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Camino de Santiago: the French Way: 12-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 12-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 8-day plan · 10-day plan · 12-day plan · best time to go.
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12
days
780 km
distance
20.3 h
driving
64
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- The walking months — long light, open albergues and the meseta before it bakes.
- Light day: day 2 has one stop and time left over. Local tours and day trips are the way to fill it — each day links to what is bookable in its own town.
Day 1 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
- Transit
- 0h06
- Finish
- ~11:30
- Temperature
- 8.0°C–17.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~12
- Daylight
- 14.5h
09:00
Pilgrim Office aucoeurduchemin.org map ↗
Collect your passport and start your historic journey with purpose.
90 min · Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
open: Daily 07:30–12:00, 13:30–20:00
10:40
Day 2 Pamplona
- Transit
- 1h13
- Finish
- ~11:05
- Temperature
- 8.5°C–18.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~11
- Daylight
- 14.4h
10:15
Museo de Navarra search
Explore centuries of art and artifacts in a historic hospital.
50 min · Pamplona · Adults €2, students/seniors €1, under 15 free
open: Tu-Sa 09:30-14:00 and 17:00-19:00, Su 11:00-14:00
Time to spare on this day
One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.
Day 3 Logroño
- Transit
- 1h44
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 7.6°C–19.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 14.4h
10:15
11:15
12:15
13:15
Bodegas Franco-Españolas francoespanolas.com map ↗
Taste historic wines in a partnership-born winery from 1890.
50 min · Logroño · 20€
open: Visits M–F 11:30 and 16:30
14:15
16:00
16:50
Kiro Sushi kirosushi.es map ↗
Experience intimate, authentic sushi served by chef Felix Jimenez.
60 min · Logroño · Tasting menu for €52
open: Tu–Su 14:00 21:00
Overnight here
e.g. Hostel Entresueños · Hotel Carlton Rioja
Day 4 Around Logroño
- Transit
- 2h24
- Finish
- ~17:20
- Temperature
- 7.6°C–19.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 14.4h
09:00
11:00
Würth La Rioja Museum museowurth.es map ↗
View striking contemporary art in a modern space.
50 min · Logroño · Free entry
open: M–Sa 11:00–20:00, Su 11:00–15:00
12:50
13:50
14:50
15:50
Congress Palace and Auditorium of La Rioja riojaforum.com map ↗
Attend a concert or conference in a sleek modern venue.
90 min · Logroño
Overnight here
e.g. Hostel Entresueños · Hotel Carlton Rioja
Day 5 Burgos
- Transit
- 2h17
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 6.1°C–17.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 14.4h
10:45
Burgos Cathedral catedraldeburgos.es read more
Admire stunning Gothic architecture and intricate details of centuries-old design.
50 min · Burgos · Adult €11, child €9, pilgrim €5
open: Daily 09:30-18:30
11:50
Discover fascinating exhibits on ancient hominids and our evolutionary path.
50 min · Burgos · Adult €6, conc €4
open: Tu-F 10:00-14:30, 16:30-20:00; Sa 10:00-20:00; Su 10:00-15:00
12:50
13:50
14:50
16:00
Monastery of Huelgas Reales monasteriodelashuelgas.org map ↗
Wander solemn cloisters and grand halls in an active Cistercian convent.
50 min · Burgos · Adult €8
open: Tu-Sa 10:00-13:00, 16:00-17:30; Su 10:30-14:00
16:50
La Favorita search
Share hearty, flavorful tapas in a buzzing, friendly bar atmosphere.
60 min · Burgos
open: M Tu Th F 11:00-00:00, Sa Su 12:00-00:00
Overnight here
e.g. Hotel Cordón · Hotel Rice Palacio de los Blasones
Day 6 Around Burgos
- Transit
- 0h39
- Finish
- ~16:25
- Temperature
- 6.1°C–17.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 14.4h
09:30
Cartuja de Miraflores cartuja.org map ↗
Marvel at lavish Gothic architecture and serene gardens in a working monastery.
50 min · Burgos · Free
open: Daily 09:30-18:30
10:35
San Esteban museodelretablo.com map ↗
Admire preserved altars and intricate carvings in a transformed medieval church.
50 min · Burgos · Adult €2
open: Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00, 17:00-20:00; Su 10:00-14:00
11:35
Palacio de la Isla palaciodelaisla.es map ↗
Step through opulent rooms filled with Spanish literary treasures and art.
50 min · Burgos · Free
open: M-Th 10:00-14:00
12:35
13:35
14:35
15:25
Overnight here
e.g. Hotel Cordón · Hotel Rice Palacio de los Blasones
Day 7 León
- Transit
- 3h00
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 6.1°C–19.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 14.4h
11:15
Sunlight dances through stunning stained glass.
50 min · León · Adult €7, conc €6, under-12s free
12:15
14:20
Casa Botines casabotines.es
Gaudí's unique design houses art treasures.
50 min · León · Adult €9, conc €7
open: Th-M 10:00-19:00, W 15:00-19:00
15:25
Palacio de los Guzmanes search
Majestic halls govern the province.
50 min · León
open: W-Su 11:00-16:30
17:00
Church of San Isidoro museosanisidorodeleon.com map ↗
Royal pantheon holds frescoed ceilings.
50 min · León · Adult €6, under-12 free
open: Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00, 17:00-19:00, Su 10:00-14:00
Day 8 Ponferrada
- Transit
- 2h13
- Finish
- ~16:30
- Temperature
- 5.5°C–18.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 14.4h
10:35
Las Médulas read more
Trek across surreal, striped hills shaped by ancient Roman mining.
50 min · Ponferrada
11:40
12:40
13:40
14:40
15:40
Overnight here
e.g. Hostal Nirvana · Hotel Ponferrada Plaza
Day 9 Around Ponferrada
- Transit
- 1h24
- Finish
- ~14:45
- Temperature
- 5.5°C–18.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 14.4h
09:00
10:40
11:45
El Bierzo Museum search
Discover the region's rich prehistory and history.
50 min · Ponferrada · Adult €6, conc €4
open: Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00, 16:00-19:00, Su 10:00-14:00
12:50
Radio Museum search
Learn the history of radio and journalist Luis del Olmo.
50 min · Ponferrada · Adult €3
open: Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00, 16:00-19:00, Su 10:00-14:00
13:55
Basílica de la Virgen de la Encina search
Admire this church built over a century with a sacred oak effigy.
50 min · Ponferrada
Overnight here
e.g. Hostal Nirvana · Hotel Ponferrada Plaza
Day 10 Sarria
- Transit
- 1h46
- Finish
- ~14:10
- Temperature
- 7.5°C–18.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~9
- Daylight
- 14.4h
10:35
Igrexa de San Salvador de Sarria search
Marvel at sturdy stone walls of this Gothic country church.
50 min · Sarria
13:10
Restaurante Parrillada "O Recuncho" search
Feast on smoky barbecue and tender trout in rustic elegance.
60 min · Sarria
Overnight here
e.g. Albergue Monasterio de La Magdalena · Albergue Municipal
Day 11 Santiago de Compostela
- Transit
- 2h20
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 9.6°C–18.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~11
- Daylight
- 14.5h
10:50
Admire towering Romanesque and Baroque architecture under grand stonking towers.
50 min · Santiago de Compostela · Adult €20, conc €16
open: Daily 07:00-21:00
11:50
Wander serene cloisters and historic halls in a reborn Benedictine monastery.
50 min · Santiago de Compostela
open: M-Th 09:00-20:00, F 09:00-15:00
12:50
Journey through Galicia’s vibrant culture, lands, and heritage in Bonaval’s hills.
50 min · Santiago de Compostela · Adult €5, conc €3, free on Sundays
open: Tu-Sa 11:00-18:00, Su 11:00-14:00
13:50
14:50
Experience bold architecture resembling rolling hills with unique windows.
50 min · Santiago de Compostela
open: Daily 07:00-23:00
16:00
Fundación Eugenio Granell fundacion-granell.gal map ↗
Contemplate thought-provoking art within elegant Toural Palace galleries.
50 min · Santiago de Compostela · Adult €2, conc €1
open: Tu-F 11:00-14:00, 16:00-20:00, Sa 10:30-14:30h
16:50
Overnight here
Day 12 Around Santiago de Compostela
- Transit
- 1h12
- Finish
- ~17:35
- Temperature
- 9.6°C–18.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~11
- Daylight
- 14.5h
09:00
Pilgrimage Museum museoperegrinacions.xunta.gal
Discover Europe’s rich pilgrimage traditions centered on St James.
50 min · Santiago de Compostela · Free
open: Tu-F 08:30-21:30, Sa 11:00-19:30, Su 10:30-14:30
10:05
11:10
Cathedral Museum search
Explore cathedral history, art, and sweeping views from a continuous balcony.
50 min · Santiago de Compostela
open: Daily 10:00-20:00
12:15
Contemporary Art Centre of Galicia cgac.xunta.gal
Engage with bold modern artworks in Álvaro Siza’s sleek architectural design.
50 min · Santiago de Compostela · Free
open: Tu-Su 11:00-20:00
13:20
Pilgrim Reception Office oficinadelperegrino.com
Receive your official pilgrim certificate for completing El Camino de Santiago.
90 min · Santiago de Compostela
open: Daily 10:00-18:00
15:05
Pilgrim House pilgrimhousesantiago.com
Find rest, coffee, and laundry after finishing the Camino.
90 min · Santiago de Compostela
open: April-Oct M Tu Th-Sa 11:00-20:00
16:35
O Sendeiro osendeiro.com map ↗
Count on reliable, quality food.
60 min · Santiago de Compostela
open: M-Th 13:00-15:30, F 13:00-15:30, 20:00-22:20, Sa Su 09:30-23:30, 13:00-15:30, 20:00-22:20,
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.