Camino de Francés

When I was preparing for the Camino I had many questions myself. I hope my experiences will help your travel a lot easier and more comfortable.

I walked the Camino for the very first time in the end of April 2023 with three of my good girlfriends. When I think back it were one of the most giving trips I have ever had.

Camino Francés is about 800 km

Preparations for the trip

I have made a separate guide for tips, recommendations and a full packing list.

Cecilie Maagaard

Camino Francés - tips, recommendations and full packing list

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The route

The route described below is the one we decided to take, but there are many different ways to approach it. Your route might vary depending on factors like blisters, crowded hostels, and the people you meet along the way. The most important thing is to yourself and your body.

St. Jean Pied De Port - Roncesvalles (25 km)

Roncesvalles - Akerreta (27 km)

Akerreta - Pamplona (15 km)

Pamplona - Puenta La Reina (22 km)

Puenta La Reina - Estella (20)

Estella - Los Arcos (20 km)

Los Arcos - Logroño (27 km)

Logroño - Nájera (27 km)

Nájera - Santo Domingo (21 km)

Santo Domingo - Belorado (22 km)

Belorado - San Juan De Ortega (24 km)

San Juan De Ortega - Burgos (27,5 km)

Burgos - Castrojeriz (41 km)

Castrojeriz - Fromista (27 km)

Fromista - Carrion De Los Condes (19 km)

Carrión De Los Condes - Calzadilla De La Cueza (16 km)

Calzadilla De La Cueza - Sahagún (22 km)

Sahagún - El Burgo Ranero (18 km)El Burgo Ranero - Mansilla De las Mulas (19 km)

Mansilla De las Mulas - Leon (17 km)

Leon - Villadangos Del Paramo (21 km)

Villadangos Del Paramo - Astorga (26 km)

Astorga - Rabanal Del Camino (19 km)

Rabanal Del Camino - Molinaseca (24 km)

Molinaseca - Villafranca Del Bierzo (30 km)

Villafranca Del Bierzo - O Cebreiro (28,4 km)

O Cebreiro - Triacastela (22 km)

Triacastela - Sarria (18 km)Sarria - Portomarin (24 km)

Portomarín - Palas De Rei (24 km)

Palas De Rei - Arzua (28 km)

Arzua - Lavacolla (29,7 km)

Lavacolla - Santiago De Compostela (10 km)

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

gite de la Porte Saint Jacques

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Pilgrim Information Office SJPP

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Make sure to get the first stamp on your Pilgrim Passport.

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25 kilometres

Roncesvalles

Roncesvalles Pilgrims' Hostel

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This is the most obvious hostel to stay on the first day. Make sure to bring cash because they do not accept other payment. It is a huge hostel but if you want to be sure to have a bed give them a call beforehand when you know which day you arrive.

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21 kilometres

Larrasoaña

Larrasoaña

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20 kilometres

Pamplona

Accommodation

I recommend booking accommodation near the city center. During our stay, we were located outside the center, which meant a lot of time spent walking back and forth. In hindsight, I wish we had stayed in the heart of the city, as it's incredibly beautiful!

Catedral Metropolitana de Santa María la Real de Pamplona

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We were attending a Catholic service. It was interesting to experience but make sure to have a few Euros in your pockets.

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24 kilometres

Puente la Reina

Puente La Reina – Gares

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Ayegui

Albergue Municipal San Cipriano

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Torres del Rio

Hostal Rural La Pata de Oca

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Logroño

Accommodation (where we stayed)

Albergue Albas

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We liked this place but it was about 1 km away from the other "normal" hostels.

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To do

Calle del Laurel

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THIS IS A MUST! It is a tapas street where you walk around the small restaurants and get yourself a glass of wine and a tapas dish. Make sure to try the mushrooms covered in butter and garlic!!

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Read more here: 

Santo Domingo de la Calzada

Santo Domingo de la Calzada

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Belorado

Belorado

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Santovenia de Oca

Albergue Camino de Santovenia

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Burgos

Castillo de Burgos

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Hontanas

Mesón Albergue El Puntido

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Frómista

Frómista

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Cervatos de la Cueza

Hostal Restaurante Camino Real

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Calzada del Coto

León

To stay

León

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ESTUDIO PALOMA

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This place was one of the best apartments we stayed at. The host was very sweet (but could not speak english) and there was food in the refrigerator.

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Santa Marina del Rey

Albergue Vieira

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Astorga

Astorga

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Calle Juego de Cañas

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Santa Columba de Somoza

Santa Colomba de Somoza

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Ponferrada

Totuma Yellow Door (apartment)

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This apartment is in the heart of Ponferrada and is affordable if you are 3-4 people.

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Villafranca del Bierzo

Venecia Hostel - Bed & Breakfast

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Portomarin

Melide

Santiago de Compostella

Santiago de Compostela

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Pilgrim's Reception Office

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Make sure to visit this Pilgrim office if you want to have a certificate of the Camino

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Curro da Parra

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We were eating here with our new danish friends the first day we arrived to Santiago de Compostella to celebrate. It was delicious and we got about 5 courses for 35$

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The last kilometers to the coast…

Negreia

Villa Rica House

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O Logoso

Albergue O Logoso - Dumbría

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Fisterra

Av. de Galicia, 27

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Fisterra

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And then what?…