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Pilgrims walking a village street on the Camino de Santiago

Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage

The Camino Francés on Foot

Eleven days walking the final stage of the Camino Francés, 89 miles on foot from Sarria across Galicia to the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela.

Departures

Current Tours to Spain

Upcoming departures to Spain. Each group has its own host, dates, and itinerary. The route below is our standard.

All current pilgrimages
The Route

Eleven stops from Madrid to Santiago

By motorcoach from Madrid to Foncebadón and O Cebreiro, then on foot from Sarria through Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Melide, Arzúa, Arca de O Pino and Monte do Gozo into Santiago de Compostela.

Itinerary · EU_ES-11D-03

The Camino de Santiago Itinerary

Eight days of walking totalling 89 miles, with several stages of 14 miles and more, one rest day at Arzúa, and Mass at Monte do Gozo before the final descent into Santiago. Your group travels on its own dates, and the itinerary can be adjusted to fit the time you have and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Day 1 – 3

To the Camino

The Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace in Madrid
The Almudena Cathedral, Madrid
Day 1

Departure from the USA

Our pilgrimage begins with an overnight transatlantic flight to Madrid, the last day of the journey we will not make on foot. Dinner and breakfast are served in flight, and we rest before the walking begins.
Day 2

Arrival in Madrid

Our local tour escort meets us in the arrivals hall and accompanies us by motorcoach to our hotel. We gather in the evening for a welcome dinner before the walking begins.Overnight in Madrid.
Day 3

Foncebadón, O Cebreiro and Sarria

We transfer to Foncebadón, a pilgrim halt since the eleventh century, and set out on foot to the Iron Cross, where pilgrims leave a stone at its base for a burden set down. We walk again at O Cebreiro, the first village of Galicia at 1,300 metres and the site of a Eucharistic Miracle of about 1300, then continue by coach to Sarria.Walking about 2.8 miles. Overnight in Sarria.
Day 4 – 6

Sarria to Arzúa

Balconied houses along a street in Sarria, Galicia
Sarria, Galicia
Day 4

Sarria to Portomarín

Our walk along the Camino begins in earnest, following the ancient road to Portomarín, a town of Roman origin and an important stop through the Middle Ages. Its old quarter lies beneath the Miño, flooded by a dam in 1962; the Church of St. John of Jerusalem was moved stone by stone to higher ground before the waters rose.Walking about 15 miles. Overnight in Portomarín.
Day 5

Portomarín to Palas de Rei

We walk through woodland to Palas de Rei, a town of consequence in the Middle Ages with a royal hospital and the Church of St. Tirso. The way passes fields, forests and granaries, and the cruceiros, the wayside stone crosses carved with Christ and the Virgin that mark the Galician countryside.Walking about 16 miles. Overnight in Palas de Rei.
Day 6

Palas de Rei to Arzúa

We stop at Melide, where the Camino Francés meets the Camino Primitivo and the old streets date to the fourteenth century. After lunch we leave the province of Lugo for A Coruña, crossing the medieval bridge over the Iso at Ribadiso before the last stretch into Arzúa.Walking about 18 miles, the longest stage. Overnight in Arzúa.
Day 7 – 9

The final stages

A waymarked path through the Galician countryside near Samos
The way through Galicia
Day 7

Arzúa

A rest day before the final stages. We celebrate Mass in the morning, and the day is otherwise free for recovery and for reflection on the road walked so far.Overnight in Arzúa.
Day 8

Arzúa to Arca de O Pino

We walk through eucalyptus groves to Arca de O Pino, the last sizeable town before Santiago, stopping for a picnic lunch on the way. The anticipation along the road is unmistakable now, every pilgrim drawing closer to the city under the guidance of St. James.Walking about 14 miles. Overnight in Arca de O Pino.
Day 9

Arca de O Pino to Santiago de Compostela

We pause for Mass at Monte do Gozo, the hill from which the cathedral spires first come into view, then complete the walk and arrive at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to offer thanksgiving for safe passage. The rest of the day is free in the Galician capital.Walking about 10 miles, the final stage. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 10 – 11

Santiago de Compostela

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Day 10

Santiago de Compostela

We tour the cathedral, granite and layered through Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque, and attend Mass. Following the pilgrims before us we embrace the statue of St. James and descend to the crypt to venerate his relics. The afternoon takes in Obradoiro Square, the Fonseca Palace and the Gelmírez Palace, and we close with a final dinner together.Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 11

Return Home

We transfer to Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña or Porto airport for our return flight home, with hearts renewed by the grace of the Camino and the intercession of St. James the Apostle.

Why leaders choose Canterbury

“Canterbury treats you like family! They handle everything, from creating exciting itineraries to managing calls, registrations, and payments.”

Patrick MadridPatrick Madrid
Catholic Speaker, Author & Host of The Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio®
Full-screen photograph
The Camino Francés, the waymarked path across Galicia
The Camino FrancésThe waymarked path across Galicia, walked for the last eighty-nine miles into Santiago.
Dates

Your group travels on its own dates.

Tell us the window you have in mind and we will build the itinerary around it: the time you have, and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Your pilgrimage includes

Tour Package Includes

These inclusions can be easily tailored to the individual needs of your group

  • Daily Mass at the churches we visit
  • Round-trip group airfare
  • Airport transfers on arrival & departure
  • 4-Star hotel accommodations
  • Private motorcoach transportation
  • Breakfast & dinner served daily
  • Wine served with some dinners
  • Dedicated tour manager
  • Licensed guiding & admission fees
  • Porterage service at hotels
  • Whisper headsets when touring
  • Tips for hotel & restaurant staff
  • 9 – 5 PM (EST) reservation support
  • 24/7 travel emergency support
  • Canterbury Mobile App
For the group leader

What you get as the group leader

You travel free.

Every group earns complimentary places. The more pilgrims you bring, the more you earn. How complimentary places work

No financial risk.

If the group does not fill, deposits are returned. You owe nothing and neither do your pilgrims. What happens if a group does not fill

We produce the promotional materials.

Flyers, a registration page, and what you need to invite your people. Our guide to promoting a pilgrimage

We handle your pilgrims.

Registrations, rooming lists, payment plans and the phone calls. How leading a pilgrimage works

In your pocket

The Canterbury Mobile App

Every pilgrim in your group gets the app. Their itinerary, hotels and flights, the prayers of the day and a way to reach one another, all in one place and kept current as the pilgrimage unfolds.

  • Group chat

    Your whole group in one thread, so a change of plan reaches everyone at once.

  • Their itinerary

    The full day-by-day schedule, always current, in every pilgrim’s pocket.

  • Hotels

    Where the group is staying each night, with addresses and dates.

  • Flights

    Flight details kept alongside everything else, not in a separate email.

  • Daily prayers

    The prayers of the day, including the Liturgy of the Hours.

  • Shrine passport

    A keepsake record of the shrines your group visits along the way.

  • Live updates

    Times and meeting points pushed to everyone the moment they change.

Photographs
The Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace in Madrid
The Almudena Cathedral, Madrid
Balconied houses along a street in Sarria, Galicia
Sarria, Galicia
A waymarked path through the Galician countryside near Samos
The way through Galicia
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Photograph
Monte do Gozo
Photograph
Obradoiro Square, Santiago de Compostela

What group leaders say

“They’re big enough to handle any problem that arises, and small enough to craft truly unique experiences.”

Chris StefanickChris Stefanick
Founder & President of Real Life Catholic
Before you ask

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to walk the Camino de Santiago?

May, June and September are the strongest months. Days are long, the Galician heat is manageable and the path is busy without being crowded. July and August bring the heaviest foot traffic of the year, and winter walking is possible but wet and cold, with too little daylight for stages of fifteen miles.

How physically demanding is this pilgrimage?

Moderate. Most days involve two to four hours on your feet, with walking on uneven ground, ancient stone, and steps at archaeological sites. Pilgrims who can manage a full day of sightseeing at their own pace do well. If anyone in your group has mobility limitations, tell us early and we will adapt the days around them. What activity level means.

What is generally not included?

Travel insurance, lunches, drinks beyond those served with included meals, personal expenses, and gratuities for your tour manager and driver. Any of these can be built into your package on request, so tell us what you would like covered and we will arrange it. Passports and visa fees are the one exception and remain the responsibility of each pilgrim.

Do I need a passport or visa for Spain?

A US passport valid for at least three months beyond your return date is required, with blank pages for entry stamps. No visa is needed for a stay under 90 days. Entry requirements for US travellers to the Schengen area are changing, so we confirm what applies to your departure with your group before you travel.

Can our priest celebrate Mass at the churches?

Yes. Daily Mass is built into the itinerary, and we arrange times and locations in advance with each church. Your priest should travel with a celebret or letter of good standing from his bishop or superior. We handle the scheduling.

How many pilgrims do you need for a group?

Most of our groups are between 20 and 50 pilgrims, and we can arrange smaller tours as well. We have also organized pilgrimages for groups as large as 2,500, so whatever size your group turns out to be, we can build for it. Minimum group size for a group flight.

Enquire

Interested in Leading a Pilgrimage to Spain?

A pilgrimage consultant replies within one business day. No deposit or commitment.

    Your Information

    Your Group

    First time? You are in good company. Many of our group leaders start right here, and we guide you through every step.

    Where You Would Like to Go

    Destinations of interest (check all that apply)

    These are some of our most popular destinations, but we build CUSTOM ITINERARIES anywhere in the world. If you do not see your destination, tell us below.

    Italy, Rome and AssisiFrance, Lourdes and ParisPortugal and FátimaSpain and the Camino de SantiagoPortugal, Spain and France togetherGreece and TurkeyThe Holy LandEgypt and Mount SinaiPoland, Prague and Central EuropeMedjugorje and the BalkansIreland and the United KingdomMexico and Our Lady of GuadalupeArgentinaPeruJapan, Nagasaki and AkitaUnited States and Canada shrinesA pilgrimage cruiseSomewhere else, or not sure yet

    When

    Group Size and Budget

    Complimentary places are arranged based on the size of your group. Let us know how many you expect so we can request them from our suppliers from the start.

    A Few Last Details

    Would you like sample itineraries emailed to you?

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