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What month will you be walking?Hello! This is our first Camino, family of four with 2 teen boys from the US. Just doing the stage from Sarria to Santiago. We will walk our last day from Pedrouzo to Santiago. My question is whether I will have enough time to sort out our 4 pilgrim certificates and attend mass on the day of our arrival in Santiago? My understanding is that there are masses at noon and 7:30 pm. I'm more concerned about whether we can get our certificates that same afternoon (given lines and crowds), and if we do, whether our names would be read at the 7:30 mass. We are trying to leave Santiago the following morning to meet up with family. Many thanks for your advice!
Thank you! This is around June 17/18/19. Our stages are: Sarria-Portomarin-Palas de Rei-Arzua-Pedrouzo-Santiago.What month will you be walking?
If it's a busy month it's possible that you won't be able to receive your Compostelas on the same day that you arrive because of the numbered ticket system that is in place. There are a limited number of Compostelas that can be processed by the Pilgrim's Office staff and volunteers each day - once they hit that number they will stop distributing tickets that day. In September 2019 when I arrived in Santiago numbers stopped being given out around 1:00 pm.
It's too bad that you don't have enough time to enjoy all that Santiago has to offer. Can you change your plans with your family? How many walking days do you have planned? Perhaps you can finish in fewer days, or walk farther the day before your arrival in Santiago so that you can get there earlier in the day.
If you post your stages we might be able to help you adjust your schedule.
I think that it is a legitimate risk, but the greatest risk is that you will feel that your Camino was too rushed. You and your sons will enjoy meeting up on the plaza with those that you walked with, and just celebrating your arrival. You don't want that day to be stressful with rushing to Santiago to arrive in time to get your Compostelas, getting to mass, etc. It's a day that you should be able relax as you celebrate your accomplishment.But I don't want to risk not getting our Compostelas, and if that is a legitimate risk then I will add an extra night, I am sure we would enjoy it very much!
Thank you very much for the advice!I think that it is a legitimate risk, but the greatest risk is that you will feel that your Camino was too rushed. You and your sons will enjoy meeting up on the plaza with those that you walked with, and just celebrating your arrival. You don't want that day to be stressful with rushing to Santiago to arrive in time to get your Compostelas, getting to mass, etc. It's a day that you should be able relax as you celebrate your accomplishment.
Go straight to the Pilgrim's Office. This time of year there should be no wait at all.I was going to ask a similar question. I'm slated to arrive in Santiago this Friday (HYPE HYPE HYPE). I wonder if I should go straight to the Pilgrim's Office / attend Pilgrim's Mass or do it the next day? I leave Santiago for Seville on Sunday.
You really need to give yourself a clear day in Santiago. It’s your destination after all.Hello! This is our first Camino, family of four with 2 teen boys from the US. Just doing the stage from Sarria to Santiago. We will walk our last day from Pedrouzo to Santiago. My question is whether I will have enough time to sort out our 4 pilgrim certificates and attend mass on the day of our arrival in Santiago? My understanding is that there are masses at noon and 7:30 pm. I'm more concerned about whether we can get our certificates that same afternoon (given lines and crowds), and if we do, whether our names would be read at the 7:30 mass. We are trying to leave Santiago the following morning to meet up with family. Many thanks for your advice!
CGPratt,Hello! This is our first Camino, family of four with 2 teen boys from the US. Just doing the stage from Sarria to Santiago. We will walk our last day from Pedrouzo to Santiago. My question is whether I will have enough time to sort out our 4 pilgrim certificates and attend mass on the day of our arrival in Santiago? My understanding is that there are masses at noon and 7:30 pm. I'm more concerned about whether we can get our certificates that same afternoon (given lines and crowds), and if we do, whether our names would be read at the 7:30 mass. We are trying to leave Santiago the following morning to meet up with family. Many thanks for your advice!
Please note that since August/September 2019, a numbered ticket system is in place.When I walked it in 2019
You MIGHT be able to get your Compostelas and attend a 7:30 pm Pilgrim Mass. Do NOT plan on trying to make the noon Pilgrim Mass. Everyone tries that and the Masses are full. COVID caused the Cathedral to reduce capacity from over 800 to about 225 - including celebrants and attendants. So, plan ahead, go early and get in line to enter the Cathedral.Hello! This is our first Camino, family of four with 2 teen boys from the US. Just doing the stage from Sarria to Santiago. We will walk our last day from Pedrouzo to Santiago. My question is whether I will have enough time to sort out our 4 pilgrim certificates and attend mass on the day of our arrival in Santiago? My understanding is that there are masses at noon and 7:30 pm. I'm more concerned about whether we can get our certificates that same afternoon (given lines and crowds), and if we do, whether our names would be read at the 7:30 mass. We are trying to leave Santiago the following morning to meet up with family. Many thanks for your advice!
Hello! This is our first Camino, family of four with 2 teen boys from the US. Just doing the stage from Sarria to Santiago. We will walk our last day from Pedrouzo to Santiago. My question is whether I will have enough time to sort out our 4 pilgrim certificates and attend mass on the day of our arrival in Santiago? My understanding is that there are masses at noon and 7:30 pm. I'm more concerned about whether we can get our certificates that same afternoon (given lines and crowds), and if we do, whether our names would be read at the 7:30 mass. We are trying to leave Santiago the following morning to meet up with family. Many thanks for your advice!
Good news:We will walk our last day from Pedrouzo to Santiago. My question is whether I will have enough time to sort out our 4 pilgrim certificates and attend mass on the day of our arrival in Santiago? My understanding is that there are masses at noon and 7:30 pm. I'm more concerned about whether we can get our certificates that same afternoon (given lines and crowds), and if we do, whether our names would be read at the 7:30 mass. We are trying to leave Santiago the following morning to meet up with family. Many thanks for your advice!
My daughter and I arrived early to mid morning, got our certificates went to mass and stayed 2 nights. You need that day to decompress and enjoy Santiago.Hello! This is our first Camino, family of four with 2 teen boys from the US. Just doing the stage from Sarria to Santiago. We will walk our last day from Pedrouzo to Santiago. My question is whether I will have enough time to sort out our 4 pilgrim certificates and attend mass on the day of our arrival in Santiago? My understanding is that there are masses at noon and 7:30 pm. I'm more concerned about whether we can get our certificates that same afternoon (given lines and crowds), and if we do, whether our names would be read at the 7:30 mass. We are trying to leave Santiago the following morning to meet up with family. Many thanks for your advice!
At a minimum I think you would need two days in order to complete what you want. I’ve completed three Caminos and the time (3 days each time) in Santiago has been fantastic. Next time I’ll aim for even more time - the atmosphere is fantastic. In saying this, however, it really comes down to personal preference.Hello! This is our first Camino, family of four with 2 teen boys from the US. Just doing the stage from Sarria to Santiago. We will walk our last day from Pedrouzo to Santiago. My question is whether I will have enough time to sort out our 4 pilgrim certificates and attend mass on the day of our arrival in Santiago? My understanding is that there are masses at noon and 7:30 pm. I'm more concerned about whether we can get our certificates that same afternoon (given lines and crowds), and if we do, whether our names would be read at the 7:30 mass. We are trying to leave Santiago the following morning to meet up with family. Many thanks for your advice!
My own views are pretty much the same as @Harland2019 posted above. Although the destination is important in itself my focus is mainly on the journey. Once I have visited the cathedral, given the Apostle a hug, and spent a few moments in silence in the crypt then my important business in Santiago is over. If friends are in town then I will try to meet up with them for a meal or a drink. Otherwise a few hours strolling around fairly aimlessly are all that I need or want. I don't feel compelled to tick off every church or museum on a list. If something new or unfamiliar catches my eye then I'll take a look. Or I might follow up on a recommendation I've been given. Otherwise I just soak in the atmosphere for a while then head home wondering how and when I will be back.I can't conceive why anyone would put in all that effort to reach Santiago and then leave 24 hours later.
Perhaps because there are so many pleasanter places to spend one's last few days of post-camino reflection than in a noisy, crowded, commercial city centre.I can't conceive why anyone would put in all that effort to reach Santiago and then leave 24 hours later.
The number of people that constitute a group for Compostela purposes changes according to workload and staffing during the day. It might be as low as four if traffic is light. Conversely, if a lot of pilgrims arrive and the queues gets long, the number constituting a group could change to go up - I have seen as many as 10 pilgrims be required. The number is dynamic.Good news:
When I worked as a volunteer at the Pilgrims Office (PO) in 2019, there was an option for groups containing 4 or more persons to be treated as a group, not needing to que up. Ask the volunteers in the PO if this is stll possible. Starting early from O Pedrouzo, you should be able to have your Compostelas ("certificate") as well as attending the noon mass, giving you the whole afternoon and evening exploring SdC. Go to the taverna Do Bispo in Rua Do Franco (the main pedestrian street through the old town) for excellent tapas.
Buen Camino!Thanks to you all for the suggestions and advice! We have decided to stay 2 nights in Santiago. I think our family will really enjoy it. Looking forward to this wonderful experience!
Enjoy Santiago! And do visit the market; lots of local produce, like meat, fish, and vegatables on display. You can buy some and have it prepared for lunch at nearby cafes.Thanks to you all for the suggestions and advice! We have decided to stay 2 nights in Santiago. I think our family will really enjoy it. Looking forward to this wonderful experience!
Very sorry about that. Not the Camino spirit, IMHO. One of the joys of the Camino is to socialise with complete strangers and explore how much we have in common, strangers as we are. I'll take you to lunch when we meet.I walked alone on CF a few years ago. When I arrived in Santiago I of course went to get my compostela that day which took a few hours. Then rested and got up early the next morning to attend mass at the cathedral and it was more than I had even expected. I got there about 9:30 I believe. Then I sat in the plaza and watched pilgrims arriving. It was heartwarming to see their pure joy. I wondered around the central area, visited some stores and cafes. Returning to my hotel, which was modern but too far from the action, I met up with a couple ladies also waiting for the hotel restaurant to open for dinner. They had just finished the Camino as well. They invited me to join them for dinner which was nice since it was my last night in Spain. I was delighted to be asked. Then others they had met on the Camino arrived. They didn't know these others would be there at the same time. Anyways one of the ladies turned to me and said sorry, we won't have room for you at our table. As it was I sat alone and directly in view of these two ladies and their Camino friends and one empty chair. I decided to have a nice meal and a bottle of wine to celebrate on my own. But I did look over occasionally and these two ladies were not comfortable looking at me which I decided was their issue. So I write this for a couple of reasons, Just because you didn't walk with someone it doesn't mean you can't share a meal and share in the celebration. I did think this and other times people may invite me over but it happened only a couple times. Should I have approached groups? I was in my 60s female on my own and I'm reluctant to intrude but would have accepted. I must admit I felt invisible many times but no more so than my last night in Santiago. I must admit I think next time I might just carry on to the coast. Anyone else have this type of experience?
Also what would you consider the ‘must sees’ other than the plaza and cathedral and central shops and cafes?
For me, this question is a bit like wanting to know how long is a piece of string. There are just so many variables, most of which one has no control over.My question is whether I will have enough time to sort out our 4 pilgrim certificates and attend mass on the day of our arrival in Santiago?
For me, this is a grand decision you have taken.Thanks to you all for the suggestions and advice! We have decided to stay 2 nights in Santiago. I think our family will really enjoy it. Looking forward to this wonderful experience!
I must admit I haven't had that kind of experience and would find it quite a downer. No group of people is, of course, obliged to invite others to join them but they had taken the initiative to invite you. I can certainly see them wanting to dine with their friends in Santiago, but in my experience that would more commonly be accomplished by inviting the others to join the three of you and making introductions. Especially if there was enough seating!I met up with a couple ladies also waiting for the hotel restaurant to open for dinner. They had just finished the Camino as well. They invited me to join them for dinner which was nice since it was my last night in Spain. I was delighted to be asked. Then others they had met on the Camino arrived. They didn't know these others would be there at the same time. Anyways one of the ladies turned to me and said sorry, we won't have room for you at our table. As it was I sat alone and directly in view of these two ladies and their Camino friends and one empty chair. I decided to have a nice meal and a bottle of wine to celebrate on my own. But I did look over occasionally and these two ladies were not comfortable looking at me which I decided was their issue. So I write this for a couple of reasons, Just because you didn't walk with someone it doesn't mean you can't share a meal and share in the celebration. I did think this and other times people may invite me over but it happened only a couple times. Should I have approached groups? I was in my 60s female on my own and I'm reluctant to intrude but would have accepted. I must admit I felt invisible many times but no more so than my last night in Santiago. I must admit I think next time I might just carry on to the coast. Anyone else have this type of experience?
Also what would you consider the ‘must sees’ other than the plaza and cathedral and central shops and cafes?
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