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 ..)