3 Day Camino Itineraries - Short Camino Breaks | Follow the Camino (2024)

There are plenty of reasons that someone might be looking for a shorter itinerary on the Camino. Maybe you only have a long weekend to spare, maybe you have health or mobility difficulties, or maybe you just want to try out the Camino. Whatever your reason – there is a short Camino itinerary for you! Here are our favourite 3-day Camino itineraries to show you what you can pack into just a few days.

Estacion de Lalin to Santiago on the Via de la Plata

Every Camino is beautiful in its own way but the last 3 days of the Via de la Plata into Santiago are truly spectacular. You can easily take the train out to Estacion de Lalin and walk the 3 days back into Santiago. This is a relatively easy walk and you will have less than 20km to walk each day.

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You will walk through beautiful farmland, woodland and villages. There are plenty of services available, like shops and cafes, and there is fantastic Spanish food to try. Make sure to stop in Bandeira on your second day, a town well-known for its delicious empanadas!

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San Sebastian to Markina on the Camino del Norte

San Sebastian is a great place to start (or end!) your pilgrimage on the Camino del Norte. From the rolling green hillsides that surround the city to the golden beaches that frame the coastline, you can experience city life, beach life and country life all within a short distance of each other.

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Deba is a quaint seaside town. Make sure to visit the 16th-century Basque Gothic-style National Monument of the Church of Santa Maria. The walk to Markina is lush and green. Explore the Hermitage of El Calvario and the beautiful hamlets of the area. A bus and a train, or two buses will get you back to San Sebastian in about 3 hours.

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Castro Urdiales to Santander on the Camino del Norte

Alternatively, you can begin your 3-day journey on the Camino del Norte with a 2-hour bus ride from Santander to the medieval seaside town of Castro Urdiales. A must-see when you are here is the Gothic Church of Santa María de la Asunción. It is absolutely striking, with a French Gothic feel and flying buttresses and pinnacles.

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A spectacular cliff walk overlooking the Cantabrian Sea will take you to the popular beach town of Laredo. This lovely town grew around the Monastery of San Martin and is known for its long beach, its medieval quarter (Puebla Vieja) and lively atmosphere. Take a break in Bareyo and admire the beautiful Romanesque Church of Santa Maria. From the village of Somo, you can catch a “pedrenera”, a traditional boat used to cross the bay.

Finish this short Camino escape in Santander. Santander city is surrounded by beautiful nature and is best known for its beautiful beaches. The 13th-century Cathedral de Santander is not to be missed. If you have extra time to spare, a visit to the Museum of Prehistory and Archeology is absolutely recommended!

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Santiago to Finisterre on the Camino Finisterre

Usually, this Camino takes 4 walking days, but you can easily do it in 3 days. Just take a 20-minute bus ride to Negreira and start from there. The first day from Negreira to Olveiroa is a long one but the mountainous landscape is wonderful. The wild Serra de Castelo and the Xallas valley are particularly breathtaking!

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Next, you will follow the river and pass the Hermitage of Nosa Senora. You will catch your first glimpse of the ocean as you descend through the pine groves of Alto do Cruxeiro da Armada. Take a dip at the beach and enjoy the quiet village.

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Stop for lunch in the lovely town of Fisterra for absolutely excellent seafood! The catches of the day are often prepared and cooked within minutes of being brought ashore. Try the famous barbeque grilled sardines and chimirones – grilled whole squid. After lunch, make your way to Cape Finisterre – known since Roman times as the ‘End of the World’. Here you will find the famous lighthouse that plays a vital role in safely guided ships along the coastline, and the end of the Camino Finisterre.

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There are plenty more routes that you can choose for your 3 day Camino itinerary. These are just some of our favourites! If you have a particular city in mind that you would like to start or end in, let us know. We can design a customised itinerary on the Way of Saint James just for you.

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Whether you are looking for a forested walk with plenty of tree cover, a historic pilgrimage, or a foodie adventure, we can create the ideal trip for you.

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3 Day Camino Itineraries - Short Camino Breaks | Follow the Camino (2024)

FAQs

Can you do a 3 day Camino? ›

Usually, this Camino takes 4 walking days, but you can easily do it in 3 days. Just take a 20-minute bus ride to Negreira and start from there.

What is the shortest and easiest Camino route? ›

The Camino Inglés, or the English Way, is the shortest Camino walk. Its name stems from the medieval English pilgrims who would arrive by boat at the northern Spanish ports before making their way to Santiago de Compostela.

What is the shortest time to do the Camino? ›

English Way from Ferrol

It is the only one that you can walk entirely in just 5 days, as its starting point is Ferrol. This was the route originally taken by British and Irish pilgrims, as well as Scandinavian, that reached Galicia by sea and disembarked into the port of Ferrol to continue their Camino by land.

What is the prettiest Camino? ›

Which Camino route is the most beautiful? Generally, most people believe that the Camino del Norte is the most beautiful in terms of landscape. This is because you walk along Northern Spain and at times have the option to walk on a direct coastal path overlooking the ocean.

How much weight do people lose on the Camino? ›

Veteran Member. I think more people would lose weight than gain it whilst walking a camino. You are using so many calories each day that it is difficult to replace them all with food. Most years I have started my camino several kilos over weight and generally lose around 6-8 kilos.

What is the best Camino route for beginners? ›

The Camino Francés often stands out as a top recommendation when talking about beginner-friendly routes. This route starts in St. Jean Pied de Port in France and spans 800 km, crossing over to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Which is the best short route for the Camino de Santiago? ›

Short, relatively easy route within Galicia

The “English Way” runs about 115km/71 miles (five days) to Santiago from Ferrol in northern Galicia. It owes its name to medieval pilgrims from Britain, Ireland and other northern locations, who would sail to ports like Ferrol then complete their journey to Santiago overland.

Can you walk the Camino in 2 weeks? ›

Many pilgrims walking the Camino Portugués start from Porto and can complete the trip to Santiago in just under two weeks at a similar daily distance average. The Camino Primitivo is more challenging than many other camino routes, as it crosses the rugged mountains of central Asturias.

Can you do the Camino for a week? ›

4 days to complete the Camino Finisterre from Santiago to Muxia. 8 days to complete the final 100km of the Via de la Plata from Ourense to Santiago. One of the shortest Camino routes is the Camino Ingles, the English Way, which is just 118 km from Ferrol to Santiago and would take just 1 week to complete.

What is the average age to walk the Camino? ›

Age 30-60: The age group between 30 and 60 has consistently represented the majority of Camino pilgrims over the years.

Can you walk the Camino in 4 days? ›

The time and distance required for completing the Way of St. James depend on the chosen route. It can be from 4 days on the Camino de Gran Canaria to 45+ days on the Via de la Plata. The most popular route the Camino Frances takes on average between 30 and 35 days to complete.

Can you do the Camino in 5 days? ›

If despite having little time you want to live the experience of the Camino and get your Compostela, you will have many options to choose from. Keep in mind that each stage comprises an average of about 25 kms, so 5 days would be enough to complete the minimum 100 kms required and reach your destination.

Which Camino is the hardest? ›

You want the proper hiking experience and you're more than physically capable of handling it. The Camino del Norte is a great option for you and is considered the most difficult of the routes due to its multiple ascents and descents.

What is the hardest part of the Camino? ›

The main physical challenges are the multiple days walking; even fit people will hit the 'wall' at some stage. The hardest day of the Camino is on the first day of the French Way, where you have to cross the great mountain range of the Pyrenees over the Napoleon Pass.

Should you walk the Camino alone? ›

Walking the Camino de Santiago alone is generally considered safe, and many solo travellers embark on this journey each year. The Camino is well-trodden and marked, leading through a mixture of rural paths and small towns, and is frequented by a diverse community of pilgrims.

How many days do you need for Camino? ›

This route has a well-established system of albergues (inns and lodges built for pilgrims), lots of food options and locals used to international thru-hikers. For a prepared and experienced hiker, this route takes about 30 days start to finish, covering nearly 500 miles.

What is the minimum for Camino de Santiago? ›

To qualify, pilgrims must have traveled at least 62 miles by foot or horseback, or biked at least 124 miles, from any starting point. Along the way, pilgrims must collect at least two certification stamps each day in their Credencial del Peregrino. The accredited passport for pilgrims serves as proof of their passage.

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