Walking the Camino de Santiago: discovering Europe’s cultural pilgrimage

It is considered one of most significant cultural pilgrimages in Europe for those wishing to explore history, architecture and local communities. What makes it distinctive is the continuity between villages, churches and settlements, allowing pilgrims to observe first-hand how history, religion and everyday life have been intertwined over the centuries. Each village tells a specific story, every church preserves frescoes, religious symbols and altars, and local communities continue to run inns and workshops according to long-established traditions.

Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the Camino continues to attract pilgrims from all over the world. According to official data from the Pilgrim’s Office, nearly 499,000 people completed the route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in 2024, while in 2025 the figure rose to 530,987, setting a new record. These numbers highlight the Camino’s contemporary relevance as a cultural and spiritual phenomenon and confirm its role as a major European pilgrimage route.

In medieval towns such as Villafranca del Bierzo, the church of Santa María preserves 15th-century frescoes depicting local saints and scenes of pilgrim devotion. These paintings once served as visual guides for travellers, indicating rituals and forms of protection to follow along the route. Central squares hosted markets, while stone workshops — some still operating today as historic inns — allowed pilgrims to rest and eat, observing artisans at work, guild symbols on display and local products such as textiles, tools and traditional foods. In Sarria, stone houses marked with craft guild signs and Romanesque churches reflect how local communities adapted to the needs of pilgrims, illustrating the variety of architectural styles and traditions found along the Camino and reinforcing the idea of a true cultural corridor linking different historical regions.

Local communities continue to play an active role in the pilgrim experience. In Ponte de Lima, the medieval bridge over the Lima River bears witness to centuries of commercial and social exchange. Families in the town still run hostels and inns, offering hospitality in line with long-standing customs. During the Festa de Santiago in Pontevedra, held every year at the end of July, residents walk through the streets carrying statues of the apostle, accompanied by religious chants and traditional music. The distribution of bread and wine follows medieval practices, when these foods were offered to pilgrims along the route. Visitors can follow the procession through the main squares, listen to traditional hymns and observe how local residents actively participate, providing a clear sense of continuity in pilgrimage traditions.

Gastronomy along the Camino offers another direct way to understand local culture and its historical connection to pilgrimage. Dishes such as Portuguese codfish or pastéis de nata are prepared in village inns using local ingredients and recipes passed down through generations. Historically, salted cod was a staple along the Camino due to its durability and nutritional value. Pilgrims can observe the preparation process, from soaking the fish to cooking it, and enjoy meals accompanied by seasonal vegetables and regional products. In traditional restaurants and inns, food preparation and service reflect how communities integrated hospitality into daily life, turning each meal into a tangible expression of local culture and tradition.

The spiritual dimension of the Camino becomes especially evident in isolated chapels, pilgrim altars and local processions. In the Chapel of San Roque, built in the 16th century, pilgrims can witness candle-lighting rituals and traditional hymns performed during weekly services. In the Church of Santa María in Villafranca del Bierzo, medieval altars and frescoes depict scenes of pilgrimage devotion, offering insight into historical religious practices. Processions in nearby villages feature statues of apostles carried through the streets, with visitors able to follow the route, listen to traditional chants and observe the community’s active participation, documenting the continuity of centuries-old religious customs.

To help travellers plan their journey and deepen their understanding of the route, viajecaminodesantiago.com provides detailed maps, information on churches and villages, accommodation guidance and insights into local traditions. The platform allows pilgrims to organise their journey thoughtfully and to better understand how community life, history, gastronomy and spirituality intersect along the Camino de Santiago.