Way of St James
In short: The Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port takes about five weeks at 20 to 25 kilometres a day. The Portuguese Way from Porto can be done in around two weeks, and a week is enough for the last 100 kilometres from Sarria.
The Way of St James is probably the most famous pilgrimage route in the world. For more than 1,000 years people have been walking to the tomb of the Apostle James in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. In 2025 the Pilgrim's Office there registered 530,987 arrivals, more than ever before.
There isn't really one single Way of St James. The path from your front door to Santiago is one too, and that is how people once made the pilgrimage. Today, though, most walkers keep to a few well-developed routes, which differ clearly in length, scenery and crowds.
The five most popular routes
| Route | Country | Length | Difficulty | Best time to go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camino Francés | France, Spain | around 780 km | easy to moderate | spring, autumn |
| Camino Portugués | Portugal, Spain | around 240 km from Porto | easy | spring to autumn |
| Camino del Norte | Spain | around 830 km | moderate to hard | spring to autumn |
| Camino Primitivo | Spain | around 320 km | hard | spring to autumn |
| Vía de la Plata | Spain | around 1,000 km | moderate | autumn to spring |
The Camino Francés is by far the most walked route: about 46 percent of pilgrims arrived in Santiago on this route in 2025. That has its advantages, as you will find a bar or albergue every few kilometres. If you want more peace, you are better off on the coastal route or the Vía de la Plata, and should plan for longer sections without services.
Which route suits you?
For a first pilgrimage with limited time we recommend the Portuguese Way. With five weeks of holiday, the Camino Francés is the classic choice. Mountain walkers like the Camino Primitivo, which runs from Oviedo through Asturias and has a lot of climbing. The Vía de la Plata is dangerously hot in the south in summer but very beautiful in spring. It covers planning, stages and the typical mistakes of the first few days.
The certificate after the Camino
Most pilgrims want to collect their certificate, the Compostela, in Santiago. You receive it if you have covered at least 100 kilometres on foot or on horseback, or 200 kilometres by bicycle, and can prove this with stamps in your pilgrim passport. On the last 100 kilometres you need two stamps a day.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Way of St James take?
The Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port takes about five weeks at 20 to 25 kilometres a day. The Portuguese Way from Porto can be done in around two weeks, and a week is enough for the last 100 kilometres from Sarria.
Which Camino route is best for beginners?
The Camino Francés has the best facilities, and the Portuguese Way is shorter and flatter. Both have dense networks of albergues and work well for a first pilgrimage.
Can you walk parts of the Way of St James?
Yes. Many pilgrims walk the route in sections over several years. For the Compostela the rules of the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago apply, meaning at least 100 kilometres on foot or 200 kilometres by bicycle.