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Best Camino Routes
for First-Time Pilgrims
Embarking on the Camino de Santiago for the first time? This guide details the best routes for new pilgrims, balancing breathtaking scenery with rich history. We compare the popular Camino Francés with the serene Camino Portugués and other beginner-friendly options to help you choose the perfect journey. Whether you have one week or two, we'll help you find the easiest and most rewarding path to start your pilgrimage.
FRENCH WAY
The Camino Francés from Sarria is the most popular choice for first-time pilgrims. This final 115 km section is perfect for beginners, offering well-marked paths, frequent services, and a strong pilgrim community. You'll walk through beautiful Galician landscapes, visit historic churches, and enjoy manageable daily stages, making it the ideal route to earn your Compostela and have a classic Camino experience.
💰 Price: From €2,800 per person
PORTUGUESE WAY
The Camino Portugués from Tui is another excellent route for first-timers. This 115 km journey takes you through peaceful Galician countryside with gentle walking stages, charming towns, and clear signage. With reliable accommodation and a perfect balance of spirituality and culture, it's a great choice for new pilgrims seeking a calmer, friendly atmosphere.
💰 Price: From €750 per person
COASTAL ADVENTURE
For a more challenging adventure, the Camino del Norte on horseback follows Spain's rugged northern coastline. Starting from Irun, this route features steep climbs and coastal paths with breathtaking views of the Cantabrian Sea. While more demanding, it rewards riders with passage through charming fishing villages, picturesque cities like Bilbao and Santander, and quiet forests.
💰 Price: From €1,750 per person
HISTORIC ROAD RIDE
The Vía de la Plata follows the ancient Roman road from Seville to Santiago, offering a unique pilgrimage on horseback. This moderate route is ideal for riders wanting to immerse themselves in Spain's rich history, with stops at Roman ruins and medieval towns like Cáceres and the UNESCO city of Salamanca. The mostly flat terrain with gentle climbs makes for a manageable ride.
💰 Price: From €1,950 per person
SHORT AND SWEET
For those short on time, the section of the French Way starting from O Cebreiro offers a perfect introduction to the Camino. This route provides a scenic and spiritual journey through rolling hills, stone villages, and ancient churches. It combines manageable distances with rich tradition, allowing beginners to experience the heart of the Camino in a shorter, yet deeply meaningful, pilgrimage.
💰 Price: From €2,750 per person