Pilgrims on the Way of Saint James 2011-2023

Around 446 thousand people finished the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in 2023. Within ten years, the number of pilgrims to this Spanish city has increased by 107 percent. The Way of Saint James - which is how this pilgrimage is officially known – is one of the most popular pilgrimage routes in Europe. 

Traveling on the Camino de Santiago

Travelers have a variety of routes to choose from when embarking on the trip. The French Way is the most popular path taken by pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela. Also, the majority of pilgrims journey by foot on the Way of St. James, although some travelers also complete the trek by horseback, sailing, bicycling, as well as in wheelchairs.  

Who participates in the Way of St. James?

People from diverse backgrounds participate in the Camino de Santiago. In 2023, the majority of pilgrims were between 46 and 65 years old and, a little more than 11 percent of pilgrims who voyaged to the shrine of St. James were 66 years or older. Looking at the gender distribution of the Camino de Santiago trekkers, there were slightly more women than men on the pilgrimage in 2023. Overall, approximately 77 percent of the journeyers were religiously motivated to complete the Camino de Santiago that same year.