Updated February 2026

Do I need to learn Spanish for the Camino de Santiago in Spain?

Short answer, no. You can walk the Camino without speaking Spanish.

BUT…

learning at least some basic Spanish is a very good idea.

Why should you learn some basic Spanish before your Camino?

3 main reasons (although there are more:

1. Peace of mind &  freedom

Picture this: you find yourself in an emergency. Your phone’s battery is dead. There are no English-speaking people around. What do you do? The situation is stressful enough as it is. You don’t want to add the worry of not being able to communicate what you need.

A smile will take you a long way. True. But it’s not always enough. There are situations when you might need at least some basic knowledge of Spanish. You never know when phrases like necesito un médico (I need a doctor)

Imagine being able to communicate your needs without having to rely on a translating app on your phone or on finding someone who can speak English or who can translate for you.

2. Respect & connection

Making an effort to use the local language shows respect for your host country. And Spanish people are generally pleased if you have a go at Spanish. Give it a try and you’ll experience a warmer welcome.

Even basic greetings such as hola (hello) can open doors that would remain otherwise closed.

Anyone who tried their Spanish on the Camino, no matter how limited it was, will tell you this: they got a much better reaction from the locals. 

Of course, the better your knowledge of Spanish, the better chances at making deeper connections with the locals and knowing what’s going on around you. OK. So, you find yourself in a small village where nobody speaks English.

If you’re the “a smile is enough” type, chances are you’ll spend the evening by yourself.  You’d love to know what that festival is about or why people are wearing strange clothes, but communicating with these people is too hard. You’re missing an opportunity to learn about local traditions, history, culture.

And this brings me to the next reason to learn Spanish before the Camino.

3. Broaden your mind

We all know the Camino can be a life-changing experience, a wonderful opportunity to become a truer version of ourselves, find answers, heal, etc. But why limit the experience to learning about ourselves? There are people on the Camino who have never been to Spain before. Their “knowledge” about Spain is in many cases full of stereotypes and misconceptions bearing little resemblance with reality. They spend days, probably weeks, walking through Spain. Yet, they go back home full of the same stereotypes.

I see this every now and then in Camino-related Facebook groups. There’s one case in particular that caught my attention: This couple was sharing their journey along the Camino Portugués. Neither the husband nor the wife knew any Spanish. Every day, they posted pictures of their stage, with their comments. Every day, at least one of the pic’s descriptions showed a couple of things:

• they were interpreting things through their own pre-conceived ideas of Spain. Some of these were way off the mark.

• because they were not talking to any locals, they went back home convinced that their wrong assumptions were true. Their distorted vision of Spain was reinforced.

In essence, maybe the Camino was a very spiritual experience for them, but they missed the opportunity to broaden their minds, to learn about Spain and its culture.

You could even become a Camino angel for other pilgrims who didn’t think learning Spanish was important!

Learn the Spanish you need for the Camino

That’s where I come in.

On this blog (and through other resources I offer) I want to help you learn the kind of Spanish you’ll actually use on the Camino. Not just random lists of “useful phrases,” but real, practical language that helps you feel more confident and connected on your journey.

If you have ever travelled abroad (to a country where they don’t speak your language), I’m sure you have seen these lists of “useful phrases”, where you get a few words and phrases in the language of that country with the translation into your own language.

I have. And I don’t find them so “useful”. Why?

Two reasons, mainly:

• Most of them give you the words but don’t tell you how to pronounce them. So chances are that if you try to say anything, people won’t understand you. Embarrassing and frustrating!

• They only tell you what YOU can say. Imagine you get the pronunciation right but… what happens when people talk back to you? Blank face… you are lost!

Where I live, I see many pilgrims passing by every day. Sometimes, I see them struggling to communicate, looking for directions or information about something they need. I like to help when I get the chance (I’ve been abroad too and I know that feeling!). But I can only help a very small number.

So I had this idea that will allow me to reach and help more people.

What to expect from Spanish for the Camino

• A blog with useful Spanish Camino vocabulary in every post, and audio so you know how to pronounce it.
• A podcast, in Spanish, if you’re past the beginner stages.
• Books, courses and other resources, free and paid. Here’s a list of everything.

Start learning Spanish for the Camino

What you’ll find inside:

• 15 pages of the very basics: greetings and other essential words, how to ask questions…
• Simple explanations.
• Vocabulary that is relevant to the Camino.
• Spanish-English vocabulary list
• Cultural tips.
• PLUS, an extra gift after you sign up.

Happy learning and buen Camino!