Camino de Santiago Routes: Which Camino Is Right for You?

May 27
5 min read

Updated: 5 hours ago

If you're trying to choose a Camino de Santiago, it's worth knowing that the routes are very different from each other. Not just in terms of distance and terrain, but in terms of what they actually feel like to walk. The atmosphere, the scenery, the accommodation, the people you meet. It all varies a lot depending on which route you choose.

I've walked all of them. Here's what each one is actually like.

Camino Francés

The Camino Francés is what most people think of when they hear about the Camino de Santiago. It runs 780 kilometres from the French Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela, passing through Basque country, La Rioja wine country, the long flat Meseta, and the green hills of Galicia. Most Australians walk either the last 100 km starting from Sarria or from Astorga or Leon.

The Francés has a stronger sense of community than any other Camino. You're walking alongside fellow pilgrims every day, staying in the same towns, eating at the same tables most nights. Communal pilgrim dinners are a big part of the culture on this route. You sit down with whoever's around, from wherever in the world, share a meal, and more often than not leave with new friends. Solo travellers in particular often say it's the thing they remember most.

The infrastructure is excellent throughout. Towns are typically 10 to 15 kilometres apart, so you're never far from a cafe, pharmacy, or luggage transfer service. Accommodation ranges from basic municipal albergues through to guesthouses and hotels, so there's something for most budgets and comfort levels. Booking ahead in peak season is wise.

Expect daily distances of around 20 to 25 kilometres, with real elevation at the Pyrenees crossing and again in Galicia. Manageable for a fit first-timer, but worth putting in some training before you go.

A colourful riverside village along the Camino Francés, with traditional Basque-style buildings lining a calm river beneath a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Portuguese Coastal Camino

The Portuguese Coastal Camino starts in Porto and follows the Atlantic north through Portugal and into Galicia, finishing in Santiago. Around 280 kilometres, typically done in 12 to 14 days.

The pace on this route is noticeably more relaxed than the Francés. The trail is quieter, the days feel more spacious, and there's more room to set your own rhythm. You still meet other pilgrims and the Camino atmosphere is there, but it's a quieter and more relaxed experience overall. Couples tend to find it suits them well for exactly that reason.

The scenery is coastal for most of the route, with fishing villages, beach towns, boardwalks and pine forest, before turning inland for the last few days after you cross into Spain. It's also the easiest of the routes in terms of terrain. Mostly flat with manageable daily distances, which makes it a good option if it's your first long-distance walk or you simply want a trip that doesn't require months of preparation.

Accommodation is a mix of guesthouses, small hotels, and private albergues, and the overall standard is generally comfortable. The food is a real highlight too. The seafood in northern Portugal is as good as anywhere in Europe.

A pilgrim walking along the Portuguese Coastal Camino on a wooden boardwalk beside the Atlantic Ocean, with sandy dunes, blue skies, and traditional coastal windmills in the background.

Portuguese Central Route

The Portuguese Central Route starts in Lisbon, though most people walk from Porto, and heads north through the interior of Portugal to Santiago. It's my personal favourite of the Portuguese routes and probably the most underrated Camino overall.

In terms of atmosphere it sits closest to the Francés. There's a really strong community feel, real pilgrim culture, and the accommodation is some of the most charming on any Camino. Small, well-run albergues and guesthouses in historic buildings in towns that see very few tourists. You get the social side of the Camino without the crowds.

The landscape is rural Portugal at its best. Wine country, granite villages, old Roman roads, rolling farmland. Some stretches involve hard surface walking which is worth factoring into your footwear choice, but it's broken up regularly by beautiful open countryside. Services are reliable but more spread out than on the Francés, so a bit more planning is required. Daily distances are similar, around 20 to 25 kilometres.

If you've already walked the Francés or the Coastal and want something with more character and fewer crowds, this is the one.

A traditional stone guesthouse along the Portuguese Central Route, surrounded by green gardens and rural countryside beneath a clear blue sky.

Camino del Norte

The Camino del Norte runs 820 kilometres from San Sebastián along Spain's northern coastline to Santiago. It's the longest, hardest, and least serviced of the routes.

The scenery is the best of any Camino I've walked. Clifftops, wild beaches, Basque fishing villages, the hills of Cantabria and Asturias. On a good day it's a spectacular walk.

There's significantly more elevation change than on any of the other routes, longer gaps between towns, and noticeably thinner infrastructure than you'll find on the Francés, the Coastal, or the Central. On certain stretches you'll cover several hours between services and accommodation options are limited in places, so careful planning matters more here than on any other route.

This isn't the right first Camino for most people. If you're a seasoned walker who's ready for a serious challenge, it's worth every hard day.

A sweeping coastal view along northern Spain on the Camino del Norte, with a crescent-shaped beach, blue ocean, and green mountains stretching into the distance beneath a clear sky.

Via de la Plata

I've also walked the Via de la Plata from Seville. It's a challenging route, not because of the terrain, but because of the lack of services along the way. There are very few pilgrims on this route and towns can be so spread out that you're often forced into long days with no alternative. If you're walking in summer, the heat through the interior of Spain is brutal.

That said, it's a very quiet and scenic walk through a part of Spain most people never see. If you're interested in this route, feel free to get in touch and I'm happy to share more.

A quiet dirt road along the Via de la Plata at sunset, surrounded by open Spanish countryside and scattered oak trees beneath a clear evening sky.

How to choose

If you want community, a well-supported route, and the full traditional Camino experience, walk the Francés.

If you want easier terrain, coastal scenery, and a more relaxed pace, walk the Coastal.

If you want that community feel but quieter trails and a more rural character, walk the Central.

If you're experienced, fit, and want the most challenging and scenic route of the four, walk the Norte.

Not sure which one is right for you? Get in touch and I'll help you figure it out.

Tierra Trekking Co. is an Australian and New Zealand tour company running self-guided Camino experiences. Our routes include the Camino Francés, the Portuguese Coastal Camino, and the Camino del Norte. Get in touch to find the right route and timing for your Camino.

Hi, I’m Ben

I’m Ben, founder of Tierra Trekking Co.

I’ve personally walked Camino routes across Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy, and started Tierra Trekking Co. to help Australians and New Zealanders experience these trails with practical support, thoughtful planning, and honest advice from someone who genuinely knows them.

If you’re unsure which Camino route is right for you, feel free to get in touch.

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