If you’re planning on walking the Camino de Santiago solo, you might be wondering what sort of safety precautions you’ll need to take to stay safe.
Well, I have good news: the Camino is very, very safe for all pilgrims, whether you’re in a giant group or by yourself.
I recently walked the Camino as a 22-year-old female completely solo and managed to get through with only a few incidents (that were completely my fault).
Still, I have some advice for all my fellow pilgrims so that you may have a fun and safe adventure.
In this guide, I will delve into essential safety measures and pragmatic advice tailored for solo travelers, while also shedding light on the overall safety landscape in Spain.
Let’s get into it…
The first day!
How to Stay Safe on the Camino de Santiago:
Here are my best tips for staying safe on the Camino de Santiago:
1. Navigate mindfully.
I will tell you this: it is very difficult to get lost on the Camino. The path is constantly marked with shells and signs, and you’re likely to run into other pilgrims quite frequently.
If you ever do get off the beaten path, a local is always happy to point you in the right direction.
When I say navigate mindfully, what I really mean is to have a general plan for how much you want to walk each day.
It’s always better to know which town you’re going to stop in so that you know what albergues and hostels are available to you.
This isn’t necessary, of course, but you’ll probably find yourself doing it anyway.
2. Reserve your bed ahead (if you want).
When you check in at the beginning of the pilgrimage, you’ll be given a guide with the common distances traveled each day and the names and numbers of each albergue in those towns.
Many people will call ahead to reserve a spot, especially in the more busy months. This enables you to walk the Camino without rushing.
I rarely called ahead and only ended up sleeping outside once (in Najera, which is known for running out of beds, so call ahead there!!!)
However, when I got down to the last week, I started reserving ahead. Lots of people only walk the last 100 kilometers so the end of the trail gets a lot busier.
Thanks Najera!
3. Choose your backpack and shoes wisely.
I cannot emphasize this enough. Your entire Camino experience depends upon your shoes and backpack.
Don’t be afraid to invest extra! Make sure you give your shoes a trial run before the Camino (and by this, I mean go for a few hikes and wear them in a bit).
If you’re going to carry your backpack the entire way, also see how it feels to walk 20-25 kilometers with a full pack. If it’s painful, you might want to rethink your backpack or your packing.
The worst thing you can do is bring shoes that will give you blister right away because you’ll spend the rest of the Camino nursing your poor feet every night.
best shoes ever!
I was fortunate enough to pack the best shoes (and socks), but the backpack I brought was a real big regret.
Go check out my Complete Camino Packing List guide to learn more about backpacks and shoes I recommend.
4. Bring functional clothes.
As for clothes, I recommend comfy and light styles (unless you’re walking in the winter). The Camino can get hot during the day and you don’t want to risk overheating.
5. Cover up! SPF! Sunglasses!
I got a terrible sunburn on my first day on the Camino when I underestimated the UV rays across the Pyrenees.
I also brought a tank top with me that I stopped wearing in order to protect my shoulders (t-shirts all the way).
I definitely recommend sunscreen. If not, bring a hat. I personally wore a cover over my head to protect my hair from being completely roasted.
Also, it is BRIGHT on those open country roads. I would have broken my eyes if I didn’t have those sunglasses, I am sure of it.
Me one day in, already with too many regrets
6. Watch your important belongings.
I never dealt with any thieves in any of the albergues or hostels I stayed at. No pilgrim wants to be carrying around any of your stuff, too.
I also always carried my important belongings (phone, money, passport) in a fanny pack around my body so I wouldn’t get it stolen.
Pickpocketers are said to be common in Spain, but I believe this is mainly an issue in the bigger cities. If you’re worried about this, I definitely recommend the fanny-pack approach (or a money belt).
7. Stay visible when it’s dark.
Most likely you’ll be walking when the sun is up. However, in the summer months, some pilgrims leave extra early so they can enjoy the cool morning air and avoid the dense heat of the afternoon.
If you plan on walking before sun-up and you’re going to be on the side of any roads (this is more common in the middle flat areas and towards the end of the path), it’s better to wear some sort of reflective materials so cars can see you’re there.
Me and Betty, the warrior cow that guards the entry-way to the Camino de Santiago. Legend says Betty is still standing in the same exact spot to this day
8. Stay vigilant.
It’s always important to keep your head up when you’re walking alone.
I always knew when I was on a long stretch of road by myself, and I always kept my head up when I was alone with any men.
From my experience, pilgrims are usually kind and compassionate. They are they to walk the trail, not mess with you. However, I still think it is important to stay aware just in case. Always trust your intuition and don’t be afraid to say no.
9. Stay informed.
Stay informed about the safety profile of the regions you traverse. While Spain is generally considered safe, knowledge of local conditions, potential risks, and emergency contacts is invaluable (9/11 in Spain is 112!).
This little town felt like a beautiful mirage after walking in the countryside for so long
10. Be respectful of local customs.
Exercising cultural sensitivity and respect for local customs is always important. Along the Camino, you’re going to come across a lot of cathedrals (sometimes locals will be gathering, so take care not to intrude. I accidentally joined a funeral once and it was horrible).
Also, remember that albergues sometimes have curfews, so take care not to miss them!
11. Eat and drink enough (and carefully).
You’re going to be burning through calories quickly, so make sure to eat breakfast and take some snacks along the way.
Also, drink lots of water! There are plenty of public faucets in the small towns where you can refill your bottle (bring a reusable one, preferably with a straw filter).
And a side note: take care not to drink too much wine the night before and leave yourself feeling gross the next morning.
Closing Thoughts
I have so much advice for having a good time walking the Camino, but that about summarizes the most important safety tips.
Really, the most important thing is to have fun and let your guard down. Every stranger is a chance for a new friend and walking buddy. And pilgrims are literally the coolest people in the world! You’re walking across Spain together!
On that note, I hope you have the best Camino ever and walk into Santiago with the biggest smile on your face.
Buen Camino!
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