The Camino de Santiago routes in February
Do you want to do the Camino de Santiago in February? Congratulations! There are not many people who are encouraged to do the Camino de Santiago in low season.
But, as we explained in our article on the Camino de Santiago in winter, the tranquillity and beauty that can be encountered during the first months of the year more than compensate for the effort of dealing with the adverse wintry conditions.
This post we want to dedicate it to the climatic conditions that you will find on the main routes of the Camino de Santiago in February. We will also tell you about the different festivals that take place in February in the towns and villages that cross the Jacobean routes.
El Camino Frances to Santiago in February
The Camino Frances in February has nothing to compare with the overcrowded route you will find in summer. In February you will find few pilgrims on the French route, so you will have the opportunity to enjoy this well-known road with all the tranquility that the winter can provide you.
If you want to enjoy this route during a quieter time, we recommend the Camino de Santiago from Sarria. Write to us when you want to go and how many people you travel with. We will contact you to organize an amazing adventure.
If you want to know more about the stages of the Camino Francés you can read this article in which we dedicate a section to talk about them. The last 100 kilometres of the Camino Frances are the most popular, but if you do it in February, you will not have any problems with the crowds that are normally registered in this section in high season.
The climate on the Camino Francés during February
In February, you will find a temperature slightly higher than in January, but the average continues to remain around 5 degrees centigrade. In the stages that go through Castile and León you will probably find colder days.
If you plan to start the Camino Frances from Sant Jean Pied de Port you should find out about the conditions in which this section is located and if there is snow. In February, it is possible that one of the variants on the stage may be impassable.
Another stretch where you could find snow in February is on the ascent to Foncebadón and O Cebreiro. If so, you can always take the route known as the Camino de Invierno.
The February festivals on the French route
If there is a party that characterizes February in Spain it is Carnival. However, if you dare to do the Camino de Santiago in February, in addition to Carnival, you will find several popular festivals on your trip.
3rd February in Los Arcos
On stage 6 of the Camino Frances you will find on February 3rd the Feast of San Blas. In this popular festival, in addition to celebrating various masses in honour of the saint, the traditional San Blas doughnuts are eaten and cod is distributed among the attendees.
Burgos in February
If you decide to start the Camino de Santiago Frances from Burgos, you can plan your trip to start during the last weekend of February. In this way you can enjoy the feast of the slaughter that is held in the town on those dates.
Stages 15 and 16 on the Camino Frances
On stage 15 of the Camino Frances, you will arrive in Frómista. This town celebrates the Feast of Santa Agueda on February 5th. A traditional celebration that is held to give thanks that the town got rid of the plague.
The festivities of Santa Agueda are also celebrated in Carrión de los Condes. A locality that is located on stage 16 of the Camino Frances.
The Feast of San Blas
The Feast of San Blas is celebrated both in Carrión de los Condes, on February 3rd, and in O Pedrouzo. This saint is considered the patron of laryngologists and is credited with miraculous healings of throat-related problems.
Doing the Camino Portugues in February
The Camino de Santiago Portugués is one of the most recommended routes to do in February, since it does not cross any mountain pass. The Camino de Santiago has two routes in Portugal.
One is known as the Central Portuguese Way and the other as the Portuguese Way of the Coast. You can discover more about its attractions and stages in the monograph that we dedicate to the pilgrim routes in Portugal.
The Portuguese climate in February
The climate in Portugal during February is much more pleasant than in the north of Spain. In February you will find an average temperature ranging from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade.
If you decide to do the Camino Portugues Coastal route in February, you will probably have a greater feeling of cold, due to the proximity of the sea. In that case, it’s pretty important to make sure you take a good windbreaker with you.
You should also keep in mind that although the temperature on the Camino Frances is higher than on other routes in northern Spain, at the end of your trip you will end up entering Galicia, if you plan to finish your tour in Santiago de Compostela. So be sure to bring rainwear with you.
February on the Camino Portugues to Santiago
On the Camino Portugues, you can enjoy various festivities during the month of February, along with Carnival. Although the most famous carnivals in Portugal are those of Madeira, on stage 11 you can enjoy those in Mealhada, where they coincide with the Wine Festival.
Of course, in the big cities that cross the Camino Portugues, such as Lisbon or Coimbra, you will also find carnivals during the month of February. However, during those days it is quite difficult to find accommodation, so be sure to book well in advance.
On stage 17, departing from Lisbon, you will arrive in Vilarinho. This town, in addition to having its own carnival, also celebrates the Fiesta de San Blas and The Festival of Nossa Senhora do Rosário.
During the latter stages of the Camino Portugues, you will arrive in Pontevedra. The carnivals in this city are said to be among the top 10 in Spain.
The Camino del Norte to Santiago in February
The Camino del Norte to Santiago, together with the Camino Primitivo, are the least advisable routes for the cold months. The profile of these sections and the low temperatures, accompanied by frequent rainfall, make some of the stages quite impassable in winter.
The climate on the Camino del Norte in February
The proximity to the sea on this route means that the temperatures that occur in the cities it crosses are much higher than in some of the stages that cross over the Castilian plateau, following the Camino Frances. However, rain is much more common on this route.
It is also necessary to consider that the Northern Way runs at quite an altitude. Therefore, you’ll likely find snow or ice sections in February. If you want to know more about the stages on the Camino del Norte, don’t forget to read our related post.
Festivals on the Camino del Norte in February
February 4th is a special date on the Camino del Norte. On that day various towns celebrate the Festivities of Santa Agueda. Some of them are: Irun, Zarautz, Deba and Bilbao.
On the Camino del Norte to Santiago you can also enjoy the carnivals during the month of February. Among the different opportunities that you will have to enjoy this popular festival, we would highlight the Avilés carnivals, because they are declared a festival of national interest.
Doing the Via de la Plata in February
As we told you in our article on La Vía de la Plata, this immense route has several paths. The southern sections, both the Camino Mozárabe and the southwest section that goes from Seville to Merida, are highly recommended to do in February, since temperatures are higher in this area of Spain.
The temperature in February on La Vía de la Plata
On the southern stages of the Via de la Plata, you will find much higher temperatures than on the rest of the Camino de Santiago sections. During the month of February, the southern part of Spain registers an average temperature of 10 to 15 degrees.
However, if you plan to make the entire journey to Santiago de Compostela, you will have to face much lower temperatures. In the area of Zamora and Salamanca the temperature drops considerably. The same is true for Galicia.
What to do in February on La Vía de la Plata
The Via de la Plata, given its long journey, is also the route that brings together most festivals in February. You will find various locations where carnivals are held. If you decide to begin from Cadiz, you can enjoy one of the most famous carnivals in Spain.
Castilblanco de los Arroyos
If you start your pilgrimage in Seville, on the second stage you will arrive in Castilblanco de los Arroyos. This town has several celebrations during the month of February. In addition to the carnival festival, at the beginning of February the Candelarias Festival and Craft Fair are held.
Carnival Sunday in Zafra
On stage 6, you will cross the town of Zafra. This town celebrates its big carnival day on Sunday, with the famous Bacanal de la grasa. This festival pays homage to the products obtained from Iberian pork.
Fiesta de las Candelas
In Almendralejo, the Fiesta de las Candelas takes place in early February. In this celebration, of Roman origin, the city is conquered by fire. Numerous bonfires fill the town. A spectacle worth contemplating!
The Roma Carnivals in Mérida
Throughout February, and for much of March, Roman carnivals are celebrated in Merida. So if you do the Camino de Santiago following the Via de la Plata, in February, you will surely be able to enjoy some of the events that are held in this beautiful city.
The San Blas festivals
In Cáceres, you will find two popular festivals in the month of February. Candelas and San Blas (February 3). The latter is celebrated in many locations along the route, such as in the Alcántara Reservoir, Aldeanueva del Camino or San Pedro de Rozados.
The Feast of the Almond in Flower
The village of the Alcántara Reservoir, in addition to the festivities in honour of San Blas, during the month of February celebrates the Feast of the Almond in Flower. In it, in addition to enjoying various activities you can taste pork and greens, a dish that is distributed among all the attendees.
Día de Águedas in Salamanca
Salamanca, like many other communities in central and northern Spain, celebrates the Day of the Aguedas on 5th February. This city is famous for its lively festivals.
The Aguedas day gives women a cane of command, which reflects the power they have throughout the day. Throughout the day you can enjoy traditional dances and the lively Salamanca university atmosphere.
Pórtico de Zamora
In Zamora, a city that is located on stage 21 if you have started the tour from Seville, on February 22nd the music interpretation festival “Portico de Zamora” is held. The concerts are held in various temples of the city. On the same day, in Montemarta, located a few kilometres from Zamora the Feast of the Virgin of the Castle is celebrated.
The Camino Primitivo in February
The Camino Primitivo is the least recommended route during the cold months. Very few dare to follow this route between the months of December and March. To do so you need to have a good team and pay close attention to the weather forecast.
The climate on the Camino Primitivo in February
The Camino Primitivo has numerous mountain passes, so it is very likely that in February you will find snow, fog or ice. And also rain. Therefore, if you decide to do the Camino Primitivo in February you must be well prepared to face the cold and the rain.
Celebrations on the Camino Primitivo in February
This route does not have many parties in February. The most outstanding are the carnivals in Fonsagrada, as well as those of Oviedo.
The Camino Ingles in February
The Camino Ingles can be done without problems in February. The biggest drawback you will find will be the rain, since this is very common in this area of Spain. Therefore, it is very important to have waterproof clothing.
The Camino Inglés to Santiago is a good route to do in February, especially if you have a few days free. You can complete the entire route in less than a week. If you want to know more about the stages on the Camino Ingles, you can check the article that we dedicate to this route.
In February, on the Camino Ingles, the only festivals you will find are those of carnivals. The most outstanding are those in Ferrol.
February on the Route to the End of the World
The Camino de Finisterre, also known as the Route to the End of the World, is another fantastic option for February. Since it runs over Galician terrain, rains are frequent on this route.
As it happens on the Camino Frances, in February the only festivals you will find on this route are the carnivals. The most outstanding are those in Cee. You can find more information about this itinerary in our article on the Camino de Finisterre.
Whichever route you choose to do on the Camino de Santiago in February, and if your pilgrimage ends in Compostela, do not miss its carnivals. In the capital, the carnivals coincide with the end-of-winter festivities. If you want to know more about them, you can check out our article on the festivals in Santiago.
With everything we have told you in this post and with the related articles that we have been recommending throughout the text, you have all the necessary information to prepare the Camino de Santiago in February. If you make your trip between January and February or between February and March, be sure to check out the articles you will find in our blog about these months.
Before saying goodbye, we want to remind you that if you want to do the Camino de Santiago in February and that an agency specialized in the Camino will help you organize your trip, in Santiago Ways we will be happy to do so. You can call us or leave us a comment at the end of this post or on our Facebook page.
Buen Camino!
