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Camino de Santiago: the French Way: 8-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 8-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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8
days
780 km
distance
17.2 h
driving
46
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port → Pamplona

3 curated stops
Transit
1h31
Finish
~14:45
Temperature
8.5°C–18.0°C
Rainy days
~11
Daylight
14.4h
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
Notre-dame-du-Bout-du-Pont search map ↗
Feel the sturdy grip of trekking poles on ancient stone paths.
50 min · Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
12:55
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
13:45
Restaurante Vegetariano Sarasate search map ↗
Delight in fresh, vibrant vegetarian platters and vegan options.
60 min · Pamplona
open: Daily 13:00-16:00; F Sa 20:30-23:00
Overnight: Pamplona
e.g. Avenida · Hotel Eslava
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Logroño

6 curated stops
Transit
1h44
Finish
~17:50
Temperature
7.6°C–19.7°C
Rainy days
~8
Daylight
14.4h
10:15
Co-cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda read more map ↗
Marvel at grand architecture and a Michelangelo-inspired masterpiece.
50 min · Logroño · Free entry
11:15
Church of Santiago el Real search map ↗
Explore the city's oldest church, rebuilt in grand 16th-century style.
50 min · Logroño · Free entry
open: Daily 08:15–13:15 18:30–19:00
12:15
El Cubo del Revellín search map ↗
Walk through preserved city walls and view exhibits inside.
50 min · Logroño · Free entry
open: W 10:00–13:00 Th F 10:00–13:00 17:00–20:00 Sa 11:00–14:00 17:00–20:00 Su 11:00–14:00
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
Church of Santa María de Palacio search map ↗
Admire the Gothic octagonal spire towering above historic streets.
50 min · Logroño · Free entry
16:00
Museum of La Rioja search map ↗
Discover paintings, sculptures and antique furniture in a Baroque palace.
50 min · Logroño · Free entry
open: Tu–Sa 10:00–14:00 16:00–21:00 Su 10:00–14:00
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
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Around Logroño

6 curated stops
Transit
2h24
Finish
~17:20
Temperature
7.6°C–19.7°C
Rainy days
~8
Daylight
14.4h
09:00
Bodegas Campo Viejo search map ↗
Tour vast underground wine cellars blending into the landscape.
50 min · Logroño · €10
open: M–F 11:00 13:00 16:00, Sa Su 11:00 13:00
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
House of Sciences search map ↗
Try hands-on experiments in a garden beside the Ebro river.
50 min · Logroño · Free entry
open: Tu–Su 11:00–14:00 17:00–20:30
13:50
Church of San Bartolomé search map ↗
Admire ancient Romanesque sculptures on its arched facade.
50 min · Logroño · Free entry
14:50
Fountain of Distinguished Riojans search map ↗
See statues of eight celebrated local figures around the fountain.
50 min · Logroño
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
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 Burgos

6 curated stops
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
Museum of Human Evolution museoevolucionhumana.com read more map ↗
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
San Lesmes Abad read more map ↗
Gaze upon ancient stone walls and quiet tombs in a serene, historic church.
50 min · Burgos
13:50
San Gil Abad read more map ↗
Discover rich interior decorations in this small but stunning historic church.
50 min · Burgos
14:50
Plaza Mayor search map ↗
Stroll through the lively, restaurant-filled main square, traffic-free and relaxed.
50 min · Burgos
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
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 5 León

6 curated stops
Transit
3h00
Finish
~17:50
Temperature
6.1°C–19.3°C
Rainy days
~7
Daylight
14.4h
11:15
León Cathedral catedraldeleon.org read more map ↗
Sunlight dances through stunning stained glass.
50 min · León · Adult €7, conc €6, under-12s free
12:15
Palacio del Conde Luna search map ↗
Historic walls guard a small museum.
50 min · León · Free
open: Tu-Sa 10:00-20:00, Su M 10:00-14:00
13:15
Plaza del Grano search map ↗
Old grain market square holds history.
50 min · León
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
Overnight here
e.g. Hostal Bayón · Hostal Tranches
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 6 Ponferrada

6 curated stops
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
Ponferrada Castle read more map ↗
Explore the 1440 castle, once a Templar site.
50 min · Ponferrada · Adult €6, conc €4, under-14 free
open: Tu-Su 10:00-14:00, 16:00-18:00
12:40
Plaza Ayuntamiento search map ↗
Stroll through the modern pedestrian square with historic arches.
50 min · Ponferrada
13:40
Energy Museum search map ↗
Explore Ponferrada's mining and industrial history in a former power station.
50 min · Ponferrada · Adult €12, under-14 free
open: Tu-Su 10:30-17:30
14:40
Santo Tomás de las Ollas read more map ↗
Explore ancient stone walls echoing centuries of pottery craft.
50 min · Ponferrada
15:40
Torre de la Rosaleda read more map ↗
Admire the sleek modern lines of this towering city landmark.
50 min · Ponferrada
Overnight here
e.g. Hostal Nirvana · Hotel Ponferrada Plaza
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 7 Sarria

2 curated stops
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
11:40
O Chanto search map ↗
Stroll riverside paths and relax in the village park.
90 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
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 8 Santiago de Compostela

6 curated stops
Transit
2h20
Finish
~17:50
Temperature
9.6°C–18.2°C
Rainy days
~11
Daylight
14.5h
10:50
Catedral de Santiago de Compostela catedraldesantiago.es read more map ↗
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
Monasterio de San Martiño Pinario monasteriosanmartinpinario.org read more map ↗
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
Museum of the Galician People museodopobo.gal read more map ↗
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
The Two Marías search map ↗
Reflect on poignant statues commemorating sisters’ resilience amid turmoil.
50 min · Santiago de Compostela
14:50
Cidade da Cultura cidadedacultura.gal read more map ↗
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
Restaurante Tarará search map ↗
Indulge in inexpensive seafood favorites.
60 min · Santiago de Compostela
open: Th-Tu 12:30-18:00

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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.

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