Since the 9th-century pilgrims have been coming here to venerate the remains of St James. By the 11th century, it is reckoned that 10% of the population of Europe was involved in this pilgrimage in some aspect. There was no more important cultural phenomenon in Europe. Today its popularity is soaring once more with nearly 200,000 people a year presenting themselves as pilgrims in the cathedral of Santiago.
Soak up the atmosphere of Santiago today and enjoying the markets, museums and restaurants of this captivating city. Santiago is a very special city and a great place to walk and explore. Resolutely and obviously Spanish, it has also lived with visitors for millennia, so has a relaxed cosmopolitan feel which is much harder to find in Spain. Of course, the city is also full of pilgrims who are just delighted to have arrived, so it is hard not to be infected by positivity. This is a very easy place to spend a happy day wandering, visiting markets, museums, eating and celebrating the end of the walk.
Walking: At your own leisure
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santiago de Compostela in an ensuite room
Monica Pinda
The Camino in Style offers the rare ability to experience four different Camino trails in one trip; from inland forests and plains to cliffs along the Cantabrian Sea, and the raw majesty of the Cantabrian mountains, “chocolate box” picturesque villages and scenery, and cities showcasing centuries of checkered history. Despite the large volume of pilgrims, locals along the trails (and in the cities) were kind and helpful. Our group members carried various physical constraints, but we were able to tailor our days and walking distances to suit. Walking shorter distances and arriving in destination towns by mid-afternoon allowed valuable time to explore. Every night location had something to offer and evening ‘wanders’ were well-rewarded