The Camino de Santiago is an experience that thousands of people do every year from different parts of Spain and Europe. If you and your friends are thinking of embarking on this adventure of walking, meeting cool people on the route and enjoying nature you will have to choose from where to go. All roads lead to Santiago, but which road will you enjoy the most?
The French way – 31 days
This is the most popular route among pilgrims and goes from Saint Jean Pied de Port in Navarra or from Somport in Aragón to Santiago de Compostela. Total adds up to a whopping 775 kilometres, divided into 31 stages that can be done in several trips and escapades.
It is worth it, on the way there is the monastery of San Millán de Suso y Yuso, the caves of Atapuercathe mines of Médulas, the Cathedral of Burgos, the Episcopal Palace of Astorga, the cheese dairies of Arzúa or the landscapes of Ribadiso.
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Train from Barcelona to Pamplona, Navarra
The Portuguese way – 25 days
If you want an experience of fresh air and kilometers of nature ahead, this route is made for you. It starts in Lisbon and enters Spain through Tui with 620 kilometers of forests, ancient trails and a lot of coastline which makes the path cooler and more pleasant. Between the landscape and how short it is, it can be done in less than a week.
On this way you will go through such amazing points such as the thermal waters of Caldas de Reis, Coimbra, the Cathedral of Tui and many green landscapes of Galicia such as the Tejo valley or the Rías Baixas.
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Flight from Madrid to Lisbon with Tap Air Portugal
The Northern Way – 32 days
Many pilgrims bet on this route, because among its 815 kilometers it has many points of interest between the south of France and the north of Spain. It starts in Irún and runs through Bilbao, San Sebastián, Santander, fishing villages in Cantabria and Galicia. This translates into a journey full of natural parks, paradisiacal beaches and historic and monumental cities.
This path is World Heritage Site Despite its length, it is quite suitable for beginners, because the path is simple and well indicated. Of course, it is essential to be prepared so that it can rain at any time.
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The English Way – 7 days
It’s only 155 kilometers and about six days of walking, because departs from A Coruña or Vigo and heads towards Santiago. In fact, it takes its name from the English and Irish pilgrim boats that arrived at the port of A Coruña to make the rest of the journey on foot.
If you decide to leave from Vigo it will take about six days and on the way you will be able to enjoy Betanzos and its tortillas, Ferrol and the Mariñas and Terras do Mandeo biosphere reserve. From A Coruña it is only about three days and will allow you to visit some points of interest in the city, such as the Collegiate Church of Santa María del Sar and the Tower of Hercules.
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Flight from Madrid to A Coruña with Iberia
The Silver Way – 26 days
If you are a history lover you cannot miss this route, which starts in Seville or Cádiz and crosses the entire Iberian Peninsula following Roman roads with 705 kilometers throughout Castilla La Mancha, Extremadura, Castilla y León until reaching Santiago.
On this ancient Camino de Santiago we discover historic towns and cities such as Mérida, Cáceres or Salamanca. But we can also enjoy Roman remains such as arches, villas and roads and all the landscapes of central Spain. For this same reason it is not very suitable in summer, because the heat is too intense and makes the journey very difficult.
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Flight from Barcelona to Seville with Vueling
The primitive path – 10 days
This is the original Camino de Santiago made by King Alfonso II in 813, considered the first pilgrim. Is a demanding route that runs through mountain areas without many towns or amenities, full of difficult climbs and descents such as Puerto de Palo. It leaves Oviedo and passes through Lugo, but also through beautiful, green landscapes and valleys. If you are a veteran walker and you don’t mind the effort, this path is amazing.
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Flight from Madrid to Oviedo with Iberia
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Photos | @tipitent, Unsplash.