Doing the Camino de Santiago in April What should you know?

Peregrino en Santiago - Envato Elements/diego_cervo

Why do the Camino de Santiago in April?

Spring is one of the best times of the year to do the Camino de Santiago, as temperatures are usually pleasant throughout Spain and there is not as much overcrowding as in the summer months, although you will definitely find many more pilgrims than in previous months.

This situation means that the hostels start to operate at full capacity, but on the other hand, you will have no major difficulties in finding a bed to spend the night.

Advantages of doing the Camino de Santiago in April

Warm and pleasant weather

The main advantage of choosing this time of the year to do the Camino de Santiago is that we can enjoy warm temperatures, but much more pleasant than in summer. This is ideal for walking the routes that pass through the center and south of Spain.

Little overcrowding

At this time we find an intermediate point as far as the number of pilgrims is concerned. We will not find as many as in the summer months, but not as few as in winter. This will allow us to enjoy the Camino without crowds, but at the same time it will help us to meet other pilgrims like us. 

Accommodation

Around Easter, the vast majority of public or private pilgrim hostels begin to operate, so that together with the small number of pilgrims, it will not be difficult to find accommodation on almost any of the routes.

Peregrino en el Camino- Envato Elements/diego_cervo

Disadvantages of doing the Camino de Santiago in April

Unexpected rains

As the saying goes: in April a thousand waters. During this month there may be unexpected showers, especially on the northern routes. It is advisable to be prepared with spare clothes and a light raincoat, just in case.

What is the best route for the Camino de Santiago in April?

One of the best routes you can take at this time of year is, without a doubt, the Vía de la Plata, which starts in Seville. It is a route that offers a great variety of landscapes and monuments that are difficult to find on other routes to Santiago.

This time of year is ideal for walking, because although the weather is good, we avoid the hot summer days, which in some sections with little shade can be very complicated.

The Portuguese Way is also another option to consider, especially its variant along the coast. This runs through a large number of beautiful Galician coastal towns, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean.

Popular festivals in Galicia in April

If the pilgrim is lucky enough to have Easter Week in April, he or she can enjoy one of the most emblematic festivals in Spain. These celebrations usually attract many travelers to our country, especially to the south, although in the north we can also find Easter festivals in Ferrol or Viveiro.

As for Galicia's own festivities, we can find festivals such as the Cheese Fair in Pedrafita do Cebreiro, the Festival of San Telmo in Tui or, if we are lucky, the Festival of the Ascension in Santiago.

Semana Santa de Ferrol - Wikimedia Commons/Cofradía de la Soledad de Ferrol