Best Camino de Santiago Route for Beginners

For a first Camino, shorter and gentler beats longer and classic, and two routes consistently come out on top for beginners.

Camino Inglés from Ferrol

At about 118 km over five to six days, with mostly gentle terrain and short daily stages, this is widely considered the easiest route that still earns the Compostela, with enough infrastructure to feel supported without the crowds of busier Caminos.

Camino Francés from Sarria

Walking only the final roughly 100 km of the Francés, starting in Sarria, gives beginners the classic pilgrim culture, reliable services and social atmosphere of the most famous route without committing to five weeks of walking.

What makes a route beginner-friendly

Short daily distances, minimal elevation change, dependable albergue availability, and good signage all matter more for a first Camino than scenic drama or solitude.

Our take

Choose Sarria to Santiago if you want the iconic, social Camino experience in under a week; choose the Inglés from Ferrol if you'd rather avoid crowds entirely while still earning your Compostela.