Best time of year to walk the Camino de Santiago
Weather, pilgrim numbers and open albergues, month by month.
There's no perfect month — it depends on your priorities
There's no single "best time" for the Camino: it depends on whether you'd rather avoid the heat, avoid the crowds, or spend less. May, June and September are usually considered the best balance between good weather and manageable crowds on most routes.
It also matters whether the year you walk is a Holy Year (Año Santo) — when 25 July falls on a Sunday. Pilgrim numbers rise noticeably compared to a regular year. The next Holy Year is 2027.
The four seasons on the Camino
April–June · spring
Pleasant weather and very green scenery. Moderate crowds that pick up towards June, with Easter week as a sharp spike.
July–August · summer
The year's busiest months, and also the hottest, especially on the Meseta (Camino Francés) and in Extremadura (Vía de la Plata). Everything's open, but book ahead.
September–October · autumn
Many regular pilgrims' favourite time: mild weather, autumn colours, and somewhat fewer people than in the height of summer.
November–March · winter
Near-total solitude and lower prices, but many rural and private albergues close, and there's a real risk of snow on mountain sections.
How to adapt to whichever season you pick
Start very early in summer
Walking before dawn lets you cross the most exposed stretches of the Meseta or Extremadura before the midday heat sets in.
Book further ahead in a Holy Year
In Jacobean years, demand for private albergues and guesthouses rises a lot; book with more lead time than usual.
Check winter closures before you leave
Many rural albergues close from November to March. Check availability on your specific route before planning stages.
Pack warm layers for mountain sections even outside winter
Passes like O Cebreiro, Alto del Perdón or Los Ancares can be bitterly cold or snowy in late spring or early autumn.
What people assume and shouldn't
Assuming every albergue is open year-round
Outside the Camino Francés in high season, many rural albergues have seasonal closures worth checking beforehand.
Not checking whether it's a Holy Year
Walking without realising it's a Xacobeo year can catch you off guard with full albergues that wouldn't be full in a regular year.
Walking at midday in the height of August
The middle hours of the day on the Meseta or in Extremadura in summer can top 35–40°C with barely any shade.
Underestimating mountain cold in spring or autumn
Even if the valley feels mild, mountain passes can be several degrees colder with strong wind.