Glossary for the Camino

A quick-reference glossary to help you make sense of Camino-specific terms often encountered in guides, signage, and conversations.

Symbolic and emotional highlights that represent the essence of the pilgrimage beyond its physical route.

• 24h Emergency Phone: Helpline included in most organised Caminos to ensure safety and support.
• Albergue: A hostel or shelter specifically for pilgrims. Can be public (municipal/parochial) or private.
• Botafumeiro: A giant incense burner used during special masses in the Santiago Cathedral.
• Compostela: The official certificate of pilgrimage issued at the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela to those who meet the required distance and purpose criteria.
• Credential stamping: Collecting sellos (stamps) in the credential to record progress along the route.
• Credencial: Pilgrim’s passport used to collect stamps along the Camino. Required to stay in albergues and obtain the Compostela.
• Etapa: A stage or leg of the Camino — typically referring to one day’s walk.
• Fisterra / Muxía: (Post-Santiago Extension) More than just coastal towns at the edge of Galicia, Fisterra and Muxía are culturally iconic and deeply resonant endpoints for many pilgrims. Though not part of the core Jacobean pilgrimage, this extension to “the end of the world” offers a powerful emotional close to the Camino. For some, it is a sacred farewell to the journey. For others, it is the space to begin processing what they’ve just accomplished. The silence of the coast, the waves against the rocks, and the vastness of the Atlantic become metaphors for introspection. While not everyone chooses to continue beyond Santiago, those who do often describe it as one of the most personally meaningful parts of their pilgrimage.
• Hospitalero: A volunteer who runs an albergue, often a former pilgrim themselves.
• Jacobean: Relating to Saint James (Jacobus in Latin). You’ll see the term used in reference to the Camino and its iconography.
• Monte do Gozo: “Hill of Joy” — the first point from which pilgrims see the towers of the Santiago Cathedral.
• Pilgrim’s scallop: The scallop shell symbol historically worn by pilgrims. It represents the many paths leading to Santiago.
• Private transfer: Custom transport included in some travel packages when accommodation lies outside town centres.
• Reinforced breakfast: A breakfast slightly more substantial than the typical Spanish offering — usually includes bread, fruit, and protein.
• Support car: An optional service that follows walkers to provide assistance, transport, or supplies as needed.
• Tapas: While no one needs a glossary to define tapas, we include them here as a reminder of one of the simple joys awaiting you along the Camino. These small, shareable dishes are not only a cornerstone of Spanish cuisine — they’re also the pilgrim’s best friend: affordable, satisfying, and often paired with good company at the end of a long day’s walk.
• Transfer: A pre-arranged private or shared transport, e.g., from the airport or between accommodations.
• Ultreia / Et Suseia: Medieval pilgrim greetings meaning “Onward!” and “Upward!” often seen carved into stones along the trail.
• Waymark: A sign or marker indicating the route — often a yellow arrow or stylised scallop shell.