Free resources for the Camino de Santiago
In this page you’ll find several useful resources to help you prepare your Camino de Santiago… and to help you with your Spanish too!
Spanish course recommendations
If you’re interested in Spanish culture and traditions, you will enjoy my presentation about Christmas in Spain for the Boston Chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino.
Hotel Borbollón
Try Hotel Borbollón for FREE for 1 month. The course is based on a story and you will receive 4 lessons per week (and corrections too).
It’s simple to use and perfect to get your 15-20 minute daily dose of Spanish. It’s not suitable for total beginners.
Spanish Uncovered
A beginners course, but also suitable for those who have already studied some before. Also based on a story.
20 chapters-lessons, each including: read & listen (the written version of the story + the audio version too), grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, exercises… Try it for FREE for 1 week.
Other resources
Help me improve this site with more resources. Do you know of any useful website, blog, book, app…? Anything that might be of help to those preparing for their Camino. If you have any suggestions, just leave a comment!
Websites
American Pilgrims on the Camino: This volunteer-run, non-profit organization supports the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in different ways.
Canadian Company of Pilgrims: This non-denominational volunteer-run association supports Canadians interested in the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
The Confraternity of Saint James: Based in London and mostly run by volunteers. They have published several guides.
Shamrocks and Shells: The Camino Society Ireland’s online magazine, with plenty of information and links to other resources.
Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago: Information about Compostelas, Credenciales, Pilgrim’s Mass…
The Cathedral in Santiago: What to see, info about masses, the Botafumeiro, the pilgrimage…
Follow the Yellow Shell: A guide to the Camino de Santiago and other long distance walks. Includes blog and list of resources.
Forums and guides
Camino de Santiago forum: Loads of information on a wide variety of topics (and you can ask your own questions too).
Gronze (in Spanish): Online guide to the different Camino routes, including available accommodations along the way.
Eroski (in Spanish): Another online guide to the different Caminos, including info about albergues.
El Camino con Correos: The Spanish Post Office offers a backpack transfer service. Their website also includes a guide to the different Caminos.
Travel
RENFE: The Spanish rail company.
ALSA: A bus company with many destinations all over Spain.
Trainline: Buy your bus and train tickets in Spain and Europe.
Rome2Rio: Plan your trip: choose your starting point and destination and see what your options are.
Bag transfer services
www.elcaminoconcorreos.com: the Spanish postal service has a backpack transfer service for pilgrims. It covers all the main routes within Spain.
www.tuitrans.com: for the Camino Portugués, from Porto.
www.jacotrans.es: for the Camino Francés.
Food
Information from the Spanish Coeliac Association, with info and tips to prevent problems when eating out: https://celiacos.org/recien-diagnosticados/en-los-restaurantes/
List of restaurants in Galicia that offer gluten-free meal options: https://celiacosgalicia.es/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Listado-Establecementos-04.pdf
Camino Books
A Wild Woman’s Guide to the Camino de Santiago, by Samantha Wilson.
A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino de Santiago: St. Jean – Roncesvalles – Santiago, by John Brierly.
A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Portugués: Lisbon – Porto – Santiago / Camino Central, Camino de la Costa, Variente Espiritual & Senda Litoral, by John Brierly.
Camino del Norte: Irún to Santiago along Spain’s Northern Coast, by Matthew Harms et al.
The Camino Inglés: 6 days (or less) to Santiago, by Susan Jagannath (you can read my review here).
Stone and Water: Walking the Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portugués, by Roy Uprichard. The Spanish translation is now available too: Piedra y agua: Andando por la Variante Espiritual del Camino Portugués
Walk with the sun till ur shadow disappears: A Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, by Terry McHugh
Beyond Expectations: 6 days on the Camino Portugués, by Kate Fisher
The Confraternity of St. James has published guides of several routes. You can find them on Amazon or you can go straight to the Confraternity’s website, where you can also find other resources.