Things I wish I had known
If you’re thinking about walking the Camino de Santiago for the first time, you probably have a mix of excitement, nerves, and a few lingering questions. That’s completely normal.
The Camino is a unique trip—part adventure, part personal journey—and it’s not always easy to know what to expect until you’re actually there.
Most people spend months planning: choosing a route, booking accommodations, figuring out what to pack. But even with the best preparation, there are always a few things that catch you by surprise. Some are small, like how early the days start or how simple the meals can be. Others are more meaningful—like how quickly you fall into a routine, or how supportive and welcoming the Camino community feels.
In this post, I’m sharing what I wish I had known before walking the Camino for the first time—so you can feel more prepared, more confident, and truly enjoy the experience from your very first step.
You Don’t Have to Be “Super Fit” to Walk
One of the biggest misconceptions about the Camino de Santiago is that it’s only for very athletic people. It’s not. Most pilgrims we work with are in their 50s, 60s, and beyond—and many are not regular hikers.
What matters most is consistency, not speed, when preparing for your Camino walk.
I always tell people that the Camino is the journey, not the destination. If you can walk a few miles at home and build up gradually before your trip, you’ll be well prepared for your Camino pilgrimage in Spain. And remember—you set your own pace. This isn’t a race.
You Won’t Feel Alone (Even If You Start That Way)
Many first-time pilgrims worry about feeling lonely—especially if they’re planning a solo Camino de Santiago trip. But the Camino has a unique way of bringing people together. You’ll see familiar faces along the route, share meals in small towns across northern Spain, and often form meaningful connections along the way.
Whether you’re walking the French or the Portuguese Camino, the social aspect is one of the most memorable parts of the experience. And if you prefer quiet moments, you’ll have plenty of those too.
Luggage Transfer Makes a Big Difference
This is something many people don’t realize before they go. You don’t have to carry a heavy backpack while walking the Camino de Santiago. With Camino luggage transfer services, your suitcase is moved ahead to your next hotel, so you can walk with just a light daypack.
For many pilgrims (especially those walking later in life), this makes the experience far more comfortable and enjoyable. It allows you to focus on solely on the journey, secure in the knowledge that your bag will be there when you arrive at your destination.
You Don’t Need to Overpack
One of the most common mistakes first-time pilgrims make when planning a Camino de Santiago trip is overpacking. It’s completely understandable—you want to be prepared for every situation. But on the Camino, less really is more.
Even if you’re using a luggage transfer service and not carrying your bag during the day, overpacking can still make your trip more complicated than it needs to be. Larger or heavier suitcases can be harder to manage in hotels, take up more space, and make packing and repacking each morning more time-consuming.
The reality is that you don’t need nearly as much as you think. The Camino passes through towns and villages every day, so you’ll have access to shops, pharmacies, and anything you may have forgotten.
A good rule of thumb is to pack for a week—no matter how long you’ll be walking.
Focus on comfortable walking clothes, a few layers, and essentials you’ll use regularly. Keeping your packing simple makes your Camino experience smoother and more enjoyable. You’ll spend less time managing your belongings and more time focusing on the walk itself.
A Typical Day on the Camino Is Simple
People wonder what a typical day on the Camino de Santiago looks like. It’s refreshingly simple:
- Wake up
- Have breakfast
- Walk at your own pace
- Stop for coffee in small Spanish villages
- Enjoy a delicious lunch along the route
- Arrive at your next destination
- Rest, explore, and enjoy dinner in town
There’s something incredibly freeing about this daily rhythm. No complicated schedules. No rushing. Just one step at a time along the Camino trail. In just a few days, the pace will seem natural and easy, with travelers often saying how hard it is to adjust back into their daily life.
The Camino Is as Much Mental as Physical
Walking the Camino de Santiago is, of course, a physical journey—but what often surprises first-time pilgrims is how mental and emotional the experience can be.
Spending hours each day walking through the Spanish countryside gives you something many people don’t often get at home: uninterrupted time to think. There’s space to reflect, process, and simply be present in a way that feels rare in everyday life. For many, this becomes one of the most meaningful parts of the Camino.
Traditions add to the personal aspect of the journey—like bringing a small rock from home to carry and leave behind after your journey.
Some days will feel easy and energizing, while others may feel more challenging, both physically and mentally. That’s all part of the Camino experience. The ups and downs are what make the journey feel so real.
You’re Stronger Than You Think
Before starting the Camino de Santiago, it’s natural to wonder: Can I really walk the Camino? Am I too old or out of shape?
These are some of the most common questions first-time pilgrims have—and they’re completely valid. But once you begin, something starts to shift. Day by day, step by step, your body adjusts to the rhythm of walking. What may feel challenging at first becomes more manageable.
You find your pace, you’re able to easily follow the arrows, and you trust yourself more with each passing day.
You gain confidence. You adapt. You realize that you’re capable of more than you expected. And that’s one of the greatest gifts of walking the Camino de Santiago—not just reaching Santiago but discovering along the way that you can do something that once felt uncertain. So what if you need to take a taxi one day or make one of your walking days a rest day? It’s all part of the journey.
Final Thoughts on Your First Camino de Santiago
No matter how much you prepare, there will always be a few surprises on your first Camino de Santiago trip. But that’s part of what makes it so special.
If you’re considering walking the Camino, know this:
- You don’t have to have everything figured out.
- You don’t have to be perfect.
- You just have to begin.
And once you do, the Camino has a way of taking care of the rest.