Our pilgrims reveal how the Camino de Santiago transforms lives

It has been inspiring travellers from all over the world for centuries and, according to a recent survey carried out by us, the Camino de Santiago continues to leave a deep mark on those who walk it. More than 5,000 pilgrims of various nationalities – predominantly Spaniards, but also ranging from Guatemalans to Filipinos – have shared their experiences.

What’s the result? A warm, nuanced portrait of what it means to walk a Jacobean route in the 21st century. The data speak of an overwhelmingly positive, enriching experience recommended by almost everyone, while also revealing curiosities about the different routes, the motivations that drive people to start walking and the life lessons that remain after the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims on the Camino

Pilgrims of all ages and from every corner of the globe

The profile of the participants in the survey shows a diverse community of about 5,000 people, united by their passion for walking to Santiago. More than 3 out of every 5 respondents were Spaniards, around 70%, which translates to just over 3,600 national pilgrims, accompanied by an international contingent of more than a thousand people from over twenty different nationalities (with a notable presence of Latin Americans from countries such as Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay or Venezuela, along with Europeans from Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, etc.). This mix of origins reflects that the Camino maintains its global appeal, although it remains particularly cherished within Spain.

Nationality of the surveyed pilgrims

Regarding age, the Camino seems to attract especially middle-aged and older adults. More than half of those surveyed, just over 50%, are aged 55 or older, and another large 27% are in the 45–54 age bracket. In other words, around 78% of pilgrims are over 45. Far from being an activity just for young adventurers, the pilgrimage has become a popular experience for people nearing retirement or already retired, who have the time and desire to live this adventure. The 35–44 and 25–34 age groups each account for about 10% of walkers, respectively, and only about 2% of participants were under 25. In short, there are pilgrims of all ages, but the veterans stand out, proving it is never too late to lace up your boots and set out on the Camino.

Age of the surveyed pilgrims

Participation by gender was very balanced: about 51% women and 49% men, matching the parity also observed on the Jacobean paths. The Camino appears equally attractive and inclusive for female and male pilgrims alike.

Surveyed pilgrims by gender

Another interesting fact is the previous Camino experience the respondents had. More than half (about 51%) have done the Camino at least once. A very significant group, about 33%, were repeating the adventure with 2–3 Caminos completed, and a passionate 15% had done it more than 3 times! Even a few, around 1%, replied that they had not yet done it but were planning to, showing the excitement of future pilgrims. This indicates that, for many, the Camino de Santiago is not a one-time thing: it hooks you. Those who try it often want to repeat, whether to relive the magic, explore different routes or deepen their personal growth. Indeed, many veterans say that every Camino is unique, bringing something new each time.

How many times have you done the Camino de Santiago?

What motivates people to walk hundreds of kilometres to Santiago?

One of the key questions in the survey was why did you decide to do the Camino de Santiago? The answers reveal a range of motivations where spiritual elements coexist with earthly reasons. Far from there being a single cause, many pilgrims pointed to several motivations at once, painting a rich picture of the forces that set them in motion.

Why did you decide to do the Camino de Santiago?

As shown, the most cited motivation, by almost half of the participants (around 47%), was the desire to enjoy the journey itself, i.e. tourism, nature and the landscapes of the Camino. Indeed, thousands of pilgrims view this route as an opportunity to discover towns and people, admire the rural beauty of Spain and immerse themselves in nature at a leisurely pace. The second most common reason, mentioned by 43% of respondents, points to a need for disconnecting and caring for mental health. The Camino offers a break from daily routines, distancing one from the stress of work and the city, allowing disconnection from the modern world to reconnect with oneself. This therapeutic factor – walking, thinking, meditating – has gained much importance recently, and many pilgrims speak of the Camino as a mental and emotional “reset”.

Close in the ranking (at 38%) is the motivation of personal challenge and sporting achievement. It is, after all, a physical journey of hundreds of kilometres, and for many walkers it represents a challenge they want to face to test their limits, improve their fitness or simply prove to themselves that they can do it. “It’s a personal challenge,” some comment, sometimes combining that drive with the sporting enjoyment of walking or cycling long distances.

On the other hand, almost 1 in 3 pilgrims (32%) undertook the route driven by a spiritual or religious quest. While the spiritual aspect remains a pillar of the Camino (it is, after all, a historic pilgrimage to the Apostle’s tomb), it is notable that it ranks behind more worldly motivations like tourism, disconnection or physical challenge. This reflects how the Camino de Santiago today transcends the purely religious: many walk it for personal reasons that may include spirituality, but not exclusively.

Pilgrim in inner search

For some, spirituality is central – they speak of “seeking something” inside themselves or of fulfilling promises and religious vows – while for others the Camino is more a cultural, sporting or social experience. In any case, that transcendent dimension remains present for a significant portion of pilgrims, keeping the Camino’s mystique alive.

Finally, to a much lesser degree, around 11% mentioned recommendation from others or family tradition as the main reason. That is, a few hundred pilgrims discovered the Camino thanks to advice from friends or family, or follow a tradition (for example, parents who did it and encouraged their children). Although it’s the least cited option, it’s still significant: word of mouth and the Camino’s fame continue to attract new people, even though most come on their own in search of something personal.

In summary, motivations combine the external (seeing the world, tourism, following a custom) with the internal (seeking peace of mind, personal challenges, spiritual growth). Many pilgrims pointed to a cocktail of reasons: indeed, it was common for someone to tick two or three of the above categories together. For example, tourism and nature + sporting challenge, or disconnection + spirituality. This suggests the Camino satisfies multiple desires at once: it is travel, challenge, retreat, all in one. As one pilgrim says, “I wanted to live the experience and find myself, while also discovering new places,” combining outer adventure with inner exploration.

An enriching experience: feelings during the Camino

Once underway, how do pilgrims describe their overall experience on the Camino de Santiago? Survey results here are clear and comforting. Practically everyone experienced it positively. Participants were offered a series of words or phrases to characterise their experience, and they could choose multiple descriptions. The most chosen paint a very enthusiastic picture: most found the Camino relaxing, enriching, challenging and transformative at the same time.

How would you describe your experience on the Camino de Santiago?

The most widespread feeling is that the Camino was “relaxing, a personal reconnection”, an option chosen by just over half of the pilgrims. Paradoxically, walking dozens of kilometres a day did not stop 51% from feeling the experience was relaxing; on the contrary, disconnecting from daily worries and the simple rhythm of stage after stage helps many to calm the mind. That reconnection with oneself appears as one of the great gifts of the Camino.

Secondly, 37% described their journey as “spiritually enriching”. Again we see that, beyond specific religions, a good part of the pilgrims find nourishment for the soul on the route: whether through introspection, deep conversations with other walkers, visits to sacred sites or simply time for reflection, the Camino enriches the spirit. Many speak of feeling “renewed inside” upon reaching Santiago.

Closely linked to that inner renewal is the idea that the Camino is “transformative”. Nearly a third (32%) of those surveyed used precisely that word. For them, this pilgrimage marked a before and after in their lives. It may sound like a cliché, but when dozens of people tell you “it changed my life,” you start to take it seriously. Whether because of lessons learned, a chance encounter, overcoming difficulties or having discovered an unknown inner strength, many agree that the Camino de Santiago transforms those who open themselves to the experience. “You come back a different person,” they assure. And indeed, for many, “the Camino continues after finishing the Camino.”

Happy pilgrims after finishing their Camino de Santiago

Now, being spiritual and transformative doesn’t mean it was easy. 35% also described it as “physically challenging”. Indeed, for a third of pilgrims each day involved sweat, fatigue and pains to overcome. But almost all mention this aspect positively: the physical effort was part of the charm and the sense of achievement. That hardship makes reaching the goal sweeter. “It’s tough, but doable,” they say, proud to have conquered the challenge.

Another aspect several highlighted is the social and human component of the adventure. 27% labelled it as “very social, full of connections” with other pilgrims. The image of the solitary walker contemplating sunrise or sunset exists, yes, but equally real is the camaraderie in hostels, the chats walking side by side with a stranger who ends up a friend, the laughter shared over a communal table at dusk. The Camino fosters unforgettable encounters and unexpected friendships. More than one comments that the people they met along the way were almost as important as Santiago itself. “I arrived alone and finished surrounded by dear friends,” sums up a veteran pilgrim.

Finally, another 27% noted it was “a great tourist experience”. This expression covers the cultural, historical and discovery aspect of travel: tasting local gastronomy in each region, admiring centuries-old monuments, learning about each town’s traditions. The Camino de Santiago is also a journey through the history of Spain and Europe, and many pilgrims value that facet: it is not only introspection, it is also adventure and discovery of the world. In this sense, the Camino combines tourism with something few trips can offer: the satisfaction of having arrived on your own two feet.

The particularity of a trip on the Camino de Santiago is that they are “holidays on the move”

Personal lessons: what the Camino teaches us

In addition to rating the experience, the survey asked openly: what have you learned about yourself by doing the Camino? Here the answers become very personal and emotional. Although each is unique, reading them together reveals certain universal themes.

Many pilgrims discover on the Camino an inner strength and resilience they didn’t know they had. “I’ve learned I’m stronger than I thought,” confesses one participant, reflecting a shared feeling after overcoming difficulties that seemed impossible at the start. Others mention having developed patience and tolerance: the long days and unexpected events teach one to “take life calmly” and accept things as they come.

Several highlight the lesson of humility and simplicity. Walking with just what fits in your backpack, sleeping in hostels and sharing with people of all kinds teaches you to value simple things – a hot meal, a shower, a bed – and to let go of the superficial. “The Camino teaches you how little you need to be happy,” wisely sums up one pilgrim, who now applies that minimalist philosophy to daily life.

This mischievous phrase holds much pilgrim wisdom: “To travel, you need plenty of nerve and very little money.”

The ability to live in the present is another frequent learning. Walking step by step, with no task other than reaching the next town, helps many to “enjoy the moment” fully, something they perhaps couldn’t achieve before due to everyday haste. “I learned to enjoy the moment and to look after others,” says one pilgrim, also emphasising the value of solidarity experienced along the route. Indeed, the kindness and generosity of people on the Camino leave a mark: from the hospitalero who welcomes you with a smile to the neighbour who gives you figs from his orchard, each gesture teaches that “this world is full of good people,” as another respondent wrote emotionally.

In summary, the Camino de Santiago, beyond taking you to a geographical destination, takes you to a meeting with yourself. Each pilgrim draws their own lessons: some return with more faith in themselves, others with new friends who are now family, many with healed hearts and all with stories for a lifetime. As is often said among walkers, the Camino does not end in Santiago; its teachings accompany you long afterwards.

The routes: from the most emotional Camino to the loneliest

Not all Caminos de Santiago are the same. There are multiple routes (French, Portuguese, Primitivo, Northern, Vía de la Plata, English, among others) and each has its own character.

Which route did they do or will do?

To the question about which route to do, we see that the French Way clearly stands out as the most chosen option, with a large 77%. It is followed by the Portuguese Way, exceeding 33%, and the Primitivo and English Ways comfortably exceeding 11%.

Which Camino de Santiago route have you done or will you do?

How is each route perceived?

Pilgrims who knew more than one route were asked their opinion about which they considered the most emotional, the most spiritual, the most physically challenging, the loneliest and the most social. The answers were diverse, but with a clear favourite emerging in almost everything: the French Way, the classic route par excellence, dominated in several categories.

• Most emotional route: The majority of respondents (a 53%) pointed to the French Way as the most emotional of all. This route, the most traditional and busiest, seems to touch many people’s hearts, probably due to the combination of its history, numerous spiritual milestones along the way and the community that forms on it. Perhaps also because it is often the first choice among beginner pilgrims. In second place, just over 17% mentioned the Primitivo Way (a more isolated and scenically striking route) and almost 14% the Portuguese Way as particularly moving, but they fell far behind the French route in mentions.

In your opinion, which of the routes you know is the most emotional?

• Most spiritual route: Again the French Way led the responses, with a large 45%. It makes sense, being the route with the most churches, chapels and deep-rooted Jacobean tradition; many pilgrims feel a strong spiritual atmosphere on the French Way. However, the Portuguese Way (19%) also received plenty of votes as a spiritual route, perhaps due to the tranquillity of some of its sections or the devotion generated by Fátima for those who link it. The Primitivo Way (just over 16%) appeared here too in third place, endorsed by those who value its historical authenticity (it is the original route of King Alfonso II in the 9th century) and the solitude conducive to reflection.

In your opinion, which of the routes you know is the most spiritual?

• Most physically challenging route: Contrary to what one might assume, the French Way was mentioned the most (a 36%) as the most physically demanding. This may be because, as in previous cases, it is the most popular and many people have only done that route, experiencing firsthand its long stages (some over 25–30 km) and obstacles such as the climb over the Pyrenees or the endless meseta. However, those who have tried other routes would hardly agree: several respondents highlighted the Portuguese Way (almost 19%), the toughness of the Primitivo Way (16%, with its mountainous terrain) and the Finisterre Way (12%), which adds kilometres when one is already tired after reaching Santiago, and even the Northern Way (8%).

In your opinion, which of the routes you know is the most physically challenging?

• Loneliest route: Here there was a small surprise: many pilgrims, just over 30%, named the Portuguese Way as the loneliest route. In any case, the concept of “loneliest route” depends greatly on when it is walked: even the French Way, the busiest, with nearly 19%, can be lonely in winter, while the Portuguese in August is packed. But on average, according to our survey, the Portuguese was perceived as the one with the most tranquil atmosphere and the most space for solitude. The Primitivo Way (just over 15%), the English Way (just over 11%) and the Finisterre Way (9%) also stand out.

In your opinion, which of the routes you know is the loneliest?

• Most social route: On this point there was no doubt, and once again, the French Way, with a 92%, swept the vast majority of mentions. Practically everyone who answered this question indicated that the French route is the most social of all, and it is easy to understand why. It is the busiest route, with hostels full of pilgrims night after night, more opportunities to meet people from everywhere, and a kind of Camino family that keeps meeting stage after stage. “On the French Way you never walk alone, unless you want to,” they often say. Other routes can also have a good atmosphere (some mentioned the Portuguese or the English Way as quite social in their experience), but nothing compares to the cosmopolitan buzz of the French Way in high season. For those looking to make friends on the Camino, the French route seems the safest bet.

In your opinion, which of the routes you know is the most social?

An adventure that almost everyone recommends

After learning about the profile, motives and experiences, it was worth asking: would these pilgrims recommend the Camino de Santiago to others? More specifically, do they consider it a transformative experience they would encourage others to live? The answer was a resounding yes. The survey asked participants to rate from 1 to 5 how likely they would recommend the Camino as a life-changing experience (1 meant “not at all” and 5 “definitely”). Well, about 9 out of 10 people (88%) gave a high score of 4 or 5, and in fact 80% chose 5, the maximum. That is, the vast majority would definitely recommend the Camino de Santiago to others for its transformative potential.

Would you recommend the Camino to others as a transformative experience?
1 (“Not at all”) to 5 (“Definitely”)

This unanimity speaks for itself. The Camino strikes deep in those who complete it, to the point that it becomes natural to invite others to try it. Many pilgrims become enthusiastic ambassadors of the route: they share their experiences, encourage friends, family or even strangers to live it themselves. “Yes, do it, you won’t regret it” is the phrase that sums up that feeling. And they don’t just recommend it verbally: remember that a significant percentage repeat the pilgrimage multiple times. Those who have experienced the Camino usually want others to experience it too, which partly explains the continuous growth in the number of pilgrims year after year. And many, when trying to explain what the Camino de Santiago is, reply that “you have to do it; it can’t be explained in words”.

What about that small minority who wouldn’t recommend it? Only about 5% gave low ratings (1 or 2 out of 5). Reviewing their comments, in many cases the reasons were not the Camino itself but personal circumstances or unmet expectations. Some mentioned organisational problems, others that “not everyone will find transformation; it depends on what you’re looking for”. Indeed, the Camino doesn’t perform automatic miracles: each person gets out of it according to their attitude. However, these cases are exceptional compared to the general consensus.

In the end, the numbers confirm something felt in the pilgrim atmosphere: the Camino de Santiago is a source of positive experiences for the vast majority. Transformative or not, religious or not, tough or relaxing… everyone experiences it in their own way, but almost all end up happy and grateful for what they lived.

The Camino begins when the Camino ends

At the end of the Camino: indelible footprints

“At the end of the road, one keeps in the heart what has been lived.” This phrase, which could be carved in wood in some hostel, sums up what so many pilgrims expressed in the survey. The Camino de Santiago leaves a mark. Every blister, every mountain sunrise, every after-dinner conversation, every arrival in a village with the church bells ringing… are experiences that transform people in subtle but profound ways.

The data collected paint a clear picture: people set out on the Camino driven by very human longings – adventure, disconnection, challenge, faith – and almost all return with those expectations met and exceeded. The Camino is landscape and “paisanaje”: it gives you the beauty of nature and the richness of people. It is exercise for the body and rest for the mind. It is challenge and at the same time therapy. That’s why so many recommend it enthusiastically, and why so many repeat the pilgrimage seeking to relive that magic.

In colloquial terms, a pilgrim could sum it up like this: “you come looking for a path and you find much more”. The figures from our survey back up that statement amply. Almost everyone found much more than a trip: they found friendship, they found peace, they found themselves. And it’s that word of mouth, that chain of positive experiences, that keeps the Jacobean spirit alive century after century.

Buen Camino and Good Life

So, if you haven’t yet done the Camino de Santiago, the voices of these thousands of pilgrims will tell you to consider it, and we invite you to do it at least once in your life. It doesn’t matter how old you are, whether you’re a believer or an adventurer, or how many kilometres you’re willing to walk. The Camino offers something for everyone. And if you’ve already done it, you surely understand what these lines are talking about – you’re probably nodding, recalling your own unforgettable experience. As the old saying goes, “the Camino is made by walking,” and thousands confirm that walking is worth it. Santiago awaits you with open arms, but what truly matters is everything that happens before reaching the goal. ¡Buen Camino!