LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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15 IDEAS FOR CAMINO REST DAYS – ON THE CAMINO PORTUGUESE, NORTE AND FRANCES.

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When we walked our first Camino, the Camino del Norte, it’s fair to say that we set out with few plans beyond just walking every day and trying not to get too many blisters. The concept of taking a rest day was not on our radar at all.

After consistently walking for about 6 or 7 days, the idea to take a rest day started to form. And when I say idea, I actually mean fixation. Once the seed had been sewn, we couldn’t help but count down the days until we could spend more than just our sleeping hours horizontal. We were dreaming about sleeping in, spending more than 30 seconds showering and putting our feet up.

On the Camino del Norte we decided to stop in Gijon, a city just past halfway along the route. It could not have been a better decision for us at the time. Since then, we’ve walked thousands of kms together on many long-distance trails and we always aim to build in a rest day to our plans.

This blog post will answer the question of what a rest day is and why it is important as well as highlighting 15 ideas for great places to take a rest day on the Camino de Santiago.

What is a rest day on the Camino?

A rest day on the Camino is a day where you stop walking and simply stay in one place. Most people tend to book two nights in accommodation so that they can sleep in, rest and get away from the walking trails.

It is also possible to have a sort of “semi-rest day”, where you just walk a short distance and take the remains of the day to yourself to recuperate. This can be a great way to manage a rest day if you don’t have the budget to book private accommodation and want to stay in albergues.

Why take a rest day on the Camino?

First and foremost, the reason to take a rest day on the Camino is…to rest. After walking consistently every day, your body will need a break. You might have blisters you need to take the pressure off, niggles in your body or you’re just totally exhausted. Either way, a rest day will help to recuperate.

Secondly, taking a rest day is a bit of a mental break. If you can stay somewhere with a private room or a bit of personal space you can take time to decompress away from other pilgrims.

If you’re walking with a friend a rest day might be a chance to have some alone time. Or if you’re walking with your significant other, a chance to re-connect in private.

You will most probably find that walking the Camino stirs up lots of emotions, or raises questions in your mind. A rest day can be a chance to journal or just process everything. In fact, sitting down at a cafe on a busy square in Gijon is where the first words of this blog were written on a scrap of paper.

A rest day may also be required for personal admin. We once spent a few hours on a rest day doing laundry and pruning. Needs must!

Finally, a rest day can just be for pure pleasure. Whether it is to visit a place you are interested in, to lay on the beach or to eat great food and sample fantastic wine.

15 ideas for Camino rest days

Each Camino route offers plenty of opportunities for gorgeous places to rest for a day. Here are 15 ideas for Camino rest days.

1/ Vigo + Cies Islands

Vigo is a charming Galician city found on the Portuguese Coastal Camino. This is one of the last stops before the Coastal route will merge with the Inland route and start to get a little busier. The city is also roughly half way along the route, making it a good strategic stop.

Vigo during the day is pleasant, but it comes alive during the evening with tapas bars open creating a bit of buzz to the streets.

One of the reasons that we often suggest Vigo as a rest day on the Camino, is that the Cies Islands are just a short ferry away. These islands are quiet, beautiful and the ideal place to spend an afternoon relaxing on the beach or eating seafood.

You can book ferry tickets in advance and remember to get authorization to visit the islands as visitor numbers are limited.

Find our daily stages guide to the Camino Portuguese Coastal Route here.

2/ Pontevedra

Pontevedra is a charming and easy to navigate city with a rich history. It has a great balance of things to see – such as the Basilica of Santa Maria, but without being overwhelming.

We spent a delightful rest day in Pontevedra enjoying lunch at the fantastic restaurant Eirado. Suffice to say this was a very satisfying break from the Camino. Pontevedra is a great rest day option on the Camino for foodies.

Find our daily stages guide to the Camino Portuguese Coastal Route here.

3/ Caminha

Caminha is quite an early rest day, at around day 5 or so, but the advantage is that it offers a last chance to enjoy being in Portugal before reaching Spain. I found the crossing into Spain quite emotional and I think an extra night appreciating Portugal before leaving would be fantastic.

The town itself is small, with a medieval centre and a few nice places to eat and drink. As is ideal for a rest day, there’s not that much to do!

Find our daily stages guide to the Camino Portuguese Coastal Route here.

4/ Baiona

Baiona is a town on the Galician coast, a day or so prior to reaching Vigo. I was particularly struck by just how beautiful Baiona is on my first visit earlier this year. It has a glitzy and upmarket vibe similar to San Sebastian.

The town sits around charming harbour and bay – ideal for a day of relaxation. In the evening, there are a few small streets crammed with tapas bars and seafood restaurants.

Find our daily stages guide to the Camino Portuguese Coastal Route here.

5/ Valenca or Tui

Valenca is known for its impressive fortress and Tui for the Cathedral. The two cities sit directly opposite one another, separated by the river and the Portuguese to Spanish border.

We recommend either as a great place for a rest day on the Camino Portuguese – both cities are a delight to wander around and have great food options. There’s also something quite poignant about the border between the two countries that you are conquering on foot.

Find our daily stages guide to the Portuguese Camino Inland Route here.

7/ Somo or Santander

Somo is a small seaside town a short ferry ride from the Cantabrian city of Santander. It is famous for surfing, which could offer a more active option for a rest day. Otherwise, there are lots of seafood restaurants offering more of a relaxing afternoon.

In our view, Santander is one of the most underrated cities in Spain. It offers a great balance for a rest day – there’s enough to see and do, with tapas restaurants a plenty. But, it isn’t a hectic or overwhelming city. It also has a city beach ideal for ultimate relaxation.

Find our daily stages guide to the Camino del Norte here.

8/ Tapia de Casariego

Tapia de Casariego is a tiny fishing village in Asturias. The town is famous for the beaches, such as Playa de Tapia with incredible clear sea water and soft sand. There are small tapas bars and restaurants serving seafood in the tiny cove.

For me, this town would make a great Camino rest day because it is super relaxed and picturesque. Plus, on the Camino del Norte this is the last day that you will walk along the coast. If that doesn’t deserve a little bit of lingering, I’m not sure what does.

Find our daily stages guide to the Camino del Norte here.

9/ Gijon

Gijon makes an ideal rest day on the Camino del Norte as it is just beyond half way along the route. There’s plenty of accommodation, including budget options.

For foodies, there are some amazing wine bars and restaurants on offer. We idled away much of an afternoon at Cadejo Wine Bar, learning about wine from Asturias. Spend some time relaxing on San Lorenzo Beach or drinking coffee in the Cimavilla neighborhood.

Find our daily stages guide to the Camino del Norte here.

10/ Llanes

Llanes is a charming coastal town situated in the Asturias region of northern Spain, along the Bay of Biscay. Our lasting memories of Llanes involve indulging in local cider and eating far too much Chorizo. It is a delight of a town packed with culture and history.

Llanes is an ideal spot for a rest day on the Camino del Norte. You can spend your day relaxing on the beaches, exploring the historic center, enjoying the local cuisine, and soaking up the scenic coastal views.

Find our daily stages guide to the Camino del Norte here.

11/ León

Of the four large cities on the Camino Frances, León was our favourite by far. With oodles of charm, squares filled with restaurants and a stunning Cathedral.

This is where we chose to take our rest day on the Camino Frances. True to form, we used the time to enjoy a long tasting menu in a fantastic restaurant in the city – Cocina con Mimo. This was undoubtedly one of the highlights for the Camino Frances for us.

But you don’t have to go all out and spend lots of money to have a great rest day, there are more low key places to eat and reasonably priced accommodation in the city.

Find our daily stages guide to the Camino Frances here.

13/ Ponferrada

Ponferrada is one of the highlights of the Camino Frances. In particular, the the Templar Castle. Make time to see the castle on your rest day as well as to visit the Basilica de la Encina, and relax in the local cafes.

Find our daily stages guide to the Camino Frances here.

14/ Astorga

Astorga is a small town with with big attractions, including Gaudí’s Episcopal Palace and Roman Ruins. It is also known for creating incredible sweet treats – in particular, chocolate.

We think Astorga is an ideal place for a rest day on the Camino Frances because it is just the right size to allow for some leisurely mooching around, but without feeling busy or hectic. Plus, accommodation choices here are good.

Find our daily stages guide to the Camino Frances here.

15/ Rural B&Bs + Albergues

Rest days don’t always have to be planned for cities and towns on the Camino. There are many charming rural bed & breakfasts on the different routes.

Personally, I think that a rural B&B with a garden, a nice view and a comfortable bed would be an ideal place to stop for a day of rest. As part of our planning and itinerary service for the Camino, we can help you find the perfect place for you.

Would you like us to plan your walk for you?

Embark on a journey of a lifetime with Lotus Eaters Travel Planning, where we turn your dream of long-distance walking into a meticulously planned reality.

Our passion for exploration, love for diverse cultures, and commitment to providing an unparalleled experience drive us to offer personalized consultation services for some of the world’s most iconic walking trails

Find out more here.

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Looking for Camino souvenirs?

We wanted to create Camino merchandise that we would actually wear ourselves. On the trails, out and about or at home. Keep it classy.

You can find all our items in our Etsy store – Camino Nostalgia.

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

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