Camino de Santiago: Routes, History and Tips

Camino de Santiago

Find out everything you need to know about the Camino de Santiago in Galicia (Spain) if you’re planning to walk it this year. Here you’ll find information about the different routes, their history, and why it’s one of the most unique experiences in Spain.

What Is the Camino de Santiago?

The Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James, is one of the most famous pilgrimage routes in the world. For centuries, pilgrims from across Europe have traveled to Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, where tradition says the remains of the Apostle Saint James were discovered.

Today, the Camino de Santiago is much more than a religious journey. It is also a cultural, historical, and personal experience that attracts hikers, cyclists, nature lovers, and travelers looking to discover Spain in a deeper and more meaningful way.

Walking the Camino is a unique opportunity to explore Spanish landscapes, towns, gastronomy, and traditions while practicing the language and connecting with people from all over the world. For students learning Spanish in Spain, it can also be an unforgettable way to combine travel, culture, and language immersion.

Why Is the Camino de Santiago So Popular?

The Camino de Santiago has become one of Spain’s most iconic travel experiences because it offers something different from conventional tourism. It allows travelers to move at a slower pace, discover historic villages, admire incredible natural scenery, and experience daily life in Spain in an authentic way.

Some people walk the Camino for spiritual reasons, others for the challenge, and many simply for the beauty of the route and the atmosphere it creates. The sense of community among pilgrims, the simplicity of life on the trail, and the excitement of reaching Santiago de Compostela make the journey especially memorable.

The History of the Camino de Santiago

The origins of the Camino de Santiago go back to the 9th century, when the tomb of Saint James was said to have been discovered in Compostela. This discovery quickly transformed Santiago into one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Christianity, alongside Rome and Jerusalem.

During the Middle Ages, pilgrims traveled from many parts of Europe to reach Santiago. Over time, a network of routes developed across the Iberian Peninsula and beyond. These roads helped shape the cultural and economic history of northern Spain and contributed to the exchange of ideas, art, architecture, and traditions across Europe.

The French Way: The Most Famous Camino Route

When most people think of the Camino de Santiago, they think of the Camino Francés, or French Way. This is the best-known route and the one most commonly followed by international pilgrims. It traditionally begins in France and enters Spain through the Pyrenees before crossing northern Spain on the way to Santiago.

The French Way passes through some of the country’s most historic and attractive regions, with well-known stops such as Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, León, and finally Santiago de Compostela. It is especially popular because it is well signposted and has a broad network of hostels, services, and other pilgrims along the route.

Different Routes of the Camino de Santiago

Although the French Way is the most famous route, it is not the only Camino de Santiago. In fact, there are many different routes across the Iberian Peninsula, each with its own history, landscapes, and character.

It would not make much sense for a pilgrim from Seville, Valencia, or Granada to travel all the way to the starting point of the French Route just to begin the pilgrimage. For that reason, several historic roads developed over time, allowing pilgrims from different parts of Spain to make their way to Santiago de Compostela.

All of these routes are valid, and each offers a different experience of the Camino.

• Camino del Norte

The Camino del Norte, also known as the Northern Way or Coastal Route, begins in Irún, in the Basque Country, and follows the Cantabrian coast westward. It passes through beautiful cities and regions such as San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander, and later continues toward Galicia.

This route is especially appealing because of its spectacular sea views, green landscapes, and strong regional identity. It is often considered less crowded than the French Way, although this can also mean fewer hostels and services in some sections. Still, walking with the sea nearby is one of the most memorable experiences the Camino can offer.

• Camino Vasco Interior

Also starting in Irún, the Camino Vasco Interior does not follow the coast. Instead, it heads inland through areas such as La Rioja and Burgos, where it later joins the French Way. This route is ideal for travelers who want to discover inland northern Spain and connect with one of the main historic pilgrimage roads.

• Camino Aragonés

The Camino Aragonés begins near the border at Somport and crosses through Jaca in Aragón before connecting with the French Way in Puente la Reina, Navarra. It is often considered one of the earliest routes to Santiago and remains an excellent option for pilgrims interested in mountain scenery and medieval heritage.

• Camino Primitivo

The Camino Primitivo, or Original Way, is considered the oldest documented route of the Camino de Santiago. According to tradition, it was used in the 9th century by King Alfonso II after learning that the relics of Saint James had been discovered in Compostela.

This route is believed to have started in Oviedo and is known today for its demanding terrain, beautiful mountain landscapes, and strong historical symbolism. For many pilgrims, it is one of the most authentic and rewarding Camino experiences.

• Vía de la Plata

The Vía de la Plata is one of the most historic routes in Spain and was traditionally followed by pilgrims departing from Seville. In fact, this road predates Christian pilgrimage itself, since it was already an important route in Roman times, connecting major cities such as Asturica Augusta (Astorga), Augusta Emerita (Mérida), and Hispalis (Seville).

Later, Christians from southern Spain used this ancient road to travel north toward Santiago. Today, it is one of the longest Camino routes and one of the most interesting for those who want to see a different side of Spain.

• The Route from Granada

During the period of Al-Andalus, there were also Christians who made the pilgrimage from southern Spain. Those leaving from Granada first headed toward Cáceres, where they joined the Vía de la Plata. At the time, this was considered a dangerous journey because of the military conflicts that marked the Reconquista period.

This historic connection shows just how extensive and diverse the Camino tradition has been over the centuries.

• Camino Inglés

The Camino Inglés, or English Way, was followed mainly by pilgrims arriving by sea from northern Europe, especially from England. Its name refers to the fact that many pilgrims reached Galicia by boat and then continued on foot toward Santiago.

For these travelers, the real challenge often began long before they reached Spanish land, since surviving the rough waters of the Atlantic was sometimes more difficult than the journey on foot itself. Today, the Camino Inglés remains one of the most interesting routes for pilgrims who want a shorter but historically rich experience.

• Camino de Levante

Some pilgrims also came from Mediterranean countries by sea. They landed at the port of Valencia and then crossed inland Spain through areas that are now Castilla-La Mancha, Madrid, and Castile and León until they joined the French Way in Burgos. This route became known as the Camino de Levante.

It is a less internationally known route, but it reflects the wide geographic reach of the pilgrimage tradition and the many ways pilgrims once approached Santiago.

What Is the Best Camino de Santiago Route?

There is no single best route for everyone. The right Camino depends on what kind of experience you are looking for.

If you want the classic and most social experience, the French Way is usually the top choice. If you prefer coastal scenery, the Camino del Norte is especially attractive. If you are interested in history and a more demanding route, the Camino Primitivo may be ideal. And if you want to explore southern or central Spain, routes like the Vía de la Plata or the Camino de Levante offer a very different but equally meaningful journey.

Why the Camino de Santiago Is Perfect for Learning Spanish

The Camino de Santiago is also a wonderful cultural experience for students who want to learn Spanish in Spain. Along the way, you will hear different accents, interact with locals, order food in small towns, read signs and maps, and speak with other pilgrims from around the world.

It is an immersive way to practice Spanish outside the classroom while discovering the country’s landscapes, traditions, and hospitality. For Enforex students, the Camino can be an inspiring addition to a language-learning trip in Spain.

Final Thoughts: A Journey Made by Walking

The Camino de Santiago is much more than one road. It is a network of routes, histories, and personal experiences that have connected people to Santiago de Compostela for centuries. Whether you choose the famous French Way, the coastal beauty of the Camino del Norte, the ancient Camino Primitivo, or one of the other historic routes, every path offers something unique.

As the famous Spanish line says, — the path is made by walking. And few journeys in Spain reflect that idea better than the Camino de Santiago.