You are a parent. And you would reeeeealy like to walk the Camino.
But how do you make it happen when you have little ones in tow? The options might seem limiting:
Wait until they’re older? But life is unpredictable, and who knows what the years ahead will bring.
Leave them at home with your partner or grandparents? But that little voice of guilt will be speaking to you throughout the entire journey.
Take them along, but will they enjoy it? Will you end up carrying them halfway? It is supposed to be fun, not torture!
The truth is, none of these options felt quite right for us. So, we made our own path—and it was worth every step. Here’s how we turned our Camino dream into a family adventure.
The Adventure Partner
What is the first step in making this happen? Finding a “partner in adventure” – someone you trust, someone familiar to your children, someone they already know and love. It has to be someone with whom your children are comfortable and like to spend time with. It is essential that this is someone adventurous enough to embrace the journey. This person needs to be more than just a helper – they must be your co-pilot in this incredible experience. Here are our suggestions:
This could be a partner who’s not as keen on walking the entire Camino route but is eager to join you in spirit and travel with the children.
If you both want to walk the Camino, you could alternate between parents – one walking the one part of the Camino while the other travels with children along the way or just stays with the kids at interesting destinations along the way. You can walk one entire section and then exchange, or you can alternate days or weeks. You could even return to the starting point afterwards and do it all again, if you have time. Or simply return next year so that both parents can complete the entire route, if this is what you wish.
The next option is that you find a trustworthy person(s) (but really THRUSTWORTHY!!!) who will travel with your children when you (both) walk the Camino. In our case, we were fortunate enough to have grandparents ready to play a significant part in our journey and joined us as »adventure partners«. They followed a itinerary I planned ahead, ensuring that everyone was happy and safe. We will forever be grateful for their support – we tried to express our gratitude by covering majority of expenses for the entire adventure – but of course, the help and support in fulfilling our life-long dream is priceless!
If your “partner in adventure” will be anyone else but parents, do not forget to write a Letter of Consent in which you allow your minor children to travel abroad. This letter can prevent potential issues at the airports checks or during any other authorities checks during travels.
Planning Ahead
Some extra planning goes a long way when you’re traveling with children, but the rewards are immeasurable. A little preparation can open the door to a world of discovery, joy, and growth.
Traveling with a car can make things easier, though buses, trains, and shuttles are also great options. If you’re renting a car, don’t forget to bring or rent child seats (many airlines allow one item of child equipment to be checked for free).
Timing is a key: Spring or autumn months are perfect for the Camino Frances, with pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and good availability of accommodations. However, consider school schedules—our child’s extended holiday request was approved, but it requires a little extra coordination.
Know your family’s needs: If your children can spend some time apart, you’ll have more flexibility. Let them enjoy a week at a beach town while you walk (when having a car, distances between northern coast of Spain and Camino Frances are relatively short, so they can meet you after a day’s walk. If you want to stay together every night, be prepared to plan ahead for family-friendly accommodations. By doing so, you cannot sleep in public albergues which are intended for pilgrims only.
Keep them entertained: Include destinations with kid-friendly activities—zoos, aquariums, and museums—and let them walk sections of the Way that are flatter and with enough shade, keep their abilities and age in mind.
Consider your budget: The Camino can be surprisingly affordable in comparison with many other 1-month family vacation, especially when you opt for albergues, hostels, or Airbnbs, and travel outside peak season (summer months). Plus, cooking your own meals can be a fun family bonding activity.
Please, note this one, this one is really important! Flexibility is your friend: The Camino gives you what you need, not always what you want. If the journey starts to feel overwhelming for anyone, remember that it’s okay to take a break and enjoy the beauty of Spain at your own pace.
Spain loves children & children love Spain
Spain is made for families—every village, town, and city has something to offer. I don’t think there is any other country on this planet which would have a playground in almost every town, even the tiniest one, with only a few inhabitants still living. Literally! Besides, many of the playgrounds in the bigger cities are protected by a fence and equipped with benches, so you can sit calmly while reading a book, drinking a coffee, eating churros – it’s clear that Spain loves children.
And the food! Paella, churros, tapas… the choices are endless, and there’s no need to worry about your little ones going hungry. (And if the siesta schedule throws you off, know that many stores are open every day, including Sundays.)
Plus, traveling within the EU means that there is a solid health system (but consider appropriate travel health insurance and arrange it in advance before leaving home). There are also many pharmacies, you can even notice multiples on the same street.
Language? No Problem! While knowing some Spanish can be helpful, it’s by no means a necessity. The Camino Frances is very popular with pilgrims from all over the world, so communication mostly runs in English. And if needed, there’s always the magic of translation apps to help bridge any gaps.
How we did it
We started by driving from our home to Bordeaux, France (we live in Europe), and then continued by bus and train to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to begin our walk. About a week into the journey, our family arrived to Bordeaux airport, picking up our car and heading to the Spain where we met and stayed together at apartment we booked ahead.
Normally we were sleeping in albergues all the time when we were not in the same town as our family). From there on, we stayed together in some towns, where we pre-booked apartments (Burgos, Leon, Santiago), but the rest of the days they were staying they explored towns and attractions along the northern coastline, creating their own adventure.
After our daily walks we often reconnected (it is not a long car drive from coast to some parts of Camino Frances), shared stories, and soaked up the shared moments. I tried my best when planning their trip, to include interesting things for children to see and do. In these three weeks they played on the sandy beaches, visited a ZOO, Aquarium, Dinosaur museum, Safari and played probably on all playgrounds they have noticed.
After a couple of days together at Santiago, they flew back home and we returned by car. For us, it was the perfect balance of togetherness and independence, of walking the Camino while giving our children a taste of the wonders of Spain, together with their grandparents with whom they love to spend time.
What makes Camino with kids so special
Every Camino is unique. If you will walk the same route 100 times, every time will be different. You will meet different people and build different Camino society, you will sleep in different places, you will see the same towns in different weather conditions, you will have different thoughts, you will learn different things, you will feel different. And when there are children accompanying you, the experience is even more profound. Children have an uncanny way of drawing people in. Along the Way, they became magnets for smiles, encouragement, and connection. Pilgrims and locals were enchanted by their energy, and our children absolutely thrived on the attention. It was a beautiful reminder of how the Camino spirit is universal – it welcomes everyone, no matter their age or stage in life.
What about the grandparents? They saw parts of Spain they’d never imagined, and despite all the challenges, they loved it so much that they’re already thinking about walking the Camino Portuguese next year! The Camino has a way of getting under your skin – and it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Camino Spirit
It’s hard to put into words everything that Camino provided to us. There are no words to describe the joy of sharing a meal together after a long walk, the sense of pride in overcoming challenges as a team, or the beauty of experiencing the world through your children’s eyes. I could easily fill an entire book with everything we did, felt, and experienced on the Camino, and I’m certain my mother could write one too about the incredible adventures they had traveling through Spain for three weeks. But I know that the most beautiful chapters of both stories would be the ones where our paths crossed along the Way.
Our children often ask when we’ll return to the Camino, and we’re already dreaming about our next journey. For us, the Camino isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling, a way of life that lives on long after the journey ends. And though the road may end, the memories will continue to grow, inspire, and shape us for the years to come.
The Camino de Santiago has a way of calling you back, over and over again, reminding you that the most meaningful journeys are the ones we take together.
Are you interested in more details? Keep following us – it is coming soon.
