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The Way of St James is divided into stages that begin and end in different towns, where travellers spend the night in hostels — whether private or public. The route is signposted with the image of a scallop shell, a mollusc typical of the Galician coast, which has served as a symbol of the pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela since the Middle Ages. This is because the first pilgrims travelling to the tomb of the apostle used to hang a shell from their clothing once they arrived in Santiago, so that on their journey back home, anyone they met would know they were returning from Compostela.
It is recommended that you start practising your walking a few months before beginning the pilgrimage, and that you wear comfortable footwear that you have already broken in. It is advisable to take sandals or flip-flops to wear once you reach your destination, when you need to let your feet breathe. Whilst you should pack sun cream, a waterproof jacket and a basic first-aid kit for emergencies, it is best not to make your rucksack too heavy. Recommendations stress that it should not weigh more than ten kilos. A torch – either a handheld one or a headlamp – and a walking stick are also essential items.
The Compostela
Every pilgrim must obtain their credentials. Although most pilgrims set out on their journey with a booklet containing boxes in which they collect the successive stamps, any form of record will do to document their journey to Santiago. A simple notebook is sufficient to collect the relevant stamp from each place you pass through. Churches, hostels, tourist information centres and other establishments have stamps to certify that you are walking the Camino.
The stamps allow you to stay in hostels and, at the end of the Camino, enable you to obtain the Compostela, a certificate issued at Santiago Cathedral to pilgrims who have travelled a minimum of 100 kilometres on foot or on horseback, and 200 kilometres by bike.
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Sleeping on the Camino
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Given that the Camino is a journey to be walked, it goes without saying that a good night’s rest makes things much easier when the time comes to lace up your boots, sling your rucksack over your shoulder and set off on a new stage of the journey.
The pilgrimage routes to Santiago that pass through Asturias have a sufficient number of accommodation options to ensure that all pilgrims can find a place to stay where they can enjoy a restful night’s sleep at the end of each stage.
In addition to the public hostels, there are privately-run hostels, as well as a variety of other accommodation options, such as hotels and guesthouses, which are plentiful in many of the towns, villages and hamlets along the following routes.
A different experience
In this section, you will find a range of initiatives available to pilgrims to make this experience a little different.
Luggage transport on the Camino
If you’d rather not carry your luggage on your back, there are companies that will transport your belongings from one accommodation to the next, meaning you’ll only have to focus on enjoying everything the Camino de Santiago has to offer, whichever route you’ve chosen.
Further information and specific terms and conditions:
The Camino with Correos(opens in a new tab)
Taxicamino(opens in a new tab)
Pilgrim’s Pass in the Cider Region
Make the most of your break by enjoying accommodation in the Cider Region with a very special offer.
Further information and specific terms and conditions: