El Camino de Santiago: A Walking Tour In Northern Spain

Depart on an overnight flight to Pamplona

PAMPLONA

Arrive in Pamplona in the late afternoon and transfer to the Hotel Tres Reyes. This evening, meet fellow travelers at a welcome reception for an aperitif.

PAMPLONA/RONCESVALLES

A morning lecture will set the stage for a walking tour of Pamplona’s Old Quarter. Explore landmarks across the city’s history, including the Town Hall with its Baroque façade, the Gothic Church of San Saturnino, and the 13thcentury Cathedral of Santa María la Real, the final resting place of King Charles III of Navarre. After lunch at leisure, our journey leads to Roncesvalles, a historic starting point on the Way of St. James. Here, receive your credencial (pilgrim passport) to mark your route. Return to Pamplona early this evening and gather for a welcome dinner.
Approximate walking distance: 6.5 kilometers / 4 miles.

PAMPLONA / ESTELLA/LAGUARDIA

Travel by coach to the Romanesque Church of Santa María de Eunate, one of the jewels of the Camino, located in the heart of the Izarbe Valley. From there, walk a short distance on the Camino to Puente La Reina, a medieval town where the two main routes on the Pilgrim’s Way converge. There will be time to explore the town, including its majestic namesake bridge, the Puente La Reina (the Queen’s Bridge), with its seven semicircular arches, and enjoy lunch on your own. Transfer to Estella to see the Palace of the Kings of Navarre and San Pedro de la Rúa with its beautiful 12th-century cloister. Continue to Laguardia, the historic capital of the famous Rioja Alavesa wine region. The Hotel Villa de Laguardia, surrounded by lush vineyards, will be home for the next two nights. Dinner is at a local restaurant, featuring regional cuisine and wines. B,D Approximate walking distance: 4.5 kilometers / 2.75 miles.

LAGUARDIA/LOGROÑO

Following a morning lecture, drive to the lively university city of Logroño to see its lovely Old Quarter. Amid its charming streets lies the 12th-century Church of San Bartolomé. Once a fragment of the ancient city walls, the church’s bell tower now serves as a vantage point, offering climbers panoramic vistas of Logroño’s beauty. At the Co-Cathedral of Santa María de La Redonda, take a special look at The Calvary, a painting attributed to Michelangelo, and the carvings of Spanish Baroque sculptor Gregorio Fernández. Lunch is at Bodegas Baigorri, where Rioja Alavesa is produced. Return to Laguardia and visit the late 12th-century Church of Santa María de los Reyes, which once was part of the town’s fortress. Stroll through Laguardia’s medieval streets, stopping in some of the numerous cellars to taste or buy some magnificent local wines. Back at the hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Rest day (only sightseeing walking).

LAGUARDIA / NÁJERA / AZOFRA / SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA / BURGOS

Depart for Nájera, the former capital of the Kingdom of Navarre, where you will visit the Monasterio de Santa María La Real de Nájera. Built as a royal foundation in the 11th century, the monastery is the burial place of many of the kings, queens, and knights of Navarre. Continue walking on the Camino to Azofra, then drive to Santo Domingo de la Calzada for lunch and a visit to the cathedral and the 12th-century Pilgrims’ Hospital, now a hostel for pilgrims situated among its network of medieval streets. Upon arrival in Burgos, visit the Monasterio de las Huelgas, a 12th-century Cistercian monastery, a royal burial place, and a spiritual retreat for noble women. Check into the Hotel NH Palacio de Burgos, our home for the next two nights. Dinner is at leisure.
Approximate walking distance: 5.8 kilometers / 3.6 miles.

BURGOS

This morning, discover the sumptuous Burgos Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral’s Gothic façade, dating back to the 12th century, ranks among Europe’s most awe-inspiring architectural marvels. Admire its resplendent interior featuring myriad chapels, a cloister, appended structures, and 38 altarpieces. Then drive to the monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos, which dates from the seventh century and is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. While there, experience a Gregorian chant performed by the world-famous monks of Silos. Later, stroll along a delightful Camino path through an oak and pine forest leading to the peaceful valley of the Río Vena. Dinner is at leisure.
Approximate walking distance: 6.1 kilometers / 3.8 miles.

BURGOS / CALZADA DEL COTO / CALZADILLA DE LOS HERMANILLOS / LEÓN

Drive this morning to the little village of Calzada del Coto to begin a beautiful hike along this stretch of the Camino to Calzadilla de los Hermanillos. After a tapas lunch at a popular pilgrim restaurant, continue to León, where you will check into the Parador de León and have the remainder of the day and dinner at leisure. Take a stroll and see the 14th-century Palacio del Conde Luna, the former seat of the Kingdom of León. The palace, distinguished by its 16th-century three-story Renaissance tower, underwent an extensive $26 million restoration in 2009. Stop at the Casa de las Carnicerías, with its lovely 16th-century Renaissance architecture and ornate carvings.
Approximate walking distance: 8.7 kilometers / 5.4 miles.

LEÓN

Start your day with a lecture, then follow the Camino within the walls of León. Here, discover Antonio Gaudí’s neo-Gothic, late 19th-century palace Casa Botines, one of only three buildings by Gaudí beyond Catalonia. (You will see another Gaudí creation tomorrow.) Visit the soaring 13th-century León Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, with nearly 2,000 square feet of stained glass from the 13th through to the 20th centuries. Then see the Basilica of San Isidoro, the most important Romanesque church of the Iberian Peninsula, featuring the Pantheon of Kings, known as the “Sistine Chapel of Romanesque Art.” The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Approximate walking distance: 2.1 kilometers / 1.3 miles.

LEÓN / ASTORGA / PONFERRADA / VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO

Today’s journey on the Camino ventures into the glorious open countryside of the páramo (treeless grassland) with its rich red earth. Drive to Astorga, the crossroads of several major pilgrim routes. Admire Gaudí’s Bishop’s Palace, which features a museum devoted to the pilgrimage, before lunch at leisure. Continue to Ponferrada and the magnificent 12th-century Templar Castle, which towers over the town’s historic quarter and houses the Templars’ Library. Dinner and overnight are at the Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo.
Approximate walking distance: 6.7 kilometers / 4.2 miles.

VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO / MONTE DO GOZO / SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Experience the history of Villafranca del Bierzo, the final major stop on the Camino. Enjoy a brief walking tour here to view the town’s significant monuments, including Plaza Mayor, Calle del Agua, and Los Marqueses Castle, before driving to Monte do Gozo for lunch. The spires of the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela will be visible as you join other pilgrims walking the last few miles of the Camino. Then check into the San Francisco Hotel Monumento in the heart of Santiago de Compostela. Late this evening an optional excursion is arranged to “the end of the Earth” at Cape Finisterre. Enjoy the sunset from the cape with a glass of Cava. Otherwise, enjoy a free evening with dinner at leisure.
Approximate walking distance: 4.7 kilometers / 2.9 miles.

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

A morning walking tour includes the highlights of this UNESCO-listed historic town, which is the final destination of the Camino. Complete the pilgrim experience at the majestic cathedral’s noon Mass, where you will witness the famous Botafumeiro ritual, in which a massive censer swings high above the cathedral’s nave, operated by eight tiraboleiros. Crafted in 1851, the five-foot-tall, 120-pound golden Botafumeiro ranks among the largest censers globally. Lunch and the afternoon are at leisure. Visit the Plaza del Obradoiro or Raxoi Palace, or stop at the city’s food market. You can also enjoy tapas on Franco or Reiña Streets before gathering tonight for our farewell dinner.
Rest day (only sightseeing walking).

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA / MADRID / RETURN

Depart the hotel and transfer to the Santiago de Compostela airport early this morning for the flight home with a connection through Madrid.