Silly Question but here goes - timing and crowds

[ssrCobra]

I was planning to walk the Portuguese Camino from Porto in September. I picked that time because I like warmer weather and I was looking for quiet and peace along the trail that summer season may not bring. Since plan that time period in September, I realized I have a conflict that's and September is not possible.

I am now thinking I want to move it up to July finishing in Compostela hopefully on July 25th.

So the silly question goes how much more crowded will the Portuguese Camino be in July? Like, are the pilgrims doubled of what I would have been with in September? Will it be a bigger struggle getting places to stay one night at a time? those sort of things?

This is my first Camino, I am married but I am going by myself (just isn't her thing). Friends wanted to go with me and I said NO to all of them .

Looking forward to comments and thoughts.

 

[Bradypus]

So the silly question goes how much more crowded will the Portuguese Camino be in July?

Actually the other way round. In July this year the pilgrim office in Santiago recorded 19,824 people who had walked the Portugues or the Portugues Costa routes. But in September that number was 27,718. September was much busier than July. PS: Of course Santiago itself on and around the 25th July is likely to be extremely busy!

 

[donalomahony]

25th July is a wonderful time to be in Santiago de Compostela. Just have you accommodation and onward travel arrangements locked-down well in advance.

Festivities in honour of Saint James the Apostle. Fiestas in Santiago de Compostela | spain.info

Festivities in honour of Saint James the Apostle. What to see in A Coruña and more on Spains official tourism website | spain.info

www.spain.info

 

[naplesdon]

The issue with crowds in July is the result of tourism on the beaches, not pilgrims.

 

[CTLawGal]

Just for the record, no silly questions here especially for first timers. (Hope this is not presumptuous coming from someone who was a first timer in 2023!)

 

[DBoden]

I was planning to walk the Portuguese Camino from Porto in September. I picked that time because I like warmer weather and I was looking for quiet and peace along the trail that summer season may not bring. Since plan that time period in September, I realized I have a conflict that's and September is not possible.

I am now thinking I want to move it up to July finishing in Compostela hopefully on July 25th.

So the silly question goes how much more crowded will the Portuguese Camino be in July? Like, are the pilgrims doubled of what I would have been with in September? Will it be a bigger struggle getting places to stay one night at a time? those sort of things?

This is my first Camino, I am married but I am going by myself (just isn't her thing). Friends wanted to go with me and I said NO to all of them .

Looking forward to comments and thoughts.

Prepare for a beautiful walk. My wife and I did your walk in 2022 in July, a combination of Literal and Coastal routes. We have hiked four different Caminos, and the Portuguese was our favorite. The remark about beach and surfer tourists is likely correct for July, so reserve a day or two in advance because Portugal is rapidly becoming more popular. We travelled right after opening post Covid so it was VERY quiet, which we enjoyed, but many churches were still closed. Only one caution: compared to September, July can be very hot, especially away from the coast, so be prepared and carry a little extra water. Enjoy every wonderful minute with the friends you will meet along the way and Bom Caminho!

 

[Gerard Griffin]

I envy you for two reasons. First, because neither my wife, my kids or any of my friends will do a Camino with me despite my requests. And second, because the first Camino is the best, the most unforgettable and marvellous, no matter the crowds or anything else. It's all in front of you amigo. Cherish every moment.

 

[CTLawGal]

I envy you for two reasons. First, because neither my wife, my kids or any of my friends will do a Camino with me despite my requests. And second, because the first Camino is the best, the most unforgettable and marvellous, no matter the crowds or anything else. It's all in front of you amigo. Cherish every moment.

Instead of envy, feel blessed - there's something wonderful about walking solo!

 

[Kirkie]

I was planning to walk the Portuguese Camino from Porto in September. I picked that time because I like warmer weather and I was looking for quiet and peace along the trail that summer season may not bring. Since plan that time period in September, I realized I have a conflict that's and September is not possible.

I am now thinking I want to move it up to July finishing in Compostela hopefully on July 25th.

So the silly question goes how much more crowded will the Portuguese Camino be in July? Like, are the pilgrims doubled of what I would have been with in September? Will it be a bigger struggle getting places to stay one night at a time? those sort of things?

This is my first Camino, I am married but I am going by myself (just isn't her thing). Friends wanted to go with me and I said NO to all of them .

Looking forward to comments and thoughts.

I wish you the Camino experience that will be your own!
A wise word above suggests making sure you have a bed for the days you hope to be in Santiago.
I see your conviction about doing this on your own. Stick to it.

 

[Amachan]

September is a pretty busy month too, so I don't know if you were gonna find a lot of quiet and peace...
Portugues is in a really touristic area, so you will find places quite crowded, but crowded mostly by tourists, not pilgrims (specially if you choose the litoral path). If you stay in albergues you won't find so much trouble at finding a place to sleep, except in Santiago. Santiago, during summer, and specially around 25th of July is gonna be crazy. Book already a place to stay there, as soon as possible, or you are gonna stay in the surroundings. That week the city festivities take place, so is gonna be full of people. If by any chance you arrive in Santiago on the 24th, keep in mind that you won't probably be able to arrive in Obradoiro square, since there's gonna be fireworks that night, so the square is gonna be closed for them to be prepared, and a lot of people will be queuing to get a place at the square to watch them.
Some people mentioned the heat. It's usually not that much, but still more than in September. Unless you are so 'lucky' to find yourself in the middle of a heatwave it's not usual to find temperatures above 30°C, maybe 35°C max for 1 or 2 days (south from Porto is a different story). Weather can be different every year, you could find even in July rain and temperatures about 20°C... This is not Sevilla!
Buen Camino!

 

[ssrCobra]

Hi everybody, thank you all for your comments it really helped.

OMG I just booked my airline ticket this is getting real!!!

Also the comments on the temperature and heat...I live in southwest Florida year round so I feel like I am kind of use to it.

Buen Camino

 

[Gerard Griffin]

Instead of envy, feel blessed - there's something wonderful about walking solo!

Good advice. But it's the Way not taken, the one that might have been chosen had things been otherwise. But I suppose Leonardo Cohen put it best when he said "I guess you can exchange the gifts/That you were meant to keep". Or Bob Dylan: "It's doom alone that counts.". Hi yo Silver, awaaay!! Ultreia!! It's not Route 66, but it'll do.

 

[Gerard Griffin]

Good advice. But it's the Way not taken, the one that might have been chosen had things been otherwise. But I suppose Leonardo Cohen put it best when he said "I guess you can exchange the gifts/That you were meant to keep". Or Bob Dylan: "It's doom alone that counts.". Hi yo Silver, awaaay!! Ultreia!! It's not Route 66, but it'll do.

Can't, line 4, of course.

 

[CTLawGal]

Actually I think the best Leonard Cohen quote is this (seen on a door in Santiago my last day) (but we digress off-topic!):

But I suppose Leonardo Cohen put it best

 

[Caomhin O Fearghaill]

I was planning to walk the Portuguese Camino from Porto in September. I picked that time because I like warmer weather and I was looking for quiet and peace along the trail that summer season may not bring. Since plan that time period in September, I realized I have a conflict that's and September is not possible.

I am now thinking I want to move it up to July finishing in Compostela hopefully on July 25th.

So the silly question goes how much more crowded will the Portuguese Camino be in July? Like, are the pilgrims doubled of what I would have been with in September? Will it be a bigger struggle getting places to stay one night at a time? those sort of things?

This is my first Camino, I am married but I am going by myself (just isn't her thing). Friends wanted to go with me and I said NO to all of them .

Looking forward to comments and thoughts.

You have selected a busy time of the year. For peace of mind, book accomodation in advance, Pension, Casa Rural or Hotel. As a rule, municpal albergues and refugios do not take advance bookings, but some private albergues do, best to check in advance. I walked the route in 2019, it was a great experience. Buen Camino.

 

[Joynz]

The question isn’t ‘silly’. However, the title (‘Silly question but here goes’) gives no indication of the topic!

Here’s a better suggestion:
Portuguese Camino - July more crowded than September?

 

[K_Lynn]

This is my first Camino, I am married but I am going by myself (just isn't her thing). Friends wanted to go with me and I said NO to all of them .

LOL I didn't tell most of my friends I was going until the day before I flew out or after I arrived. I did not want any of them there with me. I love them, but my first Camino was for me. Good for you for saying NO!

It will be busy, but you will also have as much alone time as you like. If you want to walk and talk with people, engage them. If you want to walk alone in silence, just nod your head and keep walking.

Bom Caminho!

 

[suseia]

The portugaise camino is a wonderful route. I walked along the last part of it in spring 2023 (without variante espiritual i will walk it an other time) but some friends hiked it from porto in summer time and they have been entusiastic.. I think that except in sdc you could find accomodation but in particolar if you prefer casa rural or pension booking in avance could be better beacause of tourism.. Really great experience. Enjoy!!

 

[pjacobi]

It is possible to travel anywhere with crowds! You just have to travel differently. That means you get up a little earlier in advance of the herd or maybe stay late after the herd is gone. You just need to be smarter than the average tourist. You lose when you are lazy and unprepared.


-Paul

 

[trecile]

The question isn’t ‘silly’. However, the title (‘Silly question but here goes’) gives no indication of the topic!

Here’s a better suggestion:
Portuguese Camino - July more crowded than September?

Absolutely right. In fact, when to walk is one of the most common questions on the forum!

 

[KDub]

I walked from Valença to SdC in September of 2023 and it was very busy! The weather was great, the crowds, not so much.