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There are many good things about the Camino, too many to go through in one post, so here's ten to start on followed by a the same number of 'bad' things, do you have any to add in the comments?



  1. Walking - you get to see so much more of a country when you walk through it, you get a better understanding of what it's like than if you take a car through and of course walking is great exercise!
  2.  Simplicity - you're concerns on the Camino become very simple as you go: finding a bed and finding food and that is all that you really need. Things just slow down to walking pace and your normal concerns can disappear and it gives you a chance to work out what's actually important to you.
  3. Sellos - I love collecting the stamps on my credential, afterwards you can look back and remember your Camino from just these
  4. People - you meet people from all over the world and form a fellowship with them all where you help each other and everyone is at peace with each other. I also spend time with my family on the Camino and that's wonderful.
  5. Arriving at Santiago - there is such a sense of achievement and happiness when you arrive, there is no other feeling like it.
  6. Food - it's cheap and tasty and there is a chance to try the regional delicacies (is cakes, cheese and chocolate!)
  7.  Cost - life on the Camino is cheap, if you cook for yourself and stay in municipal albergues then you will only spend about €10 a day (although I always allow €20)
  8. Mountains - when you climb to the top and a mountain or a hill and look back over the view it's amazing (unless it's raining of course, then it's just misty!)
  9. History - there are a lot of Roman remains and mediaeval Churches and buildings to see as well as the fact that you're walking where so many millions have been before
  10. When you go on holiday any where else the hotel rooms always look massive!
There are bad things about the Camino as well as good so here's a few of them:


  1. Climbing hills and mountains why isn't the Camino all flat, why are there so many hills?!
  2. Cyclists - I'm sure that there are many lovely cyclists, indeed I've met some in the evenings at albergues, but when they get out to on the Camino they seem to want nothing more than to run over walkers - use a bell or just shout out as you approach
  3. Snorers - they all seem to congregate on the Camino and always manage to do it around whatever bed you're in
  4. Bag rustlers - not people who try to steal your bag but those who get up at ridiculous o clock and then spend a hour carefully placing their belongings away in the noisiest plastic bags in the world
  5. Arriving at Santiago - because now it's all over and what are you meant to do?
  6. Food - it can be great or it can be terrible, sometimes pilgrims do get the cheapest stuff possible and if you have the pilgrim menu every night then it can get a bit boring as there isn't much variety
  7. Waiting for your next Camino - when can I go again?!
  8. Family and friends - trying to explain to them what the Camino's like and what it means when you get home is impossible
  9. Discovering new places you want to travel - all those people you meet from all over the world have so many amazing places they've been  that you've never heard of before but now really want to go to
  10. Arrows - or in particular when they go missing because vegetation's grown in front of them or road signs have covered them up or they were painted on a wheely bin that has since been moved (the last two have only happened to me once each though)!
Is there anything that you would add to this list?

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