When to do the Camino de Santiago?

The best season to do the Camino

Choosing the right time of the year to do the Camino de Santiago is another of the most important decisions that we will have to make before starting this experience. We are going to walk for hours and several days, so whether we prefer winter or summer, we must be prepared for possible inclement weather.

So, what season is the best to do the Camino? There are really no seasons better than others to do the Way of Saint James since it will also depend on the path you choose. The important thing is that you take into account what factors influence when choosing one or another season, since there will be advantages and disadvantages in all of them. If you are well prepared and know what you are going to find, you can enjoy your Way to Compostela both during summer or winter.

When it comes to the Camino of Santiago, we will basically find the same seasons as in any other touristic trip in Spain:

» High Season

High season runs from mid-May to mid-September. During these months you will enjoy the hottest climate, although in the north of the Peninsula or in the coastal towns you will never experience unbearable temperatures. In addition, you will also have less chance of rain, which is also an advantage very taken into account by many pilgrims.

Another reason that leads many to choose the months of July and August is that upon their arrival they can enjoy the festivities of the town, especially if they do so around July 25, the Apostle's Day. The atmosphere at this time in the Galician capital is unique, with overflowing catering establishments and attractions for all ages, as well as concerts and live performances. The hospitality of the people of Compostela at this time and the best summer weather await you with open arms.

However, the main disadvantage of pilgrimage at this time is that, since it is the one with the largest influx of pilgrims, you will have to be careful with the reservation of accommodation and other services, since you will find them quite saturated.

For example, if you want to do a Way as busy as the French Way, our recommendation is that you directly avoid the months of July and August. During this season this route is especially crowded, and despite having many services and hostels at every turn, it will be difficult to find availability, even when booking in advance. If the French Way is your first or only option, better do it between April and the beginning of May, or wait until the end of September: in these months the temperatures will continue to be pleasant and the number of pilgrims will drop considerably.

Nor do we recommend the Vía de la Plata for these hot months of the year. Once you have reached the north you will not have problems, but before that you will have to walk long stages without shade through the center of the peninsula, where the temperatures are more extreme. If you dare to face these conditions, go ahead. But remember to be prepared with adequate protection against the sun and by staying hydrated at all times.

If you want to do a Camino that does not bring you many difficulties during the summer, the ideal in any case would be that you opt for a less frequented route, such as the Portuguese Way along the Coast. This alternative, although it is gaining followers every year, still does not reach the level of the French Way. In this way you can enjoy a simple path that will show you the best of the Portuguese and Galician coasts.

And if you are in good shape, go for the Camino Primitivo or the Camino del Norte, since you will enjoy warm temperatures during this high season, but without reaching extremes that can truly complicate your pilgrimage.

» Low Season

The low season comprises the harshest months of winter, from mid-October to mid-February. The peninsular climate during these months can be rough, although many expert athletes prefer these conditions. As you will be doing physical exercise, you will not be cold, and it may even be a relief, since the body itself heats up as soon as you start walking. The important thing if you decide to walk to Santiago on these dates is that you choose your kit carefully. Remember: there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.

Your backpack will probably be more loaded during this season, since you will need more warm clothes against rain and low temperatures, so we recommend you keep it as light and waterproof as possible. In case you need it, you can also use a backpack transport service, to carry only the essentials during each stage and find your backpack once you arrive at your hostel at the end of the day.

During these months there are fewer pilgrims on the Camino. It is the ideal time if you do not want to meet many people and you prefer to enjoy a more calm and solitary experience, in which to get to know yourself better. The services of the Camino will be available practically for you alone, but yes: in case you want to spend the night in private hostels, make sure they are open at each stage. Some of them choose to close during this low season, due to the low influx of pilgrims in the winter months. On the other hand, you will always have public hostels available (although some of them may not have heating), where it is easy to find a bed at this time of year for the same reason.

In addition to inclement weather, you should also take into account that the days in winter are shorter, so you will have fewer hours of light to do each stage. Our recommendation as the ideal route for this season of low temperatures is the Winter Way or Camino de Invierno itself, which offers unique landscapes and avoids the heavy snowfalls typical of O Cebreiro at this time of year. In just 10 days you can complete this Camino and get to Santiago to get your well-deserved Compostela.

In short, doing the Camino de Santiago in winter can be a different challenge, especially if you have already experienced the Camino at other times of the year, are in good shape or want to live a more unique experience in which to walk alone, without crowds of pilgrims surrounding you at every step. Especially if you choose the month of December, upon your arrival in Santiago you will find a city full of life and people like you who are decided to spend this Christmas season in Compostela, enjoying its historic center and the best of Galician gastronomy in its many restaurants.

» Mid Season

The rest of the months of the year would be considered the middle season, which includes spring and autumn. These are probably the best seasons of the year to do the Camino de Santiago, since we will find mild temperatures and not too many pilgrims. Just enough to have a little company at each stage, but without having too many problems when it comes to find a place in the hostels when the afternoon arrives.

However, what we must expect in these stations is the most unpredictable weather. It is difficult to know for sure if it will rain, or if we will have to face strong winds or a hot sun, even if we do not suffer from very extreme temperatures, so we must be prepared for any adversity of this type. It will be essential at this time of year to have a raincoat and waterproof protector for our backpack, as well as light and breathable clothing.

Since we will have enough light throughout the day, it won’t be necessary to get up early to avoid the suffocating heat of midday, so we can rest for longer and sleep more hours. During the day and while your walk lasts, you will find the most beautiful autumn landscapes or the first flowers that will accompany you during spring.

If you dare to do the Camino de Santiago for the first time, or want to do the popular French Way, this is the best time of year. This route is quite easy to walk and has more services at your disposal than any other, so you will not have accommodation problems. The Portuguese Way, the second busiest, is also another option to consider for the same reasons.

Since the Vía de la Plata is usually avoided in the summer and winter months, during which the temperatures are harsher and add greater difficulty to the Camino de Santiago, what better time to choose this route than spring or autumn. It will be easier to cope with its long and flat stages through the interior of the peninsula without shadows or shelter until we reach the north of the country, where the green of its vegetation will make the Camino much more entertaining.

As you can see, the Camino de Santiago is an option for any time or season of the year. The only thing you need is to be prepared for the weather of each season and choose a Way that suits the circumstances. Only in this way will you meet your goal and arrive in Compostela as planned, enjoying your experience at every step. Your reward awaits you at the end of the Camino!