Hi all, Im starting my camino Frances in April 23. SJPP to Santiago. Was thinking of adding in 4 rest days. Any opinions or thoughts of best towns to stay a day in for looking around etc. Cheers
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I agree. Just have a cushion to allow extra days for rest or sightseeing or whatever.Every so often, when you feel like it, and you arrive at a place you like, just stay an extra night.
Hey thanks. Thats a better idea.I agree. Just have a cushion to allow extra days for rest or sightseeing or whatever.
I personally found that I don't like to take full rest days. My feet get itchy, and I prefer to walk 2 short days in a row. For example a short day of 9.6 km from Viana into Logroño, spend the night in a private room where I can drop off my backpack and explore the town, then maybe take a nap before going out to enjoy the tapas bars of Calle del Laurel. Then sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and walk another short 12.4 km day to Navarette.
I'm giving myself extra days, figuring 1. I could get ill or injured 2. I could take rest days if I want 3. Best-case scenario, I can keep walking to Finesterre and/or Muxia. (I even have enough paid time off from my job to cover the extra days, which feels extremely luxurious as an American, lol)Also although you may not want to think about this, you may have to take a day or two due to illness or injury. It happens to a lot of people. Maybe don't plan your days. Just let them happen if you need and if you don't take some extra time at the end to visit Finesterre or Muxia by bus?
Good for you! No one wants to think about it, but people do get sick and they do get hurt.I'm giving myself extra days, figuring 1. I could get ill or injured 2. I could take rest days if I want 3. Best-case scenario, I can keep walking to Finesterre and/or Muxia. (I even have enough paid time off from my job to cover the extra days, which feels extremely luxurious as an American, lol)
Thanks I get that, but was wondering if anyone could tell me what towns are exceptionally niceEvery so often, when you feel like it, and you arrive at a place you like, just stay an extra night.
To name a few of the interesting larger towns/cities for a rest day, you could consider Logrono, Burgos, Leon, and Astorga; all situated "roughly" a similar distance apart. There are numerous smaller lovely towns and a few of my favorites are Pamplona(larger, but too soon for a rest day imo), Belorado, Castrojerez, Molinaseca, O'Cebreiro, Villafranca, and Portomarin, although they don't really need a full extra day to explore.Thanks I get that, but was wondering if anyone could tell me what towns are exceptionally nice
Awesome thanksTo name a few of the interesting larger towns/cities you could consider are Logrono, Burgos, Leon, and Astorga; all situated "roughly" a similar distance apart. There are numerous smaller lovely towns and a few of my favorites are Pamplona(but too soon for a rest day imo), Belorado, Castrojerez, Molinaseca, O'Cebreiro, Villafranca, and Portomarin, but they don't really need a full extra day to explore.
Have fun checking out your potential options!
Thanks Ill take a look. Enjoy the time with your familyHaving the budget of 4 extra days is great. I would tell you to have a plan for them, but be willing to take a spontaneous day off if you encounter a place that just captures your attention, or, listen to your body and take an extra day or part day if you need it. That said I found Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Astorga, Ponferrada totally enjoyable and spent extra time in all of them. I wish I would have taken more time in Molinaseca. Puente la Reina (early) and Villafranca (late) were super nice towns I could have enjoyed longer. Having the flexibility to just stop is so great. Also, Santiago is a rich town with lots to see and do, so even having some extra time at the end is worthwhile. Enjoy you Camino. I am returning for a short one from Ponferrada with my 10 year old grandson and son-in-law in June.
Hi all, Im starting my camino Frances in April 23. SJPP to Santiago. Was thinking of adding in 4 rest days. Any opinions or thoughts of best towns to stay a day in for looking around etc. Cheers
Exactly, don't use up your "extra" days - hold some in reserve in case you really need them!But be prepared to have the odd impromptu rest day.
Sometimes your body just says stop........
I agree that planning a short day can replicate a full rest day in many cases. One in particular I planned was ending a stage closer to Bilbao on the Norte, so arrived fairly early, enjoyed a tour of the Guggenheim museum interior, the festive center and cathedral, and hiked to the top of the old fort on the hill across the bay(my favorite thing I did).We have found that just a short walking day has had a similar effect to taking an entire rest day.
Totally agree. Half days work better for me too. Pamplona, Burgos and Leon are the obvious candidates. All interesting historical cities and big enough to occupy my time.I agree. Just have a cushion to allow extra days for rest or sightseeing or whatever.
I personally found that I don't like to take full rest days. My feet get itchy, and I prefer to walk 2 short days in a row. For example a short day of 9.6 km from Viana into Logroño, spend the night in a private room where I can drop off my backpack and explore the town, then maybe take a nap before going out to enjoy the tapas bars of Calle del Laurel. Then sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and walk another short 12.4 km day to Navarette.
I would recommend:Hi all, Im starting my camino Frances in April 23. SJPP to Santiago. Was thinking of adding in 4 rest days. Any opinions or thoughts of best towns to stay a day in for looking around etc. Cheers
Hi all, Im starting my camino Frances in April 23. SJPP to Santiago. Was thinking of adding in 4 rest days. Any opinions or thoughts of best towns to stay a day in for looking around etc. Cheers
Leon has many nice places to stay. If you can stay one night in the Parador as a pilgrim or senior (special rate) it’s a beautiful historic building. The cathedral is a must see!Hi all, Im starting my camino Frances in April 23. SJPP to Santiago. Was thinking of adding in 4 rest days. Any opinions or thoughts of best towns to stay a day in for looking around etc. Cheers
When I’m walking the Camino, I take all Sundays off.Hi all, Im starting my camino Frances in April 23. SJPP to Santiago. Was thinking of adding in 4 rest days. Any opinions or thoughts of best towns to stay a day in for looking around etc. Cheers
I would recommend the rest days in places you like over walking on to Fisterra. Reason being: many find that they forget the details as one walking day blurs into another. Until you *get to Fisterra* those last 3 days don't have much to distinguish them from each other.... and then 6 months after your trip there is that feeling of "Was it Logrono or Viana where I...?" or "Was that in Punta de la Reina, or in Estella?" ... and "Why on earth didn't I stay in Molinaseca?" or something like that...I'm giving myself extra days, figuring 1. I could get ill or injured 2. I could take rest days if I want 3. Best-case scenario, I can keep walking to Finesterre and/or Muxia. (I even have enough paid time off from my job to cover the extra days, which feels extremely luxurious as an American, lol)
Burgos was a bit bustling but I love Leon.Thanks I get that, but was wondering if anyone could tell me what towns are exceptionally nice
This what I did walked from Viana to Logrono but stayed 2 night in Logrono. Best two night exploring the city. Then walked over to Navaretter stayed the night. I only meant to stay one rest day in Logrono but, I really likes it there and decided to spend another night. Buen CaminoI agree. Just have a cushion to allow extra days for rest or sightseeing or whatever.
I personally found that I don't like to take full rest days. My feet get itchy, and I prefer to walk 2 short days in a row. For example a short day of 9.6 km from Viana into Logroño, spend the night in a private room where I can drop off my backpack and explore the town, then maybe take a nap before going out to enjoy the tapas bars of Calle del Laurel. Then sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and walk another short 12.4 km day to Navarette.
When I planned my camino, I had no idea what to expect. I read, both on this forum and in several books, that many people like to take some days off from walking -- zero days. So, I factored in some days off to rest and some days in case of illness. Being older, 69 at the time, and from an area that is totally flat, I added a bunch more days "just in case". Then a funny thing happened. I enjoyed the walking. I found a comfortable pace and kept going. I ended up taking one zero day. It was in Burgos. When I was nearing the end, I needed to rebook my flight home because I had an extra two weeks left in my schedule! So, what I'm saying is that one really never knows what will happen. Add some days to your schedule, expect the unexpected, and do what you must. If one can't rebook the flight home, then there is nothing wrong with skipping a section (before Sarria), taking days off, or sightseeing afterwards. Take your time. It will be your camino, your vacation, your adventure. You will follow your schedule as your body dictates. In my opinion, the hardest part of planning was figuring out how many days would be needed. No one can tell you how many days you will need. If you are in reasonable health, don't over think it. I returned home on day 42, but that included five nights in Santiago -- two nights before Fisterra and three after.Hi all, Im starting my camino Frances in April 23. SJPP to Santiago. Was thinking of adding in 4 rest days. Any opinions or thoughts of best towns to stay a day in for looking around etc. Cheers
I am from Aus, but lucky enough to have plenty of leave, so at moment only flights are booked in.I see that you are from Ausralia, so you are likely to have less flexibility than those who hop on a train, bus or plane in Europe and go start walking. I am from the US and I always have to make the same guesstimate when I book my round trip ticket.
If you are lucky enough to have those extra days, by all mean pencil them in. I always try to go with four days for “just in case.” If I arrive in Santiago without using them, it allows me to walk on to Finisterre and/or Muxia.
As others have said, you really have no way of knowing whether you body will feel like a rest day (I don’t usually take them, but some forum members love them). If there are cities that you want to devote to a day of touring, that’s a different question and you could plan those ahead of time. You’ve gotten a lot of good suggestions, and I think León is the most spectacular of them all.
Every so often, when you feel like it, and you arrive at a place you like, just stay an extra night.
I think this probably varies person to person. I arrived in each town early enough in the day each day to do my afternoon rituals (make bed, shower, do laundry, take a nap)... then I had plenty of time to explore each town I stayed in before going to dinner, gathering laundry, and sleeping. I didn't feel the need to take a full day off anywhere (even though I did in Burgos/Leon and Oviedo on the Norte/Primitivo). My rest days left me feeling unsettled once I finished wandering town during the morning hours.I would recommend the rest days in places you like over walking on to Fisterra. Reason being: many find that they forget the details as one walking day blurs into another. Until you *get to Fisterra* those last 3 days don't have much to distinguish them from each other.... and then 6 months after your trip there is that feeling of "Was it Logrono or Viana where I...?" or "Was that in Punta de la Reina, or in Estella?" ... and "Why on earth didn't I stay in Molinaseca?" or something like that...
Buen Camino!!
HelloHi all, Im starting my camino Frances in April 23. SJPP to Santiago. Was thinking of adding in 4 rest days. Any opinions or thoughts of best towns to stay a day in for looking around etc. Cheers
I'm familiar with this--I haven't done anything quite like the Camino before, but I did a 4.5 month bicycle tour once (the kind where you carry your own things on the bicycle and camp most nights). It was just me and my then-boyfriend, and most of our rest days were in various towns/cities while staying with friends. But some of them weren't very restful, as we were playing tourist and doing day hikes in places like Glacier National Park (in Montana) and Waterton National Park (in Alberta). There was even once our "rest" day had us bicycling 8miles straight uphill (to Lake Louise), but we didn't have the panniers on the bicycles so it felt easy!I would recommend the rest days in places you like over walking on to Fisterra. Reason being: many find that they forget the details as one walking day blurs into another. Until you *get to Fisterra* those last 3 days don't have much to distinguish them from each other.... and then 6 months after your trip there is that feeling of "Was it Logrono or Viana where I...?" or "Was that in Punta de la Reina, or in Estella?" ... and "Why on earth didn't I stay in Molinaseca?" or something like that...
Buen Camino!!
Makes sense. How long does it take from Santiago to Finisterre please?I think this probably varies person to person. I arrived in each town early enough in the day each day to do my afternoon rituals (make bed, shower, do laundry, take a nap)... then I had plenty of time to explore each town I stayed in before going to dinner, gathering laundry, and sleeping. I didn't feel the need to take a full day off anywhere (even though I did in Burgos/Leon and Oviedo on the Norte/Primitivo). My rest days left me feeling unsettled once I finished wandering town during the morning hours.
For me... especially after the Frances route... I found the last 100km to be way too busy and hectic and commercial that if I had ended my Frances in Santiago and didn't do Finisterre/Muxia - I would not have left in the same peaceful state of mind that I was put back into after walking on to Muxia and Finisterre. I couldn't stand Sarria to Santiago. I did like Santiago itself - but I needed that walk to the Sea as the perfect end to my Camino. I didn't need rest days, but I did need a combination of long and short days.
And I am sure others feel as you do as well. Which is why I say "stop when and if you feel inspired to stop or physically need the break" but don't feel you HAVE to stop for a rest day if you are going along doing just fine without the rest day.
Yeah, I admit I do want to have that last little walk to the ocean. This is...probably not going to make a ton of sense, but: One of my favorite names for the Virgin Mary is "Star of the Sea" (Stella Maris), in part because I had a (very Catholic) great-aunt named Stella who was kind to me as a child. Stars and being near the sea have been one of those long-running spiritually meaningful themes in my life, and even knowing one of the explanations for Santiago de Compostela's origin relates to a "field of stars" felt like part of that connection. If I need to take the bus from Santiago to Finisterre I will, but I'm hoping to walk!- but I needed that walk to the Sea as the perfect end to my Camino.
It's 90 km, which is usually split into 3 or 4 walking days. I did it in 3 the first time, but 4 was much nicer.Makes sense. How long does it take from Santiago to Finisterre please?
Trecile how many days from Santiago to finisterre pleaseFor my first Camino my goal was to walk from the French border to the Atlantic Ocean, so walking to Finisterre was very important to me.
That year it was 35 days.Trecile how many days from Santiago to finisterre please
Pamplona is a fascinating city and I enjoyed having a break after the rigours of the Pyrenees.Thanks I get that, but was wondering if anyone could tell me what towns are exceptionally nice
Trecile how many days from Santiago to finisterre please
We, too, did the SdC to Fisterra in four days. That year, after walking the Inglés and spending a couple days in SdC, the four days on to Fisterra was a most pleasant walk where we didn’t push ourselves very hard. Arriving at “the end of the earth” was a really special moment and a wonderful way to culminate any Camino.It's 90 km, which is usually split into 3 or 4 walking days. I did it in 3 the first time, but 4 was much nicer.
Depends on your walking pace, but 3-4 days for most people. And 1 day more if you want to walk to Muxia too. If you don't have time to walk - then there is always the option of taking the bus there and simply relaxing in one of the two towns.Makes sense. How long does it take from Santiago to Finisterre please?
From Santiago to Finisterre or Muxia is 3-4 days for most people, then walking between Finisterre and Muxia can be done in one day (it is a long day though). Saint Jean Pied de Port to Finisterre can be done in around 35 days, give or take, if you walk average pace.Trecile how many days from Santiago to finisterre please
I suggest saving the rest days until you are underway, which means not reserving more than a few days in advance. If you don't use them up, you'll have that extra time in Santiago. But if you need them before, then at least you have them - either to make some short days or an extra night in one city!
@1elantra, you can take two days to walk between Finisterre and Muxia if you want as there is lodging in Lires.From Santiago to Finisterre or Muxia is 3-4 days for most people, then walking between Finisterre and Muxia can be done in one day (it is a long day though).
My view, based on my experience this year, is essential to take rest days so you can take time to be and not just be walking - we stayed in Sahagun and Leon. Happy planning.Hi all, Im starting my camino Frances in April 23. SJPP to Santiago. Was thinking of adding in 4 rest days. Any opinions or thoughts of best towns to stay a day in for looking around etc. Cheers
We walked it in four. Many do it in three. It is ninety kilometers, so it depends on how long you like to walk each day.Makes sense. How long does it take from Santiago to Finisterre please?
I am fortunate to have the luxury of time and have no plans beyond having booked accommodation at Borda. I'm just going to walk when I want, take the time to explore and take a day off when I choose. Enjoy your Camino.Hi all, Im starting my camino Frances in April 23. SJPP to Santiago. Was thinking of adding in 4 rest days. Any opinions or thoughts of best towns to stay a day in for looking around etc. Cheers
I had a rest day in the wee village of Castrojeriz & loved it!Thanks I get that, but was wondering if anyone could tell me what towns are exceptionally nice
And if you fancy a larger town, Leon is wonderfulI had a rest day in the wee village of Castrojeriz & loved it!
For Roncesvalle through Burgos:Hi all, Im starting my camino Frances in April 23. SJPP to Santiago. Was thinking of adding in 4 rest days. Any opinions or thoughts of best towns to stay a day in for looking around etc. Cheers
Thanks thats very helpful. Appreciate itFor Roncesvalle through Burgos:
Pamplona--try to arrange to get there a few hours early to see Museo de Navarre, cathedral, old wall. At night, go to the nonstop tapas bars close to Jesus y Maria municipal hostel.
Viana--1/2 day at the end of the day to just relax, enjoy the vibe, see Iglesia de Santa Maria, etc
Najero--allow 1-2 hours to see Monasterio Santa Maria de la Real with burial places of kings, queens, knights; adjacent is the pantheon and cave
Santa Domingo--1/2 day--beautiful, shopping including outdoor gear store, church. If you want to splurge occasionally, a Parador hotel is in the historic area (reservations usually required).
Burgos--incredible cathedral, hotels, restaurants in historic area. My 2nd most favorite town behind Santiago. I rec spending an extra night here.
I see you are starting in SJPP. If you don’t hike a lot, including ascents and descents, I would highly recommend staying overnight at Orrison.It only takes about 3 1/2 hours (so you may want to leave SJPP around 11 am, but the next day may take up to 7 hours. Otherwise you may really hurt for the next 3 to 4 days!! Just be sure to make a reservation for Orrison, check a few days before you leave, then again the day before or day of to reconfirm— if you will get in after 2 pm, you may want to let them know. The night time common dinner is good—and you can buy a bocadillo (sandwich for the next day).Thanks thats very helpful. Appreciate it
We received some great advice from the American Pilgrims group while planning our trip. They recommended one rest day in Pamplona. It is a great place to visit, some fun sights, and a good rest after your first few days. After that - stop when you feel you need a rest. We stopped early a couple days, and did spend an extra day in Astorga - simply because we were SO tired. You will have days like that. Give yourself some grace and rest when you need it. Other than my Pamplona advice - listen to your body.Hi all, Im starting my camino Frances in April 23. SJPP to Santiago. Was thinking of adding in 4 rest days. Any opinions or thoughts of best towns to stay a day in for looking around etc. Cheers