What does Compostela mean in the Camino?

The compostela is a certificate of accomplishment given to pilgrims on completing the Way. To earn the compostela one needs to walk a minimum of 100 km or cycle at least 200 km. In practice, for walkers, the closest convenient point to start is Sarria, as it has good bus and rail connections to other places in Spain.



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Generally, most people believe that the Camino del Norte is the most beautiful in terms of landscape. This is because you walk along Northern Spain and at times have the option to walk on a direct coastal path overlooking the ocean.

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Santiago is one of the three important pilgrimage cities of Christianity, alongside Jerusalem and Rome. When European Christians saw that their faith was threatened by the advance of Islam, they asserted it by pilgrimaging to the recently discovered Sepulchre of the Apostle Saint James, in the 9th century.

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1981 Santiago becomes Galicia's capital. 1985 Santiago is declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Catholic Church charges you 20 EUR to see the secret parts of The Cathedral, in particular, the Portico da Gloria or the Rooftop.

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Just like in the medieval era, many pilgrims wear the Scallop Shell around their necks or attached to their back to make it easier to be identified as a pilgrim and provide reassurance that they are still on the right path.

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5 reasons to do the Camino de Santiago
  • Doing the Camino de Santiago for religious reasons. Pay respect at the tomb of Santiago the Apostle. ...
  • Doing the Camino de Santiago for spiritual reasons. ...
  • Doing the Camino de Santiago as a tourist. ...
  • Pilgrimage to share your time. ...
  • Doing the pilgrim route as a sport.


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Public bathrooms are not frequent on the Camino de Santiago. But, cafes, restaurants and bars are frequent, you may find one or two during the day, and these all have bathrooms that customers can use.

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The scallop shell is one of the most iconic symbols of the Camino de Santiago and today it is used, along with the yellow arrow, to guide pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela along its many different routes.

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Accommodations are available on the Camino at a variety of budgets, from affordable dormitory beds to posh 5-star hotels. Pilgrim Albergues are the most convenient and economic choice, but bring your earplugs! Pensiones, Hostales, Casas Rurales and Hotels offer more privacy in a variety of prices ranges.

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