When is the Best Time to do The Camino?
When thinking of walking the Camino de Santiago it’s important to plan ahead. For many people the Camino is among the most important experiences of their lifetime and, of course, that experience should be as close to perfect as possible.
Choosing the best months to do the Camino is among the most relevant aspects of planning. Crowds and high temperatures are always best avoided, so July and August should definitely be crossed off your list of possibilities.
It’s also important to be aware that the regions you’ll be crossing, the Minho, in Portugal, and Galicia, in Spain, have well defined seasons. That means you can expect hot summers and cold, humid winters, with a few microclimates along the way.
Aiming for the best combo of no crowds and mild weather is the best strategy to get the best of your experience.
Can you imagine enjoying the towns and cities along the Camino, whether on the Coastal or Central variants, without extreme weather and crowds everywhere? Sounds perfect to us!
If you’re looking for a solitary sort of experience, a time for introspection and tranquility, and a few days of persistent rain are not a problem, then the months of March and April or October and November are ideal. In these months the days are shorter and the temperatures remain mild, despite the possibility of a few rainy days.
If for you the Camino is a sensory experience that includes getting to know the local communities and fellow pilgrims, discovering landscapes and all the beautiful aspects Nature has to offer in spring and autumn, then the months of May, June and September are your best option. This is when you’re guaranteed to have sunny days with a pleasant temperature, even if with a little rain on occasion, making it the best time to walk this ancient pilgrimage route.
Portuguese Camino de Santiago
Those following the Central Camino will find that Ponte de Lima and Valença do Minho (both in Portugal) and Pontevedra (in Spain) provide plenty of opportunities to enjoy the local monuments and landscapes, all the while being excellent cities for rest days.
Ponte de Lima, with its own legend dating back to the Roman period, allows for carefree strolls along the banks of the Lima river with the central plaza, called Largo de Camões, as the perfect spot to relax with a drink and a local snack. The medieval bridge and the Gothic church are also mandatory stopovers when visiting the oldest Portuguese town. From the top of a hill and inside a fortress, Valença do Minho invites you to go inside its walls. Wander through its traditional streets admiring the old churches and all the small local shops. Pontevedra, in Spain, boasts its fully pedestrian historical centre full of plazas where you can enjoy local tapas. Its unique market, the bridges, historical churches and the city’s museum are also on the list of things not to be missed!
Portuguese Coastal Way
Those who choose the Coastal Camino will get a wonderful mix of history, tradition and coastal landscapes by staying in
Known as “princess of the Minho”, Viana do Castelo is the keeper of a series of treasures: from its pristine coastline, to the historical buildings, the museums and the Santa Luzia Basilica, built on top of a hill and allowing for stunning views over the entire area. Baiona is where you can find the imposing Monte Boi peninsula and the Monterreal Fortress. This charming coastal town is home to the Caravel Pinta Museum as well as several small beaches. Also on the coast you’ll find Vigo with its unique old part of town, cathedral and Castro fortress.
Last but not least, walking the Camino in the less crowded months allows you to fully enjoy the delectable local cuisine of Minho and Galicia without having to face jam-packed restaurants, cafés and bars. The Minho region takes pride in its traditional corn bread (broa de milho), cured bísaro pork and caldo verde (a thick soup made with potatoes and cabbage, which you can also find in other parts of the country). Fresh seafood and shellfish dishes are also on offer and, being Portugal, you can be sure to find bacalhau (salted cod) cooked in a variety of ways. Finish off your meal with a sweet leite creme and don’t forget to taste the local wine, the crisp vinho verde.
When in Galicia you can’t miss the caldo gallego (a rich vegetable soup) besides a multitude of seafood dishes, empanadas and tapas to choose from. Wash it all down with the local Albariño wine and don’t forget the delicious tarta de Santiago for dessert.
2021, the first Holy Year since 2010, will be a special year for the Camino de Santiago. Holy Years happen whenever St. James Day (July 25th) falls on a Sunday and, generally speaking, these are years when you can expect a greater influx of pilgrims. If walking the Camino de Santiago in 2021 is on your bucketlist don’t waste time and book your tour as soon as possible in order to guarantee your place. Check out our options in https://www.portugalgreenwalks.com/camino-de-santiago/
Our tireless team is available to help all those who wish to discover the Camino de Santiago in a calm and comfortable way.
We wait for you in the Camino!