The Camino has a way of humbling you. One moment, you are standing atop a ridge, looking out at rolling hills bathed in golden light, feeling like you have unlocked the secret to life itself. The next, you are cursing your decision to bring that extra pair of socks as you haul your backpack up yet another hill, wondering why you willingly signed up to spend weeks walking across Spain.

And yet, this is exactly what makes the Camino so powerful. It is not just about walking—it is about how you walk. Your mindset will shape your experience just as much as your physical preparation, maybe even more so. Some days will be full of deep reflection; others will be about simple joys, like the first sip of cold beer after a long walk. And some days? Some days will just be about putting one foot in front of the other, because that is all you can manage.

Wherever you fall on that spectrum, whether you came seeking transformation or just a really good glass of Albariño, your mindset will make all the difference.

You Walk the Camino, or the Camino Walks You

Before you take your first step, you may have an idea of how your Camino will go. Maybe you have meticulously planned each stage, scouted out the best albergues, and even picked out the spots where you will treat yourself to pulpo a la gallega.

Spoiler alert: The Camino does not care about your plans.

The truth is, things will go sideways at some point. You will lose something. You will get rained on. You will arrive at a fully booked albergue and have to keep walking when your feet are begging for mercy. And when that moment comes, you will have a choice: fight it or embrace it.

One of the greatest lessons of the Camino is learning to surrender—not in a passive, defeated way, but in the realization that some of the best moments come when you let go of control. The Camino has a way of giving you exactly what you need, even if it is not what you expected.

The Art of Slowing Down

At home, life is fast. We rush from one thing to the next, measuring success by how much we accomplish in a day.

But on the Camino? Your only job is to walk.

And at first, that might feel strange.

You might find yourself pushing to “get there faster,” treating each day like a race. But then, little by little, the rhythm of the walk changes you. You start to notice things—the way the morning light filters through the trees, the sound of birdsong at dawn, the smile of a local wishing you Buen Camino.

Eventually, you stop focusing on the destination and start living in the moment. You realize that there is nowhere else to be, nothing else to do, except take the next step.

And that is a gift.

Pilgrimage vs. Tourism: Does It Matter?

There is a running joke on the Camino that some people walk for religion, some for spirituality, and some just for the wine and food. And honestly? All are valid.

Some pilgrims walk seeking something deeper—a sense of peace, closure, or understanding. Others are simply here for the adventure. Some do not know why they are walking, only that something pulled them to the trail.

Here is the secret: It does not matter why you start. The Camino will meet you where you are.

Even if you came thinking this was just a long-distance hike, somewhere along the way, the Camino has a way of getting under your skin. Maybe it happens when you share a meal with strangers who feel like old friends. Maybe it happens when a local offers you a gift, asking for nothing in return. Maybe it happens in the silence of a misty morning, when you suddenly feel connected to something bigger than yourself.

The Camino does not require you to believe in anything specific. But it asks you to be present. And if you can do that, you might just find something unexpected along the way.

Joy is in the Smallest Moments

People often think of the Camino as a deeply serious, reflective journey—and at times, it is. But some of the best moments are the lighthearted ones.

• The pure joy of taking off your boots after a long day.
• The laughter of a group of pilgrims trying to mime their way through ordering dinner in a tiny village.
• The ridiculous conversations that happen when you are deliriously tired but still walking.
• The shared look of understanding when someone else limps into the albergue with the same blister problemsyou have.

There is something magical about stripping life down to its basics. Food, shelter, companionship, movement. Everything else fades into the background. And in that simplicity, you find joy.

The Camino Doesn’t End in Santiago

The Compostela certificate you receive in Santiago is nice, but it is not the real reward.

The real Camino continues long after you stop walking. It stays with you in the way you approach life, in the friendships you carry forward, in the lessons you bring home. Maybe you will slow down more. Maybe you will let go of little frustrations that once consumed you. Maybe you will start seeing life as a journey rather than a checklist of achievements.

And maybe, just maybe, you will find yourself longing for the road again.

Because here is the thing: No one walks the Camino just once. Even if you never physically return, a part of you will always be on that path.

So whether you are here for spiritual renewal, adventure, or just a really good glass of wine at the end of the day, walk with purpose. Walk with an open heart. And most of all, walk knowing that the Camino will change you in ways you never expected.

Buen Camino.