The Camino de Santiago can also be done by sailing

On Friday, June 6th, the tenth edition of "El Camino a Vela" set sail from the French port of La Rochelle. This is the most faithful maritime version of the Camino de Santiago, celebrating a decade of shared sailing, spirituality, and responsible blue tourism.

Over the coming weeks, more than 25 sailboats and 150 participants will navigate the waters of the Cantabrian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean toward Santiago de Compostela.

This edition stands out not only for its tenth anniversary but also for the growing international participation, with pilgrims from Spain, France (the majority this year), Italy, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and Brazil.

“We’re celebrating ten years of an adventure that has become part of the lives of many people, both in and outside of Spain. Sailing to Santiago is more than just a journey: it’s a way to connect with oneself, with nature, and with others,” says Patricia Alcubilla, coordinator of the voyage.

The journey will pass through the four autonomous communities along Spain’s northern coast, with stops in:

• Basque Country: Hondarribia, Getaria, Bermeo, Getxo
   
• Cantabria: Santander
   
• Asturias: Ribadesella, Gijón, Avilés
   
• Galicia: Ribadeo, Viveiro, Cedeira, Ferrol, A Coruña, Laxe, Muxía, Muros, Boiro, Vilagarcía de Arousa

The route will culminate with the traditional final walking stage from Padrón to the Plaza del Obradoiro on July 1.

In addition to sailing, each stop will feature public events for local communities, including cultural visits, institutional gatherings, food tastings, and popular celebrations. The event aims to strengthen its social and cultural impact across the regions it passes through.

One of the most meaningful moments of this edition will be the twinning ceremony between the towns that have hosted pilgrims arriving by sea through "El Camino a Vela". This commemorative event will take place on Sunday, June 16, in Gijón, symbolizing the unity of all ports and cities that have taken part in the voyage over the past ten years and promoting collaboration in tourism, culture, and environmental initiatives.

Since 2016, more than 2,000 nautical pilgrims have taken part in "El Camino a Vela", establishing it as a benchmark for European blue tourism.

Committed to environmental preservation, the journey has been calculating its carbon footprint since 2023 to enhance its sustainability strategy, an initiative carried out in collaboration with the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of León.

In its more charitable aspect, the journey has long supported the campaign “Sailing Against ALS”, aimed at raising funds to improve the lives of those affected by the disease.