Camino Portuguese (11–14 days walk)

Starting with the beginner's option, the Camino Portuguese technically starts in Lisbon, but most travellers set off from Porto. From here, you'll have 2 options, the coastal route (280km) or the central route (260km).

For sprouting crop fields and one of the oldest universities in the world, go central and for stunning beaches and fishing villages, go coastal—simple.

Although, any wine connoisseurs should opt for the latter, as you'll get to top up on some award-winning Alberino from the Rias Baixas region. Just don't get carried away, you won't make it if you need to stagger your way to the end :-)

Since there isn't much shade along the Camino Portugese, it's best taken during the spring before the summer temperatures ramp up, plus you'll see plenty of blossoming flowers!

Via de la Plata (40–50 days walk) 

If you have some serious soul-searching to do and an insatiable hunger to beat some paths, Via de la Plata is the one for you. Fair warning – this is no walk in the park, you'll have 1000km to cover from Seville.

Often considered one of the toughest Caminos, the distances between towns are long, so make sure you have an equally good stamina as you do snack supply.

On the bright side, you'll get some seriously beautiful spots like the Sierra Norte Natural Park practically to yourself.

Your reward for conquering such a formidable route? Well, along with miles of tranquil countryside, impressive Roman ruins, it's ultimately the bragging rights for being one of the 3% of pilgrims to complete it each year!

Camino Primitivo (12–15 days)

Ending with the OG of Caminos, this one isn't as long as the last, but still definitely a challenge. Starting in either Oviedo or Santander, you'll trek a distance of 321km through epic valleys just begging to be movie locations and vast remote forests.

Some of the trails get pretty steep, so make sure to wear some good hiking boots. This one's best tackled in the summer, since it's dry and cool in the Cantabria mountains.

Accommodation

Before setting off on your voyage of self discovery, you might be wondering where you’ll lay your head each night. There’s a simple answer: albergues!

These hostels are specifically designed for pilgrims, so they’re well signposted along the route. And, above all, they’re suuuuper cheap, at around €7 a night. You’ll be staying in a dorm, and sharing a kitchen, but that’s all part of the experience.