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Walking the Camino de Santiago

But which route to take?

Walking the Camino de Santiago
+44 (0)1653 617001
Walking the Camino de Santiago
+44 (0)1653 617001

Camino Highlights

Spectacular scenery | From idyllic villages and riverside paths to forested tracks and timeless ruins.
In history’s footsteps | Each trail follows ancient routes walked by centuries of pilgrims.
Pilgrim camaraderie | Celebrate with fellow finishers in the iconic cathedral square.
Spiritual Santiago | Enjoy free time to explore this beautiful and sacred city.
A recognised achievement | Collect your official pilgrim certificate – the ‘Compostela'.

The classic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

The Camino de Santiago is an ancient network of trails, followed by countless pilgrims over the centuries to worship at the tomb of St James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela.

World-renowned for its long-distance tributaries, the Camino is a pilgrimage modern-day travellers take on for a multitude of reasons, whether religious, cultural, historical, or as a physical challenge. People from all walks of life embark on the journey – some choosing to follow the most popular routes for the friendly atmosphere and camaraderie with fellow pilgrims, while others prefer the lesser-known paths, which allow for a more intimate and contemplative experience.
We have three Camino walking holidays at Inntravel (and one rail journey), each offering different geographical (and spiritual) approaches into the poignant and timeless city of Santiago. Take a look at our three Camino trails to compare and decide which one is for you.

Our expert's view

 

left-quote.pngWe now offer three Camino routes so you can choose the one that suits you best – from the most famous Camino Francés to the charming Camino Portugués or the quieter Camino Inglés. We have kept daily distances manageable, arranged comfortable stays (with transfers where needed), and included two nights in Santiago on all three options so you can fully enjoy and celebrate your achievement.right-quote.png

- Malcolm, Travel Expert

Camino routes

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Our Camino walking holidays

View all pilgrimage walks
View all pilgrimage walks

Which Camino?

Portuguese Camino de Santiago, The Old Way
 
Quieter than some of its sister trails, and more picturesque, this Camino route heads north to Santiago de Compostela from the Spain-Portugal border, boasting some truly unique highlights.

• The chance to pop over the border into Portugal for the day to discover the little-known, fortified town of Valença.
• Enjoy a river boat journey on a section of the Variante Espiritual – Europe’s only water-based pilgrimage route and part of the original Camino route along which the body of St James was carried in AD 44.
• Stay in boutique rural hotels and grand Paradors along the way.
• Savour the taste of the region’s premier Albariño wines with an included visit to a local winery, which features a tour and tasting.

mapTotal distance walked: 112km
Average daily distance: 18.5km
10 nights (9 days’ walking) from Tui to Santiago de Compostela
 
  Discover the Portuguese Camino
El Camino Francés
 
The most popular route, El Camino Francés weaves through open countryside with riverside paths and forested tracks – offering wondrous backdrops as you journey alongside fellow pilgrims, struck by the poignancy of this shared experience and the meaningful connection with strangers from across the globe.

• Admire the timeless 6th-century monastery in the peaceful village of Samos (surprisingly unseen by most pilgrims) at the start of your walk.
• Sense history all around you as you follow in the footsteps of countless ancient travellers along this trail – the classic Camino route.
• Wonder at the history and unspoiled beauty of Galicia as you traverse this region of northern Spain.
• Feel alive with the buzzing atmosphere of building excitement as your route converges with the Camino del Norte and the Camino Primitivo on the penultimate leg of your journey and you all make your momentous way to Santiago together.

mapTotal distance walked: 116km
Average daily distance: 19km
8 nights (7 days’ walking) from Samos to Santiago de Compostela
 
  Discover the French Camino
El Camino Inglés
 
The English Camino retraces the steps of centuries of medieval pilgrims who arrived in Galicia by sea from England, Ireland, and other areas of Northern Europe, before journeying south to Santiago. It’s a beautiful route, brimming with heritage, insights into local life, and breathtaking scenery.

• Lesser known, this route is more tranquil and meditative.
• Unique in being one of the few Caminos to balance coast and countryside, the views throughout are spectacular, from the sweeping panoramas of the majestic Atlantic Ocean to the historic stone bridges and tiny, secluded churches which pepper the region’s interior.
• Relax and rejuvenate after a day’s walk in your lovely accommodation along the route, particularly in the two rural guesthouses which offer serene and rustic spots in which to unwind.
• In the heart of Galicia’s second-largest biosphere reserve, ascend to the Beche reservoir on Day 3 of your holiday – you’ll see why.

mapTotal distance walked: 103km
Average daily distance: 17km
8 nights (7 days’ walking) from Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela
 
  Discover the English Camino

Interested in walking the Camino de Santiago?

andalucia Download our free guide to walking the Camino de Santiago, with information on when's best to go, which route to choose, where you stay, and what to pack. 
   
Download 
  

Why Inntravel?

By offering three different Camino de Santiago holidays, we’re giving you a choice of routes to take, so you can make your pilgrimage even more your own – whether you fancy a more tranquil trail like the Portuguese Way, a diversity of landscapes as found along the Camino Inglés, or the climactic hum of excitement from fellow travellers on the Camino Francés.
And, of course, we’ve added our classic Inntravel stamp to the routes, so you get the ultimate Camino experience and more:

In the words of Inntravellers

left-quote.pngEveryone must have a different reason for walking the Camino. It's not just the hiking. It's not a 'holiday'. It's both and lots more, and it is certainly a challenge. We were so spoiled having such comfortable accommodation all the way and our luggage carried for us, and we wouldn't have missed the boat journey for anything. Arriving at the end of the journey was right-quote.pngextraordinarily moving.
 

- Inntraveller
 


left-quote.pngThe holiday was an exceptional experience. Inntravel sorted all the transport arrangements for us – we added a few days in Porto before starting the walk. This all worked seamlessly. The hotels varied in character; all were excellent in their differentright-quote.png ways, and this added to the experience. The walks were all manageable, varying in length and terrain.

- Mr D Foulder

Camino FAQs

  • Whichever Camino de Santiago route you choose, you can be sure to expect charming towns and villages set amongst beautiful, rolling countryside, reaching an inspiring finale in Santiago – the treasured historic city laced with Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque influences – and the exhilarating feeling of euphoria as you celebrate your great achievement in the famous cathedral square with fellow pilgrims.
  • All three Camino trails are rated at Grade 2 – moderate levels of difficulty. Generally, you can expect to cover approximately 10–15km a day, across varied terrain with regular ascents and descents. The routes may be challenging at times, with some long days (check the distances on each holiday page), but manageable and rewarding. If you’re unsure if this is the right level for you, we’d recommend contacting one of our travel consultants to chat it through, and they’ll be happy to help. You can find our contact details here.
  • Our Camino holidays run from spring to autumn, so it can depend on when exactly you’re travelling, as temperatures in northern Spain typically average around 17 degrees in spring and 20 degrees in autumn, with summer significantly warmer. You’ll need clothing suitable for the temperatures you’ll be experiencing, as well as walking boots and waterproofs. You won't need to carry your luggage; we will make sure it arrives safely at your next hotel before you arrive.

    You can check out our guide on what to pack, too.
  • Your routes will include some long walking days, ranging from 10–27 kilometres (sometimes with options to shorten them but not always), so it’s a good idea to do a few practice walks close to home before you go.
  • The full distance of each Camino differs, but we’ve set our holidays to cover the last 100 or so kilometres of each one – enough to earn you the ‘Compostela’ (official pilgrim certificate) while still giving you the full pilgrimage experience.

    The English Camino is relatively short, with a full distance of just under 120 kilometres, while the entire French and Portuguese Ways clock in at much longer (approximately 780 and 620 kilometres respectively).
  • Yes, luggage transfers are included on all three Camino options, so you’re free to focus on the path ahead and the landscapes around you, knowing your belongings are ready and waiting at your next stop.
  • The type of accommodation varies according to the local area, but our Camino holidays include stays such as hotels, rural guesthouses, and country houses – each one tried and hand-picked by our expert team.

    Some pilgrimage accommodation can be quite simple, but all of our recommendations are comfortable and welcoming, perfect for resting your feet after all the day’s walking.
  • It’s up to you! We run our Camino holidays from March to October, so it’s great for walking most of the year. It’s worth bearing in mind that peak season for the number of travellers tends to be the summer, but don’t let this put you off – imagine the camaraderie and hive of activity from lots of fellow finishers as you walk into Santiago!

    Note, though, that it will be a bit cooler in the spring and autumn months, which you may prefer for long-distance walking.

Taking the Camino less travelled......

Phoebe-Smith-(1).png

Back in 2024, Phoebe Smith took her navigationally inexperienced friend – the musician, author, and broadcaster, Cerys Matthews – on a self-guided trip along the Camino de Santiago to see how easily she would find The Way…

An introduction....

"I had walked the Camino Francés – the most popular path making up the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage – many years before, while dealing with some past trauma (which I wrote about in my book, Wayfarer). But this time was different. Not only because I was in a much better headspace and travelling with a friend but, also, because we were taking a less trodden pathway to the cathedral, and I was putting my navigational trust in a friend who – by her own admission – has a bad sense of direction..."
 
Read Phoebe's story
 
 

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