Santiago not overly crowded

[Arctic_Alex]

After all this talk about the Camino Francés falling victim to its own popularity I expected Santiago to be an overcrowded nightmare … which it is not. Far from it!
I attached a photo from Cathedral square taken this very moment at a Sunday afternoon. Very relaxed regarding numbers.

Also, I was impressed how the Pilgrims Office apparently have improved their processes. Took me 4 minutes to fill in the online form (there is also a terminal for those without a phone or with a dead battery) … and another 12 minutes and I had left the building with a Compostela. Thank you! This used to be very different

 

[Llew]

After all this talk about the Camino Francés falling victim to its own popularity I expected Santiago to be an overcrowded nightmare … which it is not. Far from it!
I attached a photo from Cathedral square taken this very moment at a Sunday afternoon. Very relaxed regarding numbers.

Also, I was impressed how the Pilgrims Office apparently have improved their processes. Took me 4 minutes to fill in the online form (there is also a terminal for those without a phone or with a dead battery) … and another 12 minutes and I had left the building with a Compostela. Thank you! This used to be very different

Totally agree. I arrived 5 days ago & SdeC was quietest I have seen.
Pilgrim office also a lot
better. In and out very quickly. Maybe more efficient people on duty!

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

I was with Angel yesterday whose in charge of the Pilgrim Office. He said on Friday they had 2500+ (Thursday 1900+). He said that's way more than normal so the numbers are already much higher this year than last year's record year! However yes it's not yet as busy as in July /August.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

so the numbers are already much higher this year than last year's record year!

Last year there were significantly less pilgrims from St. Jean than in 2019 and so it was not a record year for those pilgrims. However a large number of Spanish pilgrims walked from Sarria and so it was a record year for those pilgrims.

 

[mattythedog]

After all this talk about the Camino Francés falling victim to its own popularity I expected Santiago to be an overcrowded nightmare … which it is not. Far from it!
I attached a photo from Cathedral square taken this very moment at a Sunday afternoon. Very relaxed regarding numbers.

Also, I was impressed how the Pilgrims Office apparently have improved their processes. Took me 4 minutes to fill in the online form (there is also a terminal for those without a phone or with a dead battery) … and another 12 minutes and I had left the building with a Compostela. Thank you! This used to be very different

I agree. Got to Santiago Thursday, big feast/holiday there, and not crowded. I only had one person in front of me at pilgrims office. Noon mass not nearly as crowded as in past years,,,,,back to 2016, and they swung the Botofumiero. Stayed 2 nights at San Martin Pinario, and still quite light regarding the so-called crowds. On my way to Muxia now. Albergues not full.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

I agree. Got to Santiago Thursday, big feast/holiday there, and not crowded. I only had one person in front of me at pilgrims office. Noon mass not nearly as crowded as in past years,,,,,back to 2016, and they swung the Botofumiero. Stayed 2 nights at San Martin Pinario, and still quite light regarding the so-called crowds. On my way to Muxia now. Albergues not full.

Leaving for Finisterre tomorrow, so I should arrive there 24th and stay 2 nights. If you do the Muxia - Fisterra loop, we might bump into each other ;-)

 

[Arctic_Alex]

I was with Angel yesterday whose in charge of the Pilgrim Office. He said on Friday they had 2500+ (Thursday 1900+). He said that's way more than normal so the numbers are already much higher this year than last year's record year! However yes it's not yet as busy as in July /August.

But I was actually comparing to end of April 2019 ;-) … and it felt less crowded now. However, the fast processes at the Office might also contribute to that.

 

[mattythedog]

But I was actually comparing to end of April 2019 ;-) … and it felt less crowded now. However, the fast processes at the Office might also contribute to that.

Less crowded now than same time in May 2019 and May 2022 after they had been automated a year.

I will be on the lookout for you. Will get to Muxia tomorrow or next day; then on to Finisterre

 

[Cindy McGuire]

After all this talk about the Camino Francés falling victim to its own popularity I expected Santiago to be an overcrowded nightmare … which it is not. Far from it!
I attached a photo from Cathedral square taken this very moment at a Sunday afternoon. Very relaxed regarding numbers.

Also, I was impressed how the Pilgrims Office apparently have improved their processes. Took me 4 minutes to fill in the online form (there is also a terminal for those without a phone or with a dead battery) … and another 12 minutes and I had left the building with a Compostela. Thank you! This used to be very different

We arrived May 21 and had exactly the same experience.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Less crowded now than same time in May 2019 and May 2022 after they had been automated a year.

I will be on the lookout for you. Will get to Muxia tomorrow or next day; then on to Finisterre

black backpack with a 10x10cm plate with a print of a dog on it dangling on the backside … instead of a shell ;-)

 

[Arctic_Alex]

We arrived May 21 and had exactly the same experience.

So you arrived today and might be on that photo

 

[mattythedog]

black backpack with a 10x10cm plate with a print of a dog on it dangling on the backside … instead of a shell ;-)

I carry small light green Osprey pack and usually an orange bb cap

 

[Lindsay53]

I will be arriving tomorrow. Good to know.

 

[El Cascayal]

Congratulations to all of you! I totally agree in May 2019 it took us about 2 h 45 minutes in a long and happy Peregrino line in the sun. That day there was the grand total of 1769 who received a Compostela.
Contrast it with 2023 May 4, less than 3 minute wait (this is not a wait) and a total of 2132 Compostelas. Incredibly efficient.
I always love getting a picture of the total Compostelas on day of my arrival.






 

[Leaderene]

I too was expecting it to be really busy and was there just over a week ago for a few days, not crowded at all. Very pleasant.

 

[Eyelash]

What is the best Albergue to stay in Santiago for starting the walk to Finnestere/Muxia please. Family of four for 23rd July

 

[Tincatinker]

What is the best Albergue to stay in Santiago for starting the walk to Finnestere/Muxia please. Family of four for 23rd July

Roots & Boots or the Parador

 

[David Tallan]

Roots & Boots or the Parador

I'm not sure that the Parador still counts as an albergue.

Whereas I was going to advise whichever albergue still has space for four that close to St. James Day.