Avoid SdC on 25 July?

[Betsybow]

Hello friends!

I’m planning my first Camino for next summer, and I have been so grateful for the wisdom and the spirit of this forum. Thank you!

My plan is to walk the Camino Primitivo in July, and the way the calendar works. My arrival in Santiago comes dangerously close to July 25. Am I right to assume that the feast of Santiago is an expensive / crazy time to try to arrive there? Also wondering if the days immediately before and after the 25th are also really crowded?

I am grateful for any wisdom that you all can offer! Maybe you’ll tell me that arriving in Santiago on July 25 is magical and I should go for it!

Peace,
Betsy

 

[Flog]

Well, it's not San Fermin..
Crazy busy is a relative term, but there will be a few pilgrims and tourists about..

 

[trecile]

I haven't experienced Santiago on St James Day, or the surrounding days, but if you are considering it make a refundable booking NOW. I am seeing reasonable prices for that date on booking.com right now.

 

[dougfitz]

I must admit to avoiding arriving then, but equally, if you are well organised, I do think it would be, as you suggest, magical. Having accommodation would be my concern, and I would expect that might be more expensive around then than at other times. The payoff should be that the city is busy and vibrant, and with the right frame of mind, you will have a wonderful time.

 

[trecile]

I haven't experienced Santiago on St James Day, or the surrounding days, but if you are considering it make a refundable booking NOW. I am seeing reasonable prices for that date on booking.com right now.

Also, keep looking between now and then as some places may not be bookable yet.

 

[wisepilgrim]

I would not recommend arriving without a reservation any time of the year.

I would highly recommend the 25th, or even better the 24th when the fireworks start.

 

[Wendy Werneth]

I was in Santiago on 25 July this year, and it was pretty magical. Although, as @wisepilgrim said, the big culmination of the celebrations is actually on the night of the 24th, and things start well before that. The programme of events lasted for at least two weeks as I recall. If you can get accommodation, then I would definitely go for it.

 

[CWBuff]

first of - welcome to the Forum
secondly - YOU STOLE MY CAT!!!!!

now on a serious note - not sure where your hard line in the sand is regarding "expensive". Any time I travel to Boston it's "expensive" .... but I do love The Beantown so we all just grin and bear it for your pleasure...
I would absolutely follow the advices of Esteemed Members above - do your diligence, stay on top of places to stay, their cost and make reservation ASAP once you reasonably convinced "this is it".
Yes there maybe a bit of an 'extra crowd" but hopefully it will only add to your overall experience. I would definitely suggest to follow the advices that talk about getting there on the 24th rather than 25th and just go with the flow....
If you secure your accommodations you're golden as I do not believe the price of a tapa will rise to, say, 20E for just couple of nights

Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[Roland49]

I arrived on Friday, the 28th of July last year. The festivities were going on, big party at the Alameda Park. Rained cats and dogs, but amazing vibe!

I would not recommend to arrive without reservation like I did. Got one of the last available rooms in the city.
But it was an exceptional week, because one week later the catholic youth gathering was held in Lisbon, so many bigger groups (30+ pilgrims) of young pilgrims pouring onto the Praza d'Obradoiro the whole day.
I was Compostela #57 on the morning.

 

[suseia]

I never arrived in Santiago in that period but I think that the atmosfere will be magical and if I had the possibility (my holidays are in september) I would go for sure .. obviously booking in advance!! Great plan even for the choice of the primitivo that I am planning to walk in the future... buen (first) camino (The first camino is really an unforgettable experience ..)

 

[Betsybow]

Thank you all! You’re inspiring me to try and go for it. Seems like such a unique opportunity. WITH a reservation!

 

[Betsybow]

first of - welcome to the Forum
secondly - YOU STOLE MY CAT!!!!!

now on a serious note - not sure where your hard line in the sand is regarding "expensive". Any time I travel to Boston it's "expensive" .... but I do love The Beantown so we all just grin and bear it for your pleasure...
I would absolutely follow the advices of Esteemed Members above - do your diligence, stay on top of places to stay, their cost and make reservation ASAP once you reasonably convinced "this is it".
Yes there maybe a bit of an 'extra crowd" but hopefully it will only add to your overall experience. I would definitely suggest to follow the advices that talk about getting there on the 24th rather than 25th and just go with the flow....
If you secure your accommodations you're golden as I do not believe the price of a tapa will rise to, say, 20E for just couple of nights

Good luck and Buen Camino

You clearly have great taste in cats!!!! And cities. I live in Boston

 

[David Tallan]

In my experience being there around that time, for the places I stayed at (albergues, San Martín Pinario pilgrim rooms) prices didn't change.

 

[LTfit]

I purposely missed it on July 25, 2010 (Holy Year) during my first Camino Francés from SJPDP. Instead I chose to walk to Finisterre and arrived there instead on July 25th. When I reached the 0,00 mojón by the lighthouse a French gentleman asked me to take his picture. He had retired recently and had walked from home. His name? Jacques
Finisterre seemed like an appropriate place to end my first Camino, I wasn't yet ready to face crowds of people.

On another note I have spent New Year's Eve in Santiago with fireworks and all. That was quite special.

 

[Blister Bill]

Hello friends!

I’m planning my first Camino for next summer, and I have been so grateful for the wisdom and the spirit of this forum. Thank you!

My plan is to walk the Camino Primitivo in July, and the way the calendar works. My arrival in Santiago comes dangerously close to July 25. Am I right to assume that the feast of Santiago is an expensive / crazy time to try to arrive there? Also wondering if the days immediately before and after the 25th are also really crowded?

I am grateful for any wisdom that you all can offer! Maybe you’ll tell me that arriving in Santiago on July 25 is magical and I should go for it!

Peace,
Betsy

OMG do it. What a perfect day to arrive !!

 

[MikeC]

Being in SDC for the 24th and 25th July is an amazing experience.
As well as being the the feast day for St James, and of great pilgrimage significance, it is also the Spanish National day.
The crowds and parties are all good humoured. I believe that the fireworks have been changed to a light show since I was there for the celebrations.
It’s a unique experience. Embrace it.
Whatever you choose, Buen Camino.

 

[t2andreo]

The Feast of St. James (Santiago) is the most wonderful time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. When I am able to work as a volunteer in the Pilgrims Office, I try to schedule my time so I am there, working, on the Feast.

Yes, it is very crowded and busy. There are lines for most everything you might want to do. DO NOT arrive without a room reservation made well in advance.

Now is not too soon. But you definitely want to have a room locked-down and confirmed soon after the New Year.

While very busy, there is a special energy all over the city. Everyone is in a festive mode. There are concerts and street performers all over the old part of the city.

I recommend locking-in reservations and plan to stay a couple of days. After the fireworks, on midnight of the 24th - starting the July 25 feast day - you can watch the constant stream of people departing the old part of the city. They flood down Rua da Horreo towards the train station after midnight. Extra trains are laid on to accommodate the extra surge.

The actual Feast Day is still very crowded as many people plan to stay in the city for a couple of days. But, at least in my view and experience. there are fewer people all over after the activities and festivities on the evening of the 24th.

On balance, I regard this as a splendid end to any Camino.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[trecile]

As well as being the the feast day for St James, and of great pilgrimage significance, it is also the Spanish National day

July 25th is the National day of Galicia.

National Day of Galicia: July 25th | Xacobeo - Galicia Tips - All about Galicia

July 25th is the National day of Galicia. Sometimes it's called Xacobeo. When, and what is this holiday about? You will find your answers here

www.galiciatips.com

The National day of Spain is October 12th.

 

[LisaJS]

If you do go at this time and plan to attend mass on July 25th, be ready to get in line at least 2 hours in advance if not more. We were in Santiago on Nov 1st (another of the special feast days when the botafumeiro is always used) and the queue for the 12 pm mass started around 9:15 am; standing room only by the time the service started and many who arrived closer to the start time did not get in. (The wait was well worth it, though - special music and ceremony for the feast day which we did not see in mass the night before.) Also, note that the botafumeiro may not be used in all of the services on July 25th. On Nov 1st this year, I believe that it was only used at the 12 pm mass. Friends of ours got a tip at the Pilgrim Office when getting their compostelas that the botafumeiro would definitely be used at the noon mass. (Apparently the person who issued their compostela was one of the "tiraboleiros" who pulls the ropes to make the botafumeiro swing!)

 

[CorinneH]

My husband and I arrived in Santiago on July 24 this year. There were plusses and minuses. It was busy, but we booked accommodation only about a week before we arrived. It was more expensive than when we last stayed in the city, but that was in 2018, so I can't say if accommodation was more expensive for the week or just due to inflation. There were fireworks on the night of the 24th, and the atmosphere was great. We were glad to have been a part of that.

On the 24th, the line-up to enter the cathedral was long. The mass, itself, was very crowded, with people standing and sitting on the floor. We couldn't see anything. The crowds in the cathedral were pretty disrespectful, wandering around, taking photos, and talking throughout the mass, even though they were asked by officials to sit quietly several times. The botafumeiro was not used. We were disappointed in all of that.

On the 25th, for a fair part of the day, the square was closed to provide security for the dignitaries that were attending the mass. The midday mass was not open to anyone but the dignitaries, and the botafumeiro was used at that mass only. I suppose, with the large crowds in the cathedral in the general masses, there might not have been a safe pathway for the botafumeiro to swing.

I felt very sorry for pilgrims who arrived on the morning of the 25th, because they could not even enter the square, much less enjoy the usual atmosphere, meet friends and celebrate their arrival. I think it would have been disappointing for them. I was very glad we arrived on the 24th rather than on the 25th.

On balance, I think it might be better to arrive on the 23rd. I don't know, but I would guess that the masses would be less crowded on the 23rd; there might be a chance to see the botafumeiro; and the square would be open, providing a more typical experience for your personal end-of-Camino celebration. Having the day of the 24th to enjoy the holiday celebrations and the city would be fun, and the fireworks on the night of the 24th would be a nice end. I'd depart for Muxia or Finistere on the morning of the 25th.

 

[Betsybow]

My husband and I arrived in Santiago on July 24 this year. There were plusses and minuses. It was busy, but we booked accommodation only about a week before we arrived. It was more expensive than when we last stayed in the city, but that was in 2018, so I can't say if accommodation was more expensive for the week or just due to inflation. There were fireworks on the night of the 24th, and the atmosphere was great. We were glad to have been a part of that.

On the 24th, the line-up to enter the cathedral was long. The mass, itself, was very crowded, with people standing and sitting on the floor. We couldn't see anything. The crowds in the cathedral were pretty disrespectful, wandering around, taking photos, and talking throughout the mass, even though they were asked by officials to sit quietly several times. The botafumeiro was not used. We were disappointed in all of that.

On the 25th, for a fair part of the day, the square was closed to provide security for the dignitaries that were attending the mass. The midday mass was not open to anyone but the dignitaries, and the botafumeiro was used at that mass only. I suppose, with the large crowds in the cathedral in the general masses, there might not have been a safe pathway for the botafumeiro to swing.

I felt very sorry for pilgrims who arrived on the morning of the 25th, because they could not even enter the square, much less enjoy the usual atmosphere, meet friends and celebrate their arrival. I think it would have been disappointing for them. I was very glad we arrived on the 24th rather than on the 25th.

On balance, I think it might be better to arrive on the 23rd. I don't know, but I would guess that the masses would be less crowded on the 23rd; there might be a chance to see the botafumeiro; and the square would be open, providing a more typical experience for your personal end-of-Camino celebration. Having the day of the 24th to enjoy the holiday celebrations and the city would be fun, and the fireworks on the night of the 24th would be a nice end. I'd depart for Muxia or Finistere on the morning of the 25th.

So helpful! Right now this is exactly my plan ……