Everything I Wish I Knew Before Walking my First Camino de Santiago

In May 2024 I embarked on my first Camino de Santiago, along the coastal Portuguese route. Preparing for and planning your first Camino can be a daunting task. There’s so many routes you can take, and countless ways to do it based on your budget, physical abilities, and desired comfort levels. This article is a beginner’s guide for anyone who has ever thought about walking a Camino de Santiago, but doesn’t know where to start!

First, what is the Camino de Santiago?

The Camino de Santiago, or “Way of St. James,” is an ancient pilgrimage route leading to the city of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where, according to tradition, the remains of Saint James are buried. Stretching across Spain, Portugal, and even parts of France, the Camino has multiple routes to choose from, with the most popular ones being the Camino Frances (French Way), Camino Portugues (Portuguese Way), and Camino del Norte (Northern Way). Each path offers a different landscape, vibe, and level of difficulty, but they all end at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

Although the Camino de Santiago started as a religious pilgrimage thousands of years ago, today, people from around the world take it as a journey of personal growth, adventure, and reflection. Whether you’re motivated by spiritual, cultural, or personal reasons, the Camino de Santiago is a life-changing experience that allows you to slow down, connect with fellow travelers, and soak in the natural beauty and rich history of the region.

I chose to walk the Coastal Camino Portugués for my first Camino, and it turned out to be the perfect route for me. Starting in Porto, Portugal, and stretching about 165 miles to Santiago, Spain, this route is ideal if you’re looking for a shorter Camino that you can complete in around two weeks (for comparison, the popular Frances route takes about 1 month to complete).

Although there is a Central Camino Portugues that follows a path more inland, I chose the Coastal route because it is right along the ocean, giving you stunning coastal views, salty breezes, and plenty of beach stops along the way – a dream come true if you love being near the water like me. Plus, this route lets you experience the unique cultures of two countries, starting with small beach towns of Portugal, then crossing into Spain, where you’re welcomed by the scenic countryside of Galicia. It’s a beautiful mix of landscapes and cultures that made my journey feel both adventurous and grounding.

How can you beat seeing these views of the ocean everyday??

Camino Vocab You Should Know

Pilgrams (Peregrinos in Spanish)

This is the name for anyone walking on the Camino de Santiago. Historically, a “peregrino” was someone who walked to Santiago for religious or spiritual reasons, but nowadays, pilgrims come to walk the Camino for a mix of spiritual, personal, or purely adventurous reasons. Expect to hear the term often and see signs along the Camino saying things like “pilgrams welcome”.

Camino Credential (Credential del Peregrino in Spanish)

This official document identifies you as a Camino walker. It’s distributed by churches, pilgrimage offices, and some albergues (keep scrolling to learn about these) and is an essential item for getting your Compostela certificate at the end. You can collect stamps (“sellos” in Spanish) along the route to mark your progress and prove that you’ve walked each day. Most churches, albergues, restaurants, and cafes along the Camino offer these stamps, just make sure to ask. Some are beautifully designed and make for a unique keepsake.

Compostela Certificate

This is the official certificate awarded to pilgrims who complete at least the last 100 km of the Camino on foot (or 200 km if you’re biking). To qualify, you must have at least two stamps per day in your Camino Passport, showing that you’ve genuinely covered the required distance. Although the Compostela tradition dates back to medieval times when pilgrims would bring back physical proof of their pilgrimage, today, it is a meaningful memento for those who’ve completed their journey. To get your Compostela at the end of your Camino, head to the Pilgram’s office in Santiago.

Buen Camino (Bom Caminho in Portugal)

This warm greeting, meaning “Good Way”, is used by pilgrims and locals alike to share blessings and encouragement with those on the Camino. Whether you’re crossing paths with a stranger or receiving a warm farewell from a café owner, hearing “Buen Camino” becomes a comforting and familiar part of each day. It’s a reminder that you’re all on the same journey, supporting each other along the way.

Scallop Shell

The scallop shell is the traditional symbol of the Camino and has been associated with Saint James since medieval times. Today, the shell is worn or displayed by pilgrims to signify that they’re walking the Camino. You’ll also see it on the waymarkers along the route, which include the iconic yellow arrow and/or the scallop shell symbol, indicating you’re on the right path.

Albergues

These are hostels exclusively for Camino pilgrims, offering basic, budget-friendly accommodations. You’ll see two main types in each town:

Public Albergues – These are run by local governments, churches, or nonprofit organizations and are a long-standing tradition of Camino hospitality. They’re affordable (often 10-20 euros per night or donation-based) and cannot be reserved, so they’re first-come, first-served. You’ll often find bunk beds in large dormitory-style rooms—simple, but essential for tired pilgrims.

Private Albergues – These are privately owned and can be reserved in advance, typically offering slightly more amenities or privacy than public albergues. Prices vary based on location and comfort level, with some resembling traditional hostels and others feeling more like cozy guesthouses. For those who want a bit more comfort or guarantee of a bed, private albergues can be a great option.

Things to Know Before your First Camino

Get your pilgrim passport before you start your Camino

You can order a passport to your house before you even arrive in Europe, or you can get one at your starting location. I got mine at the Porto Cathedral. Be aware the line can be pretty long, so plan to get there early. The pilgrim passport is not only essential for collecting stamps and receiving the Compostela certificate at the end of your Camino, but also grants you access to special rates for accommodations and meals at many spots along the Camino.

Training is key to avoiding injuries

I learned this the hard way. I decided I was going to walk the Camino de Santiago about two months before I did it, and trained and prepared as much as I could in those two months. I started walking about 3 miles a day wearing the shoes I would be wearing on the trail. About once a week I did a longer hike of about 6 miles. And on a few hikes\, I wore my backpack with 10 pounds of weight so my body could get used to it.

Well, as you may have guessed, this was not enough preparation, because on the actual Camino, I was walking 10-20 miles a day, and my bag weighed about 15 pounds (maybe closer to 20 at the end because I collected some things!). About 10 days in I started having bad pains in my knees, and had to take the bus one day to rest my legs (more on the bus later).

To avoid issues, aim to build up to hiking 8-10 miles multiple times a week, and with a weighted bag if possible, to get used to the physical demands of the trail. Also, focus on strengthening exercises, especially for your core and legs, to help with balance and posture.

Wool Socks & Vaseline will save you from blisters

When my aunt, who has done many Caminos, told me the vaseline tip, it sounded a bit crazy to me, but it works! I put Vaseline on my feet every day, especially around my heel and toes, and didn’t get one hotspot or blister through my 175 miles of walking. Pair this trick with good wool socks, like these from Darn Tough Socks, which wick away moisture. Friction and moisture are the main causes of blisters, so the wool socks and vaseline make a huge difference when used together.

Buses and trains are there if you need them

Remember, this is your Camino, and you can do what you want and need! There are definitely some “by the book” pilgrims who would say that taking a bus, train, or taxi is “cheating” and would take away from the “true” pilgrimage. Personally, I think this is nonsense, and I think most other pilgrims would agree. If you are in pain, sick, tired – it really doesn’t matter the reason – if you can’t walk one day but have a schedule to stick to, take the bus! If others judge you for that, it is more a reflection on themselves than it is on you.

I took the bus on day 10 from Baiona to Vigo when I was having bad knee pain. It was a long day of 16 miles, with some elevation gain, which would be impossible for me to climb with my injured knee. If I wanted to make it to Santiago, I needed to give my knee a day to rest. So I walked the first 5 miles of the day, which was easy and flat, and then took a bus the rest of the way to my hostel for the night. It was a great decision because my knee started feeling better over the next few days, and I was able to push through the last few days to Santiago.

Moral of the story is listen to your body! Enjoying the journey is more important than walking every single kilometer.

You don’t need to carry your bag every day

Although most people carry all their things in a 25-40L backpack every day, some don’t. Instead, they use transport services that shuttle their bags from one accommodation to the next every day. The way it works is you leave your bag in your albergue lobby at about 8 a.m., and your bag will be transported to your next albergue while you’re walking. There are a few apps for this service, such as Pilbeo. I used Pilbeo for just one day (also because of my knee problems), and it was an easy process.

Just be aware, some accommodations do not accept baggage. All albergues do, but I stayed at a few “pension” and apartment-type places that did not have a lobby or receptionist, so there was no where for the baggage to be dropped off. So if you plan on transporting your luggage daily, make sure your accommodation accepts baggage.

Useful Apps

There are many apps available for pilgrims, with maps of the trail, info on albergues, restaurants and more. I tried out a few on my walk and really liked Buen Camino and Camino Ninja. Camino Ninja is a favorite of many because it provides a clear map and interface which is easy to use. Buen Camino is a bit more complicated, but I liked that it provided info and history for each stop on the Camino.

Be prepared for lots of rain

Of course, the amount of rain you get on your Camino de Santiago will depend on the time of year. I walked my Camino in early May and read beforehand that it was not a very rainy season. I was expecting a few days of heavy rain, but it ended up raining 9 out of 14 days of my Camino. It definitely put a bit of a damper on things.

The skies were gray, and I found it hard to enjoy the towns I was walking through because it was so wet and unpleasant outside. Thankfully, it was quite warm that time of year, so even though I was wet, I was usually not cold. As long as my shoes dried sufficiently overnight, I was happy. Bring quick-drying clothing and waterproof covers for both yourself and your bag; being comfortable in the rain can make a big difference.

Some towns have limited accommodation options, so plan in advance

This tip is specific to those walking the Coastal Portuguese Camino (I have only walked this one so I can’t speak on other routes). Be aware that certain towns along the Coast have very limited accommodations. For this reason, I would plan out where you want to stop every night, and if you are not booking things ahead of time, make sure where you plan to stop has sufficient accommodations. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you stop in a town, can’t find a accommodation, and then have to walk another 5+ miles to get to the next town.

If you’re walking during peak season, it’s a good idea to book your stays at least a day or two ahead to make sure you have a place to stay, especially in smaller coastal towns. If you are picky with accommodations like I am, try to book a few weeks in advance, as the places with good reviews will go fast!

Use Booking.com to book your accommodations

I hadn’t used Booking.com much before my Camino de Santiago, but now it is my favorite website for booking travel! Because I booked 16 accommodations throughout 16 days of my Camino, I was able to unlock the highest level of Booking.com’s Genius loyalty program. To unlock, you must complete 15 stays within 2 years, which I easily did in just 2 weeks. Through the loyalty program, I get a 20% discount and free breakfast at select stays, and a discount on rental cars.

Also, Booking.com is used by many other pilgrims so there are informative reviews for everywhere along the route. Use the reviews to check the proximity to the Camino trail and availability of amenities like laundry, Wi-Fi, and breakfast.

Ready to embark on your journey was a pilgrim and walk your first Camino? If you’d like to hear more about my experience and recommendations for packing and accommodations, check out my other blog posts about the Camino de Santiago!