The Camino de Santiago is an old pilgrim walk leading to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. There are a whole host of starting points, but many people choose to walk the Camino Frances route, which begins in the French Pyrenees and takes hikers through the beautiful countryside of Northern Spain, totalling 700km.
Throughout the walk, there are numerous scenic towns and villages where people often stop for rest and recuperation. Not only are these lovely places for a holiday home, but they also offer plenty of rental potential as over 300,000 people embark on the Camino each year. Here are five of our favourite places to buy property along the Camino de Santiago.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port – France
This traditional French town lies at the foot of the Pyrenees and is the start point for the Camino Frances. The cobbled Rue de la Citadelle, the Notre- Dame-du-Bout-du-Pon church and the pretty riverside houses are all protected by a vast stone wall.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
The town is usually bustling with walkers ready to set off on the Camino, and there is a lively market that takes place every Monday.
Burgos – Spain
A city dominated by an impressive Gothic Cathedral, Burgos is a haven of medieval architecture, but also has some sleek modern buildings too. For history enthusiasts, the legendary El Cid is buried under the cathedral.
Great food made with delicious local produce, a pleasant climate and narrow winding streets, Burgos would be a great place to purchase property.
León – Spain
As you move further along the Camino route, you will reach the city of León, the capital of the province of León. This is a relatively large city, with a population of around 125,000, and is a popular tourist destination. At Easter, known as Semana Santa in Spain, the city comes alive with spectacular processions of floats depicting scenes from the Passion.
León
Like Burgos, León has some spectacular architecture, including a Gothic Cathedral and Romanesque church. There is also a quaint old quarter that is definitely worth exploring.
León is a city that comes into its own at night-time, when residents and visitors pour onto the streets to mingle, eat and drink.
Lugo – Spain
One of the last stops pilgrims tend to make on the Camino is at the city of Lugo, being just 100km from Santiago de Compostela. An interesting fact about Lugo is that it is the only city in the world with Roman walls that are still completely intact, and you can actually walk along the top.
The walls draw many visitors, but once inside, Lugo offers so much more. A pedestrian-friendly city with very few cars make for a pleasant stroll through the charming streets and plazas. The city’s tapas is also highly recommended.
Many people have said that Lugo is so beautiful and interesting that if it was further south it would be flooded with tourists.
Santiago de Compostela – Spain
Finally, we reach Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the Camino and the home of the much-anticipated cathedral of Santiago de Compostela where it is thought the remains of apostle Saint James are buried.
Santiago de Compostela
Unsurprisingly, the city attracts many tourists so is busier than some of the other cities along the route. However, this medieval city has plenty else to see besides the famous cathedral, such as a UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, excellent sea food restaurants and the popular Mercado de Abastos food market.
As you move out of the historic Old Town towards the university area, the architecture becomes far more modern with the Galician Contemporary Art Centre and Cidade da Cultura being two contemporary examples.
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Why not split the cost and double the fun of owning a holiday in Spain by buying with family or friends? Read our guide to Buying Abroad with Family
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