1. Count your walking days
Set aside the days for travel, rest and your stay in Santiago. Use what is left to spread the stages in the planner.
⭐ Local guide from Santiago de Compostela
The ultimate guide to the Camino de Santiago
Plan your Camino, find the best places to stay and eat, map out your stages, and discover what to do once you reach Santiago.
Your first decision
Which Camino de Santiago should you choose?
Start from the number of days you can walk and the place you want to set off from. You do not need to walk a whole route: you can pick a section and adapt the stages to your own pace.
2. Look at each day
Kilometres do not tell the whole story. Check the elevation profile, the terrain and the services of each stage before merging two days or booking accommodation.
3. Decide how to organise it
You can plan your own stops and book each night yourself, at your own pace.
| Route | Start | Approx. distance | Stages in this guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Way | Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port | 764 km | 33 |
| Portuguese Way | Porto | 242 km | 11 |
| English Way | Ferrol | 113 km | 6 |
| Northern Way | Irún | 821 km | 34 |
| Primitive Way | Oviedo | 317 km | 14 |
| Vía de la Plata | Sevilla | 970 km | 37 |
| Camino a Fisterra e Muxía | Santiago de Compostela | 114 km | 5 |
The figures come from the stages in this guide. The number of stages excludes transfers and rest days, and does not mean you have to walk that many days. Fisterra and Muxía starts in Santiago; the other routes end there.
Featured guides
Choose your route
The most walked Ways of St James, with everything you need to pick yours.
French Way
~764 kmThe most popular
The classic, best-signposted route, with more services and pilgrim atmosphere at every stage.
See the full guide →
Portuguese Way
~242 km
English Way
~113 kmThe shortest
Short but complete — perfect for earning your Compostela in just a few days.
See the full guide →
Northern Way
~821 kmCoast and mountains
Along the Cantabrian coast: demanding, green and spectacular. Less crowded.
See the full guide →
Primitive Way
~317 km
Vía de la Plata
~970 kmOff the beaten path
The great southern route — quiet and steeped in Roman history.
See the full guide →
Camino a Fisterra e Muxía
~114 kmAfter Santiago
The only Camino that leaves the Cathedral instead of ending at it, all the way to the lighthouse at the "end of the world".
See the full guide →Start here
Everything you need for your Camino
Eight sections to plan every detail, from your backpack to the Cathedral.
Plan your Camino
Pick a route, set your dates and get your pilgrim credential sorted.
Get started →
Albergues
Public, private and donation-based, stage by stage.
See albergues →
Where to eat
Pilgrim menus and reliable stops along the Camino.
See restaurants →
What to pack
The definitive packing list, with no extra weight.
See the list →
Stages
Distances, elevation and where to sleep each day.
See stages →
Santiago de Compostela
What to see, where to eat and how to enjoy the city.
Discover →
Finisterre
The end of the world: how to get there and what to do.
Learn more →
Transport
Buses, trains and luggage transfers between stages.
Getting around →Essential guides
Articles that save you from rookie mistakes
What every pilgrim should read before taking the first step.
Which backpack to buy
Litres, fit and ideal weight for your route.
How much the Camino costs
A realistic budget per day and per stage.
Best time of year to go
Weather, crowds and open albergues, month by month.
How to get your Compostela
Credential, stamps and the final 100 km.
What to do when you reach Santiago
The Pilgrim's Mass, the hug for the Apostle and more.
Interactive map
Every route to Santiago
Explore the main Caminos and their starting points on the map.
Map
FEAACS track published by IGN. Follow current trail signs.
Source: IGN/CNIG · FEAACS · CC BY 4.0 · Accessed:
French Way
Portuguese Way
Northern Way
Primitive Way
English Way
Vía de la Plata
Fisterra & Muxía
Local knowledge
Santiago de Compostela
We're locals. Here's how to experience the city like one — not like a tourist.
🏛️
What to see
The Cathedral, Praza do Obradoiro, the old town and hidden corners.
☕
Where to have breakfast
The best specialty coffee spots for an easy start to the day.
🍽️
Where to eat
Authentic Galician cooking, from octopus to Tarta de Santiago.
🥂
Best brunch spots
Our specialty: a weekend brunch done right.
🍸
Best bars
Wine, cocktails and the right atmosphere to celebrate your arrival.
⏱️
Santiago in a day
The perfect route if you only have 24 hours in the city.
Just arrived in Santiago? Come celebrate with us at Bonsai Café: brunch, specialty coffee and cocktails right in the centre.
☕ Discover Bonsai CaféStart your Camino
Plan your Camino in 3 steps
Pick your route above, map out your stages and book your stays. We'll be waiting for you at the end.
1️⃣
Choose your route
Compare distances, difficulty and days needed.
2️⃣
Organise your stages
Set your daily kilometres and where to sleep.
3️⃣
Pack your backpack
Use our packing list and set off worry-free.