Santiago de Compostela on Easter?

[dreaminggypsy]

As I am sketching out our itinerary for a walking the Camino Portugues-It appears that we may be arriving in Santiago on Easter weekend… Sunday to be exact. Should I wait and stay somewhere else Easter Sunday and then arrive on the Monday after Easter? Would it be less busy? Thank you.

 

[CameraHiker]

I think it would be cool to go to Easter services, what a great way to end your journey!

For me I'll still be on the trail (CF) and plan on taking a zero day in Leon for Easter.

 

[Former member 54877]

Hi dreaminggypsy,
in pre-pandemic times, there were processions of the SDC-based Franciscan Confradia of the True Cross all through Holy Week in Santiago de Compostela culminating on Easter. I am not sure if any will happen in 2022. If you are not from Spain, seeing one of these may perhaps be a part of your camino experience. For myself, rather than arrive on Easter Monday, I would plan to arrive at least two days earlier on Holy Saturday instead!

https://www.semanasantasantiago.es/es/historia-de-la-semana-santa/

 

[dick bird]

If you can find a place to stay in Santiago over Easter, do it. It will be an unforgettable experience.

 

[Thedanishvikingpilgrim]

As I am sketching out our itinerary for a walking the Camino Portugues-It appears that we may be arriving in Santiago on Easter weekend… Sunday to be exact. Should I wait and stay somewhere else Easter Sunday and then arrive on the Monday after Easter? Would it be less busy? Thank you.

Easter on the camino is busy time. You might even already be to late to make reservations to sleep here in Santiago. So if you want to be here. Then you really should book asap.

 

[Jen&Mike]

We are planning on arriving into SdeC a few days before Easter. When I looked at places to stay yesterday there were not many options left at reasonable prices so, like others have already mentioned, you may want to book sooner than later. Also, if the precessions are going on during Holy week you are in for a treat. We didn't know anything about them when we walked the Frances in 2019 and were marveled and amazed by them in every town we walked through during the week before Easter.

Buen Camino!

 

[Grousedoctor]

We stayed in SdC over Easter weekend after finishing the Inglés. Although we’ve been there a number of times, it was wonderfully vibrant to be there for Easter which also coincided with my wife’s birthday that year. From what I saw on Booking.com, you should be able to find a room without much difficulty for Sunday night, but I’d book now. If you can, arrive as early as possible on Sunday to enjoy the day there.

 

[dreaminggypsy]

Vibrant! Yes-we made reservations right after I posted this- arriving on Holy Saturday. Thank you.

 

[Kathar1na]

I got a newsletter from the Cathedral today with a lists of events. I've highlighted the times when one can hear the Carraca. This is a huge wooden ratchet in one of the towers of the Cathedral. Its sound replaces the bell ringing on Good Friday and on the Saturday before Easter. I don't know whether these are the only times when you can hear the Carraca.

Viernes Santo, 15 de abril
12:00 h. Celebración Penitencial. Funcionamiento de la carraca.
18:00 h. Celebración de la Pasión del Señor, presidida por el Arzobispo. Funcionamiento de la carraca.

Sábado Santo, 16 de abril
12:00 h. Oficio de lecturas. Funcionamiento de la carraca.
18:00 h. Vía Crucis y Sermón de la Soledad. Funcionamiento de la carraca.
22:00 h. Solemne Vigilia Pascual, presidida por el Arzobispo. Funcionamiento de la carraca.

Domingo de Pascua, 17 de abril
11:00 h. Procesión de Jesús Resucitado, en la praza da Quintana
11:40 h. Misa Solemne de la Resurrección del Señor. Funcionamiento del Botafumeiro.

 

[Mikel Olivares]

The Camino is a Madness at Easter.

 

[Mikel Olivares]

I think it would be cool to go to Easter services, what a great way to end your journey!

For me I'll still be on the trail (CF) and plan on taking a zero day in Leon for Easter.

The night from Holy Thursday to Holy Friday don't sleep at Las Carbajalas. It is impossible sleep because the noise of the whole night on the street.

 

[Marbe2]

SdC is chaotic at Easter! It is wall to wall people. Almost impossible to get a seat in the Cathedral. During Covid,I believe many of the processions for the Triduum were canceled. Watching them is well worth the Chaos, though. Rich!

If you want to experience It, do make reservations now !