Camino de Santiago in September and October: The Best Kept Secret

The Camino's best kept secret: autumn

Ask any experienced hospitalero which is their favourite season on the Camino and the answer is almost always the same: September and October. When August's crowds disappear, Galicia turns gold and the Camino finds its natural rhythm again. If you can choose your dates, choose autumn.

The weather: the perfect temperature for walking

In September, Galicia sees highs of 22–25°C and lows of 12–14°C — warm enough to walk in a t-shirt, cool enough not to suffer. In October temperatures drop to highs of 18–20°C, the ideal range for long stages.

• September: days are still long (sunrise ~8:00, sunset ~20:30), with occasional rain towards the end of the month.
• October: a higher chance of rain (this is Galicia), but also those magical misty mornings over the valleys that are pure photographic gold.
• Compared with July–August: no heatwaves, no need to leave at 6:00 am to beat the sun, no walking dehydrated.

Fewer people, more Camino

The numbers say it all: August accounts for over 60,000 Compostelas; October sees less than half that. What does that mean in practice?

• Accommodation available: without booking months in advance (though in small villages it's still worth securing a bed).
• Breakfasts without queues: , fountains without waiting, milestones without taking turns for the photo.
• Real conversations: the autumn pilgrim tends to move at a slower pace and is more willing to share.

The colours and flavours of a Galician autumn

Walking the Sarria to Santiago stretch in October means moving through a painting: golden oak forests, chestnut trees loaded with burrs, russet ferns and that low autumn light that beautifies everything.

And then there's the autumn table:

• Grape harvest (September): Galicia's wine regions are in full harvest. A godello or mencía from the Ribeira Sacra tastes best in its own season.
• Chestnuts and wild mushrooms (October): they appear on pilgrims' set menus. The magosto (chestnut festival) is celebrated at the end of the month and into November.
• Octopus, Arzúa cheese and Galician broth: all taste twice as good with the first autumn chill.

What to pack in autumn

An autumn pack requires a little more thought than a summer one:

• Layering system: technical base layer + thin fleece + quality waterproof jacket. Mornings start at 10°C and by midday you're at 22°C.

• Poncho or pack cover: in October the question isn't whether it will rain, but when.

• Head torch: in October dawn breaks after 8:30 am; if you're an early riser, you'll be setting off in the dark.

• Waterproof footwear with good grip: forest sections accumulate mud after the first rains.

The complete packing checklist will help you keep the weight down.

Accommodation availability: the big advantage

In autumn you can afford something unthinkable in August: choice. Private rooms, rural houses and the best-placed accommodation in each village actually have real availability. It's the perfect time to travel as a group and rent an entire house without fighting over the calendar — and many places, including us, publish seasonal special offers.

Watch out for two dates: the week of the Pilar holiday (12 October) and September weekends attract Spanish weekend pilgrims. Book those days in advance.

Local advice

We live the Camino year-round from Palas de Rei, and we can confirm it: there is no better month than September–October for the final stretch. If you want to compare with the rest of the year, here's our complete guide to the best time to do the Camino.

Your autumn base in Palas de Rei

At Casa Andaina autumn is best enjoyed with central heating, two equipped kitchens for making your own caldo gallego, and private rooms where you sleep like you're at home. 3-bedroom apartments from €140/night and the full house for up to 10 people from €250/night, in the centre of Palas de Rei, right on the Camino Francés. Book direct with no commissions: +34 982 204 131.