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The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Spain Pilgrimages

Barcelona, Montserrat and the Shrines of Spain

Nine days across Spain, from Barcelona and the Black Madonna of Montserrat to Zaragoza, Madrid and Toledo, ending at 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

Nine stops across Spain

Barcelona, Manresa, Montserrat, Zaragoza, Madrid, Toledo, Astorga, O Cebreiro and Santiago de Compostela, by motorcoach, coast to coast across the peninsula.

Itinerary · EU_ES-9D-01

Our Standard Spain Pilgrimage

This is the route we most often run for groups in Spain. 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 – 4

Barcelona and Montserrat

The monastery of Montserrat beneath the rock pinnacles of the Catalan massif
The monastery of Montserrat
Day 1

Departure from the USA

Our pilgrimage begins with an overnight transatlantic flight to Barcelona, the first of nine days that will carry us across Spain to the tomb of St. James. Dinner and breakfast are served in flight.
Day 2

Arrival in Barcelona

Our Canterbury tour manager meets us on arrival and remains with us throughout the pilgrimage. We transfer to our hotel, then gather in the evening for a welcome dinner.Overnight in Barcelona.
Day 3

Barcelona, Manresa and Montserrat

A morning tour of Barcelona takes in Montjuïc, Plaça de Catalunya and a walk through the Gothic Quarter to the cathedral, then Gaudí’s Sagrada Família. In the afternoon we drive to Manresa for Mass at the Holy Cave, where St. Ignatius lived in prayer and penance, and continue up to Montserrat.Overnight in Montserrat.
Day 4

Montserrat

We visit the sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat and celebrate Mass at the basilica before the venerated Black Madonna, which tradition holds was carved by St. Luke and hidden in the mountains until shepherds rediscovered it in the ninth century. The rest of the day is free on the mountain.Overnight in Montserrat.
Day 5 – 6

Zaragoza, Madrid and Toledo

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar on the river at Zaragoza
The Basilica del Pilar, Zaragoza
Day 5

Zaragoza and Madrid

We drive to Zaragoza for Mass at the Basilica del Pilar, raised where tradition holds Our Lady appeared to St. James as he preached in Spain, then visit La Seo cathedral and walk the old city. We continue to Madrid in the evening.Overnight in Madrid.
Day 6

Madrid and Toledo

A morning tour of Madrid takes in the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor. We continue to Toledo, the city of three cultures, for Mass at the cathedral of the Primate of Spain, then walk its lanes past Santo Tomé, the synagogue of Santa María la Blanca and San Juan de los Reyes.Overnight in Madrid.
Day 7 – 9

Across Galicia to Santiago

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

Astorga, O Cebreiro and Santiago de Compostela

We cross Castile toward Galicia, stopping at Astorga to see Gaudí’s Bishop’s Palace and the Museum of the Ways of St. James. At O Cebreiro, a mountain village of thatched pallozas, we celebrate Mass at the site of the Eucharistic Miracle of 1300. We continue into Santiago de Compostela.Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 8

Santiago de Compostela

We walk a stretch of the Camino through eucalyptus groves into the city, then attend the International Pilgrim Mass. In the afternoon we tour the cathedral, embracing the statue of St. James and descending to the crypt to venerate his relics, and see Obradoiro Square and the Gelmírez Palace. A farewell dinner closes the day.Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 9

Return Home

We transfer to Santiago Airport for our return flight home, with hearts renewed by the grace of pilgrimage and the intercession of St. James the Apostle and Our Lady of the Pillar.

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
Santiago de Compostela, the cathedral above Obradoiro Square
Santiago de CompostelaThe cathedral above Obradoiro Square, at the end of every road to 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
Gaudi's Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
The Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
The Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace in Madrid
The Almudena Cathedral, Madrid
Toledo above the Tagus, the cathedral spire rising over the old city
Toledo above the Tagus
Pilgrims walking a village street on the Camino de Santiago
On the Camino de Santiago
Balconied houses along a street in Sarria, Galicia
Sarria, Galicia
The towers of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela above the old city
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 travel to Spain?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for this route. April through June and September through October bring mild days in Castile and Galicia without the heat that settles over central Spain in July and August. Galicia is green because it rains, so a light rain jacket is worth packing in any season.

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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