different European countries.
More than just a religious path, the Camino has become a spiritual, historical, and cultural experience that attracts millions of pilgrims each year — with or without faith, but always in search of meaning.
🔗 Also read our article on the regions of Spain.
Although the origin of the tomb of the apostle James is surrounded by legends, historians point out that its discovery — attributed to Bishop Theodomir in the 9th century — had clear political objectives. King Alfonso II of Asturias is said to have used the figure of Saint James to strengthen Christian unity during the Reconquista in the 9th century.
From the 11th century onwards, Compostela became an important pilgrimage destination in Europe, alongside Jerusalem and Rome. In this context, modern historians consider the Camino de Santiago not only a spiritual pilgrimage but also one of the foundations of structured tourism in medieval Europe. The infrastructure of hostels, bridges, mapped routes, and guides like the Liber Sancti Jacobi (12th century) reveals a systematic organization that foreshadowed modern cultural tourism!
The Camino de Santiago is not a single route, but a network of paths crossing various countries, all leading to one destination: the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Each pilgrim can choose their own path, decide where to stop, and set their own pace and number of walking days. Over the centuries, many routes have gained importance — whether for tradition, infrastructure, or the beauty of their landscapes.
Follow the way! Below are the most well-known routes:
This is the most traditional and most traveled route of the Camino de Santiago. Around 60% of pilgrims choose this path.
It covers about 780 km to Santiago de Compostela, with excellent infrastructure for pilgrims. It is also the most referenced route in films, books, and travel guides.
The journey begins in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, and goes through Roncesvalles, Pamplona, Puente la Reina, Logroño, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Burgos, Carrión de los Condes, León, Astorga, Ponferrada, O Cebreiro, and Sarria — the most common starting point for pilgrims wishing to walk only the final 100 km required to receive the Compostela. From Sarria, the path continues through Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Arzúa, and ends in Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the pilgrimage.
Total distance:
The Portuguese Way, in both its Central and Coastal variants, is the second most popular route of the Camino de Santiago. It is known for offering a quieter experience, with good infrastructure, diverse landscapes, and fewer crowds than the French Way. The most common route begins in Porto, but it’s also possible to start the pilgrimage in Lisbon or Valença do Minho, on the border with Spain.
On the Central Portuguese Way, the main stops are: Lisbon, Santarém, Tomar, Coimbra, Águeda, Porto, Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, and Valença do Minho — which borders Tui, already in Spanish territory. From there, the route continues through O Porriño, Redondela, Pontevedra, Caldas de Reis, Padrón, and finally, Santiago de Compostela.
Total distance:
The English Way (Camino Inglés) is mainly used by pilgrims from England, Ireland, and Northern Europe. In the Middle Ages, it was common for these travelers to cross the sea to the ports of Galicia, especially Ferrol and A Coruña, and then walk to Santiago de Compostela.
Interestingly, the route became popular mainly in the 14th and 15th centuries, during the Hundred Years’ War, when the English began to avoid French territory, establishing the English Way as a safe and direct alternative. Over time, it became a traditional route among pilgrims from the British Isles.
Today, this crossing can be made symbolically (by plane, ferry, etc.), but there is no official continuous boat route available to the public. In other words, the English Way currently has two official variants, both starting in Spain and recognized by the Church for obtaining the Compostela, provided the pilgrim walks at least 100 km.
Start in Ferrol: about 118 km, usually completed in 5 to 7 days of walking. The route is of moderate difficulty and alternates between nature and historic villages. Along the way, the pilgrim passes through Ferrol, Neda, Pontedeume, Miño, Betanzos, Hospital de Bruma, Sigüeiro, and finally arrives in Santiago de Compostela.
Departure from A Coruña: approximately 75 km, covered in 3 to 5 days of walking. This variant is shorter and passes through A Coruña, Carral, Hospital de Bruma (where it joins the route from Ferrol), Sigüeiro, and ends in Santiago de Compostela. Although officially recognized, this route alone does not guarantee the Compostela, as it does not reach the minimum 100 km required by the Church. To obtain the certificate, the pilgrim must present evidence of having completed the remaining 25 km on another recognized section of the Camino de Santiago, either in another country or a previous stage with the proper stamps. It is a good option for those with limited time but who still want to experience part of the Jacobean journey.
| Route | Starting Point | Approx. Distance | Days on Foot (average) | Compostela? ✅ | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Way (full) | Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (FR) | 780 km | 30 to 35 days | ✅ Yes | Most traditional and structured route; crosses the Pyrenees, La Rioja, Castilla y León, Galicia |
| French Way (short) | Sarria (Galicia) | 114 km | 5 to 7 days | ✅ Yes | Most popular final stretch; ideal for those short on time who want the Compostela |
| Portuguese Way (full) | Lisbon (Portugal) | 620 km | 25 to 30 days | ✅ Yes | Passes through historic cities like Santarém, Coimbra, and Porto; mixes urban and rural areas |
| Portuguese Way (from Porto) | Porto (Portugal) | 240 km | 10 to 14 days | ✅ Yes | Very popular route; Central (inland) or Coastal (seaside) options |
| English Way (Ferrol) | Ferrol (Galicia) | 118 km | 5 to 7 days | ✅ Yes | Short and historic route; used by pilgrims arriving by boat from Northern Europe |
| English Way (A Coruña) | A Coruña (Galicia) | 75 km | 3 to 5 days | ⚠️ No (alone) | Must be complemented with 25 km on another route to obtain the Compostela |
The Pilgrim’s Credential (or “pilgrim’s passport”) is an official and mandatory document for those who wish to receive the Compostela, the certificate issued by the Catholic Church at the end of the Camino. It allows you to collect stamps (sellos) along the way, proving your pilgrimage.
Although it has a strong spiritual value, the credential also has a commercial and touristic purpose: it promotes the network of hostels and partner establishments, boosting the local economy. Additionally, it is required to stay in public hostels and to obtain the Compostela at the end of the journey.
You can get the credential before starting or at the departure location:
During the Camino, you must stamp your credential at churches, cathedrals, hostels, inns, as well as tourist and pilgrim information offices. In the last 100 km, at least two stamps per day are required.
You can check the list of official places online on the Gronze website or in one of the apps listed below.
You receive the Compostela at the Oficina del Peregrino in Santiago de Compostela.
Along the Camino, there are three main types of accommodation:
In the digital age, pilgrims can count on excellent apps to plan and follow the Camino de Santiago with safety and autonomy. See below four of the best options and their highlights:
Here are the best:
| Website / Institution | Direct Link | Main Use |
|---|---|---|
| Oficina del Peregrino – Santiago | oficinadelperegrino.com | Where to collect the Compostela |
| Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela | catedraldesantiago.es | Religious and historical information |
| Portuguese Way Association | caminhodesantiago.pt | Purchase credential, tips, routes, and support |
| Gronze.com | gronze.com | Stages, distances, accommodations, maps |
| Eroski Consumer – Camino | caminosantiago.consumer.es | Detailed stage-by-stage information |
Although the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is the official pilgrimage destination, many pilgrims continue their journey to Finisterra (or Fisterra, in Galician), on the coast of Galicia. Located at the westernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula, Finisterra was considered in the Middle Ages as the “end of the known world” — hence the name, which comes from Latin Finis Terrae (“end of the earth”). That’s why the symbolic kilometer zero is located there, marking not only the geographical end but also the spiritual conclusion of the journey.
Historically, it was from Finisterra that medieval pilgrims took boats to return home or simply contemplated the horizon, in an introspective gesture after their pilgrimage. There, many performed symbolic rituals: they burned the clothes or shoes worn during the journey, bathed in the sea to purify themselves, and reflected on their spiritual journey, as an act of renewal and rebirth. The idea was simple: after cleansing their sins in Santiago, it was time to be reborn and restart life — free, light, and renewed.
Even today, many pilgrims extend the walk to Finisterra (about 90 additional km from Santiago), not to get certificates or stamps, but to end the pilgrimage cycle with personal meaning. The place is beautiful and well worth a visit.
And if the Camino ends in Finisterra, guess where you can naturally find the scallop — the greatest symbol of the pilgrimage to Santiago? Exactly there!! On the rocky and ancient coast of Finisterra, scallop shells have always been abundant, which is why ancient pilgrims began collecting them as proof that they had reached the “end of the earth.”
More than a souvenir, the shell became a symbol of the transformation the Camino brings. With its lines converging from different directions to a central point, the scallop represents the many routes that lead to Santiago — and, by extension, the different life paths that lead us to self-discovery. That is why today pilgrims carry the shell during or at the end of the route: it marks the physical and spiritual overcoming of the journey.
The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is a life-changing experience. It not only changes the way we see the world but also influences our plans for the future. Many pilgrims fall in love with Spain’s culture, landscapes, and lifestyle and decide to stay or return with new goals. If that’s your case, it’s worth exploring the Spanish visas that allow you to live legally in the country — whether to study, work, invest, or simply enjoy a better quality of life. Atlantic Bridge can guide you through every step of this transition.
Talk to our specialists and turn the experience of a lifetime into a new beginning.
Author:
Silvia Resende
