Best towns to see

[ap0809]

Hello will be on Camino in September 2023 and looking forward to it...have a question we only have about 21 days - wishing to start in Pamploomla - and make it to at least Leon - are there any cities to skip in order to make it to Leon in the 21 days?
thanks - any suggestions on seeing other destinations and or countries after leaving the Camino - we wish to spend 7 days in europe somewhere in one spot for some r and r. thanks

 

[Pafayac]

You can walk from Pamplona to León in 21 days without skipping any cities, even without being a super-hiker.
The remnant of your question is hard to answer: it mainly depends on what you are looking for: history, art, building, feeling... ?
Europe cities are very different one from another.
During your camino, Burgos and León are worth spending a day in each of them: their cathedral is marvellous.

 

[Grousedoctor]

Completely agree with @Pafayac. You can easily walk from Pamplona to Leon in your timeframe giving you plenty of opportunity within 21 days to also explore Pamplona, Burgos, and Leon. After that, I’d recommend Madrid for rest of your stay. In addition to all there is to see in the Capital, you can also base yourself out of there for day trips.

 

[thejoker]

Horses for Courses.
In my opinion every town is special. I wouldn't want to skip any of them and I think there's no need to as 21 days is plenty for most people between Pamplona and Leon.

 

[Tincatinker]

we wish to spend 7 days in europe somewhere in one spot for some r and r. thanks

Ah, go on, give us a clue: are you into Art & Culture ( deliberate capitalization); food and wine; a suntan and a bit of lighthearted skinny dipping? Madrid for the first, San Sebastián for the second and Sitges for the latter. But a bit more info might help the well informed members of this forum inform you

 

[JabbaPapa]

21 days at the typical pilgrim speed of about 25K/day + is over 500K.

That would get you to about Ponferrada.

Why not get to Pamplona for tourism and all pleasant alarums and excursions ; then travel by bus or howsoever to Burgos, then walk from there to Santiago ?

Or from Astorga if you really wanted max ex-Camino days ?

 

[dramig]

Andulacia…head on down south for something a little different. Granada has always been magical for me. It is a nice contrast to northern Spain and maybe a perfect 2-3 day trip.

 

[ap0809]

You can walk from Pamplona to León in 21 days without skipping any cities, even without being a super-hiker.
The remnant of your question is hard to answer: it mainly depends on what you are looking for: history, art, building, feeling... ?
Europe cities are very different one from another.
During your camino, Burgos and León are worth spending a day in each of them: their cathedral is marvellous.

thank you ....sounds very doable

 

[ap0809]

Ah, go on, give us a clue: are you into Art & Culture ( deliberate capitalization); food and wine; a suntan and a bit of lighthearted skinny dipping? Madrid for the first, San Sebastián for the second and Sitges for the latter. But a bit more info might help the well informed members of this forum inform you

thank you, food and wine, so looks like San Sebastian will fit the inquiry. thanks

 

[Larry E]

Two of my favorite smaller towns were Puente la Reina, where I was glad I spent the night, and Castrojerez, where I was very sorry I didn't. Castrojerez might even make a good "rest" day city, in my opinion. And Logrono was a very big, pleasant surprise, and I place I would enjoy exploring more. Burgos and Leon are both very nice cities and amazing cathedrals and have their fans. But, with apologies to the westerners in "Castillo y Leon", I liked Burgos more. Slightly better cathedral and the environs around the Burgos cathedral were better, the Santa Maria park, puente and gate by the river were delightful, and the art museum had a nice collection.

 

[naplesdon]

Wine tour of Rioja Valley out of Logrono comes to mind.

 

[DreamWeaver]

Wine tour of Rioja Valley out of Logrono comes to mind.

Or bierzo region

 

[Walkerooni]

EVERY town is worth seeing, however large or small. Please, please resist the weird and misguided advice to skip sections, jump on buses, or taxi around other sections. I truly suggest if you are going to Spain to walk the Camino, to walk the Camino. Isn't that really the point?