Best time to walk the Camino
Weather, crowds and open hostels, month by month, so you can choose when to set off based on what matters most to you.
May, June and September win
If you can only pick one time, the short answer is May-June or September: good weather, long days, open hostels and moderate crowds, without the peak-summer crush.
July and August are the holiday months in Spain, France and Italy, so the Camino fills up, prices rise and it gets hotter, especially on the meseta. Winter, by contrast, is quiet and cheap, but several hostels close and some mountain routes become risky due to snow.
What to expect at each time of year
Jan
Cold, possible snow in the mountains. Few hostels open.
Feb
Cold but improving. Few pilgrims, ideal for quiet.
Mar
Spring begins. Longer days, pleasant temperatures.
Apr
Generally good weather, though rainfall varies by route.
May
One of the best months: stable weather, low crowds.
Jun
Excellent weather, with more pilgrims, especially by month's end.
Jul
High season. Intense heat on the meseta, packed hostels.
Aug
The busiest and hottest month. Book well in advance.
Sep
Another of the best months: good weather, August crowds ease off.
Oct
Mild weather, autumn colours, quiet after the October bank holiday.
Nov
Cold and rainy. Seasonal hostels start to close.
Dec
Winter cold. Few pilgrims, a very local, authentic atmosphere.
What are you looking for in your Camino?
May, June or September-October. Avoid July-August inland, especially on the Vía de la Plata.
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March, April, October or even winter if you don't mind the cold and the occasional closed hostel.
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Outside July-August, guesthouse and hotel prices drop noticeably.
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July and August: more people, more of a party in the hostels, though also more queues and heat.
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Not every route behaves the same
Very walkable year-round except high mountain sections in winter (Pyrenees). Avoid August if you can.
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Best from June to September. In winter, fog and snow complicate the mountain stretches.
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Avoid summer due to extreme heat in Extremadura. Ideal in spring and autumn.
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Good weather almost year-round thanks to its Atlantic character, though winter is rainy.
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Everything about when to walk the Camino
What's the best month to walk the Camino de Santiago?
Can the Camino be walked in winter?
What's the busiest month?
Does it get very hot in summer on the Camino?
Does it rain a lot in Galicia?
What happens with hostels in low season?
When are there fewer people on the Camino Francés?
Does the Jacobean Holy Year affect crowds?
Related guides
Now you know when to go. And your route?
Compare the Camino de Santiago routes, and when you reach Santiago, come celebrate with us at Bonsai Café.