Advice for the Camino de Santiago

Camino de Santiago

Planning Your Camino

Researching your chosen route and getting good advice for the Camino in advance, even creating a timetable, can greatly enhance your experience. Knowing the towns you will visit, their traditions, and the surrounding landscapes will make the journey more rewarding.

It is highly recommended to contact an Association of Friends of the Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela, of which there are more than 50 across Spain. These associations provide valuable information and sell the credencial, a document that serves as a pilgrim’s passport. This must be stamped at least once per day at a hostel, an establishment, or a church. The credencial is essential for staying in public and some private pilgrim hostels. Upon arrival at the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago, it serves as proof of completion and allows you to obtain the Compostela.

Advice for Footwear on the Camino

Pilgrims encounter a variety of surfaces—tarmac, concrete, gravel, pebbles, earth, clay, and limestone—making footwear selection crucial. The ideal choice is a pair of shoes that are neither too heavy nor too light, offering flexibility, stability, and cushioning.

Trekking shoes and trail running shoes, often used by mountain runners, are excellent options. They are lighter and more flexible than traditional hiking boots while providing better shock absorption. Their soles are tougher than those of standard running shoes, offering greater resistance to impact and the weight of a rucksack.

Waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex fabric helps keep feet dry while wicking away perspiration. While hiking boots offer better ankle support and protection from stones, they are heavier, tend to overheat the feet, and can be uncomfortable on tarmac. Experience suggests that trekking or trail running shoes are the best starting point for most pilgrims.

Backpack

Investing in a high-quality rucksack is essential—it is the pilgrim’s shell, the home carried on your back. A capacity of 40 to 50 litres is ideal. The larger the rucksack, the heavier it will be, both empty and once packed. When full, it should weigh no more than 10% of your body weight—for example, someone weighing 70 kg should carry no more than 7–8 kg. Exceeding this limit can lead to strain, overloading, or muscle fatigue.

A good rucksack should have reinforced stitching, padded shoulder straps, lumbar support, and adjustable hip and chest straps. It must also be adjustable to fit your body properly. The straps should be tightened so that the weight sits on your back rather than your shoulders.

A waterproof cover is essential for protecting your rucksack in wet weather. Many rucksacks include one, but not all are effective—some soak through quickly. In such cases, it may be worth purchasing a more durable, separate rain cover.

ESSENTIALS ADVICE FOR THE CAMINO

In addition to the clothes you are wearing, take the essentials with you. This might be your summer gear:

A one-litre water bottle or a Camelbak of the same capacity.

A pair of trekking poles, if you are used to using them, or the classic walking stick.

Two or three changes of clothes.

Two pairs of short polyester hiking socks.

A pair of polyester T-shirts, one short-sleeved and one long-sleeved (never cotton, as it does not breathe and takes a long time to dry).

Hiking shorts.

A sweatshirt and a light waterproof jacket.

A poncho with a rucksack cover that is breathable. The disadvantage is that they usually weigh about 400 grams.

A baseball cap or hat.

A microfibre towel. These are made from polyester and polyamide and dry quickly. You can find them in sports shops.

Flip-flops for the shower.

Lightweight sandals for walking around after a long day.

A sleeping bag or liner, especially for albergues in colder months.

Earplugs – essential for shared sleeping spaces.

A toothbrush and toothpaste. Washing gel and shampoo and a bar of soap for washing clothes and, for those who need it, a razor or razor blades.

A small first-aid kit containing aspirin or ibuprofen, high-factor sun cream, plasters, iodine, and sterile needles for pricking blisters. Chafing cream for feet and body is highly recommended. If you are walking the Camino in company, it is best to take a joint first-aid kit and share the weight. Also, bring blister prevention tape (such as Leukotape or moleskin) for extra foot protection.

Electrolyte tablets to replenish salts lost through sweating.

Sunglasses.

A head torch.

Identity card, health card, credit card, and pilgrim’s card.

A pocket knife. A multi-tool can also be useful.

Safety pins and several clothes pegs – very useful for drying clothes during or at the end of the stage.

A mobile phone, a camera (if you want better quality), and their chargers.

A small notebook and pen – handy for journaling or noting important details.

A whistle – useful for safety, especially if walking alone.

Plastic zip bags – great for organizing small items and keeping things dry.

A guidebook or offline maps for navigation without relying solely on a phone.

For the colder months, winter socks, T-shirts, and trousers will do. You should also bring a hat, buff, and gloves. The light jacket should be replaced with a waterproof windbreaker. This is the most expensive part of the outfit, but it is well worth spending your money on quality clothing. Fleece leggings to wear under your trousers or even to sleep in are a good idea.

In winter, it is advisable to wear a layering system: a very breathable thermal vest as the first layer, a long-sleeved technical T-shirt as the second layer, and a windbreaker as the last layer.

Backpack on your back, pole in hand, and off you go!

PREPARATION

Preparing for the Camino de Santiago: Essential Tips

Physical Preparation
Before embarking on the Camino, engage in physical training suited to your abilities. Plan your walking stages realistically, pacing yourself to avoid overexertion. Take regular breaks based on your physical condition and never push yourself to the point of exhaustion.
Sun Protection
- Avoid direct sun exposure, especially on your head, to prevent sunstroke and heat exhaustion. Wear a hat or cap for protection.
- Minimize walking during peak sunlight hours (midday) to reduce the risk of sunburn and dehydration.
- If you’re not accustomed to the climate, allow time for gradual exposure to the sun.
- Use high-SPF sunscreen, moisturizing creams, and UV-protective sunglasses.
Safety for Cyclists
If cycling the Camino, always wear a helmet and a high-visibility vest to ensure safety on the road.
Hydration & Food Safety
- Drink only bottled or verified public drinking water; avoid water from rivers, streams, or fountains unless its safety is confirmed.
- Stay hydrated by consuming at least 2 liters of water per day. Isotonic drinks with sodium and potassium can help replenish electrolytes in healthy adults.
- Eat four to five smaller meals daily, focusing on fresh food rather than one large meal.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with safe drinking water.
- If carrying pre-prepared food, ensure it is properly stored to prevent spoilage.
Personal Hygiene & Foot Care
- Shower daily and dry off thoroughly to maintain hygiene and prevent fungal infections or skin irritation.
- Avoid sharing personal hygiene items such as razors or tweezers.
- Foot care is crucial to avoid blisters: wear clean, dry, well-fitting cotton socks and ensure they do not cause chafing.

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