Walking the Last 5 km of the Camino de Santiago with Kids: A Mini-Pilgrimage from Monte do Gozo to the Cathedral of St. James

Hello Mamas and Papas, are you thinking about doing the Camino de Santiago with kids? You don’t need to walk hundreds of kilometers to experience the spirit of pilgrimage with your family.

On our trip to Santiago de Compostela in 2021, we found a simple and meaningful way: walking the last 5 km of the famous Camino de Santiago with our small kids (almost 4 years old and 1 1/2 years old) from Monte do Gozo to the Cathedral.

It was the perfect “mini-Camino” with our little ones—and a memory we’ll cherish forever.

✨ Why We Chose the Last 5 km: A Kid/Family-Friendly Camino Experience

We wanted to experience the joy and purpose of a pilgrimage by walking the famous Camino de Santiago without the exhaustion since our kids were still very little during that time.

Since our hotel was near Monte do Gozo (just 5 km from the Cathedral), it felt like the Holy Spirit had handed us the perfect starting point. We didn’t originally plan to make a mini-camino and I also had no idea during the time of booking that our hotel was close to Monte do Gozo.

Even though it was a short walk, it was filled with grace, beauty, and the feeling of joining in a centuries-old tradition of faith.

💡 Family Tip: Start your walk early to avoid the heat and make time for prayer stops.

🚌 How to Get to Monte do Gozo (If You’re Staying in the City Center)

If your hotel is in the city center or close to the Cathedral and you’d like to start at Monte do Gozo, here are a couple of easy ways to get there:

• By taxi: An 8 –15 minute ride from the city center. Most drivers know “Monte do Gozo.”
• By bus: A 56-minutes to 1hr and 2 minute ride according to Rome2Rio. Take Line 6 (or 6A) from the center to “San Marcos” or “Monte do Gozo.” Check the local schedule before heading out.
• By foot: It’s possible, but it adds around 5 km to your total walk—so not ideal with younger kids.

💡 Family Tip: If you start from the city center, plan extra time and bring extra water. Starting early is best to avoid the heat and give time for prayer and breaks.

👣 The Route: Monte do Gozo to the Cathedral of St. James

• Distance: Around 5 km
• Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes (with kids, photos, and breaks)

An estimated walking time from our hotel to the Cathedral – the final destination of the Camino de Santiago is 1hr to 1hr and 10 minutes. But with small kids, we did it for 2 hours and 15 minutes with several stops and just walking slowly. We left the hotel at 10:30 am and arrived at Obradoiro Plaza at 12:45 noon.

My husband and I were already planning the night before that we would leave as early as possible to avoid the scorching heat of the sun. we tried our best, but 10:30am was the earliest that we were able to manage.

We truly enjoyed our mini-camino with my little ones. Our eldest has fun riding in his bike (it was a good decision to bring it along because it spared us from carrying him). We also made several stops in the small parks we passed by to get some rest, drink some water, and also let our kids play a bit.

Following the right direction of “Camino de Santiago” is easy because there are plenty of “scallop signs” as an indication of the path. There are also a lot of pilgrims walking with scallops in their backpacks.

I had fun pointing out to the husband the pilgrims based on the scallop shells on their backpacks.

The path was passing through quiet neighborhoods, parks, and then the busy streets of Santiago’s old town.

Walking alongside other pilgrims was such a beautiful memory for us. And now that our firstborn just learned to ride the bike without training wheels, we already told them that we will definitely make the Camino de Santiago one day on bikes (just like what my husband did with a friend when he was like 16 or 17) and the kids are really excited about it. And me, too.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tips for Families Walking the Mini-Camino

• Strollers: A lightweight umbrella stroller works, but expect bumpy cobblestones near the Cathedral. So, a sturdy one is a good choice. Ours was our trusted bugaboo cameleon 3 that we were using since our first child.
• Snacks & Water: We brought water from the hotel and buying more at a local store halfway through. We also bought some snacks.

🕍 Reaching the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Stepping into the Praza do Obradoiro as a family was so fulfilling even if we only walked the last 5km. It was also a nice feeling witnessing pilgrims arriving in the plaza and facing the Cathedral with facial expressions of joy, peace, and contentment.

Don’t miss:

• Visiting the tomb of Saint James
• Lighting a candle and praying together

📷 What to Bring for a Memorable Mini-Camino

• ✅ Water bottles & snacks
• ✅ Hats or raincoats (weather changes fast!)
• ✅ Rosaries or saint cards
• ✅ Scallop shells or Camino pins
• ✅ Camera or phone for photos
• ✅ Lightweight backpack

🌟 Final Thoughts on walking the last 5km of the camino de santiago with kids

This walk from Monte do Gozo to the Cathedral was short—but it was meaningful for our family. It helped our family reflect, pray, and bond even more.

You don’t need to walk the whole Camino de Santiago with your kids to experience pilgrimage. Just start with the last 5 km and do it whole-heartedly.

Have you walked the Camino with your kids—or are you thinking about it? Share your story and thoughts in the comment section below!

If you’re planning a family or group pilgrimage to Northern Spain starting from Barcelona to the Galician capital, check the detailed sample itinerary that I made with the route in mind, complete with accommodation suggestions, contact details on how to contact churches for Mass schedules, as well as transportation recommendation.

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BEFORE YOU GO…

Check out these posts about other Catholic pilgrimage sites within Spain:

15 Most Popular Catholic Pilgrimage Sites in Spain

The Marian Route And Its Five Sanctuaries

One-Day Tour In Oviedo, Asturias With Kids

9 Things To Do In Peniscola, Spain On A Weekend Trip For Families With Small Kids

3 days Pilgrimage To Valencia, Spain with Kids (+ some Sightseeing)