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## 8 Facts About the Camino de Santiago
1. The Pilgrim’s House
Traditionally, pilgrimages began right from the pilgrim’s own front door, wherever that happened to be in the world. Some journeys took years to complete, and not every pilgrim made it back home.
2. 100 Kilometres
To earn the Compostela, the official certificate of completion, pilgrims must walk at least the final 100km of the Camino, collecting stamps along the way as proof. The 100km stretch from Sarria to Santiago is one of the most popular sections for exactly this reason.
3. More Ways Than One
The Camino Frances is the most famous and popular route, but it’s far from the only one. Hundreds of feeder routes stretch across Europe, all eventually converging into a larger path toward Santiago de Compostela.
4. The Distances of the Camino de Santiago
- Camino Frances: 780km (485 miles)
- Camino Portuguese: 610km (379 miles)
- Camino Finisterre: 90km (56 miles)
- Camino Primitivo: 321km (199 miles)
5. The Botafumeiro
One of the Camino’s most striking traditions is the Botafumeiro: a 53kg, 1.5m-tall incense burner that hangs 20 metres above the cathedral floor. Operated by a pulley system, it swings dramatically back and forth, dispersing incense throughout Santiago Cathedral.
6. The Holy Days
The feast day of Saint James falls on 25 July every year. When that date lands on a Sunday, it becomes a Holy Year, triggering a major surge in pilgrim numbers. The next Holy Years fall in 2027 and 2032.
7. The Scallop Shell
The scallop shell is the enduring symbol of the Camino de Santiago. Its lines are often seen as representing the many different routes, all converging on one destination. Historically, pilgrims also used the shell practically, for drinking water or measuring food. Others associate it with completion, since scallops are abundant in the waters off Santiago.
8. Masses at the Cathedral de Santiago
Mass is held several times daily at the cathedral, giving pilgrims a meaningful way to mark the end of their journey. Several traditions surround this final arrival, including the custom of embracing a statue of Saint James.
Camino Frances Holy Year 2027
The most popular pilgrim trail of the Camino de Santiago trails network, with three levels of difficulty to choose from: Easy, Moderate, and Challenging. Choose from 4 to 13 days of walking to suit your pace and preferences.
Camino Primitivo Holy Year 2027
Known as the Original Way, this route is the oldest, dating back over 1,200 years. Highlights include walking the Roman walls at Lugo before joining the Camino Frances at Melide. Offered as a 7-day moderate tour.
Camino Finisterre Holy Year 2027
Follow in the footsteps of Celts, mystics, and pilgrims as you walk back in time to witness the “end of the world.” Watch the sun sink into the Atlantic, a tradition spanning 5,000 years. Available as a 7-day moderate tour.
Camino Portuguese (Traditional Route) Holy Year 2027
Begin in historic Valenca with its star shaped fort, Tui with its cathedral and experience legendary pilgrim friendly towns of vibrant towns like O Porriño, Redondela, Pontevedra and Padrón before you reach Santiago de Compostela.
Camino Portuguese (Coastal Route) Holy Year 2027
Follow the breathtaking Atlantic coastline in Portugal before crossing into Spain through peaceful inland villages and forested trails that make walking this Camino the adventure of a lifetime on your way to Santiago.
Costa Verde & Minho River Trails Holy Year 2027
Sharing elements of the Camino Portuguese Traditional and Coastal Routes this new trail follows the celebrated Costa Verde. Explore delightful Portuguese and Galician paths and trails as you follow the Minho river, which separates Portugal and Spain.
The Pilgrim’s House
Pilgrimages traditional began from the pilgrim’s house – wherever that may be in the world.
It took some pilgrims many years to complete the journey, while some never made it back.
100 Kilometres
To obtain the certificate of completion – the ‘Compostela’ – one must walk at least 100km of The Way.
This can be proven by getting stamps at the accommodations along the route.
The walk from Sarria to Santiago is 100km, making this section a very popular part to walk.
More Ways Than One
The most popular route of the Camino de Santiago is the Camino Frances.
However, there are hundreds of Camino routes all throughout Europe.
All of these meet up with a larger route somewhere along the Way and continue their journey towards Santiago de Compostela.
The Distances of the Camino de Santiago
The distances of the larger, more popular Camino de Santiago routes are:
- Camino Frances – 780km
- Camino del Norte – 830km
- Camino Portugues – 600km
- Camino Primitivo – 260km
- Via de la Plata – 1,000km
- Camino Ingles – 110km
The Botafumeiro
The Botafumeiro is a 53kg, 1.5m tall smoke dispenser which hangs 20m above the ground in the Cathedral at Santiago.
It is operated by a pulley system and swings over and back, dispensing incense throughout the Cathedral.
Holy Days
A Holy Year on the Camino de Santiago, known as Año Santo or Xacobeo, happens whenever the Feast of Saint James (25th July) falls on a Sunday. Because of how the calendar cycles, this only occurs 14 times a century, following an irregular 6-5-6-11 year pattern.
The occasion is marked by the opening of the Holy Door (Puerta Santa) at Santiago Cathedral, which stays sealed the rest of the time. It’s opened in a special ceremony on 31st December the year before, and pilgrims who pass through it during the Holy Year can receive a plenary indulgence, a full forgiveness of sins according to Catholic tradition, provided they visit the Cathedral, attend Mass, and go to confession.
You don’t need to be Catholic, or religious at all, to feel the difference. Holy Years bring a noticeably livelier atmosphere to the Camino: more festivals, more pilgrims from around the world, and a real sense of occasion in the towns along the route. They also mean significantly higher demand for accommodation, so booking ahead matters more than usual.
The next holy years are 2027, 2032 and 2049.
The Scallop Shell
The scallop shell is a symbol of the Camino de Santiago. It has many different meanings and representations.
Many see the lines of the scallop shell as representing the many routes of the Camino de Santiago all leading back to one place.
In eons gone by, people would use the scallop shell to drink water, or as a measurement of food.
Others see the scallop shell as a mark of completion of the Camino, as the sea past Santiago has an abundance of them
Masses at the Cathedral de Santiago
Masses are held several times daily for pilgrims to attend.
This is a great way for the religious to officially mark the end of the Camino.
There are several traditions in reaching the cathedral at Santiago, one being hugging a statue of Saint James.
How many kilometres do you need to walk to get a Compostela?
You need to walk at least 100km of any Camino route to qualify for the Compostela, the official certificate of completion. Pilgrims prove this with stamps collected along the way. The most popular way to hit this minimum is walking from Sarria to Santiago, which is exactly 100km.
What is the most popular Camino de Santiago route?
The Camino Frances is the most walked route, though there are hundreds of feeder routes across Europe that eventually join a larger path toward Santiago de Compostela.
How long is the Camino Frances?
The Camino Frances is approximately 780km in total. Other major routes vary widely: Camino del Norte (830km), Via de la Plata (1,000km), Camino Portugues (600km), Camino Primitivo (260km), and Camino Ingles (110km).
What is the Botafumeiro?
The Botafumeiro is a giant 53kg incense burner that hangs 20 metres above the floor of Santiago Cathedral. Operated by a pulley system, it swings dramatically over the congregation, dispensing incense during Mass.
What is a Holy Year on the Camino de Santiago?
A Holy Year (Xacobeo) occurs when the feast day of Saint James, July 25th, falls on a Sunday. These years see a significant spike in pilgrim numbers. The next Holy Years are 2027 and 2032.
Why is the scallop shell a symbol of the Camino de Santiago?
The scallop shell represents the many Camino routes converging on one destination, since its lines all meet at a single point. Historically, pilgrims also used the shell to scoop water or measure food rations.
Do you need to be religious to walk the Camino de Santiago?
No. While the Camino has deep religious roots and daily Masses are held at Santiago Cathedral for pilgrims, many people walk it for cultural, historical, or personal reasons rather than faith alone.
