Why the Camino in Family is the Best Option for Your Vacation

Tips for doing the Camino de Santiago with family, with recommendations on suitable stages for children, family accommodations, activities to engage the little ones, and how to adapt the pace of the journey to enjoy the experience safely and fun for all family members.

The weekly routine, with the hectic day-to-day life, work, school, commitments, etc..., sometimes does not allow for much family time. Weekends do provide those moments, but sometimes it is not until family vacations that you can enjoy more time with your loved ones. Escaping to the countryside, enjoying the mountains, refreshing yourself at the beach, or spending vacations with family where you have never been are usually the preferred options. But, did you know there is an option that combines all of that at the same time? Yes, there is, and we are referring to doing the Camino de Santiago as a family.

Doing the Camino as a family is a fantastic experience and a healthy and economical alternative for family vacations.

5 reasons to enjoy the Camino as a family

How long has it been since you made the most of moments with your family? We propose the perfect plan for a vacation, a Jacobean route as a family. There are many answers to why to do the Camino de Santiago, which make this experience a unique one, especially as a family.

A unique and revitalizing gift for your family

Without a doubt, it is an exceptional experience and one of the best gifts we can offer our children and ourselves. Doing the Camino de Santiago as a family is something that, undoubtedly, we will all cherish in our memories and in our hearts. As we mentioned, often the time we dedicate to family is what we have left over. Therefore, this pilgrimage journey as a family can be an extraordinary opportunity to reflect on the fundamental values that sustain our home and to revitalize family unity.

Enjoying nature together

This outdoor adventure has a multitude of benefits for everyone, such as the activity of hiking through wonderful natural and rural landscapes. On the Camino, you will find a haven of peace as you traverse forests, cross fields along paths, and save rivers through beautiful bridges. All the beauty of nature at your disposal, and even for the furry member of the family, who will not be left alone on vacation.

Your children will enjoy the nature surrounding the Camino without dangers.

A way to strengthen bonds

Walking together towards a common goal, such as reaching Santiago de Compostela, brings the family together in a unique way and strengthens family ties. Engaging in deep conversations during the Camino will enhance family relationships, and it will be an opportunity to create unforgettable memories. Sharing this adventure with your loved ones promotes communication and mutual support.

Lots of adventure and discoveries for the little ones

As a family, doing the Camino with your children is the best school you can give them. The element of adventure they will discover on the Camino will be a great incentive for them. In addition to discovering the natural environment and admiring rural wildlife, the little ones will love being guides searching for the yellow arrows. They will also enjoy putting stamps on the pilgrim passport. The "little pilgrims" of the house will have the chance to be more autonomous and will have a great time… guaranteed! Moreover, they will discover new values, such as effort, perseverance, solidarity, and teamwork. You will see how happy they return home with their pilgrim diploma, the Compostela.

Learning on the Camino

The Camino de Santiago is also like a school in motion, with all the history, art, botany, etc… that the journey offers us. In fact, the Camino de Santiago is declared as the First European Cultural Route. Walking or cycling allows us to calmly and peacefully contemplate all the artistic treasures that its towns and cities offer.

The freedom and autonomy that your children can enjoy on the Camino is of great value for their personal development.

Tips for doing the Camino with family

To ensure that your experience on the Camino de Santiago with family is a complete success, we recommend that you follow the following tips.

Which Camino itinerary to choose?

Choose a route suitable for the ages and abilities of all family members. Opt for short and gentle routes if you have small children or less experienced teenagers in hiking. Do the same if the grandparents are accompanying you, as the Camino is highly recommended for older adults.

Thus, to begin your family pilgrimage experience, we recommend the last 100 km of the French Way from Sarria. But if you are already experienced and know this route, you can undertake the last 100 km of the Portuguese Way from Tui. In both cases, the best of Galicia awaits you in stages with a gentle profile and all services.

What is the best time to do the Camino with family?

Spring and autumn are usually the ideal times to do the Camino as a family, as the weather is milder and more pleasant. Summer is perhaps the easiest time to organize, since children have school holidays, but you will need to take care of the heat. Winter is the least advisable time, whether due to scheduling or the cold weather, rain, and limited daylight hours. Another good time, given that many people have holidays, is doing the Camino during Holy Week.

All families should experience the Camino together at least once

Physical preparation and care

It is essential that all family members are in good physical shape before starting the Camino. Regular hiking and training together is the best physical preparation you can and should undertake. Regarding the care and health of your loved ones on the Camino, do not forget to bring the necessary equipment. If you are bringing small children, you may need a supportive hiking stroller in case the little ones get tired. And if you find that you need many things, you can always rely on a luggage transport service.

Avoid surprises: plan and book in advance

Traveling with family, especially with children, is not the same as going on an Interrail trip when you were twenty years old. Make sure to book accommodation in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises at the end of the stages during the Camino. Careful planning will ensure a safer experience, especially if you decide to pilgrimage as a family in summer, the high season of the Camino. For this, we help you organize your route.

Recommendations from family and friends

Talking to family members or other families who have completed the Camino de Santiago can provide you with valuable recommendations and practical advice for the journey. And if there are still no pilgrims in your family, you surely know someone who has done it and will recommend it to you 100%.

As a family, you can do the Camino on foot or even by bike

Experiences of pilgrim families

Some of our pilgrims who have done the Camino as a family have kindly left their testimonials, of which we provide a brief summary here.

• Martín Peña Family: "For two years, I wanted to do the Camino de Santiago with an agency, trusting in their professionalism and experience. Finally, my son and I did it, and I am very happy and proud to see him engage 100%, motivated by the new environment and the new experience. I would definitely do it again. Everything was very well organized, and we only had to worry about walking. This time we did the Portuguese Way, but next time we will do the French Way. Infinite thanks, and we will see each other again."
• Intxaurrondo Márquez Family: "The Camino and all of you have transmitted valuable values to us, redundancy intended, that we often overlook in our daily routine. We are a large family, including a dog, and we did the French Way from Sarria. With your organization, you made it very easy for us, and thanks to it, we were able to create an environment that highlights the magic of the Camino, kindness, humanity, camaraderie, and the willingness to help. These values will always be in my heart. Thank you for making it possible. A hug."
• García Duarte Family: "We did the Finisterre Way as a group. My husband, my two children aged 9 and 5, the paternal grandparents, and I traveled together. My daughter, the youngest, completed the stages without wanting to be carried in the cart. A tribal atmosphere was created where we all encouraged each other. My son, despite feeling unwell, preferred to walk instead of using the support van. This experience was incredible for the children, who now want to return. We are very grateful for the work of the monitors, whose dedication and joy made our vacation unforgettable. I recommend this adventure to other parents."

A Jacobean experience for all families

In summary, walking the Camino de Santiago as a family is an experience that will enrich your family bonds. Whether with children or adult family members, it is an absolutely unifying and transformative experience for everyone. Join the community of family pilgrims and start your journey today!