One of the most popular questions we receive from pilgrims every year is: where does the Camino de Santiago start?
As we always say, there are as many Caminos de Santiago as pilgrims walking them.
There is more than one route leading to Santiago de Compostela, final destination of this pilgrimage, and the starting point will depend on which one we choose. In fact, according to the ancient tradition, the Camino should be started from our own home!
If you want to know how long it takes to walk each Camino click here.
First of all, there are different aspects we should take into account to determine the starting point of the Camino de Santiago:
Are you looking to get your Pilgrim Certificate?
To begin with, if you want to qualify for your Pilgrim Certificate (Compostelana) after walking the Camino de Santiago, then you need to walk at least the last 100 km of any of the official routes.
Of course you can walk way more than that, but 100 km waking (and 200 km if you choose to cycle) is the minimum required.
Do you have a limited period of time to walk the Camino de Santiago?
Secondly, you have to bear in mind that some of the most popular routes of the Camino de Santiago are really long.
For example, if you want to walk the full French Way, from its very beginning, you would need to devote at least 1 month to do so. Same with the Portuguese Way or La Vía de la Plata.
Please note that there’s no need to walk the whole route to get the Pilgrim Certificate. In fact, 100 km is enough, and this distance can be done in 1 week approx.
Are you looking to walk an official Jacobean route?
Although, each pilgrim can start anywhere really the Camino de Santiago, there are some reasons why we always recommend to choose an official route:
1) You will qualify for the Pilgrim Certificate.
2) The path will be really well marked, with indications all along the way.
3) You will find many other fellow pilgrims on the way (particularly on the French Way).
4)There will be facilities for pilgrims on the way (Albergues, restaurants, stamps…).
Now that we have all this information, let’s find out the starting points of the Camino de Santiago routes (the official ones).
Where is start of the main routes to Santiago de Compostela?
On one hand, if you are looking to walk the full French Way, then you should start in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, in France (right in the boarder with Spain, in the Pyrenees). On the other hand, as mentioned, the whole walk would take at least one month, that’s why most of the pilgrims choose Sarria as the starting point.
The Km 100 of the route is a small village called Barbadelo. It would be possible to start in Barbadelo and get the Pilgrim Certificate, but Sarria has been traditionally considered to be the beginning of the last 100 km of the French Way.
The start of the Camino Portugués (or Portuguese Way) is the capital city of this beautiful country, Lisbon. However, those who don’t have that much time or energy to walk more than 600 km, could 
start in Tui or in Oporto.
Tui is located in Spain, right in the boarder with Portugal, and it is the starting point of the last 100 km of the Portuguese Way.
In addition to this Camino, in Portugal you can also walk the Portuguese Coastal Way which is also a very popular route.
You can either start in Oporto (2 weeks duration) or in Baiona (1 week).
Moreover, there is another long and beautiful route that will take you to discover all Northern Spain: the Northern Way.
The whole walk would take at least one month (the starting point is Irún, in the Basque Country). If you are only looking to walk the last section, you can choose Vilalba as the starting point.
More itineraries to Santiago de Compostela and their staring points.
Since the English Way is one of the shortest routes is also quite popular: it starts in Ferrol for everyone (114 km to Santiago de Compostela). There is also an alternative route starting in A Coruña (77 km to Santiago de Compostela).
What about the Primitive Way?
Those willing to walk the route from the beginning, would need to devote at least two weeks, since it starts in Oviedo (Asturias). If you do not have that much time available, you can start in Lugo instead (do not forget to visit the Roman Walls before heading off).
Now, did you know that there is one route of the Camino that connects Seville, in Southern Spain, and Santiago de Compostela?
In fact, this route is called La Via de la Plata.
Yes, it looks quite estrenuos, but you can start in Ourense instead (starting point of the last 100 km of the route). Moreover, this town is very popular because of its thermal spring waters, what about taking a relaxing bath before starting the walk?
Also, there is a very beautiful route that is called the Winter Way. This is the itinerary chosen by those pilgrims who want to live a more solitary experience because it is one of the less walked.
You will start in Ponferrada to walk the 200 km to Santiago or in Monforte de Lemos if you have a week to complete the Way.
Eventually, in the last years, pilgrims wanted to go even further after their arrival to Santiago de Compostela. Thus, many of them decide to walk until Finisterre (considered the end of the world already by the ancient Romans) and sometimes they even go after this point, walking until Muxía.
The Camino as custom-made experience
As you can see, it is not so easy to answer all those questions about the start of the Camino de Santiago. Therefore, each pilgrim can create and organize his/her own path.
Do you have any doubts about where to start your Camino de Santiago?
Did you choose a different route that we did not mention?
In Galiwonders we would love to hear your stories.
Would you like to receive a tailor made itinerary on the Camino de Santiago? Please do not hesitate to fill in the form below. ¡Buen Camino!