Dressing for churches

Tove Sørum · May 31, 2018

I am walking from Porto to Santiago this summer, and I would like to know the "dress code" for entering churches along the way. I usually cover up as best as I can when I visit a church, but as I doubt I will bring any pants or long skirts in my back pack, I wonder if that could be a problem. I have entered churches i Portugal in a summer dress before, but these practises differ from place to place.

Aurigny · May 31, 2018

This image -- https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-v...ign-the-dress-code-at-st-peters-61927265.html -- shows what's considered appropriate, or not, at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. I'd say it's a pretty good guide for Iberia as well. As a Catholic, all I can say, though, is: good luck finding an open church unless a scheduled service is actually taking place.

A quick note: if you're walking from Porto to SdC, you're actually travelling along the coastal route or, if you're going inland via Rates, Bercelos, etc., the Portugues Central. The Interior route is a different animal entirely, running between Viseu in Portugal and SdC, via Ourense. Hardly anyone does that one.

JCLima · May 31, 2018

Tove Sørum said:
I am walking from Porto to Santiago this summer, and I would like to know the "dress code" for entering churches along the way. I usually cover up as best as I can when I visit a church, but as I doubt I will bring any pants or long skirts in my back pack, I wonder if that could be a problem. I have entered churches i Portugal in a summer dress before, but these practises differ from place to place.

You can enter the churches with your regular clothes. Generally speaking there are no strick rules regarding clothing (you can show your knees, for example)

Bala · May 31, 2018

You might consider a sarong to tie around over your shorts, especially since many churches may be open only when mass is being celebrated. And a light sarong has multple uses on the Camino (shoulder wrap, towel, privacy curtain for you bunk.....), and weighs little.

kelleymac · May 31, 2018

In Rome, you have to have shoulders and knees covered. In Spain and France, I didn't see any rules, but then, people were covered at mass. I walked in cooler weather (Spring and Fall). I brought a silk/fine wool light weight shawl/wide scarf that I could use to keep warm or cover my shoulders (on the off chance it got hot). Usually when traveling I bring a serape to use as a long skirt or shawl or towel. (I have also used a long skirt as a towel. )

Tove Sørum · May 31, 2018

Aurigny said:
This image -- https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-v...ign-the-dress-code-at-st-peters-61927265.html -- shows what's considered appropriate, or not, at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. I'd say it's a pretty good guide for Iberia as well. As a Catholic, all I can say, though, is: good luck finding an open church unless a scheduled service is actually taking place.

A quick note: if you're walking from Porto to SdC, you're actually travelling along the coastal route or, if you're going inland via Rates, Bercelos, etc., the Portugues Central. The Interior route is a different animal entirely, running between Viseu in Portugal and SdC, via Ourense. Hardly anyone does that one.

Thank you for your advice. I am familiar with the general "rules", as I have lived in Italy for many years, and I have visited cathedrals and churches in many parts of Spain and Portugal before, but somewhere they are letting you in dressed in shorts or a skirt, while other places your legs need to be covered. I found that the guards at St. Peter's, sometimes can tolerate miniskirts on women, but not shorts on a man...... for some strange reason.... I am taking the inland route by the way.

Tove Sørum · May 31, 2018

Bala said:
You might consider a sarong to tie around over your shorts, especially since many churches may be open only when mass is being celebrated. And a light sarong has multple uses on the Camino (shoulder wrap, towel, privacy curtain for you bunk.....), and weighs little.

Thank you. Yes, that is whaat i would usually do, so I guess I got room for a light sarong in my back pack, just to be on the safe side.

Jotown · May 31, 2018

Tove Sørum said:
Thank you for your advice. I am familiar with the general "rules", as I have lived in Italy for many years, and I have visited cathedrals and churches in many parts of Spain and Portugal before, but somewhere they are letting you in dressed in shorts or a skirt, while other places your legs need to be covered. I found that the guards at St. Peter's, sometimes can tolerate miniskirts on women, but not shorts on a man...... for some strange reason.... I am taking the inland route by the way.

Please , don’t worry about what you wear .... I’ve just finished the route you will be doing ...I’m a man , wear shorts all the time and have never been refused entry in any church...,even at St Peters in Rome , I was allowed entry for my VF testimonium into the Vatican offices/ sacristy ... again in my shorts !!

The difficulty you will have is finding a church open , and/or a service to attend !

gloria lowe · May 31, 2018

Tove Sørum said:
Thank you. Yes, that is whaat i would usually do, so I guess I got room for a light sarong in my back pack, just to be on the safe side.

Has never been a problem on 3 Caminos in shorts. In Bilbao this time the lady as you walked in gave the Pilgrims a scarf to cover their shorts.

kelleymac · May 31, 2018

gloria lowe said:
Has never been a problem on 3 Caminos in shorts. In Bilbao this time the lady as you walked in gave the Pilgrims a scarf to cover their shorts.

Maybe there were some very short shorts! I saw a woman at the grocery store yesterday... her shorts were so tight and short it was a wonder she could walk.

Kaiur · May 31, 2018

There no rules, except one, please no swimsuit

chinacat · May 31, 2018

Bala said:
You might consider a sarong to tie around over your shorts ... And a light sarong has multple uses on the Camino (shoulder wrap, towel, privacy curtain for you bunk.....), and weighs little.

I took a very lightweight sarong. It was so useful .... private ‘wild’ pees, night-time visits to loo, protection from sun (I dampened it ... very refreshing) ... and, of course, as a shawl and a towel

Tove Sørum · Jun 1, 2018

Jotown said:
Please , don’t worry about what you wear .... I’ve just finished the route you will be doing ...I’m a man , wear shorts all the time and have never been refused entry in any church...,even at St Peters in Rome , I was allowed entry for my VF testimonium into the Vatican offices/ sacristy ... again in my shorts !!

The difficulty you will have is finding a church open , and/or a service to attend !

Thank you so much! How did you like the route by the way? Have I something else to worry about? Sorry to bother you , but it is my first walk Just 3 weeks away now, so I am really exited.

Jotown · Jun 1, 2018

Tove Sørum said:
Thank you so much! How did you like the route by the way? Have I something else to worry about? Sorry to bother you , but it is my first walk Just 3 weeks away now, so I am really exited.

No, nothing to worry yourself about , although it’s natural to feel a little anxious on your first Camino ...everyone does ( even on their second, third, fourth....)
The CP is a nice route ... there are a couple of options for you to think about ( if you haven’t already ?) If you want any more info just PM me and I’ll give you my views !
You’ll have a great time Buom Caminho !!

Ribeirasacra · Jun 2, 2018

You will be surprised that there is no dress codes.
Shorts are acceptable.
Phones going off in mass is far worse, IMHO but it happens.
And to give something to cover parts of the body to the ladies only is also hardly acceptable in days society.

kcaldaba · Friday at 6:23 PM

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