Camino de Santiago in summer: advice, routes and how to prepare for it

• Longer days. The days are longer in summer. This means you have more time to cover each stage and take your time enjoying the scenery and the towns and villages you pass through.
• Good weather. In July, August and September, there is less chance of rain or cold weather on virtually all routes.
• Services in full swing. As it is ‘high season’ on the Camino, all services are available to pilgrims. From a wide range of accommodation (public and private hostels, guesthouses, hotels…) to restaurants and specific services such as luggage transport.
• Pilgrims from all over the world. The large number of pilgrims means you can meet people from all over the world, share experiences and make new friends.
• Lighter luggage. As you know, our recommendation is always to walk the Camino with only the essentials and keep your luggage light. This is easier in summer, when we can do without warm clothing. However, as you know, weight is never a problem, because if you don’t want to or can’t carry your rucksack on your back, you can use our rucksack transport service.

Drawbacks of walking the Camino in summer

There are two sides to every coin. And walking the Camino de Santiago has its drawbacks, although none are insurmountable. Here are a few:

• High temperatures. The heat is usually a constant feature on practically all the routes in Spain and Portugal during the summer. As well as the discomfort of walking in high temperatures, if appropriate precautions are not taken, pilgrims may suffer from sunburn, cramps, sunstroke or even heatstroke.
• High occupancy in hostels. More pilgrims means more occupied beds. Although all accommodation is operating at full capacity in summer, occupancy rates are also higher. Bear this in mind, especially if you’re planning to stay in a public hostel.
• Busier routes. During the summer months, certain sections of the Camino de Santiago routes tend to be very busy. This can be a nuisance if you’re looking for peace and quiet or want to walk on your own. 

Tips for walking the Camino de Santiago in summer

Bearing all this in mind, here are some tips to help you enjoy the route during the summer months.

Plan your route. This is sound advice whether you’re walking the Camino de Santiago at any time of year, but it’s even more important in summer. Decide how many days you have available, plan your transport and choose the route that best suits your preferences

Choose less crowded sections. The most popular sections in summer are the final 100 km of the Jacobean routes. If you want to avoid encountering large numbers of pilgrims and opt for a quieter Camino, remember that you don’t always have to reach Santiago.

You can also opt for less popular routes that are nonetheless unrivalled in their beauty, such as the Primitive Way or the Northern Way.

Protect yourself from the sun and the heat. In summer, it’s very important to wear the right kit: breathable clothing, a cap, sunglasses and comfortable footwear. It’s very important to stay hydrated, apply sun cream and avoid walking during the hottest part of the day. In this article, we’ve put together some more tips to help you cope with the high temperatures.

Travel light. Physical exertion combined with the heat will cause you to use up your strength and energy more quickly. So, now more than ever, avoid carrying unnecessary weight. A cap, three T-shirts, two pairs of trousers and three changes of underwear are more than enough.

To travel light, remember that at Correos we offer the Paq Mochila service — now also available from Porto — which transports your luggage from one accommodation to the next, so you’ll have all your belongings with you at the end of each stage.

We hope that these recommendations will encourage you to embark on the adventure of the Camino de Santiago this summer. Remember that throughout your journey you’ll be able to count on the support of Correos, through its more than 150 branches located along the various routes. We also offer specific services for pilgrims, such as bicycle transport (Paq Bicicleta); sending luggage within Spain (Paq Peregrino); and sending luggage from Porto to Santiago de Compostela (Paq Mochila Directo).

On arrival in Santiago, you can use the left-luggage facility at the Correos post office on Rúa do Franco, 4 (a 2-minute walk from the Cathedral). There, you can leave your rucksacks, bikes or walking sticks, or send them back home. You’ll also find stamps, postcards and all sorts of souvenirs of your pilgrimage adventure.

¡Buen Camino!