Which Camino de Santiago Should You Choose?

There isn't one Camino — there are many

When someone says "I'm going to walk the Camino de Santiago," they usually picture a single route. The truth is that several historic ways lead to the cathedral in Santiago, each with its own character, difficulty and type of pilgrim. Choosing the right one is the difference between a journey you'll treasure for life and one that becomes a slog for reasons you could have foreseen.

This guide compares the five main routes honestly — no sugar-coating, including the less appealing side of each. And at the end we explain why the French Way remains, for the vast majority, the best first choice, and why its final Galician stretch attracts nearly everyone.

The five main routes, compared

The French Way (Camino Francés)

The undisputed king and the one most people have in mind. It crosses northern Spain from east to west, from the Pyrenees (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or Roncesvalles) all the way to Santiago.

• Full distance: around 765 km from Saint-Jean
• Difficulty: moderate, with no technical sections; the first Pyrenean stage is the toughest
• Scenery: highly varied — the Pyrenees, La Rioja vineyards, the Castilian Meseta plains and, finally, the green forests of Galicia
• Crowds: high, especially on the last 100 km and in summer
• Best for: first-timers, solo travellers who want company, anyone who values flawless infrastructure

This is the route with the most hostels, bars, signage and services. You're never alone and there's always someone to lend a hand. Its one drawback is precisely that popularity: in high season it can feel crowded.

The Portuguese Way (Camino Portugués)

The second busiest route. It heads north from Lisbon or, more commonly, from Porto, and has two very different variants: the Central (inland, more historic) and the Coastal (along the sea, growing fast).

• Distance from Porto: around 240 km (Central) or 280 km (Coastal)
• Difficulty: gentle, with moderate climbs; one of the easier routes
• Scenery: Portuguese villages, Vinho Verde vineyards, the Atlantic coast on the coastal variant
• Crowds: medium-high and rising every year
• Best for: those wanting a shorter, flatter route with good weather; sea lovers (Coastal variant)

An excellent alternative to the French Way: gentler, just as well signposted, with a beautiful finish entering Spain via Tui and Pontevedra.

The Northern Way (Camino del Norte)

It hugs the Cantabrian coast from Irún, passing through San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander and Asturias before reaching Galicia.

• Full distance: around 825 km
• Difficulty: high — constant ups and downs along the coastline
• Scenery: spectacular, with cliffs, beaches and the sea almost every day
• Crowds: low to medium; far quieter than the French Way
• Best for: experienced, fit walkers who prioritise scenery and solitude

Probably the most beautiful route in terms of nature, but also the most physically demanding and with less infrastructure. Not the best choice for a first time.

The Primitive Way (Camino Primitivo)

The oldest of them all, the route King Alfonso II walked in the 9th century. It leaves from Oviedo and joins the French Way at Melide.

• Distance: around 320 km
• Difficulty: very high — the most mountainous route, with demanding stages like the Hospitales
• Scenery: raw Asturian and Galician mountains, wonderfully wild
• Crowds: low
• Best for: seasoned pilgrims seeking a physical challenge and authenticity

A route for those who already know what they're doing. It rewards you with unforgettable mountain landscapes, but it demands preparation.

The English Way (Camino Inglés)

The historic route of pilgrims who arrived by sea from northern Europe. It starts from Ferrol or A Coruña.

• Distance from Ferrol: around 120 km (valid for the Compostela)
• Difficulty: moderate, with a few short climbs
• Scenery: Galician estuaries, inland countryside and woodland
• Crowds: low
• Best for: those short on time (5-6 days) who want a quiet, short route

A little-known gem. From Ferrol it tops 100 km, so it qualifies for the Compostela, and it's one of the most solitary routes.

Why does almost everyone choose the French Way?

If it's your first time, the maths is simple. The French Way offers the best combination of clear signage, hostels and services every few kilometres, manageable difficulty and, above all, atmosphere. On the French Way you make friends without even trying, you find a pharmacy when blisters appear, and there's always an open bar.

Within the French Way there's one key decision: how far to walk? You don't need to cross all of Spain. The vast majority of modern pilgrims walk only the final stretch — the last 100 km from Sarria, which is the minimum distance to earn the Compostela. We cover it in detail in our guide to the last 100 km of the Camino de Santiago and in the classic Sarria to Santiago in 5 days itinerary.

If you're still unsure where to begin, this guide helps you settle on a starting point: where to start the Camino de Santiago.

The final Galician stretch: where everyone passes

The last 100 km of the French Way are the busiest of the entire pilgrim network, and with good reason. The route Sarria – Portomarín – Palas de Rei – Melide – Arzúa – O Pedrouzo – Santiago distils the best of Galicia: eucalyptus and oak forests, stone hamlets, hórreos (granaries), wayside crosses, pulpo á feira and Arzúa cheese.

Palas de Rei sits right at the midpoint of those 100 km, on the French Way itself and 65 km from Santiago. It's the logical place to recharge before the final push to the cathedral. Thousands of pilgrims pass through daily, and the surroundings hide treasures like **Pambre Castle** and the Romanesque church of **Vilar de Donas**.

If you're travelling in a group or short on time, planning stage logistics, transfers and experiences is worth it. The local agency OurWay.Travel designs tailor-made Camino journeys and Galician food tours from Palas de Rei — handy if you'd rather have someone on the ground handle the details.

In short: how to choose your Camino

• First time, want atmosphere and comfort: French Way (ideal — the last 100 km from Sarria)
• Short on time, gentle and flat route: Portuguese or English Way
• After solitude and coastal scenery, with experience: Northern Way
• Physical challenge and authenticity, you're a veteran: Primitive Way

There's no single answer: the best Camino is the one that fits your time, your fitness and what you want to experience.

Where to stay in the heart of the French Way

Casa Andaina is in the centre of Palas de Rei (Rúa Mercado 17), literally on the French Way and 65 km from Santiago. We're a rural guesthouse with 6 bedrooms split across 2 self-contained apartments (sleeping 10 and 5), 2 fully equipped kitchens, 2 bathrooms with bathtubs, fibre WiFi and central heating.

• Apartment: from €140/night
• Whole house: from €250/night
• Direct booking, no commissions:
• Phone: +34 982 204 131

We don't have a washing machine, but there are two launderettes 50 metres away — handy after a long stage. To see more options, take a look at our where to stay in Palas de Rei page or, if you're travelling with friends or family, the rural house for groups in Galicia. We'll see you on the Camino.