The Camino de Santiago is an unique experience that attracts thousands of pilgrims each year. If you’re thinking about how to do the Camino de Santiago, here are 10 essential tips to enjoy your journey, which will be an unforgettable experience.
Physical Preparation
Before embarking on the Camino de Santiago, it’s crucial to undergo preliminary training for your body. Keep in mind that you will walk an average of 25 km per day on each stage of the Camino. Our advice is to start with walks and exercise at least a month before, walking about 5 km a day.
Gradually increase the distance. It’s also ideal to get accustomed to different types of terrain: asphalt, dirt roads, forest trails, and mountains.
If you are doing the Camino de Santiago at your own pace, this will help you enjoy the journey more and avoid injuries. The same advice applies to pilgrims considering other ways of doing it, such as cycling the Camino.
Mental Preparation
Doing the Camino de Santiago is also a mental challenge and a way to step out of your comfort zone. Prepare yourself to face long days, weather changes, and accumulating fatigue with each stage. Mental strength will be your best ally in the toughest moments, and if you’re an athlete, you know that it’s all about attitude.
If you think, “I won’t be able to do it, I won’t make it,” it’s most likely that you won’t. On the contrary, if your thoughts are positive, like “come on, it’s almost there, I can do this and more!” Morale and optimism will help you keep going and reach the end.
Consult with an Agency on how to do the Camino de Santiago
If you have doubts about how to do the Camino de Santiago, consult with an agency specialized in the Camino, in other words, those who know best. We are the organized travel agency for the Camino de Santiago that will offer you an easy and comfortable, as well as unforgettable experience. We have made more than 30,000 pilgrims enjoy the journey, and we are at your disposal to provide an experience that will always stay in your memory (and that you’ll repeat!).
When is best to do the Camino de Santiago?
Regarding the question of when to do the Camino de Santiago, the answer is simple: at any time and season of the year. However, the best time for an experience like the Camino de Santiago is between spring and autumn, with mild temperatures and less chance of rain.
Summer is the most popular season since we have holidays, and the weather encourages outdoor activities. It’s true that it’s the time with the most crowded pilgrims and the hottest, although in Galicia, the summer climate is not extreme. Also, how about taking a swim in a river or even at the beach?
And as you can imagine, doing the Camino in winter can be more challenging, but it has a lot of charm and fewer crowds of pilgrims.
What should I bring to the Camino?
When thinking about what to bring on the Camino de Santiago, prioritize comfort and practicality, and consider the chosen time of year. Include suitable clothing for walking, a good pair of boots, a lightweight backpack, personal hygiene items, a first aid kit, and a water bottle.
The Camino provides, and you can always buy what you need in the various villages and towns where you will stay at the end of each day and stage. And if you want to be very well equipped, or if your Camino will be a long one, we can help you with our baggage transport service.
Take care of yourself and rest
It’s important to take care of your health and rest adequately to better face those six or seven hours of walking you’ll do every day. Warm up before and stretch at the end of each stage, stay hydrated constantly, eat balanced meals, and make sure to rest enough each night.
You should carry plenty of water and dried fruits or snacks to eat during the breaks you take during the stage, as they provide a lot of energy. Of course, it will be very important that the meals you have as a full dish after walking are hearty and balanced.
Typical hearty Galician dish of “pulpo á feira” (octopus).
Immerse yourself in the Galician culture
The Camino de Santiago is also a cultural journey, as Goethe said, “Europe was made on the way to Compostela.” Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich Galician culture, enjoy its Galician gastronomy, and participate in local traditions. And, of course, interact with the local population, which always welcomes and receives pilgrims with affection.
Always stamp your pilgrim credential
The Credential is your passport on the Camino, something that identifies you as a pilgrim, and it’s mandatory if you want to stay in public hostels. Make sure to stamp it at least twice in each stage, at the beginning and at the end. You can do this in churches, hostels, bars, shops, restaurants, etc. Once in Santiago de Compostela, you can obtain your Compostela as a diploma of the end of the pilgrimage.
You will get there: set your pace
Remember that doing the Camino de Santiago is not a race. Set your own pace and enjoy every step. Listen to your body and take breaks when needed. Stop, breathe fresh air, listen to nature, take photos, talk to other pilgrims, and leave the rush at home. We advise you to book everything in advance to pilgrimage even more peacefully.
Pilgrims walking at their own pace.
Get your Compostela and think about your next Camino
Once you arrive in Santiago, go for your Compostela as proof of your incredible achievement. We assure you that you will repeat because the joy of reaching Santiago is also a gentle sadness at having to end your adventure. Don’t worry; there are many paths to explore.
Doing the Camino de Santiago is a transformative experience. With these tips, you will be better prepared to enjoy every moment and make your pilgrimage an unforgettable adventure. Buen Camino, and good life!
