The Camino del Norte, also known as “Camino de la Costa”or “Camino de Santiago del Norte” is one of the oldest routes. It crosses the Iberian Peninsula from east to west, bordering, in a winding way, the entire Cantabrian coastline.
From Irún to Santiago de Compostela, the north route covers 824 kilometres. It is the second longest route of the roads that cross Spain to reach the capital of Compostela, behind the Via de la Plata. The route is divided into 34 stages of approximately 25 kilometres, although many of them exceed 30 kilometres.
The final destination of this route, as in all the paths of the Camino de Santiago, is the capital of Compostela. The beginning is always the choice of the pilgrim.
The official start is located in Irún, at the French border. However, some guides point out that their place of departure is located in Bayonne, a locality of the south-west of France, entering Spain, after crossing the mythical Bridge of Santiago, in Irún.
We want to talk to you at this stage about the Camino de Santiago del Norte, one of possibly the most spectacular and most rewarding routes for those who want to enjoy the unforgettable experience that the Camino de Santiago implies.
Indeed, this route of the Camino de Santiago del Norte has some characteristics that make it a very special tour and that we want to share with you. That is why we invite you to discover with us everything you have to find out. Do you dare to?
Why choose the Camino del Norte?
Next, we want to give you some reasons why you should do the Camino de Santiago del Norte. Itis one of the most interesting options for both pilgrims who are walking and for those who want to complete the Camino by bike.
In general, we can say in advance that the experience of the Camino de Santiago del Norte is, by a distance, one of the most gratifying that exist. This means that it is one of those which best fulfil the purpose of the Camino de Santiago in general: tenacity and effort.
1.- It is a very exciting challenge: without a doubt, the Camino de Santiago del Norte is the most demanding routes of the whole Camino de Santiago. Both for climatic reasons, terrain and its profile we could say that it is has a higher level of difficulty with respect to other routes.
It is, in fact, one of the most exciting Caminos and, consequently, one of the most gratifying ones when it comes to finally arriving in Santiago.
2.-It is an alternative route to the Camino Frances.The truth is that it is the most popular route and, consequently, the busiest is the Camino Frances. This makes it difficult to find accommodation or similar issues on many occasions (if the Camino isn’t well planned).
In this sense, the Camino de Santiago del Norte is an excellent alternative that, besides taking away the negative aspects of the Camino Frances, will give us other points in its favour.
3.-The landscapes are another of the strengths of the Camino de Santiago del Norte. Along a wide stretch, we will cross the road parallel to the Cantabrian coastline and its spectacular peaks and cliffs. At the same time, we will be able to contemplate all the imposing beauty of the sea and breathe in its pure air.
4.- It has a great diversity of cultures: the fact of crossing such diverse areas of the Spanish geography ensures that we can see by ourselves the cultural change that occurs among all areas.
So, we go through different historical and cultural areas where, as on any other route, we can appreciate these contrasts.
Information about the Camino de Santiago del Norte
It could be said that the route of the Camino de Santiago del Norteis fundamentally a natural route. That is to say, its characteristics have more to do with the enjoyment of the natural environment than that of zones of heritage.
Of course, there are municipalities and monuments to see along its route, but it is the quintessential way for those who prefer to enjoy nature.
This makes it a more demanding route than others, although with regard to the benefits that it has in terms of infrastructure, landscapes and beaches, has nothing to envy in relation to the other routes.
Therefore, it has an advantage that is for not being the busiest, it counts throughout the year with more than enough places in its numerous lodgings. They are of sufficient quantity so that the Camino de Santiago del Norte does not miss out on any of the comforts that we can find on other more crowded routes.
It crosses the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia and has several alternatives that we will detail later on.
The most reserved routes along the Camino del Norte
Then, we will talk about the quietest routes within the option of the Camino de Santiago del Norte. We would like to remind youthat withSantiago Ways it is possible to experience them all with the maximum guarantee and with all the possible charm that there is.
We hope that this list will help to encourage you towards one option or another, although it is difficult to take into account the number of incentives that exist in each of them.
The Camino de Santiago del Norte from San Sebastián
You could say that starting the Camino del Norte in San Sebastián is a great option for different reasons. All of them are enclosed in this wonderful city: from its historical heritage, its great beauty to its gastronomy, one of the most prestigious in the world.
Therefore, the first route of the Camino del Norte that we present to you starts from San Sebastián and passes through some municipalities such as Guernica and ends in the city of Bilbao. It travels a total distance of 101km distributed in a total duration of 7 nights and 8 days.
There is the option to include breakfast and dinner or only breakfast. The lodging will be in houses and beautiful rural hotels managed with great care. It can be booked all year round.
The Camino del Norte from Bilbao
Also, the city of Bilbao, where this route begins, has numerous claims. Among them, you can not miss the Guggenheim Museum or the old town of the city itself. Obviously, its gastronomy is also highly recommended, as well as the number of interesting villages that we will travel through until we arrive in Santander.
It covers a distance of 100km distributed between 6 nights and 7 days and again offers the option to book only breakfast or breakfast and dinner. As could not be otherwise, accommodation is scattered between hotels and cottages of great charm.
The Camino de Santiago from Santander
This stretch runs from the splendid city of Santander to the magnificent location of Ribadesella. In this way, we will visit several of the pearls on the cantabrian coastline in a journey of a total distance of 116km distributed in 7 nights and 8 days.
It can be booked all year round and includes breakfast and dinner or only breakfast. The accommodation, as in other stages, will be very comfortable.
The Camino del Norte from Ribadesella
This section is one of the longest, a total of 285km in total. This makes it one of the most spectacular in the alternatives that the Camino de Santiago del Norte can offer us. Of course, it also offers different occasions to enjoy the best of the northern gastronomy of Spain.
The tour is divided into a total of 13 nights and 14 unforgettable days.
The Camino del Norte from Villalba
With 120km and available throughout the year, the Camino de Santiago del Norte from Villalba to Santiago is one of the most spectacular. In the municipality of Arzúa, it joins the Camino Francesresulting in a spectacular congregation of pilgrims.
On the route, you can visit the famous Monastery of Sobrado dos Monxes. The tour is distributed in a total of 7 nights and 8 days.
Route of the Camino del Norte
In its journey through the Iberian Peninsula, the Camino del Norte crosses six Spanish provinces: Guipúzcoa, Vizcaya, Cantabria, Asturias, Lugo and La Coruña.
The itinerary of the cantabrian section of the Camino de Santiago del Norte has a multitude of variants, mostly paths that go towards the plateau in search of other routes of the Camino de Santiago. Already from Irún, and for those who join the pilgrim path from the French town of Bayonne, there is a detour that allows you to link to the Camino Frances, known as the interior Basque Camino.
The Camino del Norte has multiple links to the Camino Primitivo.Hence, many authors consider that the Camino Primitivo is just a branch of the Camino del Norte, calling it the Camino Interior.
To access the Camino Primitivo from the Camino del Norte, two main alternatives are presented. Take the turn-off at Casquita, in Villaviciosa, which leads to Gijón, or opt for the turn-off for Pola de Siero and the Monastery of San Salvador de Valdedios, which leads to Oviedo.
There are also variants due to the presence of rivers. In Castropol, pilgrims can take the Santiago Bridge of Abres to cross the mouth of the River Eo or continue through the most frequented modern bridge of Os Santo, in the Ribadeo estuary. At this point, it is also possible to cross the estuary in Barca, as was done in the Middle Ages.
When it comes to linking with the Camino Frances, the pilgrim also has different options. Continue to Arzúa,where both roads converge, or before reaching this town, take a detour that from Boimorto leads to O Pino, linking in Santa Irene with the Camino Frances.
Unlike other much more relaxed tours, the Camino de Santiago del Norte presents some difficulty. The presence of a multitude of rivers obliges the pilgrim to go in search of a bridge or a boat that allows him to cross them. And its terrain requires more physical preparation than other itineraries.
The reward for those who dare to travel will be the tranquillity of the seafaring towns that you will find on their route.
The beauty of a unique landscape on the Santiago route, where the greenery of the mountains merges with the blue of the Cantabrian Sea, exquisite gastronomy and a wide cultural diversity, will ensure that the adventure of touring the Camino de Santiago del Norte is an unforgettable experience.
Map of the Camino del Norte to Santiago de Compostela
Below, we attach the map of the Camino de Santiago del Norte so you can have a better idea about the itinerary.
Map of the Camino del Norte
Profile of the Camino del Norte
Profile of the Camino del Norte
As we have said at the beginning, the Camino de Santiago del Norte is one of the most demanding for pilgrims who go on foot and for those who decide to do it by bicycle.
Indeed, it has some important climbs distributed in passes that, above all, make their appearance before and during the stages of unifying with the Camino Frances.
Otherwise, the road is smooth but somewhat more rugged than other routes to travel in a large part because of its route that closely follows the coast.
This is part of its charm and that is why we have said that it is especially suitable for those who are nature lovers.
Infrastructure
Although it is a route with a lot of tradition, it is not a crowded one. This means that the Camino de Santiago del Norte is signposted well, but with less infrastructure than other roads.
Since the end of the 20th century, until the beginning of the 21st century, there has been a lot of hard work to update this route, recovering much of its old signs and bettering the indications in certain sections. Work has been completed by the associations of the Friends of the Camino de Santiago of different communities.
With regard to the accommodation network, it is not wide but enough to respond to the flow of pilgrims who travel this way. However, the route is crossed by cities with a wide range of accommodation, as well as small fishing villages that seduce the pilgrim after a hard day, with accommodation facing the sea.
If you wish, you can contact usand we will take care of the whole organization during the tour.
Stages on foot
We offer below the list of stages on foot that are included on the Camino de Santiago del Norte.
How long does the Camino de Santiago del Norte take?
The length of the Camino de Santiago del Nortevaries depending on the routes we select. As we have detailed before, there are routes ranging from 7 to 14 days.
It has a total length (adding all the sections) of 824 km divided into 32 stages on foot plus 2 of the Camino Frances and 18 stages (which total 833km) by bicycle.
Therefore, on foot, it will take approximately 35 days to be done completely and about 19 to do it by bicycle.It all depends on factors such as time, the amount of tiredness accumulated or simply the need to want to enjoy the scenery longer.
The best season to do the Camino del Norte to Santiago de Compostela
Both for the Camino de Santiago del Norte and for any of the other available there is no better time to complete them. This is because each one has a special charmand advantages that others do not have.
Anyway, and for you to take in all the information possible, we will detail everything depending on the time the advantages of each season.
Spring
Spring has the disadvantage of weather instability and allergies. However, we could say that this second factor does not particularly affect the Camino de Santiago del Norte to travel in much of its journey along the coast of the Cantabrian coastline.
Therefore, we will be able to enjoy good weather and also with the advantage of being able to find accommodation in an easier way.
Summer
Summer is the quintessential time to complete the Camino de Santiagoin any of its variants. It is because the good weather that for these dates is usually found in the north accompanies the need to seek more benign latitudes for the rest of the peninsula.
At the same time, and as it is the Camino de Santiago del Norte, an added advantage is that we will have the same facility to always find accommodation as the route will not be so crowded. Our proximity to the sea will keep us refreshed and great company although especially crowded at this time of year.
Autumn
One of the most important advantages of doing the Camino de Santiago del Norte in autumn is the spectacular character of its landscapes. In fact, the autumn confers to the whole area a special charm that we will not find at other times of the year. It is also an added advantage in the topic of accommodation but we must be careful with regard to unstable weather.
Winter
Winter is a time where we can be in more contact with nature because there will not be many people along the way. We will have all the accommodation we need, and at a better price than the rest of the year.
Guide to the places you can’t miss on the Camino de Santiago del Norte
As has been said, the Camino de Santiago del Norte is a place of great beauty. However, it is very advisable to know previously which are the places that we cannot miss. Here we offer you some of the most representative and most interesting points of the Northern route. You can’t miss them!
Places of interest
Guernica
One of the most interesting points of the route is the municipality of Guernica. In addition to the tragic events during the Spanish Civil War, when it was bombarded and later portrayed by Picasso, this city has a heritage of high-interest culture and great beauty.
Ribadesella
It is one of the most beautiful villages we will visit throughout our pilgrimage along the northern route. In it, you will also be able to enjoy the wonderful gastronomy of the area.
Llanes
Llanes, its beaches and cliffs are some of the points that we will enjoy during our trip on the Camino de Santiago del Norte.
Where to sleep – The best lodgings
From Santiago Ways, we want to remind you that we have selected for you the best accommodation between the houses and rural hotels of the Camino. With it, you will be able to make your pilgrimage comfortably, knowing that no bad experiences await you.
Where to eat – The best restaurants
Casa Chelo: Located in Arzúa, this place is considered the second home of the Pilgrim. In it, we will eat very well with homemade and popular meals at a very affordable price. It’s all certainly delicious!
Casa do Labrego: In Baamonde, you will find this typical Galician restaurant where you can taste the most typical of its gastronomy in a privileged and very rustic atmosphere. Without any doubt, a lovely place to eat very well.
In Salceda de o Pino you will find A Casa Verde, an eminently convenient place where you can make a short stop and eat something to replace your strength. Takeaways are also available. It’s a youthful and fun atmosphere.
History of the Camino de Santiago del Norte
The origin of the Camino de Santiago del Norte, like all the routes of the Camino de Santiago, is linked to the discovery of the remains of Santiago the Apostlein the 9th century. During the reign of Alfonso II, The Chaste (760-842) in Asturias, there was a discovery that was quickly spread by the Christian population.
At that time, the Asturian monarch decided to make a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, from Oviedo, to contemplate the newly discovered remains of the Apostle James the Elder. In fact, it was the king of Asturias who ordered to build a church in the place where the remains were found. Current location of theCathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
The Asturian monarch in search of an element that empowered ideologically and morally his Christian kingdom, confined to the northern peninsula against the overwhelming Muslim triumph, transformed the saint into a symbol against the struggle of Islam. The image of Santiago Matamoros was born in this fashion, which spread rapidly among pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago and the Christian community.
Origin of the Camino de Santiago del Norte
The Camino de Santiago del Norte is the most ancient Camino to Santiago according to the chronicles. Indeed, it was during the reign of Alfonso II when the discovery of the tomb of the Apostle James happened. Thereafter, the place became an indispensable centre for all Christendom.
There were some pilgrims who decided to imitate the pilgrimage that said King and other important characters had done before and then opened a more passable and safer route from the Arab attacks along the coast that is the one that at present constitutes the Camino de Santiago del Norte.
The discovery of the Camino de Santiago del Norte
His subjects imitated the pilgrimage of their monarch. With the experience, they realized that the route bordering the Cantabrian coast was less difficult than the path followed by the monarch. Following the Cantabrian route, pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela began increasing.
The Cantabrian coast offered a less difficult path than the one followed by the monarch (known as the Camino Primitivo, at present) and was farther away from the dangerous lands occupied by the Arabs and swarming with the strife of the Reconquista.
This fact led some historians to think that the Camino de Santiago del Norte was more ancient than the Camino Frances.
However, at present, almost all the history scholars of the Camino to Santiago, coincide in pointing out that the Camino de Santiago del Norte is later, and that it was much less frequented than the Camino Frances. The explanation of this fact is attributed to the complexities of the terrain that this route presents.
There is no doubt that while other routes of the Camino to Santiago took years to become well-known, the Camino del Norte is considered one of the primitive roads. The Asturian-Galician paths of the Old Kingdom of Asturias were one of the first to lead pilgrims to Santiago.
Proof of this is that the Cathedral of Santiago, in Bilbao, is the only Cathedral, except that of Compostela, in homage to the apostle. It is believed that the current construction was erected on a former chapel dating from the 11th century.
More evidence is that the first lodging for pilgrims that is recorded on this route is the Pilgrim’s Hospital in Pola de Siero, in Asturias, which dates from the year 1141.
The passage of foreign pilgrimsby the hospitals on this route also demonstrates the existence of a flow of pilgrims that travelled the Camino del Norte, since the beginning of the early Middle Ages.
The competition between the Camino de Santiago del Norte and the Camino Frances
From the 11th century onwards, the monarchs Sancho III The Elder and Sancho Ramírez de Navarra strengthened the Camino Frances and it acquired the nuance of the privileged Jacobean path. However, this fact was not at the expense of the Camino del Norte, since the Camino de San Salvador, a route that runs between León and Oviedo, was not strengthened until almost the 12th century.
The advance of the Reconquista allowed the completion of a route through Burgos and León, which responded to the search for a more accessible itinerary and the urgent need to repopulate the land annexed by the Muslims. These two events led to a sharp decrease in the number of pilgrims travelling the Camino de Santiago del Norte.
However, during the 13th and 14th centuries, the Camino de Santiago del Norte continued to be travelled by pilgrims who opted for the Irun pass to enter Spain, as well as those coming from Northern European countries, disembarking in Bilbao or Bermeo. Many of them travelled part of the Camino de Santiago del Norte to link, later, to the Camino Frances.
The operation of this route during the 13th century is reflected in the pilgrimage of San Francisco de Assisi, in 1214, who walked, according to the tradition of the time, to San Salvador de Oviedo and then continued the route to Compostela.
According to legend, many of the Franciscan temples found today on the Camino de Santiago del Norte are the result of their journey on the Camino de Santiago.
From the 14th century, there are some pieces of evidence of the passage of pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago del Norte. Some of them are Llanes Pilgrim’s Hospital or San Vicente de Barquera. Or toponymical references, such as the river that crosses Canvia, and Asturias, which is named Romeros.
From the crisis of Faith to the second boom of the Camino de Santiago del Norte
Some authors point out that the Cantabrian route was reborn during the 15th century. However, the Camino del Norte, like the other itineraries of the Camino de Santiago, recorded a decline during the 15th and 16th centuries, as the result of the crisis of faith that was experienced throughout Europe.
Dating from this time, the visit of the Armenian Bishop Martyr of Arzendjan, who made the Camino of Santiago from Rome, crossing the Camino de Santiago del Norte. Of this feat, made in 1489, a document was written and constitutes the first guide on the Camino de Santiago del Norte.
Another relevant pilgrim was the Venetian astronomer Bartolomeo Fontana, who began his pilgrimage in February 1538 and ended it in September of the following year. It draws attention that in the midst of a spiritual crisis, and being Rome the nucleus of Catholicism, the Italian pilgrims made their way to Santiago de Compostela.
During the last years of the 20th century, the declaration of the Camino Francesas a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, gave a boost to this way, observing a rapid recovery.
According to the statistics of the Camino de Santiago, it is believed that, during the first decade of the present century, approximately 6% of the pilgrims who arrived in Santiago de Compostela, followed the Camino de Santiago del Norte.
The Camino del Norte with Santiago Ways
Book with Santiago Ways your next Camino. We take care of organizing all the details of your route. Accommodation in hotels, rural houses, Galician stately homes and charming hostels. Also, we transfer your baggage between the different stages of the Camino de Santiago del Norte.
We also have a 24-hour hotline and emergency vehicle in case of anything urgent.
Ideal footwear for the Camino de Santiago del Norte
Excellent trip. Thanks to Ylenia at Santiago Ways our trip was amazing. Accommodations and meals, she booked for us and day trip to Finisterre - PERFECT. Ylenia, was very patient with us. Our reservations had to be modified several times due to Covid and number of people in our group changing. We have used Santiago Ways several times. Will use them again for our next “Camino Trail” adventure. Connie Earwood
John Harris
Our contact person with Santiago Ways was Ylenia Conesa. She was excellent to work with, she responded quickly to all our emails with all of our questions. I highly recommend her. Our trip was very well organized, we received all our information for the trip in a timely manner. We enjoyed all our hotels, they were easy to find. The breakfast and dinners were adequate. We did not have any problems the whole trip. We had a wonderful time. Thank you Ylenia, we’ll contact you when we decide to do the Camino Portuguese. Buen Camino!
Tito P
My partner and I finally got to experience our 5 day Camino pilgrimage walk from Sarria to Santiago in June 2022 - organized through Santiago Ways (SW) - after over 2 year delay due to Covid. We couldn't have been more thrilled from our experience once we landed in Spain from Canada.If you are travelling overseas, trying travelling direct to Spain and avoid the lower cost European routes (i.e. easyjet) - flight cancellation/delays is about as common as the sun rising now so plan for this in your travels.SW staff were very professional and very helpful in answering all our questions prior to our trip. The Dossier and Vouchers that were sent to us were very clear and helpful to describe the route each day and where we stayed. Recommend you review your hotel locations on Google so you know where to find them once you arrive at each town/city.Our experience on the walk included breakfast, lunch and dinner for each day and the luggage transfer was a life saver allowing us to pack lightly each day. Strongly recommend you include you transfers as well to and from the airport to enjoy more time and less worry.The accommodations for our walk were well above average and more than we expected. Very clean, showers were hot (likely on demand) and the staff were very friendly at each of our stops.The staff at each place were very friendly but language barrier was there at times but never a problem.I strongly recommend using Santiago Ways in your Camino planning. Wouldn't think of any other group to help out. The peace and tranquility of walking on the countryside, the scenery, and laid back life was truly wonderful. Meeting so many pilgrims from all over and sharing our experience together was amazing and unforgettable.We are looking forward to doing this again in the future with the help of Santiago Ways.Buon Camino!Francesco & Claudette
John Murray
Great five days of walking in the warm weather. Lovely Pilgrims from around the world all with a story to tell. A week l will never forget. Back 2023 to begin from St Jean. Santiago Ways highly recommended.Good Luck and Happiness to you all.
Patricia H
My husband and I completed the Portuguese Camino from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela in June 2022. From the planing to the completion of our trip everything exceeded our expectations.Santiago Ways did a wonderful job of having everything perfectly scheduled, from the airport transfers in Vigo and Santiago de Compostela to the luggage transfers each day and the detailed information about each days walk. Numerous pilgrims commented on how much better our directions were and they were depending on our directions many times. The hotels we stayed at were amazing and the hosts at each hotel were always very helpful with recommendations on what to do and where to eat in each town. We had amazing food and drink along our whole journey and saw so many beautiful places.We have lifetime memories of the Camino thanks to everyone at Santiago Ways.If you are considering doing The Camino with Santiago Ways do not hesitate, go for it you will have the experience of a lifetime!
Ed Vegliante
I highly recommend Santiago Ways for anyone considering walking the Camino de Santiago. Everything went smoothly and all of the accommodations Santiago Ways booked were nicer than I expected. A well organized itinerary contributed to our great experience on the Camino.
Ingrid Gutierrez
What a wonderful company! Santiago Ways was very reliable and helpful. The accomodations were beautiful and clean. The luggage transfer was always on time. I am very thankful for the excellent experience. If you are looking for a company to plan your next Camino trip, I highly recommend Santiago Ways!
Barbara Kamali
This was a long awaited trip : originally booked in 2020 . The service of Santiago Ways was perfect throughout . As 2 couples we wanted the best en-suite accommodation on the way , our luggage transported and also we are vegans/vegetarians .Everything was perfect including a wonderful range of meals in all the accommodation and help when we struggled to get in contact with one accommodation owner . No issues with baggage transfer and the transfer to Porto to Ourense was again perfect .Santiago Ways enables us to have the full Camino experience without any stress . Ylenia was reassuring and knowledgeable in the original planning and at no time did we feel that our quieres were not dealt with well.We all wholeheartedly recommend Santiago Ways to anyone planning to do the Camino .Thank you
John Spencer
Highly recommended. Great help with planning and execution. No problems at any point. Will use them again.
Steve McManus
Well organised trip, good communication throughout. All accommodation was clean and comfortable with luggage transfers working perfectly.
anthony golden
A delay of 2 years but my wife, Geraldine and I have just returned from our Camino from Sarria to Santiago about 120km.Santiago Ways we’re excellentAll hotel bookings, luggage transfers, meals etc sorted out efficientlyWe had a great Camino thanks to all the staff at Santiago WaysWould recommend themGoing with them again next yearCan’t waitThanksTony and Geraldine Golden
Sarah McCleary
I had zero issue with my trip. The baggage transfer worked like clockwork, and I loved having the confidence of a 'local' number to call in case of emergency. (Never needed to call, but it felt good).
Darlene B
I would like to thank Alba Martinez and the whole team of Santiago ways for the job well done. My Husband really enjoyed the experience, of course without the helps of Santiago ways in organising everything, the Camino hike would be a very tough journey otherwise. But the attention to details, communication, and so on..were excellent and highly recommended.
Jerry Campbell
If you are planning a Camino pilgrimage I highly recommend this company. Very professional yet personable. The accommodations they arranged for me across Spain on my Camino were very good. They are reliable and provide good value. I would use them again if I plan my next Camino.
Bill Bearce
Four of us 65 years old, used Santiago Ways (SW) and they took great care of us every step of 500 miles. This included one (1) night when, after some slow going, they even called us to make sure we found the hotel! (We did!) SW and their professional handling our our itinerary could not have been better. Our top recommendation for them! Fourontheway- October 2021 Falmouth MA USA
Jerry Campbell
If you are planning a Camino pilgrimage I highly recommend this company. Very professional yet personable. The accommodations they arranged for me across Spain on my Camino were very good. They are reliable and provide good vale. I would use them again if I plan my next Camino.
Tina Marchetti
We were very happy with our experience with Santiago Ways. They were very professional, very responsive, extremely organized, and booked lovely places for us, including an exceptional casa rural. They provided detailed instructions about where we were staying and our luggage was always waiting for us at our destination. All this at an excellent value. For reference, we completed the last stage of the French Camino, from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. Five stars for Santiago Ways!
Samira Miranda
Such a wonderful experience!From the beginning of the entire management, everything has been very easy. All the questions that I've had have been answered by mail or by phone and they always had been very kind.They made me a budget adjusted to my needs and it has been the best way to make the Camino de Santiago for the first time with the security that I always had them for anything I needed! I would definitely book them again since I'm thinking about doing another part of the Camino next year 🙂
Shaoor Ali
hello santiago ways....i travel with santiago ways... i have very Good time with them... i did walk hike with them....they have v nice people who guide people with very good behivour... i know one of best Representatives in santiago ways which name is Cristina Ostraiz... she guide me v well..i must want to tour again with you... best wishes for all of you....RegardsShaoor Ali Basheer
Ed Akavets
Did the camino with guys ! Everything was great!
Karin E
Excellent company. They were super helpful in putting together my last minute trip to do the camino inglés. I will definitely use them next year when I do another route. Thank you SantiagoWays!
Lisa B
Fabulous experience. Santiago Ways made this trip such a memorable trip. I will definitely be using their amazing service again for the next 200 km. The accommodations were super. The transfers and itinerary were perfect . Thanks Ylenia ans everyone at Santiago Ways!
Fabiana Lima
Very good service. Ylenia Conesa was the one who helped me and she was always very effective and courteous. Will definitely use them again!
Christine Tranchina
My husband and I hiked the Camino De Santiago from Pamplona to Logroño. We used Santiago Ways to help plan our adventure... booking our hotels, breakfast, picnic and dinner as well as transferring luggage during the hike. It was extremely helpful because we traveled in February which is not a popular time and all services are not available. The communication and service was excellent. Before, after and during the hike Angie Rinaudo kept in contact and answered all our questions in a timely manner. All the accommodations were excellent. We are planning to do more sections in the future and will definitely use Santiago Ways again.
Karen Srajer
We took the French Way, Leaving from Saint Jean Pied de Port. Santiago Ways booked our rooms the entire trip and make sure our luggage was transported. The rooms were a delight the walk was wonderful. Santiago Ways made sure to have support for us on the trip as well as needed. I would highly recommend this company. The entire group was a delight to work with and Cristiana on it especially was helpful.If we should decide to do another way, we would definitely use this company.
Diane Nunez
This was our first time in Spain and first time walking on a daily basis. Santiago Ways answered our many questions and concerns over many emails. We started our walk September 1st 2019 in Sarria and took 10 days to walk to Santiago de Compostela. Santiago Ways booked our lodging in 10 different places along with luggage transfers. We asked that all breakfasts,dinner and picnic lunch be included. Our accommodations varied from Albergues. Inns, Boutique hotel, to Bed and Breakfast. We truly enjoyed our picnic lunch as we could stop anywhere and enjoy the view. The accommodations - private room and private bathroom as we requested were not disappointing. We would recommend Santiago Way to anyone that needs some assistance in walking The Way.
Richard Luna
I changed my itinerary about 10 times before finalizing my vacation, 2 weeks prior to my trip date. Santiago Ways (Sara Mateo) was so polite and understanding throughout the entire process. My wife and I loved our great 2 week walk on the Camino. Every reservation, baggage transfer, excursion and transportation worked out exactly as planned. Thank you Sara for our memorable vacation.
Mark Nichols
This is a very professional company that helped create a fantastic journey. My contact person, Ylenia, responded to my emails and answered my questions. I highly recommend this company.
Kat Cust
I have walked with Santiago Ways twice and have been impressed by their professionalism and services both times. I wanted to support a Spanish company for the walks, and found them to be a competitive option - in a crowded industry. Am planning to walk with them again as I’ve enjoyed my caminos so much!
Richard Luna
I changed my itinerary about 10 times before finalizing my vacation, 2 weeks prior to my trip date. Santiago Ways (Sara Mateo) was so polite and understanding throughout the entire process. My wife and I loved our great 2 week walk on the Camino. Every reservation, baggage transfer, excursion and transportation worked out exactly as planned. Thank you Sara for our memorable vacation.
Richard Luna
I changed my itinerary about 10 times before finalizing my vacation, 2 weeks prior to my trip date. Santiago Ways (Sara Mateo) was so polite and understanding throughout the entire process. My wife and I loved our great 2 week walk on the Camino. Every reservation, baggage transfer, excursion and transportation worked out exactly as planned. Thank you Sara for our memorable vacation.
Rachel Mckeeve
We recently walked part of the Camino de Santiago Trail. Our trip was arranged by Santiago Ways. We were part of a larger group we had a tour guide and our luggage was transferred each day. Our trip was an immense success, everything went very smoothly and that in part was down to Veronica who arranged the trip. She was very helpful throughout the whole planning procedure even arranging for a private transfer from the airport to Sarria, our start point. I would recommend Santiago Ways and Veronica and would definitely use them again.
Eilish Bye
After comparing several agencies, our group of 7 decided to go with Santiago Ways for our first Camino experience as they offered an all round better price for our customised package that included insurance, meals, accommodation, luggage transfers and any required transportation to accommodation. The booking process was straightforward, they responded quickly to various enquiries and changes that we requested and they provided guidance on preparation and the Camino route which we referred to throughout our trip.We had a couple of issues including one of our group injuring her ankle but Santiago Ways were available 24 x 7 and they resolved everything efficiently including all communications required with local accommodation providers, taxis etc. which was very reassuring. Pilgrims we met who organised their accommodation en route had to deal with lack of accommodation in some locations and then they had to organise transport to and from the nearest hostels. We didn’t have any stress like this at all which left us free to enjoy the stunning scenery and great camaraderie on this wonderful trip. We will use Santiago Ways again and we can highly recommend them.
Kerry Mannette
I booked my Camino de Santiago for Sept 2019 through Santiago Ways and the company made the experience absolutely wonderful. Vanessa Veiga was a pleasure to deal with, very professional and informative and made it very easy to arrange the entire trip. The accommodations and board booked through Santiago ways were amazing, we were very pleased with the diversity (B&B, hotel, hostel) of the accommodations along with the service and cleanliness of the accommodations. The luggage transfer worked flawlessly. I would rate Santiago Ways 10 out of 10 and recommend them to anyone looking to book their Camino.
Karen Henderson
I was so pleased with the trip Santiago Ways set up for me to Walk The Camino Francés. My first experience was when I requested a quote in October 2018 for a August 2019 walk. Ylenia went above and beyond to answer all our questions and to provide numerous options for me before I made my final decision on the trip. She was patient and thorough as I gathered information. Her follow up was amazing and her attention to detail was very assuring! Once I booked the trip she continued sending updates until we departed for Spain. Once we arrived in Spain Ylenia and the Operations team stayed in touch via email to answer any questions. The hotel accommodations for 39 days were all wonderful and the baggage transfer was perfect. Every day our bags were at the hotel by the time we arrived. One day my friend left her hat in the hotel room and Santiago Ways Operation team sent an email saying the hat would be waiting at our next hotel. That’s going “above and beyond”. I highly recommend using Santiago Ways for your Camino!!!!! We walked with numerous people who had used other companies and they all thought Santiago Ways had the best hotels. I’ve already referred a friend to them and definitely will use them for my next Camino. Thank you Santiago Ways!!!!!!!!
Alison McEvoy
Ylenia Conesa from Santiago Ways was very helpful answering all my question prior to my Camino trip. A truly memorable experience beautifully organised by Santiago Ways
Chantal Ryan
This was a great experience from start to finish. From the on-line booking team that answered my numerous questions and comminucated with me in an efficient and friendly manner to the amazing guide we had and the quality of the hotels we stayed in. It all exceeded my expectations
Jon Lucas
Excellent company with excellent staff, couldn't fault their organisation and execution of my Camino walk. My special thanks to Ylenia who looked after my bookings and organised things for me.
LUCIA CARABINE
Fantastic service and Ylenia Conesa who handled the booking was a delight and very efficient
Jasmine Pantuso
Santiago Ways, and our advisor Ylenia Conesa , provided an outstanding travel experience! Ylenia answered every question that I had during my trip planning process! The accommodations were absolutely charming, and the food was perfect! Thank you for the experience of a lifetime!
Yuko Fujita
Celebrating 60th birthday, we walked 100 kilos for 10 days. No pain and no blisters. Santiago ways transported our luggage on time every day even we changed one of the hotel to Paradores. Taxis were always on time waiting for us. All hotels were clean, friendly and conveniently located. The food and buildings and history of each accommodations were all unique and wonderful! I will use Santiago ways for my next Camino. Andriana was very helpful. Thank you! Muchas Gracias!
Yana Mileva
We booked our "Camino" trip via this agency. Our agent was Vanessa and we are ecstatic with the service! The booking went very smoothly. All our questions were answered and all our wished addressed in a very quick manner. Actually, the agency had to ping us a few times via email and WhatsApp, as we were the ones too slow to answer them. They even made arrangements for us to take our dog on the trip and book the appropriate hotels. The luggage transfer was wonderful. We had a pickup from Santiago to our starting point on "Camino" that also worked perfectly. We can highly recommend the services of this agency. I have to admit that I have not compared prices and if there is something cheaper on the market, but the service we received here was impeccable. We had a wonderful trip and are planing to come back next year and walk another "Camino" again. Buen Camino everyone!
Peggy White
Walking the Camino was the best experience of my life! Partially because I had such a great support crew of Santiago Ways! I worked with Vanessa Veiga who organized my trip to suit my needs. When some details needed to be changed, she kindly worked with me to make it happen. My accommodations were all very different- from Casa Rurals to hostels to Pensions, but they were all excellent. The luggage transfer worked perfectly, too. I highly recommend this company to anyone planning to walk the Camino!
Tamir Shemer
excellent experience with Santiago way team, all that was promised accomplished to the last detail , the transportation, the hotels choices , the path segment choice, the information provided ,the luggage transfer just a perfect vacation
mary ellen canal
Santiago Ways is the perfect agency to help you plan you Camino de Santiago.Since the first day that i wrote my email the response was very fast, gladly i began speaking to the agent Vanessa Viega and she made sure i had all the information and helped me plan everything, she was really great .i really enjoyed my Camino, i was looking forward for it and it did satisfied my expectations.This experience for me was the most special in my life, i am really thinking about doing it again starting in Portugal
Winston Fernandez
I used Santiago Ways on my first Camino in March this year. The trail that I did was from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela. The experience was truly fantastic ….. mainly because of Santiago Ways.My contact person at Santiago Ways was Vanessa Veiga. Right from the onset Vanessa was extremely helpful , sensitive and very attentive to all my requests. She responded swiftly to all my mails. She selected the right hotels which were excellent and the luggage always arrived on time.I am planning my second Camino next April and I would continue to use Santiago Ways and in particular Vanessa. Thanks a million Vanessa and continue the good work to all the pilgrims who want to experience a true Camino.Winston FernandezKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Marion Tilley-Vyner
Santiago Ways made it possible for me to do the pilgrimage. At 69 I did not like the idea of staying in a hostal, I like a bit of privacy and comfort! And I could not have done the walking while carrying my luggage. Adriana at Santiago Ways helped me work out my route and booked hotels and luggage transfers. Also, having them there in case I had any problems, was very reassuring. Adriana was only a phone call away. I recommend using Santiago Ways for anyone having doubts about doing the pilgrimage - they make it so much easier!
Tammy Shain
Vanessa was awesome and we loved Santiago Ways! We had a group of 8 college friends that were all around 50-years old. The deciding factor in choosing Santiago Ways was the group discount offered for groups of 6 or more. All other companies threshold for a discount was 10 people. Vanessa and the staff were awesome to work with throughout the process. We did the five day hike from Sarria to Santiago. We requested superior accommodations in places that were on the trail. The accommodations were top notch and 4 of the 5 places were directly on the trail. The exception was our night in Lavacolla in which we were .4 miles off the trail. It was our choice to stay in that location in order to have a shorter walk to Santiago on our final day so we could make the noon mass. We were pleasantly surprised at how clean each place was and they all had great bar and restaurant choices in close proximity - with the exception of Lavacolla so we recommend eating on-site - it was very good.
Sandi Frost Steensma
We had an excellent experience on the Camino with Santiago Ways. We had 14 women and everything was wonderful. We enjoyed the hotels, loved the daily luggage transport and the food was terrific. Santiago Ways communicated throughout our trip. We felt well-supported when we needed to make changes. Thank you!!
Sandi Frost Steensma
We had an excellent experience on the Camino with Santiago Ways. We had 14 women and everything was wonderful. We enjoyed the hotels, loved the daily luggage transport and the food was terrific. Santiago Ways communicated throughout our trip. We felt well-supported when we needed to make changes. Thank you!!
Beatriz Beltranena
Santiago Ways is excellent they exceeded my expectations!! they do a great JOB and we had a "Buen Camino" in part thanks to them... lovely hotels.. flawless bag transfers and great great service!!! I would totally recommend them and please look for Vanessa she is the best.
Jan Schubert
My family and I used Santiago Ways to organize our recent pilgrimage from Lisbon to Porto. They did an excellent job booking us (as much as possible) into wonderful, small, family-run hotels and coping with the many changes dictated by "group" travel. In addition, one of us was traveling by bicycle whilst the rest were walking, necessitating even more planning which Santiago Ways did with patience and grace. We recommend using Santiago Ways for Camino support and planning!!! Jan Schubert
Jill Scher
My family and I (6 of us) just finished walking the Lisbon to Porto section of the Camino Portuguese. It was a wonderful experience for us. The hotels we were booked into were well chosen and the food was great. We also found the path to be well marked making way finding fairly easy. A great relief as we had heard it was not well marked. Our luggage was efficiently transferred each day and everything ran very smoothly. Thank you Santiago Ways! We would definitely recommend your services to our friends. Jill
Kenneth E. Nowell
Santiago Ways made my memorable hike trouble-free. I had excellent hotels, tasty breakfasts, dependable baggage forwarding, informative advance information, and a dependable drive to deliver me to Sarria. I really appreciate their attention to detail!
Margo Gosia Barker
We booked our El Camino with Santiago Ways and we were very lucky to have Silvia as our agent. She did a fantastic job organizing our trip, always promptly responding to our inquiries, impeccable English, all accommodations that she arranged for us were great, and our luggage was always delivered to the next location timely, before our arrivals to sites. I would definitely recommend Santiago Ways and ask for Silvia to be your representative.
Patricia Bazán
This trip changed my life in ways I could not describe! I knew the hiking was going to be a challenge, but Santiago Ways made it so easy to plan and execute. They are truly the best and I am already planning my next trip with Santiago Ways and would not think of going anywhere else. Silvia Rivera was particularly helpful in the planning, as she answered all my questions patiently, and help me through the process. Great job, Guys, and I will see you next year!
Roberto Canto
Have just finished El Camino de Santiago from Sarria with the help of Santiago Ways. They have been extremely accesible from day one. The transfer of the luggage throught the five days was impecable, always finding the luggage in the room on every stage of the way. The food and lodging was very acceptable. If I were to do it again I would not hesitate to contact them once more for their assistance! "Buen camino".
Edmee Flores
Our experience with Santiago Ways was flawless. We highly recommend this outfit for your Santiago way experience. A perfect 10!
Barbara Melinska
Very nice experience. Good and professional organization.Nice and friendly environment during the event. Recommended 100 %. Saludos para Jose 😉
Hanna Ringel
Simply put - an incredible experience! This agency looks after every last detail. I walked the last 100 km of the Camino with their help and I definitely want to go back soon and do a longer part of the route. When that happens (which I hope is soon) I'll definitely be using Santiago Ways again! Thanks for everything.
