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Arrivals in Santiago in July 2016

45,483 pilgrims arrived in Santiago during July. Nearly half of all pilgrims on the French Way chose to begin their journey from Sarria for the final 100km stretch.

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July 2016 saw 45,483 pilgrims arriving in Santiago, just a few hundred more than the same month the previous year. A modest yet consistent growth, then, marking the Camino de Santiago throughout its Holy Year of Mercy from the beginning of the year.

The majority were Spanish, accounting for nearly 60% of arrivals, with many Italians also among the pilgrims—3,307 strong, making them the largest foreign nationality represented. Interestingly, a significant number of Mexican pilgrims walked the Camino, claiming eighth place among international pilgrims.

Nearly 28,000 people in July chose to walk the French Way. Along its 800-plus kilometre route, almost 1 in 2 pilgrims started from Sarria, confirming the increasingly popular trend of completing only the final 100km and obtaining the Compostela credential. Saint Jean Pied de Port remains the second most common starting point, with 4,179 pilgrims—roughly 140 each day. A steady stream, then, that grows at every major town—León, Burgos, and O Cebreiro—before swelling dramatically from Sarria onwards.

The French Way remains Spain's most-walked route, welcoming nearly 28,000 pilgrims. The Portuguese Way also draws significant numbers, though departures from Lisbon remain minimal. The Via de la Plata sees steady traffic despite intense summer heat, while only 73 pilgrims reach Finisterre and Muxía on foot.

The Portuguese Way accounts for 8,081 pilgrims, maintaining second place in terms of overall traffic. Departures from Tui have increased, now exceeding 3,000. Here too, the final 100km dominates choices. Significant numbers also start from Porto, whilst Lisbon departures remain remarkably low at just 281 pilgrims. This is certainly worth noting: major Spanish pilgrimage websites provide virtually no information about the Portuguese Way from Lisbon, describing stages only from Tui (already in Spain) or at best Porto—which lies 240km from Santiago on a total route of 635km. Misconceptions about accommodation availability persist, though quality and capacity on the Lisbon–Santiago stretch, whilst lower than the Porto–Santiago section, are perfectly adequate for current pilgrim numbers. Furthermore, waymarking is clear throughout. Few people in rural Portugal know about the Camino yet, but numbers are growing steadily each year.

The Via de la Plata saw the same percentage of pilgrims as June—a remarkable figure considering the height of summer heat. Many pilgrims naturally have limited holidays during winter months, yet it's surprising how many attempt this route in temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius, with scarce water, long stages, and considerable solitude. Conditions that test not just the body, but profoundly the spirit.

Finally, the arrivals at Finisterre and Muxía warrant attention. Just 73 people are recorded—remarkably few against 45,000 arrivals in Santiago. One wonders whether data transmission from these locations to the Cathedral is incomplete, or whether so many pilgrims reach the ocean by bus instead, saving themselves four days of walking.

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