Tag: Santiago

Quieter Camino-summer, but August-influx reported
Accommodation, News

Quieter Camino-summer, but August-influx reported

The latest pilgrim figures released by the Burea d'accueil des pѐlerins de St Jacques de St Jean Pied de Port show a quieter summer on the Camino compared to 2022, but a busier August-influx. This is after this year was the busiest April month since 2012. May 2023 numbers were 10% higher than May 2022, and April 2023 was 30% higher than 2022. Latest Camino de Santiago statistics 2023 The bureau, which assists pilgrims leaving from the official start point of the Camino Frances, St Jean Pied de Port in France, reports a strong influx of pilgrims in the last week of August. 6290 pilgrims left St Jean in June, and 5540 in July. This is compared to 6634 and 5690 last year. The number for August is up 1,86% from last year's figures, with 7329 pilgrims departing. Septembe...
Pilgrims get a discounted breakfast at the Parador in Santiago
Route information, Tips and Tricks

Pilgrims get a discounted breakfast at the Parador in Santiago

As a pilgrim you can have a discounted breakfast at the Parador de Santiago de Compostela. This legendary hotel is considered the oldest hotel in Spain.Pilgrims get a 15 percent discount for their sumptuous buffet breakfast, paying only 15 Euro instead of the normal 23 Euro. The historic hotel is located next to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Phone at 8 pm the previous night If you are not staying at the Parador, you can phone them at 8pm the previous night to confirm if they have any vacant tables for breakfast. They will then give you available times between 07:00 am and 10:30 am. Each sitting is 45 minutes.Make sure to take your official Pilgrim's Credential or Compostela with you and to tell the maitre d when you arrive so that they can bill you correctly. A ...
A rooftop tour of the Cathedral is a must-do
Route information, Tips and Tricks

A rooftop tour of the Cathedral is a must-do

Many pilgrims who experienced it report that one of the highlights of their visits to the Cathedral in Santiago and even their whole Camino was taking the rooftop tour. Tickets for the 60 minute tour can be booked on the Cathedral's website. It is called the Decks and Carraca's Tower tour. There is also a ticket office at the Cathedral. Tours run from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00. Access to the rooftop is limited to 15 people at a time, and books up fast. Basic admission is 12 Euros. Some pilgrims who have experienced the rooftop tour said it was the best 12 Euros spent their entire Camino. The ticket includes a visit to the Museum, a guided tour of the Covers and access to the north tower of the cathedral through its medieval structure, peeking out, more than 70 m...
You can now hug the Apostle once again
News

You can now hug the Apostle once again

One of the beloved ancient traditions of pilgrims on the Camino has returned after a three year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic.The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela announced in a press release on June 13 that as of Wednesday June 14 at 10:30 the dressing room of the Apostle Santiago will be open again so that anyone who wishes to do so can hug the statue of the Saint.It is still recommend that pilgrims avoid kissing the statue or making direct contact with the face, for sanitary/health reasons. Access closed during Covid Access to the dressing room was closed to the public on March 13, 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic restrictions.The general hours to access the dressing room will be from 8:30 am to the closing of the Cathedral at 9:00 pm, but with interruptions when a Pilg...