Which Camino de Santiago Should You Choose? Routes, Times, and the Geography of the Soul

This article is the second part of our journey to discover Santiago. If you missed the first part, which focused on the history, origins, and medieval symbols of the street, you can read it here.

If you're thinking about leaving, the first question that will cross your mind is: "Yes, but which one should I choose?" The truth is that there isn't just one Camino. There's a network of paths that winds throughout Europe, and each one responds to a different spiritual need.

I'm often asked what the "right" amount of time is to dedicate to this experience. Many get discouraged because they only have a week or two of vacation and think it's not worth leaving. Answering this question, however, is difficult and extremely subjective.

In my experience, I believe the first week is primarily about getting used to it, both physically and mentally: it's only after the first seven days that you can overcome that fine line between physical suffering and deeper emotions. But at the same time, everything is relative. Even a three-day journey, if undertaken with the right emotional and spiritual energy, is always a great idea and can leave a lasting impression.

The truth is, you can literally start the Camino anywhere you want, even off the beaten track. During my journey, for example, I met a fantastic couple, a father and daughter: he, at 74, walked with enviable energy, and they had set out on foot directly from Belgium. The trail network is practically everywhere.

So, whether you have three days, a whole month, or the crazy idea of leaving home, the important thing is to get started. Let's explore the main routes together to see which one best suits your needs:

• The French Way (The Classic): It's the pilgrims' highway, the most famous route of all. Its "baptism," however, comes immediately, at the very first stage: you'll have to cross the Pyrenees, an intense start that immediately tests your body and mind. If you're worried about feeling alone, this is the perfect place: it's incredibly social, full of services, refuges, and medieval villages that seem suspended in time. Fun fact? It crosses the famous Rioja region, where some fountains along the way... distribute free wine to passing pilgrims!

• The Portuguese Way (Between Ocean and Nature): One of the fastest growing routes. It takes you from Lisbon or Porto to Santiago, winding between Roman bridges, welcoming Portuguese villages, and vast eucalyptus forests that fill the air with the scent of the Atlantic Ocean. It's perfect for those seeking a relaxing journey, with gentle slopes and the chance to walk while gazing out at the Atlantic Ocean.

• The Northern Way (Wild and Solitary): This is for those who love the wild sea and solitude. It runs along the entire northern coast of Spain, overlooking the Cantabrian Sea. It is beautiful but challenging: there are constant ups and downs and cliffs overlooking the water. It's the ideal choice if you want to completely disconnect from the noise of the world and enjoy the silence and the Basque and Asturian cuisine.

• The Primitive Way (The Ancient Way): The name says it all. It starts in Oviedo and is the oldest route in history, inaugurated by King Alfonso II in the 9th century to verify the discovery of the Apostle's tomb. It's a tough, pure route for true mountain lovers, filled with mist rising from the valleys, mud, and breathtaking views. This was my very first Camino, the choice I made for my first experience, and I assure you, it's a testing one.

The real journey begins on the way back

We often make the mistake of thinking of Santiago de Compostela as the final destination, the point where the word "The End" is written. But the truth discovered by anyone who arrives tired and moved before that cathedral is another: the true Camino begins precisely when you arrive in Santiago. Or rather, when you return home.

Travel isn't an isolated parenthesis from the rest of existence, but an amplifier. Along the way, you realize that it is you, and you alone, who can give the meaning you desire to things: to your toil, your silences, and your new beginnings. Personally, it was a pure expression of what I like to call "the art of being" : stop performing for others, stop accumulating objects or expectations, and simply begin to exist. One step at a time, anchored in the present moment.

Santiago isn't a finish line. It's a beginning.

In the next article we will delve into the practical side of travel: We'll see how to pack your backpack, how to choose the right gear , and what absolutely essential items to have so you don't regret your first climb.