Easter 2023

[ChrisT]

I 'm wondering how busy people think Easter will be on the Frances this year?

I was hoping to have it walked and be back home by the 9th of April, but, due to circumstances out of my control, it looks like I could be on the section from Sarria to Santiago in the week leading up to Easter.

I know no one knows for sure, but from past experience, would I be better delaying a week so I'm not on the last 100km in the week leading up to Easter? Will it be extremely busy?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Marbe2]

I have walked the Week of Semana Santa. It is packed from Sarria to SdC. Lots of groups, especially young Spanish, and families. Make reservations. Many towns had no availability so make reservations ahead.

 

[natefaith]

but from past experience, would I be better delaying a week so I'm not on the last 100km in the week leading up to Easter? Will it be extremely busy?

Yes. Unless you really want to walk this stretch during Semana Santa, I would avoid it and just wait. As @Marbe2 mentioned, a lot of youth group and school groups will be walking, as well as others who have the week off. Santiago will be crowded as well. If you can’t avoid it, perhaps try to time it so you actually walk in to Santiago not on Easter weekend, but earlier in the week i.e Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. That way you’re clear of the groups that start from Sarria on Sunday or Monday.

Buen Camino!

 

[Marbe2]

On the positive side, the processions, Holy Thursday - Easter Sunday in SdC were a great liturgical experience. The churches and town is mobbed but we rented an apartment with a view (second floor) that gave us a clear view of them. Meaningful time, even with the crowds.

 

[FRM]

I’ll be walking the Frances in March/April ( including Semana Santa) and have opted to take the Inverno into SdC. Part of that choice was my concern about crowding past Sarria, as well as a chance to walk something new. I’ll still be making reservation for the last half on Semana Santa.

 

[ChrisT]

I’ll be walking the Frances in March/April ( including Semana Santa) and have opted to take the Inverno into SdC. Part of that choice was my concern about crowding past Sarria, as well as a chance to walk something new. I’ll still be making reservation for the last half on Semana Santa.

Thank you FRM!

I didn't know that route existed, it is something I will look look further into as I have done the Sarria to Santiago part before as well.

Cheers, Very interesting.

 

[TonyScotland]

I am walking the last stage during Semana Santa and planned my walk from SJPDP to coincide with the week as I think it will be an amazing experience. I however have booked all my accommodation in advance as previous folk have mentioned it will be mobbed. Accommodation in SdC a lot more expensive than in May when we did the Camino Ingles. The Invierno route looks a great option from Ponferrada

 

[Marla in CA]

I 'm wondering how busy people think Easter will be on the Frances this year?

I was hoping to have it walked and be back home by the 9th of April, but, due to circumstances out of my control, it looks like I could be on the section from Sarria to Santiago in the week leading up to Easter.

I know no one knows for sure, but from past experience, would I be better delaying a week so I'm not on the last 100km in the week leading up to Easter? Will it be extremely busy?

Thanks in advance.

oh boy, this is something I didn't factor in when I booked my travel plans. I arrive Lisbon March 24, 2023. I want to spend a day or two in Lisbon, but train to Coimbra, spend a day, and either begin my walk there or begin in Porto. My friend mapped it out and it puts us in Santiago on April 9th, which is what she was hoping for. We are going on to FInisterre and Muxia. Now that I have read these comments, I have a few questions of my own.

1. Is the Pilgrim office even open on Easter Sunday, April 9th to get a COmpostela? Is it open on Monday, April 10th? I heard MOnday is a holiday in Spain.
2. Need to return to the United States on April 13th. WOuld you suggest doing whatever it takes (bus or train) to arrive in Santiago before April 9th? If so, how many days before in order to avoid the rush/lack of places to stay/not being able to get the Compostela, etc?
I will take all the advice I can get at this point!!

 

[Grousedoctor]

A couple years back, we arrived in Santiago on Easter weekend. We arrived on Saturday and had no problem getting our Compostela. I don’t remember the Pilgrim’s Office being closed that weekend.

What I did want to mention to you is that we were in SdC over a weekend this past April with Monday being a Spanish holiday. At the last minute, we tried to get train tickets to Madrid for Monday. Totally sold out! So, depending on whether or not your return flight is out of Madrid and the day you plan on traveling from SdC, you might want to buy your train tickets well in advance so as to make sure that you do get seats.