Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Holy year

GranolaAK

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Primitivo (2021)
Being new to this forum, I’m wondering what the impact of a holy year is on the various routes. I understand there’s increased traffic, but is that in every month of the year, or only in certain months? All the Camino or only the CF? Right now looking primarily at the Primitivo.

We’re thinking about 2021, because it works well with other plans and major life events, but maybe it’s not the best choice and we should wait until 2022. 2020 is mostly spoken for.

I think we would need to do private albergues with private rooms as much as possible, because both my husband and I are terrible snorers. It just started at midlife for both of us, such a nuisance! But as much as it would be wonderful to meet other walkers, I’d hate to deprive them of sleep. If we limit to private lodgings, perhaps the crowds are not as much a concern? I’m sad because I’ve traveled so much in hostels and it’s always been a joy to talk with other travelers. Such is getting older.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
@GranolaAK

Welcome here on this forum.
You will find a wealth of information here.
A good start is using the search box in the right upper corner.

We can only guess what the influx of pilgrims will be in the Holy Year but yes I think there will some heavy traffic. Especially the last hundred kilometres on the Frances or the Portugues.
But yes there are still some quieter routes to choose from.

25th of July will be a madhouse in Santiago and I believe many pilgrims will want to arrive around that date.

I prefer to walk in early Spring, that way you avoid May which in Spain is known for lots of free days and long weekends ( can get crowded too then ).

And even when in private lodgings you will still meet lots of pilgrims and you will find joy in talking to them in cafes , restaurants or just when walking together.

All the best with the preparation.
 
Last edited:
Being new to this forum, I’m wondering what the impact of a holy year is on the various routes. I understand there’s increased traffic, but is that in every month of the year, or only in certain months? All the Camino or only the CF? Right now looking primarily at the Primitivo.

We’re thinking about 2021, because it works well with other plans and major life events, but maybe it’s not the best choice and we should wait until 2022. 2020 is mostly spoken for.

I think we would need to do private albergues with private rooms as much as possible, because both my husband and I are terrible snorers. It just started at midlife for both of us, such a nuisance! But as much as it would be wonderful to meet other walkers, I’d hate to deprive them of sleep. If we limit to private lodgings, perhaps the crowds are not as much a concern? I’m sad because I’ve traveled so much in hostels and it’s always been a joy to talk with other travelers. Such is getting older.
Welcome to the forum! You seem to be fairly well booked up, getting older doesn't look like it will put a halt to your gallop! Sabine has given a great response, so it just remains for me to wish you all the best in your planning, and whenever, Buen Camino.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
My guess is that all routes will be busy. Current numbers are larger than 2010, so the accommodation infrastructure has improved. Everyone seems to be booking, so you probably should as well. "Tourist" pilgrims will swamp Santiago, so it may be the bottleneck in the Holy Year.
 
Being new to this forum, I’m wondering what the impact of a holy year is on the various routes. I understand there’s increased traffic, but is that in every month of the year, or only in certain months? All the Camino or only the CF? Right now looking primarily at the Primitivo.

We’re thinking about 2021, because it works well with other plans and major life events, but maybe it’s not the best choice and we should wait until 2022. 2020 is mostly spoken for.

I think we would need to do private albergues with private rooms as much as possible, because both my husband and I are terrible snorers. It just started at midlife for both of us, such a nuisance! But as much as it would be wonderful to meet other walkers, I’d hate to deprive them of sleep. If we limit to private lodgings, perhaps the crowds are not as much a concern? I’m sad because I’ve traveled so much in hostels and it’s always been a joy to talk with other travelers. Such is getting older.
I just finished the Camino Portuguese stayed in albergues most nights, believe me after a days walking and a glass of wine, I didn't notice the snoring. Didn't hear others complaining either.
 
Screen Shot 2019-11-01 at 8.05.19 PM.png
this may provide some insight to the big picture. The spikes are the Holy Years - provided by the Santiago pilgrim office.
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
View attachment 66344
this may provide some insight to the big picture. The spikes are the Holy Years - provided by the Santiago pilgrim office.
Thank you, good to see numbers in easy to follow format. Interesting as, HY's not withstanding, "smooth" line increasing. Ignoring HY's, slightly bigger year on year increase in 2011 - was film The Way (issued late 2010) a factor or just coincidence.
 
Thank you, good to see numbers in easy to follow format. Interesting as, HY's not withstanding, "smooth" line increasing. Ignoring HY's, slightly bigger year on year increase in 2011 - was film The Way (issued late 2010) a factor or just coincidence.
While "The Way" seems to have prompted a significant increase in the number of Americans on the Caminos I think that it has had a minimal effect on increasing numbers overall. The graph above shows the growth trend over a far longer period very clearly. What strikes me particularly is that as annual numbers have increased the Holy Year spike as a percentage has been very much reduced. The 1993 Holy Year was the first to be very actively promoted by the Xunta. In that year the numbers walking increased from the previous year's 9,764 to 99,436 - multiplied ten-fold. If that held true for 2021 then we would have the interesting prospect of watching how the pilgrim office handled the issuing of about 3.5 million Compostelas :cool:
 
Last edited:
The effect of Holy Years on long-distance foot pilgrims is largely due to pilgrims from inside Spain; it's not a global effect, as the graphs below show. The increase of foot pilgrims during Holy Years is in the region of 100,000 additional pilgrims, and largely limited to the camino paths in Galicia. That's true for 2004 and 2010 and that's apparently also the assumption for 2021. The Galician administration is working with a figure of 450,000-500,000 foot pilgrims arriving in Santiago in 2021, up from 345,000 this year (2019).

Holy Year effect on pilgrim numbers.jpg
 
Last edited:
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Ignoring HY's, slightly bigger year on year increase in 2011 - was film The Way (issued late 2010) a factor or just coincidence.
The global effect of the movie "The Way" is frequently overestimated. The slightly bigger year on year increase in 2011 is absent for non-Spanish pilgrims and noticeable for Spanish pilgrims, as you can see from the graphs in the previous post. Most likely explanation: greater awareness of the Caminos due to increased exposure in the Spanish media during the Holy Year 2010. It gave more people the idea of walking the Camino during "next year", ie 2011. There are lots of additional special events being organised in Santiago during a Holy Year, hence much more exposure in the national media.
 

Most read last week in this forum

Can anyone recommend a good snack to buy for the hospitalès route Nothing major just something to keep me going Many thanks

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Similar threads

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top