CAMINOLOVERS.COM – BEST CAMINO GUIDES & MORE
Author: Matej
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From Padron to Santiago de Compostela, Camino Portuguese de la Costa, Stage no. 11
Basic Information Starting Point: Padron, Spain – A town deeply connected to the legend of Saint James, believed to be the place where his boat arrived after his martyrdom. With roughly 9,000 inhabitants, Padrón offers excellent services for pilgrims, including 7 pilgrim albergues, and plenty of other accommodation options. The town is also famous for its green…
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From Caldas de Reis to Padron, Camino Portuguese de la Costa, Stage no. 10
Basic Information Starting Point: Caldas de Reis, Spain – A historic spa town famous for its hot thermal springs, used since Roman times (and available until today). It offers all services for pilgrims, including 6 pilgrim albergues. Can be extremely busy in summer, but still a nice town for one-night stay on your Camino Portuguese. Ending Point:…
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From Arcade to Caldas de Reis, Camino Portuguese de la Costa, Stage no. 9
Basic Information Starting Point: Arcade, Spain – A pilgrim-friendly town famous for its oysters and its scenic riverside setting. With over 4,000 inhabitants, you’ll find all services in town, including 4 pilgrim albergues. Ending Point: Caldas de Reis, Spain – A historic spa town famous for its hot thermal springs, used since Roman times. With around 10,000 inhabitants, it…
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From Vigo to Arcade, Camino Portuguese de la Costa, Stage no. 8
Basic Information Starting Point: Vigo, Spain – The largest city in Galicia, with roughly 300,000 inhabitants, and an important industrial and port center. As in every big city, you’ll find in Vigo numerous hostels, hotels, restaurants, cafés, supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals, and public transport connections. Ending Point: Arcade, Spain – A small town located at the head…
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From Baiona to Vigo, Camino Portuguese de la Costa, Stage no. 7
Basic Information Starting Point: Baiona, Spain – A lively coastal town with a rich maritime history, famous for being the first place in Europe to receive news of the discovery of America. With around 12,000 inhabitants, Baiona is very welcoming to pilgrims and offers everything a pilgrim may need, not only for one afternoon in town.…
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From Oia to Baiona, Camino Portuguese de la Costa, Stage no. 6
Basic Information Starting Point: Oia, Spain – A small coastal town in Galicia, famous for its dramatic Atlantic coastline and the stunning Royal Monastery of Santa María de Oia, one of the few monasteries in Spain built directly by the ocean.With 3,000 inhabitants you’ll find there all services for pilgrims, although the hostel where I stayed…
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From Caminha to Oia, Camino Portuguese de la Costa, Stage no. 5
Basic Information Starting Point: Caminha, Portugal – A charming border town located at the mouth of the Minho River, right on the frontier with Spain. With over 15,000 inhabitants, the town is very pilgrim-friendly, offering several hostels (with 2 pilgrim-only places), guesthouses, restaurants, and all essential services. During the summer season you can feel the pilgrim…
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From Viana do Castelo to Caminha, Camino Portuguese de la Costa, Stage no. 4
Basic Information Starting Point: Viana do Castelo, Portugal – One of the most beautiful towns on the northern Portuguese coast, set between the Atlantic Ocean, the Lima River, and green hills. You’ll find two pilgrim only hostels in town, a few other hostels, and plenty of other accommodation options for each kind of budget. A BIG…
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From Fao to Viana do Castelo, Camino Portuguese de la Costa, Stage no. 3
Basic Information Starting Point: Fão, Portugal – A quiet riverside town located at the mouth of the Cávado River, just south of Esposende. You’ll find in town 3 hostels, and many other accommodation options for each budget. It also offers all services for pilgrims, such as shops, restaurants, pharmacy, post office, etc. Ending Point: Viana do…
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From Labruge to Fao, Camino Portuguese de la Costa, Stage no. 2
Basic Information Starting Point: Labruge, Portugal – A small coastal town north of Vila do Conde, known for its long sandy beach, dunes, and relaxed atmosphere. With over 3,000 inhabitants, Labruge has all basic services a pilgrim needs, including a large pilgrim-only hostel with 67 beds, and a few other accommodation options. Ending Point: Fão,…
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From Porto to Labruge, Camino Portuguese de la Costa, Stage no. 1
Basic Information Starting Point: Porto, Portugal – Portugal’s second-largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its historic Ribeira district, tiled churches, colorful streets, and vibrant atmosphere. It offers every service a pilgrim might need: supermarkets, pharmacies, outdoor shops, cafés, restaurants, and a wide range of accommodation options. In my opinion, it is…
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Total Solar Eclipse 2026 Spain and Camino de Santiago – Important Info for Pilgrims
I am sure that you already know we will have a total solar eclipse in Spain, on Wednesday, 12th August 2026. It is one of The News for 2026 (one of the few positive news for the year perhaps :)). But I am also certain most people do not understand the implications it has on…
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Interesting Photo Exposition in Arzua (on the Camino) – 38km before Santiago de Compostela,
Bruno Lernout, an experienced walker, writer, philosopher, and guide, exhibits photos of the Balkans and the Silk Road at the Mary Magdalena chapel. This captivating exhibition opens from 17:00 to 20:00, Monday to Sunday, and the entrance is free. Location on Google maps here. It is a great past-walking activity for your afternoon in Arzua,…
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From Arzua to O Pedrouzo, Camino Frances Stage no. 29
Basic Information Starting Point: Arzúa, Spain (400m) – The cheese capital of the Camino, famous for its creamy Tetilla. One of the most busy spots on the entire camino (by now, both the Northern way and the Primitivo way have merged with the French way), with 15 pilgrim albergues and many other accommodation options for…
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From Palas del Rei to Arzua, Camino Frances Stage no. 28
Basic Information Starting Point: Palas de Rei, Spain (540m) – Another Galicean town living almost entirely from the Camino Frances. Twelve pilgrim albergues and all facilities for pilgrims. Ending Point: Arzúa, Spain (400m) – The ‘cheese capital’ of the Camino, and also the place where Camino del Norte joins Camino Frances. Count with 15 pilgrim…
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From Portomarin to Palas del Rei, Camino Frances Stage no. 27
Basic Information Starting Point: Portomarín, Spain (350m). A reconstructed medieval town relocated when the Miño River was dammed. With roughly 1,200 inhabitants, the town lives almost entirely from the pilgrims. Count with 15 pilgrim hostels (no doubt other opening soon), plus various hotels, pensions, etc, to accommodate pilgrims on organized bus tours and similar groups.…
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From Sarria to Portomarin, Camino Frances Stage no. 26
Basic Information Starting Point: Sarria, Spain (415m) – The most common starting point of Camino Frances, 115 kilometers away from Santiago. Town that lives from the pilgrimage, with 20 pilgrim hostels, and plenty of other accommodation options for all budgets. Entering Sarria is a shock for many pilgrims who started back in St. Jean or…
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From Samos to Sarria, Camino Frances Stage no. 25
Basic Information Starting Point: Samos, Spain (530m). Monastic town dominated by the massive Benedictine Abbey. Beautiful town with three pilgrim albergues (one directly in the monastic complex), some private accommodation options and all services for pilgrims, including a shop and a pharmacy. Never too touristic, and with some nice quiet spots to spend the…
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From O Cebreiro to Samos, Camino Frances Stage no. 24
Basic Information Starting Point: O Cebreiro, Spain (1,330m) – Famous Galician mountain settlement with Celtic-style pallozas, solemn church from 9th century (one of the oldest on the entire camino), two pilgrim albergues and few other accommodation options. While it is one of the victims of the success of Camino Frances (almost a tourist trap nowadays),…
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From Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro, Camino Frances, Stage no. 23
Basic Information Starting Point: Villafranca del Bierzo, Spain. A charming medieval town at roughly 500 meters above sea level, nestled in the foothills of the Leon Mountains. Considered by many one of the most beautiful small towns on the entire Camino. With roughly 3,000 inhabitants, you will find all services in town, including nine pilgrim…
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From Ponferada to Villafranca del Bierzo, Camino Frances Stage no. 22
Basic Information Starting Point: Ponferrada, Spain – A historic city with a huge Templar castle from the 12th century. With over 60,000 people, you can find in town all services for both pilgrims and tourists, including 5 pilgrim hostels, and plenty of good restaurants of all kinds. Located roughly 210 kilometers from Santiago de Compostela,…
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From Foncebadon to Ponferada, Camino Frances Stage no. 21
Basic Information Starting Point: Foncebadón, Spain – A mountain ghost town revived by pilgrims at 1,430 m above sea level (the highest place where you can sleep inside on the entire Camino Frances). There virtually aren’t any people living in town, except of people who run the infrastructure for pilgrims, and it is a pretty…
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From Astorge to Foncebadon, Camino Frances Stage no. 20
Basic Information Starting Point: Astorga, Spain – A historic crossroads town with Roman roots and Gaudi architecture, with an elevation of 870 m above sea level. Highlights include Gaudi palace, beautiful cathedral, and chocolate factory and museum :). The town has over 10,000 inhabitants, and you’ll find in town all services for pilgrims, including four…
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From San Martin del Camino to Astorga, Camino Frances Stage no. 19
Basic Information Starting Point: San Martin del Camino, Spain – With roughly 300 inhabitants, you will find in the village five pilgrim albergues. The place lives from two things only: agriculture (more difficult each year due to climate change and other issues), and Camino Frances (better each year, sure enough new places for pilgrims will…
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From Leon to San Martin del Camino, Camino Frances Stage no. 18
Basic Information Starting Point: Leon, Spain – The capital of Leon province, known for its Gothic cathedral and beautiful town center. With over 120,000 inhabitants you can count on any kinds of services or shops (should you need, for example, a new pair of shoes for the second half of your camino). Five pilgrim albergues,…
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From El Burgo Ranero to Leon, Camino Frances Stage no. 17
Basic Information Starting Point: El Burgo Ranero, Spain – A classic Meseta village with traditional adobe houses and poplar-lined streets, count with all services for pilgrims and various accommodation options, including one nice donation-based albergue with 30 beds. Ending Point: León, Spain – The magnificent capital of León province, known for its Gothic cathedral and…
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From San Nicolas del Real Camino to El Burgo Ranero, Camino Frances Stage no. 16
Basic Information Starting Point: San Nicolas del Real Camino, Spain – A peaceful village with less than 50 inhabitants, a nice pilgrim albergue and a good restaurant. The real Meseta village. Ending Point: El Burgo Ranero, Spain – A classic Meseta village with traditional adobe houses and poplar-lined streets. With roughly 700 inhabitants, you an…
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From Carrion de los Condes to San Nicolas del Real Camino, Camino Frances Stage no. 15
Basic Information Starting Point: Carrion de los Condes, Spain – A historic town with rich medieval heritage and one of the Camino’s most beloved stops, for warm welcoming of the local community, and an unforgettable pilgrim blessing by the Augustine sisters (every day at 7pm in Santa Maria Church). Ending Point: San Nicolas del Real…
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From Itero de la Vega to Carrion de los Condes, Camino Frances Stage no. 14
Basic Information Starting Point: Itero de la Vega, Spain – A quiet agricultural village on the Pisuerga River. With roughly 150 inhabitants (the number decreases with each population count) you will find in the village three pilgrim albergues, a small shop, and some places to eat dinner (if they do not serve it directly in…
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From Hornillos del Camino to Itero de la Vega, Camino Frances Stage no. 13
Basic Information Starting Point: Hornillos del Camino, Spain – A quintessential Meseta village with traditional stone architecture and pilgrim-focused atmosphere. The life in the village turns around pilgrims, with number of inhabitants typically inferior to the number of pilgrims sleeping in the village. Three pilgrim hostels and other private accommodation options, shop, restaurant, bar. Ending…
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From Burgos to Hornilos del Camino, Camino Frances Stage no. 12
Basic Information Starting Point: Burgos, Spain – The magnificent cathedral city and cultural highlight of the Camino Frances, with two big pilgrim albergues (each having over 100 beds), many other accommodation options, and all services for pilgrims (and for tourists too :)). Ending Point: Hornillos del Camino, Spain – A classic pilgrim village with traditional…
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From Villafranca Montes de Oca to Burgos, Camino Frances Stage no. 11
Basic Information Starting Point: Villafranca Montes de Oca, Spain – A small village with roughly 120 inhabitants, a grocery store, restaurant, pilgrim albergue, and nice view of Montes de Oca mountain range. Apart from the albergue you will find a few private accommodation options in the village. Ending Point: Burgos, Spain – The magnificent cathedral…
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From Granon to Villafranca Montes de Oca, Camino Frances, Stage no. 10
Basic Information Starting Point: Grañón, Spain – A charming village with roughly 250 inhabitants, famous for its warm hospitality, historic church, and a donation based albergue with unmistakable atmosphere. Ending Point: Villafranca Montes de Oca, Spain – A small village with roughly 120 inhabitants, a grocery store, restaurant, pilgrim albergue, and nice view of Montes…
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Azofra – Granon, Camino Frances Stage no. 9
Basic Information Starting Point: Azofra, Spain – A small village known for its peaceful atmosphere, historic church, and pilgrim-friendly albergue with 30 double rooms. With only 200 inhabitants, you will find all services for pilgrims in the village, including a pharmacy. Ending Point: Grañón, Spain – A charming village with roughly 250 inhabitants, famous for…
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Logrono – Azofra, Camino Frances Stage no. 8
Basic Information Starting Point: Logroño, Spain – The capital of La Rioja (the province of Spain famous for its wine culture), with of over 150,000 inhabitants, historic old town, and vibrant tapas scene, it offers all services you may expect from a big town. Six pilgrim albergues and many other accommodation options for every budget…