Towns Along the Camino Francis

The Camino Francis is a 780km-long pilgrimage route beginning in France and ending in Santiago, Spain. 

 Jean Pied do Port -this is a vibrant French town in the Pyrenees.  St Jean is the typical starting place for anyone who wants to complete the whole camino Frances.  You can collect your Pilgrims Passport in the Pilgrims office here.  They will also give you a list of hostels and albergues for the whole way.  It is the best place to get the weather forecast from as it is advised not to walk over the top and take the Road Route in bad weather.  In St Jean you are able to pickup last minutes items that you have forgotten or did not want to carry with you – like walking poles or a walking stick.

Roncesvalles– the monastery and the pilgrim’s mass.  There is little else, Roncesvalles is tiny.  There are only two places to eat in Roncesvalles and you have to book, if you don’t book you run the risk of not having any food that evening.  If you want to start your Camino in Roncesvalles, as many do, you can collect a Pilgrims Passport here at the Pilgrims office.

Zubiri 

((Albergue Municipal many stay here.))

Pampola– this is the first major city on the Camino.  Try the tapas, I think they are the best in Spain.  I stayed in Pamplona once and the other time I walked right through.  The first time I had to stop here as my boot were hurting my feet so badly I put them in a bin and bought new walking shoes.  The shoes were great and lasted me longer than just the Camino.  As you likely know you can start the Camino anywhere and if you have less time than a month here or the next cities are good places to start as they are easy to get to.  You can get a Pilgrims Passport in any of them.

Puente la Reina

Estella

Los Arcos

Logrono

Najera

Santa Domingo

Belorado

St. Juan

Burgos – this is the next major city after Pamplona, it is about 220km from Pamplona to Burgos.  Burgos is home to El Cid, the Cathedral which is an world heritage site and home to the Museum of Human Evolution on of the most visited museums in Spain

Honorillos

Castrojeriz

Fromista

Carrion

Terradillos

Bercianos

Mansilla

 Leon (Lion)– this is a magnificent city.  The Camino Frances goes right by the cathedral a must for anyone.  In Leon there are two main and a few smaller hostels.  Each time I have preferred to stay in the local YMCA as there is no lockout time in the evening.  Whereas the main albergue closes at 10pm – and it is 10pm sharp, if you are locked out that’s it you are out for the night.

Villadangos

Astroga

Rabanal

Molinseca

Ponferrada– the old castle is a must see, you will pass right by it away.  This is the last major city before Santiago 200km later.  You need to have some cash when leaving here.  

O'Cebreiro

Triacastela

Sarria

Portomarin

Palas de Rei

Ribadiso

Pedrouzo Arca

 Santiago de Compostela– the end of the road for most and a chance to catch up with friends made along the way.  this is the destination for us all, for many routes from all over Europe and therefore as you might imagine it is busy.  After walking in the countryside for so long the city noise can be shocking, but I was so happy to have got here and walked into the local tourist office and asked where the nearest Burger King was – I had been dreaming about it for a few days.  But the best restaurants in Santiago serve fish and there are a lot of them.

A great remedy is to stop in any post office (Correos) along the way and for a very reasonable price you can buy a box and post it to yourself in Santiago. The Pilgrim’s Post Office there is right next to the Catedral, and they will hold your package for 60 days.