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      The Obradoiro façade of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral under a blue sky

      “ Compostelan Holy Year · Dec 31, 2026 – Dec 31, 2027 ”

      Camino de Santiago 2027: Experience the Jacobean Holy Year

      The Holy Door of the Cathedral will be open all through 2027. You choose the route and the dates; we book your accommodation and look after you from Santiago. On foot, by bike or with your dog.

      Book my 2027 Camino Request information
      Xacobeo 2027

      Only

      00 Days
      00 Hours
      00 Minutes
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      until the Holy Door opens
      December 31, 2026, at noon

      • 4.8
        Over 4,900 Google reviews
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      • We’re based in Santiago Rúa das Galeras · Agencia XG-942
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      Xacobeo 2027: Holy Year dates and what you need to know

      The 2027 Holy Year, known as the Xacobeo (Jacobeo in Spanish), begins on December 31, 2026, when the Holy Door of Santiago Cathedral opens, and ends on December 31, 2027. It’s a Holy Year because July 25, 2027, the Feast of St. James, falls on a Sunday.

      All year long, anyone who visits the Cathedral can receive the Jubilee, and far more pilgrims than usual arrive in Santiago. If you want to walk the Camino in 2027, what matters most is choosing your dates well and booking your accommodation early.

      Updated: By: the Viajes Camino de Santiago® team in Santiago de Compostela How we put this guide together

      The Holy Door opens at noon and the Holy Year begins
      The Feast of St. James falls on a Sunday
      The Holy Door closes
      2032 Next Holy Year

      Why 2027 is a special year to walk the Camino

      A Compostelan Holy Year, or Jubilee Year, is a year in which July 25, the Feast of St. James, falls on a Sunday. The Church celebrates it by opening the Holy Door of the Cathedral and granting the Jubilee to those who visit.

      Because of the way the calendar falls, Holy Years come around in a repeating cycle of 6, 5, 6 and 11 years. That’s why, for many pilgrims, each one is the chance to finally walk the Camino they’ve been putting off: the next one is five years away.

      1. Previous 2021-22
      2. This one 2027
      3. Next 2032
      4. After that 2038

      The 2021 Holy Year was extended into 2022 because of the pandemic.

      The Archbishop of Santiago at the newly opened Holy Door, with rubble from the demolished wall on the ground
      The Holy Door being opened in a previous Holy Year: the wall that seals it is knocked down.

      Four terms people often mix up

      • Holy Year

        The celebration

        It’s the religious celebration: the Jubilee Year the Church proclaims whenever July 25 falls on a Sunday. It’s organized by the Cathedral and the Archdiocese of Santiago.

        More about the Holy Year

      • Xacobeo or Jacobeo

        The words

        They mean the same thing. Xacobeo is the Galician form and the official brand under which the Xunta de Galicia, the regional government, runs the year; Jacobeo is the Spanish form. In English you’ll also see Jacobean Holy Year. You can use or search for any of them.

        Official Xacobeo website

      • Jubilee

        The plenary indulgence

        You obtain it by visiting the Cathedral during a Holy Year and praying at the Apostle’s tomb for the Pope’s intentions, going to confession within the 15 days before or after, and receiving Communion. You don’t need to arrive on foot.

        What the Cathedral asks

      • The Compostela

        The pilgrim’s certificate

        The Pilgrim’s Office issues it, in person, to anyone who reaches Santiago after covering at least 100 consecutive km on foot (200 by bike) along a single official route. If you only do that minimum, get your pilgrim passport (credencial) stamped at the start and end of each stage. It works the same whether or not it’s a Holy Year.

        How to collect your Compostela
      The Holy Door of Santiago Cathedral lit up at night in Plaza de la Quintana
      The Holy Door

      The door that only opens in a Holy Year

      It’s the Cathedral entrance that stays walled up outside Holy Years. It opens onto Plaza de la Quintana and is framed by 24 figures of prophets, apostles and patriarchs that come from Master Mateo’s old stone choir. Walking through it is the gesture that sets the Holy Year apart: many pilgrims save it for the end of their Camino.

      • It opens on December 31, 2026, at noon
      • It closes on December 31, 2027
      • Inside, it leads to the ambulatory: to the embrace of the Apostle’s statue and to the crypt with his tomb
      All about the Holy Door

      Key dates of the 2027 Holy Year

      Confirmed dates only. We’ll add events as the Cathedral and the Xunta de Galicia announce them.

      1. The Holy Door opens

        Ceremony at the Cathedral: the Holy Year begins.

      2. Holy Week

        From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

      3. Apparition of St. James

        Feast of the Apparition of St. James (Clavijo), celebrated solemnly at the Cathedral.

      4. Feast of St. James

        The Sunday that makes 2027 a Holy Year. On the eve, fireworks over Plaza del Obradoiro.

      5. Translation of the Apostle

        Solemn feast commemorating the arrival of his remains in Galicia.

      6. The Holy Door closes

        Last day to walk through it until 2032.

      What’s been announced and what’s still to be confirmed

      Already announced

      • Motto and logo

        “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Mt 2:10), presented by the Cathedral on September 24.

      • Official anthem

        “Un campo cheo de estrelas”.

      • Xacobeo 27

        the Xunta de Galicia is organizing the cultural program and will present it before the end of 2026.

      • Event of exceptional public interest

        the 2027 Holy Year has this status under Real Decreto-ley 8/2025 (a Spanish government decree).

      Still to be confirmed

      • Papal visit

        the Archbishop has invited Pope Leo XIV; it hasn’t been confirmed.

      • European Youth Pilgrimage

        the diocese has announced it for July 15–18; the official call is still to come.

      • Botafumeiro

        it’s currently suspended because of works in the Cathedral, and there’s no 2027 schedule yet.

      • Pilgrim’s Mass

        since October 16, 2026, it has been held at the Church of San Agustín, until further notice.

      • St. James festivities 2027

        no dates or program yet.

      How crowded will the Camino be in 2027, and where?

      Nobody can give a figure for 2027 yet. Holy Years usually send arrivals soaring (2010 nearly doubled 2009; 2021, during the pandemic, was the exception), and the Camino is already at record levels: more than 530,000 Compostelas were issued in 2025, almost half of them on the French Way.

      Compostelas issued per year
      Year Compostelas What happened
      2009 about 146,000 Regular year
      2010 · Holy Year about 272,000 Nearly doubled in one year
      2021 · Holy Year about 179,000 During the pandemic
      2022 · Holy Year about 438,000 Extended Holy Year; a record at the time
      2024 about 499,000
      2025 over 530,000 All-time record
      2026 over 500,000 Already by October 4
      2027 · Holy Year Still to come Forecast: more than in 2025
      Which routes pilgrims took in 2025
      Route Pilgrims Share
      French Way (Camino Francés) 242,000 46%
      Portuguese Way 101,000 19%
      Portuguese Coastal Way 90,000 17%
      English Way (Camino Inglés) 30,000 6%
      Primitive Way (Camino Primitivo) 28,000 5%
      Northern Way (Camino del Norte) 22,000 4%
      Vía de la Plata 9,000 2%
      Winter Way (Camino de Invierno) 3,000 0.5%

      Source: Pilgrim’s Office. Figures rounded.

      Where beds run out first

      One in three pilgrims in 2025 started walking in Sarria, and 18% set out from Porto or Tui. In a Holy Year, these stretches are usually the first to fill up:

      • French Way: Sarria, Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Arzúa and O Pedrouzo.
      • Portuguese Way: Tui, Pontevedra and Padrón.
      • Santiago: the night you arrive, especially in July and August.

      That’s why, when you book with us, those nights are the first ones we lock in.

      If you’re looking for a quieter Camino

      Routes with far fewer pilgrims and the same Jubilee when you arrive. Keep in mind: the Primitive Way joins the French Way in Melide and the Northern Way joins it in Arzúa, so for the last two or three days you’ll be walking with the crowds coming from Sarria. And since these routes have fewer beds, it’s worth booking them just as early.

      • Map of the Camino Inglés route

        Camino Inglés

        5 Stages 117 Kms

        From Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela. Immerse yourself in the naval and historical heritage of a truly unique Camino.

        view route
      • Map of the Camino Primitivo route

        Camino Primitivo

        14 Stages 317 Kms

        From Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela. It follows the first Camino de Santiago, tracing the footsteps of Alfonso II.

        view route
      • Map of the Camino del Norte route

        Camino del Norte

        36 Stages 833 Kms

        From Irún to Santiago de Compostela. An unforgettable experience with breathtaking landscapes.

        view route
      • Map of the Camino de Invierno route

        Camino de Invierno

        11 Stages 256 Kms

        From Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela., through the regions of Valdeorras and Ribeira Sacra.

        view route

      Which month should you choose for your 2027 Camino?

      The quietest months run from November to March; the busiest, from May to September. In 2025 the month with the most Compostelas was September, and the week of July 25, with the St. James festivities, is one of the busiest in Santiago.

      • Low crowds
      • Moderate crowds
      • High crowds
      • Week of July 25
      1. Jan The Holy Door has just opened Low
      2. Feb A quiet Camino Low
      3. Mar Holy Week: March 21–28 Moderate
      4. Apr Spring Moderate
      5. May Good weather, lively atmosphere High
      6. Jun The longest days High
      7. Jul Week of the 25th: St. James festivities Peak
      8. Aug High summer High
      9. Sep The busiest month in 2025 High
      10. Oct Fine fall walking weather Moderate
      11. Nov More rain, few people Low
      12. Dec The Holy Door closes on the 31st Low

      This is a forecast based on monthly pilgrim numbers for 2025, not on 2027 occupancy: there’s no booking data for the Holy Year yet.

      When to book
      July, August and the week of July 25 As soon as possible
      May, June, September and October A few months ahead
      November to April (except Holy Week) A few weeks ahead is usually enough

      Booking early doesn’t tie you down: if your plans change, you can cancel free of charge up to 15 days before you start.

      Book my 2027 Camino

      Your tour for the 2027 Holy Year

      We take care of everything: hand-picked accommodation and support along the way. These are the tours our pilgrims book most; each one takes you to its own page with dates and prices.

      Image of the French Way package from Sarria
      Nº1 · Most booked
      French Way · last 110 km

      French Way from Sarria

      Walk the last section of the French Way of St. James from Sarria in 4, 5 or 6 stages. Enjoy green landscapes, charming villages and the excitement of arriving at Plaza del Obradoiro, with your Compostela guaranteed.

      115 Kms 5 Stages From 190 €

      Choose your plan At your own pace · In a group · With your dog · In hotels

      Choose your trip from Sarria
      Image of the Portuguese Way package from Tui
      Nº2 · Portuguese favorite
      Portuguese Way · from the border

      Portuguese Way from Tui

      Experience the Portuguese Way from Tui in 6 or 7 stages. Walk paths between vineyards and estuaries, cross historic towns and feel the excitement of entering Santiago after an unforgettable journey.

      118 Kms 6 Stages From 240 €

      Choose your plan At your own pace · Short stages · In a group · With your dog

      Choose your trip from Tui

      Free cancellation up to 15 days before

      Group of pilgrims with a guide on the Camino de Santiago
      Group trips with a guide

      Organized group Camino de Santiago

      If you prefer walking with company, our group departures are something else — and the credit goes to our guides: probably the best trained and most highly regarded on the Camino. They live it all year round, look after everyone's pace, and turn every stage into an experience you'll never forget.

      • Accompanying guide throughout the entire Camino
      • Group atmosphere from day one
      • Departures from Sarria, Tui and Finisterre
      See group trips From 359 €
      Discover all organized tours

      Comments from our Pilgrims

      • Dagmara Lasek

        Dagmara Lasek

        Pilgrima

        INCREDIBLE!♥️

      • Inma Carrasco

        Inma Carrasco

        Pilgrima

        Fantastic

      • Bobo Irina

        Bobo Irina

        Pilgrimo

        I began the Camino with no expectations — just open steps and an open heart. With every km I journeyed deeper into my soul. In the quiet of the forest, I left behind the noise of daily life, and through prayer, I spoke with God. Joy and love were born in me —…

      • Gerald Tuite

        Gerald Tuite

        Pilgrimo

        Our trip was well-organized and the communication was clear. After seeing so many people on the trail struggle to find accommodations along the Camino Frances, I was very glad we worked with Viajes to arrange all our accommodations and our bag transportation…

      • Aimee Galias

        Aimee Galias

        Pilgrima

        I love how clean the hotels were, lovely staff and made the journey easy for first timers. Thank you

      • Esther & Guillermo Quiles

        Esther & Guillermo Quiles

        Pilgrima

        We could not be HAPPIER to have chosen this company. My wife and I started our walking trip from the French Camino de Santiago (short walk: 112 Km) to Compostela. We did 10 days and everything was handled with the upmost detail ensuring we were comfortable, we…

      • BH Koh

        BH Koh

        Pilgrimo

        This was my first Camino with family even though my wife has already done 2 Camino before this. We chose Viajes due to their very competitive pricing and were willing to accept a little “less” quality services. However it turned out that all arrangements and…

      • Denise Ackerman

        Denise Ackerman

        Pilgrima

        Fantastic Experience with Viajes Camino de Santiago – A Dream Camino Journey! We had the most amazing time during our Camino de Santiago, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible work of Viajes Camino de Santiago. From the moment we contacted…

      • Steven Ellis

        Steven Ellis

        Pilgrimo

        Excellent organisation. Swift replies to all my questions before setting out on the camino and the accomodation was of a high standard and quite varied. I would definitely recommend using them to make your camino enjoyable and stress free.

      • elisa bragagnolo

        elisa bragagnolo

        Pilgrima

        place amazing, landscape gorgeous, quite and safe, good sign

      • Luis Carrillo

        Luis Carrillo

        Pilgrimo

        One of the best experience in mi life! If you are thinking on making “El Camino” this is the way! Thanks for everything!

      • Jammie Tai

        Jammie Tai

        Pilgrima

        Everything is well-organised. My luggage always arrive on time and I have no problem with my booking. The agency also gave me a surprise on my final day when I arrived in Santiago de Compostela. They arranged a private room with ensuite bathroom at Loop Inn Ho…

      See and listen to what they say about us Read all the reviews written on Google

      What’s included when you travel with us

      Frequently asked questions about Xacobeo 2027

      • When does the Xacobeo 2027 Holy Year begin and end?

        It begins on December 31, 2026, at noon, with the opening of the Holy Door of Santiago Cathedral, and ends on December 31, 2027. The whole of 2027 is a Holy Year.

      • Is 2026 a Xacobeo Holy Year?

        No. 2026 is a regular year: the Holy Year begins on the last day of 2026, when the Holy Door opens, and lasts all of 2027.

      • How often is there a Holy Year, and when is the next one?

        Whenever July 25 falls on a Sunday, which happens in a repeating cycle of 6, 5, 6 and 11 years. After 2027 come 2032 and 2038.

      • When were the last Holy Years?

        1993, 1999, 2004, 2010 and 2021, which was extended into 2022 because of the pandemic.

      • How is the Compostelan Holy Year different from the Jubilee in Rome?

        The ordinary Jubilee in Rome is proclaimed by the Pope every 25 years; the last one was in 2025. The Compostelan Holy Year depends on the calendar: it comes whenever July 25 falls on a Sunday, and its Jubilee is obtained at Santiago Cathedral.

      • Do you have to walk through the Holy Door to get the Compostela?

        No. Walking through the Holy Door is the signature gesture of the Holy Year, but it isn’t a requirement: the Compostela depends on the Camino you’ve completed to Santiago.

      • What do you need to get the Compostela in 2027?

        The same as any other year. You must cover at least 100 consecutive km on foot or on horseback, or 200 km by bike, heading toward Santiago along a single official route, without mixing routes; the last stretch has to be the one that reaches the Cathedral. If you start outside Spain, at least 70 km must be in Spain. If you only do the minimum distance, get your pilgrim passport (credencial) stamped, with the date, at the start and end of each stage. You request it in person, one pilgrim at a time; it’s free and is granted to those who make the pilgrimage for religious or spiritual reasons. Everyone else can get the Certificate of Distance from the Pilgrim’s Office.

      • Where do you collect the Compostela?

        At the Pilgrim’s Office (Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino), on rúa das Carretas, a few steps from the Cathedral. Registering on its website beforehand speeds up collection.

      • How many days do I need to walk the Camino in 2027?

        To earn the Compostela you need to walk at least 100 consecutive km to Santiago: from Sarria or Tui that’s 5 or 6 stages, a one-week trip. With more days you can start further back, for example in O Cebreiro or Porto.

      Keep reading about the Holy Year

      View Full Blog

      Can we help you plan your 2027 Camino?

      Tell us when you’d like to walk and who with. Our team in Santiago will suggest the route that suits you best and a price for your dates, with no obligation.

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