Camino Portugués de la Costa sees 25% increase in pilgrims

The Camino Portugués de la Costa is experiencing significant growth, with 79,000 pilgrims receiving their Compostela certificates so far this year. This represents a 25% increase compared to 2025, according to the Xunta de Galicia.

Alfonso Rueda, president of the Xunta, noted that the route serves as a successful model for de-seasonalizing and internationalizing the Camino de Santiago, as most pilgrims choose to travel outside of the high season. The Xunta has invested 6.6 million euros over the last decade into the conservation, signaling, and infrastructure of this route, which saw numbers rise from 2,600 pilgrims in 2016 to 90,000 last year.

In recognition of these efforts, the Baiona City Council awarded Medals of Merit for the Camino Portugués de la Costa to the regional government. The ceremony also honored the late Juan Manuel López-Chaves, founder of the Amigos de los Pazos association, posthumously.