One of the most common questions when thinking about doing the Camino de Santiago is how long it takes and where to start. Given the limited time we have, many of you might wonder if it’s possible to complete any of the Camino routes in a week. Well, we have good news, dear pilgrim: it is possible, and you can also earn the pilgrim certificate, the Compostela.
If you have only a few days, you can still enjoy the pilgrim experience by doing the final stages of the Camino de Santiago. By walking the last 100 km or cycling the last 200 km on any of the Camino routes, you will have a unique experience. There are many routes to choose from, and in this post, we want to recommend the five best Camino routes to complete in a week. Want to know which ones? Keep reading, and we’ll answer your questions about how to do the Camino de Santiago in a week.
Doing the Camino de Santiago in one week is possible
French Way from Sarria
In the town of Sarria, you start the last 100 km of the French Way, the most popular route among pilgrims. Divided into 5 or 6 stages, the French Way from Sarria in one week means walking an average of 20 to 25 km per day. Well-marked and with a manageable profile for all ages, this route offers no great difficulties, even if it’s your first time. If you’re wondering which is the best Camino de Santiago for beginners, this is the one.
You will find a wide range of services and accommodations for all budgets. You’ll be surprised by green fields, beautiful forests, fresh rivers, authentic Galician villages, and perhaps even a “gaiteiro” playing bagpipes to cheer your walk. If you’re lucky, you might walk alongside herds of cows at some points. Watch out! You might also encounter a “meiga” or witch, but you will certainly find a great pilgrim atmosphere.
A feeling of freedom will allow introspection, reflection, joy, and a break from your daily routine. You will also visit historical towns like Portomarín and taste Galician delicacies such as the famous Melide octopus or Arzúa cheese. Without a doubt, this is the most beautiful and easiest Camino de Santiago.
The arrival in Portomarín is one of the most beautiful on the French Way from Sarria
Portuguese Way from Tui
In the town of Tui, near the Portuguese border, you can start the last 100 km of the Portuguese Way, the second most popular route. You have five stages ahead of you, averaging 20 to 25 km per day on a route that is not very demanding in terms of terrain. It offers various types of accommodations for all budgets, along with numerous services and a lively pilgrim atmosphere. In this sense, it’s very similar to the French Way from Sarria, with the added advantage of being close to the sea. Who wouldn’t want a dip in one of the Rías Baixas beaches?
Galician cuisine will be one of the main attractions, with highlights including Arcade oysters, Padrón peppers, and the exquisite and fresh Albariño wine. If you’re lucky and walk this part of the Portuguese Way between August and September, you might even join in the grape harvest with the locals. This route is a great option to explore the Galician Rías Baixas, with their coastal landscapes and the heritage of towns like Tui or Pontevedra. Besides the Compostela, you can also get the curious Pedronía in Padrón, the certificate commemorating the arrival of the Apostle’s remains in Galicia.
Tui, with its historic center and Cathedral, is one of the most beautiful towns on the last 100 km of the Portuguese Way
Way to Finisterre and Muxía
The Way to Finisterre and Muxía is an extension of the traditional routes, connecting Santiago de Compostela with Cape Finisterre. This journey is considered the Epilogue of the Camino de Santiago, a way to conclude the spiritual and physical experience of the pilgrimage. Divided into four stages, the Way to Finisterre is about 90 km; if you want more, you can continue to Muxía, adding another 30 km.
Each stage offers a unique experience, combining stunning landscapes, charming villages, and ancient legends. It’s a route accessible to all, well-marked, with some interesting elevations and numerous available services. Like the Portuguese Way, on the Way to Finisterre you can obtain the Finisterrana and the Muxiana, other pilgrim certificates.
The arrival at the Finisterre lighthouse is very emotional
Primitive Way from Lugo
The Primitive Way is considered the oldest and most historic of all routes. It’s a deeply intimate and solitary path that revives the Jacobean spirit of the earliest pilgrimages. This journey allows you to disconnect from the world and immerse yourself in countless silent landscapes, rooted in the deepest rural traditions.
The Primitive Way from Lugo crosses the interior of this province, whose impressive rural beauty will leave no walker indifferent. From the walled city of Lugo to Melide, the Primitive Way joins the French Way, sharing three stages to Santiago de Compostela.
The Primitive Way from Lugo offers bucolic forest landscapes
Camino by bike from Ponferrada
If cycling is your thing, you can also do the Camino de Santiago by bike in a week. We recommend the French Way from Ponferrada, covering 210 km in 4 stages. This is the ideal route for cyclists wanting their first Camino de Santiago experience. You will cover at least double the kilometers per day compared to a walking pilgrim and still earn the Compostela in a week.
On this route, you’ll go from the vineyards of El Bierzo to the legendary climb to O Cebreiro, the border between León and Galicia. Once in Galicia, green hills and valleys will accompany your ride on an easy, well-marked route. With all the necessary accommodation and dining services, in a week you can enjoy cycle tourism and the Jacobean experience at the same time.
Choose your route, fill out your Credential, get your Compostela, and live the pilgrim experience
Can’t find it? We’ll create a custom route for you
Doing the Camino de Santiago in a week is possible, so don’t make excuses. Moreover, if you have a bit more time and want to make the most of it, we can personalize the experience and organize longer routes for you. Enjoying the Camino de Santiago is very easy, and we encourage you to do it in a week—a few days of your life that you will never forget.
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