While there are many beautiful routes-from the rugged coastal paths of Portugal to the northern trails-the Camino Francés remains the heartbeat of the pilgrimage. It consistently attracts nearly 50% of all pilgrims. In peak years or Años Jacobeos (Holy Years), when St. James’ Day (July 25th) falls on a Sunday, the number of pilgrims can soar well past 200,000.
Pro-tip: The next Holy Year is in 2027. If you decide to go, be ready: the atmosphere is electric, but accommodation gets booked out in a heartbeat.
Where to Start? More than 30% of pilgrims start in Sarria. It’s the “minimalist” choice-at 114 km from Santiago, it perfectly covers the 100 km required to receive your Compostela (the official certificate).
Personally? I chose to start in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, joining the 12% who commit to the full, epic crossing. To my mind, starting in Sarria feels a bit too “commercialized,” but don’t let me judge! Whether you start in Pamplona, Burgos, León, or O Cebreiro, the “right” start is simply the one that fits your spirit and your vacation days. I’ve even met pilgrims who return just to walk the Pyrenees or the Meseta again, piece by piece.
Why Do We Walk? It’s not just a physical journey; it’s a mosaic of intentions:
- 40% walk for purely religious reasons.
- 50% seek a blend of spiritual, cultural, and personal clarity.
- 10% are there for sport, adventure, or simply to disconnect and recharge.
The World on the Trail: in 2024, the office in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port registered 58,451 pilgrims from 121 different nationalities. It’s a true global village.
Top 13 countries with more than 1.000 visitor per year:
| # | Flag | Country | Pilgrims | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇫🇷 | France | 9,945 | 17.0% | |
| 2 | 🇺🇸 | USA | 8,668 | 14.8% | |
| 3 | 🇰🇷 | South Korea | 5,011 | 8.6% | |
| 4 | 🇪🇸 | Spain | 4,692 | 8.0% | |
| 5 | 🇮🇹 | Italy | 4,407 | 7.5% | |
| 6 | 🇩🇪 | Germany | 2,976 | 5.1% | |
| 7 | 🇬🇧 | UK | 2,537 | 4.3% | |
| 8 | 🇦🇺 | Australia | 2,500 | 4.3% | |
| 9 | 🇨🇦 | Canada | 2,157 | 3.7% | |
| 10 | 🇧🇷 | Brazil | 1,647 | 2.8% | |
| 11 | 🇮🇪 | Ireland | 1,618 | 2.8% | |
| 12 | 🇳🇱 | Netherlands | 1,464 | 2.5% | |
| 13 | 🇹🇼 | Taiwan | 1,380 | 2.4% | |
| Total (all pilgrims) | 58,451 | 100% | |||
As for me, I felt a special surge of pride: since I hold dual citizenship (Ukraine and Cyprus), I was delighted to learn at the SJPDP Pilgrim’s Office that I was the first Cypriot to walk the full Camino Frances. Carrying the ‘first’ footsteps from my home island onto this ancient path added a deep, personal layer of significance to every kilometer I walked thereafter.