Join this new Active Journey whether you’re on a spiritual journey yourself or simply want the thrill of hiking this famous pilgrimage route. Feel a connection and the same sense of purpose with pilgrims since the Middle Ages as you walk along the same trails from Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela.

Select a Departure Date

Number of Passengers

Starting at: $6,595 * Price includes special offer Make a Reservation Ask Us A Question

Walking the Camino de Santiago

Spain’s Historic Pilgrimage Route

11 days from $6,595

departure passengers

Tour Details

JOURNEYS DISPATCHES

See All Journeys Dispatches ››

To view a section, please click on an option below.

Accommodations

* Click on hotel name to visit hotel web-site.

Miróhotel Bilbao

Bilbao, Spain

Sleek, modern, and chic, the Hotel Miró is a luxury boutique hotel located very close to the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts in the center of Bilbao. The 50 room are contemporary in design, and well-equipped with modern conveniences. The hotel also features a small fitness center, a bar, and a library.

Number of nights: 1

Pamplona Catedral Hotel

Pamplona, Spain

Located in the heart of Pamplona, the exclusive 4-star Pamplona Catedral Hotel is an excellent place to relax or explore the city and learn of its culture and gastronomy. The hotel is hosted in a restored 19th century convent, completely redesigned into a luxurious hotel with 59 beautifully designed rooms, and the highest quality service expected of a luxury boutique hotel. 

Number of nights: 1

AC Hotel La Rioja

La Rioja, Spain

The AC Hotel La Rioja a conveniently located hotel in the city center of Logroño. On the banks of the Ebro River and a mere 10 minute walk away from Church of San Bartolome and the cultural museum Casa das Ciencias (House of Sciences). 

Number of nights: 1

Abba Burgos Hotel

Burgos, Spain

The Abba Burgos Hotel is located in the heart of Burgos, just steps away from the Cathedral and an array of castles and other historical landmarks.  This bright and quiet hotel provides a splendid view of the city. The facilities of Abba Burgos Hotel were designed with an open and modernized concept, which includes a garden area and a wonderful panoramic view of the city to enjoy all that Burgos has to offer. 

Number of nights: 1

Hotel NH Collection León Plaza Mayor

León, Spain

Set in an 18th-century manor house in the main square of León, the Hotel NH Collection León Plaza Mayor is a luxurious 4-star property centrally located near the historical area and shopping district, close to many attractions, restaurants and much more. The hotel restaurant serves Mediterranean and Spanish inspired fare made from the finest local ingredients, a perfect place of indulgence and relaxation.

Number of nights: 2

Eurostars Gran Lugo

Lugo , Spain

The Eurostars Gran Lugo is a 4-star property perfectly located to experience the grand Lugo Cathedral and the spectacular Roman wall that surrounds the charming historical center. The Eurostar’s Gran Hotel is equipped with all of the amenities to grant a comfortable and enjoyable stay in the historic city of Lugo.

Number of nights: 1

Parador de Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Considered one of the world's oldest hotels, the Hostal dos Reis Catolicós as it is also known was built by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1499 as a hospital for pilgrims. The 137-room parador is situated in the historic Plaza do Obradoiro adjacent to the famed cathedral and its architectural flourishes include a carved entrance façade, vaulted ceilings, stone archways, a Renaissance chapel, and four courtyards. The hotel features two restaurants and a bar, coffee shop, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, library, gift shop, and laundry and dry cleaning service. Air-conditioned guest rooms are furnished in historical style and offer private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.

Number of nights: 2

Activity Level

Expectations: As part of the Smithsonian Active Journeys collection, this trip features a schedule of physical activities—including walking and hiking—in addition to activities designed to offer cultural or historical context. Walks, hikes and activities will take place rain or shine. If you are reasonably fit and can walk and hike from 1 up to 7 miles easily you should be comfortable on this Moderate/Active tour (Level 3). On this trip, daily hikes are taken at a leisurely to active pace over various types of terrain, from well-trodden trails to dirt roads to sometimes stony rural tracks. A few long travel days with early morning departures should be expected. Hiking boots, raingear and day packs for daily necessities are a must; some travelers may wish to bring hiking poles.

Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit, have a strong fitness level, expect a slightly vigorous pace, are comfortable participating in up to four hours of hiking per day, and enjoy challenging themselves physically.

Reading List

Print this Reading List

Highly Recommended

Steps Out of Time: One Woman's Journey on the Camino

By: Katharine B. Soper

Steps Out of Time won a silver medal in the 2014 Independent Publishers Book Competition and an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Writer's Digest self-published award program. Amazon reviews show that this book resonates deeply among readers, hikers and armchair travelers alike. "While the narratives of other pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela are available in an array of languages, Soper stands out as a unique and rewarding guide.... for the quality and detail of her descriptive and narrative writing, as well as the interest level of her reflections.... Soper seems to have put as much care into her book as she did, indeed, into her pilgrimage. She imbued both works with dignity and relevance in a straightforward, honest manner that will not be lost on the reader. I tip my hat to a formidable traveler/writer." Judge, 22nd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards. Part memoir, part travelogue, Steps Out of Time details the fascinating history and traditions of this ancient way, its breathtaking beauty, great food, and extraordinary camaraderie. As well, it conveys the realities of a secular pilgrim's journey - the pain, the hilarious situations, the unexpected, and the moving. It is also a deeply reflective memoir on aging and the pace of modern life as seen through the eyes of a fifty-seven-year-old wife, mother, and professional who worries that recently diagnosed medical conditions might prevent her from accomplishing her goal. Her gender, stage in life, age (and hopefully, her maturity!) set the stage for her journey and the discoveries she makes along the way. This book is a book that will resonate with anyone who has felt overwhelmed by the pace and demands of life and who remembers - but cannot seem to recreate - a life that was calmer, richer and more fulfilling. All who desire to take that first step of personal rediscovery will want to read Steps Out of Time.

Buy Now

Moon Camino de Santiago: Sacred Sites, Historic Villages, Local Food & Wine (Travel Guide)

By: Beebe Bahrami

Over 1,200 years old, 500 miles long, and rich with tradition and sacred history: Embark on the trip of a lifetime with Moon Camino de Santiago. Inside you'll find:Strategic trekking guides for walking the Camino, including where to start to get the Compostela certificate, and excursions to gateway cities like Santiago, Léon, Burgos, Pamplona, and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-PortUnique ideas for enriching your experience: Admire folkloric art, Romanesque churches, and stroll through the stone archways and winding alleys of medieval cities. Soak up the mountain views as you cross over the Pyrenees and descend into misty green valleys. See the archaeological site where Europe's oldest humans were uncovered, and breathe in the salty ocean air as you finish your journey at the shores of the AtlanticSavor the local flavors: Enjoy authentic jamón Serrano, tapas, and Galician wine, and find out where to grab fresh cheese and bread for a picnic lunchThe best detours, festivals, and villages along the way: Linger in Estella, witness the running of the bulls in Pamplona, visit dolmens in La Rioja's vineyards, visit the monastery in Nájera, or sip wine in CacabelosEssential planning information on when to go, how to get there, where to eat, and where to stay, from pilgrim dorms to private hotels, plus tips on hazards, precautions, and gearValuable insight on the history and context of the pilgrimage from Camino expert Beebe Bahrami, who has walked many Caminos since 1995Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout, plus a handy fold-out map of the entire routeThorough background information on the sacred sites and history of the Camino, as well as the landscape, culture, and local etiquetteHandy tools including Spanish and French phrasebooks, visa information, volunteer opportunities, and tips for seniors, women traveling alone, religious and secular travelers, and LGBTQ+ travelersEmbark on your transformative journey with Moon Camino de Santiago's expert insight, unique suggestions, and practical advice.

Buy Now

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: Director's Choice

By: Vidarte, Juan Ignacio

Buy Now

A Traveller's History of Spain

By: Lalaguna, Juan

Buy Now

Also Recommended

Camino Ready. Backpacks, Boots & (no) Blisters: Preparing for the Camino and Other Long Treks

By: Mark O'Sullivan

This book is for everyone thinking about or planning to do a long walk, like the Camino Frances from southern France to Santiago de Compostela a distance of 800 km or nearly 500 miles. The focus is on preparation and so you will have the best chance to successfully reach your destination pain and injury free. Many fail to complete the walk.Mark has walked 5 Camino routes in France, Spain and Portugal as have the other contributors. The book will help you prepare for the Camino Frances and similar long-distance ancient pilgrims’ pathways—or the Inca Trail, which he has also hiked. "Camino Ready. Backpacks, Boots & (no) Blisters"focuses on nine key topics based on Mark’s experience: 1.Boots vs. blisters. Choosing the right boots for long distance walking.2. Walking as a System: Some basic physiology and what to do to avoid problems.3. Clothes for sun, rain, or cold and other handy items.4. A get-fit program. To be physically and mentally prepared.5.Are you a greaser or a strapper? Protecting your feet each day; avoiding blisters; choosing socks.6.Weight creep--a killjoy. Your backpack and contents.7.Water: why, where, and when. It is not just about sipping.8.Trekking or walking poles. Why, what, and how.9.Sundry useful tips. SIM cards, keeping valuables safe, rain gear, free Wi-Fi, et al. There are also two appendices by fellow pilgrims, one on what to expect and how to manage lodging in albergues, the other all about bed bugs with a focus on avoiding them and, if it happens, how to treat the bites and avoid carrying them home.

Buy Now

The Way, My Way

By: Bill Bennett

“I’d never done anything crazy like this before – a pilgrimage walk. I was not a hiker, and I wasn’t a Catholic. In fact, I wasn’t even sure I was a Christian. On the last government census when I had to state my religion, I'd said I was a Buddhist, mainly because they’ve had such a hard time in Tibet and I felt they needed my statistical support. I was also not an adventure traveller. For me, adventure travel was flying coach. All this backpacking and wearing of heavy boots and flying off to France to walk ancient pilgrimage routes was a new experience, and not one that made me feel entirely comfortable.” And so Bill Bennett, an Australian based film director, set off on an 800 kilometre walk across Spain to Santiago de Compostela, not sure why he was doing it, and not feeling entirely comfortable. His discomfort increased markedly a few days later when his knee gave out – so the rest of the walk was a “pain management pilgrimage.” But he kept his sense of humour, and his memoir is at times hilarious but also deeply moving, and insightful. In the vein of Bill Bryson and Eric Newby, The Way, My Way takes you on a unique spiritual journey, and gives you a hearty laugh along the way.

Buy Now

Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary

By: Lonely Planet, Marta Lopez, Cristina Hernandez Montero

Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary is your handy passport to culturally enriching travels with the most relevant and useful Spanish phrases and vocabulary for all your travel needs. Enjoy the thrilling conversation with a local over sangria, ask about a tucked-away a tablao flamenco or eat your way through a tapas menu; all with your trusted travel companion. With language tools in your back pocket, you can truly get to the heart of wherever you go, so begin your journey now!Get More From Your Trip with Easy-to-Find Phrases for Every Travel Situation! Feel at ease with essential tips on culture, manners, idioms and multiple meanings Order with confidence, explain food allergies, and try new foods with the menu decoder Save time and hassles with vital phrases at your fingertips Never get stuck for words with the 3500-word two-way, quick-reference dictionary Be prepared for both common and emergency travel situations with practical phrases and terminology Meet friends with conversation starter phrases Get your message across with easy-to-use pronunciation guides Inside Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary: Full-colour throughout User-friendly layout organised by travel scenario categories Survival phrases inside front cover for at-a-glance on-the-fly cuesCovers Basics - time, dates, numbers, amounts, pronunciation, reading tips, grammar rules Practical - travel with kids, disabled travellers, sightseeing, business, banking, post office, internet, phones, repairs, bargaining, accommodation, directions, border crossing, transport Social - meeting people, interests, feelings, opinions, going out, romance, culture, activities, weather Safe Travel - emergencies, police, doctor, chemist, dentist, symptoms, conditions Food - ordering, at the market, at the bar, dishes, ingredients The Perfect Choice:Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary, a pocket-sized comprehensive language guide, provides on-the-go language assistance; great for language students and travellers looking to interact with locals and immerse themselves in local culture. About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves.

Buy Now

Grape, Olive, Pig: Deep Travels Through Spain's Food Culture

By: Matt Goulding

Winner of the 2017 IACP Award: Literary or Historical Food WritingGourmand World Cookbook Award Winner: Culinary TravelAmazon Best Book of November (2016): Cookbooks, Food and WineFinancial Times Best Books of 2017: Food and Travel"Goulding is pioneering a new type of writing about food. His last book, Rice, Noodle, Fish, took an immersive approach to Japan that combined travel, social observation and food lore. His new book on Spain offers little cooking advice but an inquisitive foodie intellectual's experience." (Financial Times)Crafted in the same “refreshing” (AP), “inspirational” (Publishers Weekly) and “impeccably observed” (Eater.com) style that drove Rice, Noodle, Fish, Roads & Kingdoms again presents a book that will change the way readers eat and travel abroad. The second in their series of unexpected and delightful gastro-tourism books, Grape, Olive, Pig is a deeply personal exploration of a country where eating and living are inextricably linked. As Anthony Bourdain said: “Any reasonable, sentient person who looks to Spain, comes to Spain, eats in Spain, drinks in Spain, they’re gonna fall in love. Otherwise, there’s something deeply wrong with you.”Matt Goulding introduces you to the sprawling culinary and geographical landscape of his adoptive home, and offers an intimate portrait of this multifaceted country, its remarkable people, and its complex history. Fall in love with Barcelona’s tiny tapas bars and modernist culinary temples. Explore the movable feast of small plates and late nights in Madrid. Join the three-thousand-year-old hunt for Bluefin tuna off the coast of Cadiz, then continue your seafood journey north to meet three sisters who risk their lives foraging the gooseneck barnacle, one of Spain’s most treasured ingredients. Delight in some of the world’s most innovative and avant-garde edible creations in San Sebastian, and then wash them down with cider from neighboring Asturias. Sample the world’s finest acorn-fed ham in Salamanca, share in the traditions of cave-dwelling shepherds in the mountains beyond Granada, and debate what constitutes truly authentic paella in Valencia. Grape, Olive, Pig reveals hidden gems and enduring delicacies from across this extraordinary country, contextualizing each meal with the stories behind the food in a cultural narrative complemented by stunning color photography. Whether you’ve visited Spain or have only dreamed of bellying up to its tapas bars, Grape, Olive, Pig will wake your imagination, rouse your hunger, and capture your heart.

Buy Now

Roads to Santiago

By: Nooteboom, Cees

Buy Now

The Sun Also Rises: The Hemingway Library Edition

By: Hemingway, Ernest

Buy Now

Wanderlust: A History of Walking

By: Solnit, Rebecca

Buy Now

Walking

By: Thoreau, Henry David

Buy Now

Spain: A Traveler's Literary Companion (Traveler's Literary Companions)

By: Peter Bush, Lisa Dillman

Buy Now

24x36 World Wall Map by Smithsonian Journeys - Tan Oceans Special Edition (24x36 Paper Folded)

By: Smithsonian Journeys

Swiftmaps is proud to partner with Smithsonian Journeys to bring a new and exciting World Map series to the American marketplace. Featuring eye-catching bold and vivid colors complemented with rich vintage tan ocean tones that will make this the perfect reference piece --- sure to stand-out and highlight any home or business wall. The precise detail and digital accuracy shows color-matching visual shaded 3D relief and other physical features without sacrificing the maps readability. Now printed on high-quality 80 lb. paper and professionally FOLDED in a compact 8x10 inch size. FEATURES: 1) Africa centered allowing viewers to see continents complete and intact 2) Clearly labeled country and city names for easy location 3) Latitude and longitude indications 4) Shaded relief of ocean and land topography 4) Desirable Miller Projection. The Smithsonian Journeys wall map series serve not only as a handy reference piece, but as an eye-catching accent for any room or office. NOTE: each map is professionally folded to 8x10 inches and when unfolded the map is 24 inches high and 36 inches wide.

Buy Now

Travel Insurance

For the convenience of our travelers, Travel Guard provides an on-tour Insurance Plan. On-tour emergency evacuation insurance (up to $100,000), medical expense coverage (up to $25,000), dental expense coverage (up to $500), travel medical assistance and worldwide travel assistance (U.S. Residents only). It also includes up to $25,000 medical and up to $500 dental expense coverage, and 24-hour worldwide travel and medical assistance. Please click here to view complete coverage details.

Please visit www.TravelGuard.com/SmithsonianJourneys or call Travel Guard at 1-800-208-6142 to learn about additional (optional) coverage.