Organize the Camino de Santiago

First of all, you have to decide how many days you want to use to do the Camino de Santiago and if you want to finish in Santiago de Compostela or not. Based on these premises, we will be able to tell you which is the route that best suits your request, as there are multiple routes on the Camino de Santiago.

To organize the Camino de Santiago Camino without having much time, we would advise you, in principle, to do the Camino de Santiago from Sarria (French Way) that we mentioned at the beginning, or the Portuguese Way from Tui, since they are the routes that present more infrastructure of all kinds and from where more pilgrims start their organized trip to the Camino de Santiago.

Likewise, to make this decision, you must take into account, how many kilometers, approximately, you want to walk per stage; As a general rule, the stages have an average distance of 20/25 Kms, but you can determine at any time how many Kms you want to travel each day.

We are facing a more important decision than it seems. Keep in mind that doing the Camino does not mean a “typical vacation”, since you will have to walk for an average of 5-6 hours each day and for several days, with the corresponding fatigue and possible physical inconveniences that may occur. We must take into consideration why I am doing the Camino and if the people with whom I am going to do it have the same attitude and thinking about it.

In the case of organizing the Camino de Santiago Camino in a group, it is very important that each person adopt their own pace of walking, otherwise injuries may occur, if you go at a pace higher than the one you can normally carry.

Even if you start the Camino alone, you will never feel alone, because in all the stages, you will find many people who do the same route and stages as you, being the most common that you will find, if you wish, fellow pilgrims, with whom to establish anecdotes and company.

If you decide to start the Camino alone, you should not have any worries, because the Camino is totally safe. We attach the following link to expand the information and advice if you start the road alone.

We can organize the Camino de Santiago at any time of the year, everything will depend on the availability and free time that each person has. However, if we take into account the weather, a fundamental aspect when it comes to an activity of a certain duration and carried out outdoors, we can affirm that, in principle, spring until mid-autumn (May to October), would be the best months to make our route to the Camino.

If we refine this statement even more, the months of July and August are usually the hottest of the year, although this is in theory, especially when lately, due to "climate change", there is so much uncertainty regarding the weather and many times not the weather stations in which we are are identified very well.

For people who want to plan the Camino in winter (months from November to February), they must take into account the weather, the temperature is colder and we have fewer hours of light, as well as that the rains will be more common and, in areas such as the Pyrenees and in areas of the mountain of Lugo and León in the French Way, we will have to take into account the probability of snowfall. They should also bear in mind that in winter many small towns, through which the Camino runs, lack both accommodation and restaurant services.

Very important to organize the Camino de Santiago is to know that all the routes of the Camino have a wide infrastructure of accommodation of all kinds: public hostels, private hostels, tourist apartments, rural houses, hostels, hotels of different categories, pensions, Pazos and National Paradores.

Depending on your own interest, you can choose one or the other. As a general rule, in public hostels you cannot reserve them in advance. Yes, you can book, in advance, in the other accommodations indicated.

You should know that the vast majority of hostels, whether public or private, do not have rooms or private bathrooms, so you must share them with other pilgrims and the beds are usually bunk beds, although in some of the private hostels, they have some rooms. and private bathrooms.

To do the Camino de Santiago we dare to give certain tips before starting the stages of the way, the fruit of our own experience and that of many other pilgrims, who can help you previously organize the Camino de Santiago:

• Have a good breakfast. The breakfasts offered by our partner accommodations are generous and healthy, so you will not lack strength.

• Before starting to walk is it is recommended to apply petroleum jelly on the feet or moisturizers and not leave wrinkles in the socks to avoid the appearance of blisters.

• conduct a muscle warmingr about 5 minutes before starting the walk. Remind you that a minimum physical training It is recommended before undertaking any of the routes of the Camino.

• Apply sunscreen If it's a very sunny day. The use of a cap is also recommended.

• Bring a small plastic bottle for the water (500 ml) and fill it up on the way. There is a source of drinking water en route; or you can buy water in any of the villages / towns through which the Camino runs.

• Drink water even without thirst. Hydration is essential, and not only in summer. Our body is going to demand more liquid than solid food.

• Don't make big stops; 10-15 minutes maximum.

• Not eat copiously until the end of the stage. Nuts, fruit or energy bars are advised. It is not advisable to eat too much since it will cost us more to continue the march if we are very heavy.

• Start walking soon, first hours of the morning, to have finished before the hottest hours in summer time. From 8 am it is a good time, since according to the time of the year the light is scarce, and it is not recommended to walk without much light, since you will not be able to see the signs well.

• To have used, previously, the material that we are going to take to the road, especially the boots or slippers. This is one of the fundamental tips, since brand new shoes on the road can lead to injuries, blisters or chafing that can make it difficult for us every day.

• You have to maintain a proper posture, walk upright Looking straight ahead or to the road.

• Use cane, or refrain. It is not essential in flat stages, it helps especially in the ascents or descents to seek greater balance.

• Take your own pace, not that of others. The Camino is not a competition, and the important thing is to enjoy the landscapes and other pilgrims we meet. We must not force ourselves, and keep a constant rhythm.

• At the end of the stage we must not forget the take care of our feet. We recommend leaving your feet up without socks and applying foot cream or rosemary alcohol to relieve them.

Every day is different on the Camino, well motivated by your physical or mental state. Try to savor what the route offers you, the silences, the songs of the birds, the running of the water of the small streams and the views of the varied landscapes that will cross your path.

Take it easy, at your own pace, stop to visit that small Church or take that photograph that you will take with you as a souvenir and above all without rushing, because you will have time for everything because, perhaps, the most important thing on your Way will be the experiences you get. , while you do it.

The Camino, in any of its routes, is perfectly marked by a multitude of signs of all kinds, so you should not have any fear of "getting lost".

The road is perfectly signposted using yellow arrows, scallops, kilometer posts, crossroads, highways ...

You will pass through urban centers with all the necessary services (health centers, banks, restaurants, pharmacies, etc). Thanks to these signs and the large number of pilgrims who make the Camino de Santiago every year it is very difficult to get off the enabled trails. To date none of our pilgrims have been confused en route!

The essence and the reason for being of the Camino are the people who do it and with whom you will meet on numerous occasions, either when starting the route, when stopping at a bar, at a monument, when you arrive at the accommodation, at the end of each stage or in Santiago.

El Camino offers you the possibility of, if you wish, to be able to talk for a minute, a greeting of "GOOD WAY" or " ULTREIA AND SUSEIA”As pilgrims greeted each other in times past, or to make, very often, a lifelong friendship. Remember that, perhaps, it is the only place where, along a single path, you will meet people from all over the world with the same purpose.

Do not miss this opportunity that is offered to us, because the experience of each of these people will enrich you personally, with all security, since the Camino does not understand social classes, races, cultures and languages, equaling all those who do it. , each one with a story to share and, most likely, with hopes and dreams very similar to yours.

Know our recommendations of manual to be a good pilgrimDo not be just another tourist, respect what surrounds you and who surrounds you. Together we are stronger!

VISIT THE CATHEDRAL OF SANTIAGO, THE COVERS AND COLLECT THE COMPOSTELA

At the end of the last stage of your Camino de Santiago you will end up in the Plaza del Obradoiro and its spectacular Cathedral of Santiago. Take some time to assimilate and discover sensations.

When organizing the Camino de Santiago, it would be interesting to reserve an appointment for the Guided visits to the Cathedral of Santiago and the roofs, especially if the route is Jacobean 2021.

Pilgrims who want to visit the Cathedral museum should go to the Visitor Reception Center. (Crypt of Porch of Glory. Obradoiro Square)

* Schedule of visits to the Cathedral of Santiago

Daily opening From April to October: 9:00 am - 20:00 pm

Daily opening From November to March: 10:00 am to 20:00 pm

- On December 24 and 31: 10:00 am to 15:00 pm.

–Closed on January 1 and 6, July 25 and December 25.

If you wish you can do the following *Guided visits:

• Permanent collection General admission: € 6. Reduced: € 4
• Permanent Collection + Portico de la Gloria. General admission: € 10. Reduced: € 8
• Archaeological excavations. General admission: € 10. Reduced: € 8
• Covers of the Cathedral. General admission: € 12. Reduced: € 10
• Permanent collection + Covers. General admission: € 15. Reduced: € 12
• Tribune of the Cathedral. General admission: € 10. Reduced: € 8

* They will have reduced admission: pilgrims, unemployed, over 65 and duly accredited students.

* Schedules of the guided tour to the decks

Morning hours: 10 am to 13 pm. The visit is made every hour.

Afternoon hours: 16 pm to 19 pm *. The visit takes place every hour.

* From October 20 to March 31: the 18 pm and 19 pm visit is suppressed

  Prices of the visits

• General admission: 12 euros
• Reduced ticket *: 10 euros
• Free **: under 12 years old

* They will have reduced admission: pilgrims, unemployed, over 65 and students. The group to which it belongs must be permanently accredited.

** Free admission for:

- Children under 12 years of age accompanied by adults.

- Priests and members of ICOM.

After making these visits you can go to pick up La Compostela to pilgrim service office.