This Easter, I walked the Camino Portugués with my husband and our two young children. It was a beautiful experience that all our family enjoyed, even though it required more flexibility, patience, and letting go than I ever expected.

We started in Tui and made our way towards Santiago de Compostela over seven days, adapting every stage to fit our reality as a family. It wasn’t the Camino you see in guidebooks or imagine when you think of long, uninterrupted walks. It was slower, messier, full of stops, snacks, negotiations, and a lot of brivery. It also included tons of small victories.

And somewhere in that imperfect rhythm, or maybe because of it, our Camino it became something deeply meaningful. It was not just a journey across Galicia, but a shared experience that reshaped how we think about travel, effort, and our time together.

Can you really walk the Camino de Santiago with kids?

Yes… but it looks different than what you’re probably imagining.

We walked the Camino Portugués from Tui to Santiago de Compostela over 7 days, with two young children (almost 6 and 2.5 years old). And even before we took the first step, we made peace with our reality:

This wasn’t going to be a traditional pilgrimage. It was going to be something else entirely.

How many kilometers can kids walk on the Camino?

We walked 5–7 km per day as a family. That was our rhythm. We knew it because we tested and tried different approaches during the previous year.

In the months leading up to the trip, we intentionally explored different hiking routes as a family, and we gradually increased both distance and difficulty, but more importantly, we taught our children what it means to walk in nature and what’s expected of them on the trail. How to follow signs, how to keep going even when it’s not exciting, how to be part of a shared rhythm. That preparation made all the difference, although to be honest, they still wanted to stop to gather leaves and rocks, to watch birds, and to observe every single insect that crossed our way. We had to choose to walk slow, to enjoy the experience with them… To also stop and smell the flowers.

But because all that (very enjoyable) work we did before our Camino, this wasn’t their first time hiking… and that made all the difference!

Also know that if you’re traveling with at least two adults, you unlock a completely different experience: you can take turns (one adult stays with the kids, while the other walks ahead alone for a stretch). You can figure out where to meet beforehand, and you can get moments of solitude and a shared family journey without forcing either.

And yes, we also used taxis whenever we needed. No guilt, no hesitation. We always had a taxi number ready to dial, because with kids, flexibility isn’t optional: it’s the whole strategy.

What made the Camino actually work with kids

There were a few things that were essential for us:

A trekking stroller was a game changer
For our youngest, it made naps possible and allowed us to keep moving without stress. Without it, the experience would have been completely different. Some families choose a baby carrier, which can work well, but we opted for a trekking stroller for one simple reason: comfort over the long days. It gave him a proper space to nap, and just as importantly, when he was walking, it doubled as a place to carry our backpacks. We were only carrying our daily bags, but hey! It did make a difference.

We prepared beforehand
We didn’t just practice walking, we practiced following trails and signs. That made the Camino feel familiar instead of overwhelming. They knew exactly what to look for on the trail, how the pilgrim passport works… They were familiar with the Camino in general and with our route in particular. Children books are great for these, I’d definitely recommend them!

We gave them ownership of the journey
Collecting stamps in the pilgrim passport became their mission. It gave structure, purpose, and excitement to every stop. We tried to get as many as we could, because it gave them pride and joy to ask for the stamp!

And if you were wondering: yes, we used food as motivation
We “bribed” them with sweets and chocolate along the way. And every single day ended with ice cream.

We also had small trinkets and toys. My daughter got a stuffed unicorn on Padrón, and she carried it herself, happily.

On top of that, the food itself was a highlight. They genuinely loved eating along the Camino, trying local dishes, and enjoying the rhythm of stopping, sitting, and sharing meals. We had to request some adjustments (no spicy on the octopus!), but that was never an issue.

The Compostela: why we chose not to collect it

For many pilgrims, receiving the Compostela (the official certificate awarded in Santiago de Compostela) is the symbolic end of the journey. You get it if you walk at least the last 100 km, getting at least 2 stamps per day.

We started in Tui, which meets that requirement. But our reality was different: we didn’t walk the full distance continuously. We adapted stages, skipped sections, and used transport when we needed to.

So we chose not to ask for it. It took us a while to come to this decision, and I know it might be controversial… but we wanted the experience to feel honest, especially for our children. We didn’t even tell them the Compostela existed, and  we didn’t want them to measure their journey by a certificate they might not receive.

We wanted them to feel proud. Fully. And they did. Goal achived!

Their pilgrim passport (filled with stamps they collected themselves) had all the meaning we needed. And while it is not a formal recognition, it is a tangible memory of everything they experienced.

As adults, not asking for our Compostela became a silent promise: that one day we’ll back to the Camino, walk it differently… and maybe then, ask for the Compostela.

Is the Camino de Santiago worth it with kids?

Yes! Arriving in Santiago Cathedral is powerful, of course. But that’s not what stays with you.

What stays is:

• Watching your kids feel proud after every walk
• The time spent outdoors, together, without distractions
• The small rituals that become the structure of your days

This experience didn’t transform everything overnight, but it did show us a version of family life that we want more of.

Should YOU walk the Camino with YOUR kids?

This is the question that actually matters. And if you ask ME, I’ll tell you that if you need control, structure, and predictability, this will challenge you. And if your idea of success is completing every stage “properly”, you might feel frustrated.

Walking the Camino with kids means adapting slowing down when you’d rather keep going, stopping more than you planned, and redefining what progress looks like… maybe several times a day.

But if you’re willing to trade perfection for presence, and structure for shared experience… The Camino might just reward you with one of the most meaningful things you do as a family. Go for it!