Why you should do the Camino de Santiago while young
At Santiago Ways we love to hear that more and more young people are encouraged to do the Camino de Santiago. Gone are those times when pilgrim routes were filled with devout old believers.
Today, pilgrimage to Compostela attracts people of all ages. That’s why we want to dedicate this blog post to young people.
A group in which pilgrim routes have aroused undeniable interest. According to statistics from the Pilgrim’s Office, today, approximately 3 out of 10 people applying for Compostela are 30 years of age or younger.
Some young people are accompanied by their family, others make pilgrimages with their group of friends and there are those who, even in spite of their youth, are encouraged to do the Camino de Santiago alone. Here’s why you should take the pilgrim route when you’re still young.
Because there’s nothing to stop you
Young people have the most time to do the Camino de Santiago. Sometimes, children or the short holiday periods taken from work make many people postpone their desire to do the Camino de Santiago for years and years.
During youth, job changes are more frequent or you have not yet permanently joined the labour market, making it easier to have long periods to complete one of the long pilgrim routes. Take advantage of those wonderful years of freedom!
If this is your current situation, don’t wait any longer! We recommend that you start by doing the Camino de Santiago from Sarria. If you need help, give us details about your travel dates and let us arrange your adventure in a perfect way.
You are in good physical condition
While the Camino de Santiago is an experience suitable for all ages, it is much easier for young people to cope with the physical effort that pilgrimage requires.
The above does not mean that you do not need to do training for the Camino de Santiago, if you lead a very sedentary life. But it’s true that it’s going to cost you a lot less effort to prepare for it being 20 years old than being 60.
Young people make the most use of the different plans of the Camino de Santiago
As we explain in this blog post, during the tour you can find multiple activities on the Camino de Santiago with which to have fun and relax. Young people are the ones who get most out of the experience the most because they have the necessary energy, not only to make a pilgrimage but to enjoy the rest of the plans.
You’ll make friends from all over the world
You will have the opportunity to meet people of different nationalities and establish relationships that are continued after the pilgrimage has ended. Many take advantage of these relationships to undertake new trips and visit those friends they made on the Camino de Santiago. The perfect excuse not to stop!
Maybe you find the love of your life
Another reason that motivates many young people to make pilgrimage is because they meet people from other countries and why they say it is easy to flirt on the Camino de Santiago. While young people are not the only ones who fall in love on the Camino de Santiago, it is true that they are more open to amorous adventures during their pilgrimage.
You’ll reaffirm your personality
During youthful years, many vital decisions are faced, such as deciding what to study, becoming independent, getting married, starting a family, etc. Doing the Camino de Santiago allows many young people to move away from the pressures of their daily environment and connect with themselves. A perfect plan to find out what they really want to do with their life.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to deal with different situations and unforeseen events. That will allow you to gain self-confidence and you will return home much more mature.
You’ll enjoy different parties
You will enjoy parties with other pilgrims in the least-suspected places. On the Camino de Santiago it’s not all walking kilometres!
You will enjoy the discounts for young people of the Camino de Santiago
Doing the Camino de Santiago can be truly cheap, but young people and students enjoy many discounts at the various places of interest that will come your way. Take advantage now or you’ll have to wait for senior’s discounts!
You’ll feel totally free
Whichever type of pilgrimage you choose (on foot or by bike) you will feel totally free. You will experience the feeling of moving by yourself and have a strong connection with the environment.
Your family will be calm
Another advantage of doing the Camino de Santiago when you are young is that your family will not be worried. Pilgrim routes are safe places and the risk of getting lost is almost zero.
You have your whole life ahead of you to repeat the experience
People who do the Camino de Santiago always want to repeat. In your case, you will have your whole life ahead of you to accumulate pilgrim routes behind you.
You’ll prepare for other trips
The young people who do the Camino de Santiago are predisposed to continue discovering the world. The experience prepares you to face bigger challenges and check your skills to deal with unforeseen events.
You’ll always have a great adventure to talk about
You’ll be proud of what you’ve accomplished and you’ll always have an adventure to tell your new friends. We assure you that you will not regret taking the decision to do the Camino de Santiago!
The Camino Frances is the one preferred by young people
Although all pilgrim routes are interesting, young people prefer the Camino Frances more. This is because it is the most festive and most likely one where new friends will be made, as it is the busiest.
The Camino de Santiago Frances is the route that departs from Saint Pied de Port, heading to Santiago de Compostela. Here you can see a summary of our guide of the Camino Frances, if you want to know the more detailed information about the French route.
However, you should know that there are many pilgrim routes. In this article you will find a guide to the Camino de Santiago with all the information of itineraries, distances and difficulty of the stages.
Young people are the ones who innovate the most when it comes to doing the Camino de Santiago
In our blog we have dedicated several posts to talk about the different types of pilgrimage that have emerged. so, the sportiest can do the Camino de Santiago running, or lovers of navigation can travel the Camino de Santiago by kayak.
We hope that everything we have told you in this blog post will end up convincing you that doing the Camino de Santiago is an ideal plan for young people. Don’t think about it anymore and live a unique experience!
We do not want to say goodbye without first reminding you that if you want to travel the pilgrim route with the support of one of the best agencies of the Camino de Santiago, specialized in organizing groups of pilgrims, do not hesitate to contact Santiago Ways. You can leave us a comment in this article, call us or write to us on our Facebook page.
Buen Camino!
