Best Time to Walk the Camino de Santiago: All Four Seasons Explained
What’s the best time to walk the Camino de Santiago?
Several summers ago, I walked the Camino de Santiago. I walked in the summer heat because I had the summers off from work. In planning my next Camino, I’ve done extensive research on ideal times to complete the trek.
In this article, I’m going to give you an overview of the best time to walk the Camino as well as let you know which months to avoid!
Because it’s not as simple as picking a date. Weather, holidays, events, and route location all dictate day-to-day conditions on the trail.
Read on to learn the best time to go on the Camino de Santiago.
When’s the Best Time to Walk the Camino de Santiago?
In general, the best time to go on the Camino is in the late spring or early fall.
This is the perfect time when it comes to Camino weather—the temperature is not too hot and not too cold. Plus, it’s outside the high season.
Specifically, May, June, September, and October are the best months to walk the Camino.
The peak season on the Camino is July and August. You can expect hostels to be near-full. You’ll also encounter noisy group tours. This is especially true as you get closer to Santiago.
Walk a winter Camino if you prefer to avoid the crowds completely. However, not all albergues are open. Besides, winter can be quite frigid! Brrr! It’s best to avoid visiting during this time if possible. Yet, it’s doable if you come from a cold-weather climate and are used to being outside.
Best Time of Year to Walk the Camino: Season-by-Season
Still not sure when you want to go to Camino? Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect each season so you can plan your Camino!
Camino de Santiago in Spring (March, April, May)
Temperature (depending on route): 48°F ( 9°C) – 70°F (21°C)
Highlights: Calm before the storm | Mild weather | Spring blooms | Albergues re-opening
Holidays/Festivals: Rayo Milagroso | Holy Week & Easter | Carnival
Spring is a lovely time to do the Camino. This is thanks to the mild weather and spring blooms. You won’t want to miss the spring poppies on the Camino Frances, for example.
Albergues will begin to re-open after a winter break in mid-March.
At this time, some of the mountain passes along the Camino Frances may not have completely thawed out. (Camino volunteers and albergue owners will advise you of alternate routes, if necessary.)
The weather on the Camino in spring is typically cool to mild. Most people love this since you can walk without getting too hot or needing to bundle up.
There are a few drawbacks to walking the Camino in the spring. First, April can be quite rainy in northern Spain. Also, evenings can be cold. You’ll need to carry rain gear, a lightweight sleeping bag, and warm-weather clothes.
Things start to pick up again in Camino by May.
By this time, albergues, cafes, and other pilgrim infrastructure are open on most routes (Camino de Norte is open by June). The weather becomes warmer and there are more dry days. It’s also not nearly as crowded as peak season.
May is one of the best times to do the Camino, in our opinion!
As for holidays and festivals, Easter typically falls in March or April. Thus, many albergues will open for Holy Week.
Keep your ears open as to whether you should book ahead during Holy Week or Easter weekend on shorter routes like Sarria-Santiago. Though, this may only be a problem during a Holy Year as the trail sees an influx of visitors.
Another noteworthy event on the Camino Frances in March is the Rayo Milagroso festival. At just the right time and angle, a ray of sunshine hits the church in San Juan de Ortega. It’s an incredible phenomenon not to miss!
All-in-all, spring is a good time to hike the Camino. There are fewer crowds, blooming plants, open accommodation, and religious holidays. Best of all, finish your Camino before the heat sets in.
Camino de Santiago in Summer (June, July, August)
Temperature (depending on route): 54°F (12°C) – 82°F (28°C)
Highlights: Perfect for Sun-lovers | Start of peak season | Most Crowded 2 Months
Holidays/Festivals: St. James Day
Camino season is in full swing once June rolls around.
Although June sees its fair share of pilgrims, it’s the last chance to enjoy the Camino before the real heat and crowds set in—if that’s what you’re looking for.
The weather in June overall tends to be favorable with clearer skies and warm weather.
July and August usher in the height of the Camino season according to official statistics! During these months, the Camino is lively and full of activity. Pilgrims fly in from all over the world to take advantage of summer break.
Summer is an excellent time to make friendships if you’re social.
Expect the Camino to be hot with lots of sunshine (on most routes). It’s perfect for sun-lovers!
An advantage of walking the Camino in the summer months is that you carry less gear. A sleep sack, lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing, and sun protection are key. Plus, clothing dries quickly on the clothesline, and you don’t have to use a hair dryer.
Yet, don’t forget to stay hydrated, take rest breaks, and avoid walking during the heat of the day.
As for crowds, demand for hostels goes up. It’s a good idea to book in advance by 1-2 days as you approach Santiago de Compostela. The city is also crowded on St. James Day (July 25).
No matter which day you arrive, book ahead in Santiago de Compostela. (Find the top hotels and best hostels.)
Although the summer can be crowded and sticky, I really enjoyed walking in the heat. I also loved the buzz on the Camino Frances in June and July. I recommend it!
Camino de Santiago in Fall (September, October, November)
Temperature (depending on route): 41°F (5°C) – 63°F (17°C)
Highlights: Temperature drops | Students are back in school | Last month to start before the season ends | Mild weather
Holidays/Festivals: Magosto | All Saints’ Day
Fall is a good time to go to enjoy decent weather and the changing of the seasons.
Certainly, watching the leaves turn is a feast for the eyes! I’ve heard many pilgrims say fall is their favorite time of year to do the Camino.
Pilgrim crowds start to thin out in late September/early October as well.
One downfall to a fall Camino is the variable temperature. Rain, and possibly even frost, are factors to consider.
Another common complaint by pilgrims is the need to take gear that you won’t use daily. For example, you need to carry a jacket, sleeping bag, and rain gear that you might not need until the weather changes.
By early November, most albergues will close. Temperatures will also begin to drop considerably. Therefore, if you want to do a fall Camino, consider heading home by the beginning of November.
Galicia is full of festive holidays in the fall.
Check out the Magosto festival, where you can eat all the roasted chestnuts your heart desires! Halloween in Spain is also fun, with Galicia at the forefront of spooky traditions!
Spain also celebrates All Saints’ Day on November 1st. If you’re in Santiago, visit the Boisaca Cemetary. It will be decorated with flowers and is a sight you won’t want to miss!
Camino de Santiago in Winter (December, January, February)
Average Temperature (depending on route): 37°F (3°C) – 59°F (15°C)
Highlights: Cold weather | Solitary Camino | Most albergues closed
Holidays/Festivals: Christmas | New Year’s Day | Three Kings’ Day | Opening and closing festivities during Holy Years
While a winter Camino isn’t for most, some pilgrims say it’s the only time of year they’ll go!
Winter is the best time for the Camino if you love cold weather and desire a more solitary Camino.
Low season begins on the Camino in November. Keep in mind most albergues will close for the winter season. Plan your route and around open albergues when walking in the winter.
If you’re visiting the Camino in December, try to finish up your Camino by Christmas.
Firstly, Europe is always festive in the weeks leading up to Christmas! The Camino is no different. In the larger towns, you’ll find the main squares all lit up, markets, and holiday traditions.
Astorga has a particularly beautiful Christmas lights display and festive activities.
Second, it’s reported that the week between Christmas and New Year on the Camino is pretty dead. Some pilgrims have had trouble finding accommodation.
But, winter pilgrims are back on the trails in January.
Expect wintry conditions through early March, especially on the northernmost routes.
With winter conditions come trail and business closures. Plan your accommodation in advance, and stay in communication with albergue owners. They will advise you on the safest routes to take, open businesses, and weather conditions. A tour company can also be a useful alternative to a self-guided route during this time.
It goes without saying to dress appropriately. Follow winter hiking tips.
All in all, expect to walk further to whichever albergue is open. Bring cold-weather gear, and know that not all albergues have heat. Or, they only heat them for a few hours before lights out!
If a winter trek sounds like the perfect Camino for you, go for it!
As for holidays, aside from Christmas and New Year’s, Spain celebrates Three Kings’ Day on January 6th. You can also expect more pilgrims during Lent when Easter arrives early.
Best Time to Hike the Camino FAQs
Is the Camino open year-round?
Technically, yes, the Camino trails themselves are open year-round. But, fewer albergues (hostels) are open during the winter months. Typically, albergues open for the season as early as mid-March. They close as foot traffic dies down at the end of October., remaining closed for the winter.
When is the Camino busiest?
The busiest time on the Camino is during the summer months, specifically from July to August. You’ll have an opportunity to meet pilgrims from all over the world, enjoy sunny days, and the spirit of the Camino will be palpable. Holy Week, Easter, St. James’ Day, and other Catholic holidays tend to be busy periods on the Camino as well.
When’s the Camino the least crowded?
From December to February on the Camino, you can expect some routes to be nearly empty. Reportedly, some pilgrims have even ended up being the only person in their albergue! Decide for yourself if you like that—I ended up alone in an albergue peak-summer, and even though the Camino is relatively safe, I was terrified!
Last Words on When to Walk the Camino
As you can see, there are pros and cons to walking the Camino in every season. While May/June and September/October are typically named as the “best time of year to walk the Camino,” they may not be the best time for you to walk the Camino.
I encourage you to read through this post as many times as you need. Decide what’s most important to you in a Camino.
As for me, June is my favorite time to go on the Camino. I prefer warm—but not too warm—weather. This way, I don’t have to worry about drying my hair or carrying a lot of extra cold-weather gear! These months are also just outside of peak season. There’s less worry about finding a bed at night, but it’s still plenty lively.
Rest assured, you’ll have a great time—no matter what time of year you go!
Buen Camino!
Helpful Camino Posts
Here are some other helpful Camino de Santiago articles you might like to check out.
- How much does the Camino de Santiago cost?
- What is the food like along the Camino?
- Complete Guide to Camino de Santiago Albergues
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Being an 81 year old (male) my hope/prayer is to be able to complete a full Camino Frances or full Camino Norte sometime during 2024. Spirituality is the highest on wish list, so solitude is a must at least part of the time. Probably walking only 10-12 miles per day (and adding a rest day or two) will necessitate 55-60+ days to complete the pilgrimage. The question is: needing solitude and an approximately 60 day window what would be the best beginning and ending times for either of the two routes noted above.
Hi John, on the Camino Frances, you could start as early as April since you said you’d like some solitude. In April, the albergues will be open (many albergues open around Holy Week/Easter). You should have little to no problem finding places to stay about every 20 km (12 mi). That being said, April can be quite cool and rainy. If you want to avoid those temps, you could walk in May/June. Either way, you’ll finish before the crowds really set in July and August. The Norte will be a bit more of a challenge. While you’ll have more solitude, not all of the albergues will be open as early in the season as it’s colder and not as popular. You could try May-June or June-July. The Norte is more physically challenging, and there aren’t as many facilities for pilgrims as the Frances, meaning sometimes you’ll walk further or you’ll pay more to stay in a regular hotel. The Camino Frances will have more rest breaks, cafes, hostels, etc. at closer distances, offering you more flexibility to stop when you want to. September/October are also options on both routes, but I hear they were very busy in 2022 owing to so many pilgrims pushing their Caminos back during COVID and the fact that it was a Holy Year. By the way, I walked with an 80-year young woman for about a week—it was her 4th Camino Frances in four years! I hope this helps. ¡Buen Camino!