Camino Francés tips | Consejos para el Camino Francés

Everybody's Camino experience is unique. [Here is a previous blog from my time in Spain: Camino de Santiago.] When I booked my trip in the summer of 2019, I only had one week to plan for this 6-week adventure. This book was so helpful: "A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago: Camino Francés," by John Brierley. Obviously, research what other backpacking & Camino travelers suggest. But this is ME...

Transportation:

To start: I flew into Barcelona, then used the metro to get around. Next I took a train (Renfe) to Pamplona. And finally a bus (Alsa) to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France.

I walked from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela (32 days). Then I walked 5 more days to the coast -- Finisterre (Fisterra) & Muxía.

To end: I took a bus (Arriva Galicia) from Muxía to A Coruña. Then I took an overnight train (Renfe) to return to Barcelona. Lastly, the metro to return to the airport.

Once arriving to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, I made it to the Pilgrim's Office before they closed to get my Credential (pilgrim's passport) & scallop shell (concha in Spanish). I suppose you can do this ahead of time if you need/want to. But I'm glad I did it this way.

Recommendations before:

--Bring a rock/stone from home for Cruz de Ferro (day 24 in book).

--Pack light: less than 10% of your body weight. This is key if you want to complete the Camino the traditional way, walking the whole route with all of your belongings. I've never packed so light in my life. haha <<see packing list below>>

--Download an offline map ahead of time -- I used MAPS.ME app.

--Other apps to download: SpanishDictionary.com, DeepL Translate, Buen Camino de Santiago, Xe Send Money & Currency, & your banking/credit card apps.

--Order foreign currency (euro) through your bank -- it's so nice not to look for an ATM when you are jet lagged. You can always use the ATM at the airport, but it's not my preferred option.

--Get travel insurance.

--Figure out your international cell phone coverage plan. Depending on your phone type (only if your phone is unlocked), it's really affordable to get a SIM card in Spain. Or if you have an iPhone 14 or newer you have to purchase an eSIM (such as: Airalo).

--Research how to prevent blisters & be prepared with multiple strategies.

--Use a label maker to put your contact info (name, phone # (with +1 for USA country code), & email) on cell phone, power bank, & trekking polls).

Recommendations during:

--Unplug & be present. I suggest not posting to social media.

--Make time to journal, read Scripture, & pray. Attend a mass.

--When you stop to take brakes, air out your feet as much as possible.

--Stop & tend to your feet as soon as you start to feel a hot spot forming.

--Take time to tour a cathedral. I only had the chance to see Burgos & it was amazing! The larger ones are: Burgos, León, & Santiago de Compostela.

--Get your mid-way certificate at Sahagún.

--A fabulous thing to order for breakfast if you're hungry: "Quisiera un bocadillo de tortilla." -- I didn't figure this out until day #27.

--Sleep with your money belt & phone (valuables) in your bed with you.

As far as accommodations... my favorite memories were from the places that shared a meal together. One place I stayed even planned our entire evening together: dinner, reflection, & enjoy the sunset together (with music & singing). I mostly stayed in albergues (hostels) & overall a couple private rooms.

Some things I learned the hard way...

--It's possible to get lost even when following route markers, since there are alternate routes along the way (seasonal & extended scenic routes) -- so refer to maps as needed.

--If you have sensitive skin, don't use blister prevention tape. I ended up getting a really bad skin reaction (swollen, pussy, blistery) on the spots where I put the tape (from the adhesive). But I also left the tape on for days at a time. Thankfully this issue was toward the very end of my trip.

--IF ONLY I did more to prevent bedbugs. There are preventative things you can do, like sprays & such. I got bedbugs 2x on my trip. (Tuve chinces dos veces en mi viaje.) I don't even want to think about it.

Spanish vocab:

Quisiera... -or- Me gustaría... (I would like...)

Quisiera un trozo de tortilla. (I would like a piece of tortilla.)

Me gustaría una taza de zumo de naranja. (I would like a cup of orange juice.)

¡Buen Camino! (how to greet other peregrinos on the Camino)

el peregrino, la peregrina (pilgrim)

el albergue (hostel)

el menú del día/peregrino (pilgrim menu aka the best thing ever)

el bocadillo (sandwich)

la carta (menu)

el hospitalero, la hospitalera (warden of the hostel)

los chinches (bedbugs)

las ampollas (blisters)

la litera (bunk bed)

la misa (mass (religious))

el cura (priest)

el sello (stamp)

la fuente (fountain)

el letrero (sign)

el tapón (earplug)

la flecha amarilla (yellow arrow)

Comida española (Spanish food):

la tortilla (Spanish omelet)

el zumo de naranja (orange juice) -- great to get some fresh squeezed orange juice (at a bar, café), esp if you are starting to fight a cold

las tapas (snacks)

los pinchos (hors d'oeuvres (appetizer))

el jamón ibérico (ham, more expensive $$$) vs

el jamón serrano (ham, less expensive $) -- make sure you know which one you are ordering because there is a BIG difference in price

**How I ordered my coffee: Quisiera dos cargas de café. (I would like two shots of coffee (espresso).)

P A C K I N G L I S T

I did my Camino in August. So here is what I suggest...

Essentials:

-passport & ID

-wallet & credit/debit cards

Clothes:

-2 pairs of running shorts

-2 cycling jerseys (for shirts)

-2 tank tops

-2 sports bra

-1 pair of hiking pants (quick drying)

-2 pairs of socks -- Injinji Liner Mini-Crew socks

-2-3 pairs of underwear

-UV arm covers

-Buff neckwear (for UV protection)

-hat

-bathing suit

-lightweight puffy vest (for warmth)

-lightweight windbreaker (jacket)

-poncho (I ended up using this instead of a waterproof backpack cover)

Shoes:

-walking shoes -- I wore trail running Hoka Challengers

-sandals -- I wore Tevas but remember wishing they were a bit lighter

Electronics:

-cell phone

-portable phone charger -- Belkin Travel Bundle (10K power bank with USB-C cable & wall charger)

-US-to-Spain power adapter

Toiletries:

-chapstick (with sunscreen)

-sunscreen

-small deodorant

-baby powder

-Body Glide Foot Glide: anti blister balm

-floss

-nail clippers

-small brush

-tampons, pads, & panty liners

-med kit (Neosporin, Tylenol &/or Ibuprofen, cough drops, Band-Aids)

-Adventure Medical Kits: Blister Medic Moleskin Kit

-travel sized toothpaste & toothbrush

-travel sized shampoo & conditioner

-1 disposable razor for shaving

-Sea To Summit Trek & Travel Pocket Laundry Wash (50 leaves)

Other stuff:

-hiking backpack -- I used a 33L Osprey (with a water bladder)

-10L daypack (similar to a lightweight drawstring backpack) -- I got multiple of these to give as gifts. So cute, light, & cheap! "Quechua" 10L hiking backpack sold at the Decathlon store (a French sporting goods retailer, located along the Camino in Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, León, Ponferrada)

-trekking polls (so thankful for these!) -- Leki Micro Vario Carbon poles

-fanny pack (waist/hip pack) -- Dakine Classic Hip Pack

-headlamp (for flashlight)

-clothes line (Sea to Summit)

-travel sheets (sleeping bag liners) -- I used a standard size Sea to Summit silk liner

-quick-drying towel -- REI Co-op Multi Towel Mini

-eye mask for travel & sleep

-sunglasses & glasses

-ear plugs (bring extra)

-2 water bottles -- I used plastic bike water bottles

-small Victorinox Swiss Army Knife

-mini sewing kit

-money belt to wear under clothes (for passport & credit cards)

-small journal

-small Bible

-Pilgrim's Guide book

Pointers:

--I squeezed a few ounces of sunscreen into a smaller container. The closest thing I can find to what I used: FlatPak™ Toiletry Bottles.

--I did not bring any make-up.

--Leave valuables (such as jewelry (wedding ring) or nice watch) at home.

--Remember this is not the same as camping... you can buy things as needed along the Camino.

--I almost always started walking right before dawn with the predawn glow (before anything was open), so I often bought a snack for breakfast the day before.

Enjoy the journey!

Have FUN &

¡Buen Camino!