The Camino isn’t a holiday. It’s a journey that teaches you to slow down, switch off and notice small things. And yet it’s occasionally handy to have helpers in your pocket that save you time, energy and a few nerves. So I’ve put together a roundup of the best apps and tips that literally got me out of a hole on several Caminos (the Portuguese and the Norte). 🙂
Gronze.com
Besides a good mood and plenty of undiscovered opportunities, it pays to think about your “technical kit” – and that’s where smart Camino apps come in. Everyone probably has to go through their own “discomfort”. Ours cost us 38 km on the first day, because we didn’t know that the site GRONZE.COM exists, with a beautifully complete list of albergues that are currently open, what services they offer, including contacts and the number of beds.
TIP: The closer you get to Santiago, the more it pays to book an albergue in advance. Use the contact details listed for each one and reserve your bed, so you avoid the nasty surprise of there being none left. Almost every pilgrim told us the worst situation is on the Portuguese Camino.
It happened to us near the very end. In the town of Sobrado dos Monxes we couldn’t find a single bed, even though I’d called the day before. Everything was booked out. “Luckily” they also offered a private room at double the price.
Mapy.cz
What kind of Czechs would we be if we didn’t use Mapy.cz on the road. And honestly… it really is the best hiking app out there!
For checking out places – restaurants, bars and shops specifically – we mainly used Google Maps. But going without maps can be a beautiful experience too.
A weather app
Walking outside summer? Then a weather app will come in handy. We don’t really have a specific recommendation, but it can help when you’re planning the next day. The more experienced go by feel; those who speak the local language ask the locals.
Revolut
Last but not least I’d recommend Revolut, which saved us a lot of money on withdrawal fees and bad exchange rates. Spain is very well set up for card payments – you can pay almost everywhere. Once we did have to withdraw cash and, even though our card has free ATM withdrawals, the foreign ATM charged us a 3% transaction fee and gave us a pretty poor rate on top.
Booking
Gronze.com lists plenty of places to sleep, and some of them link straight through to Booking.com. Booking needs no introduction; its service works without a hitch in Spain on the Camino too.
Other useful apps
- Wise Pilgrim
- Maps.me (no first-hand experience, but plenty of pilgrims used it)
- Airbnb.com (we barely used it, if at all)
- WhatsApp (most hosts use this messaging app. If you want to book accommodation, you don’t have to call – just message them on WhatsApp.)
- Twisto (ideal for travel if someone asks you for a deposit, or you simply want to defer payment for certain purchases)
- Camino Ninja App
Top 8 practical tips for the road to Santiago
1️⃣ Set off early in the morning (between 6 and 7 am) → You’ll avoid the heat, the crowds and the queues for beds.
2️⃣ Always carry some cash → Smaller towns take cards these days, but somewhere might not. On top of that, donativo albergues usually only take coins.
3️⃣ A power bank is an unwritten necessity → Sockets in hostels tend to be occupied. 10,000 mAh is the minimum.
4️⃣ Don’t plan everything in advance → The Camino isn’t an itinerary – sometimes you just stop 10 km early because you found the perfect spot for a coffee. Above all, don’t stress about it. It’s not a race.
5️⃣ Collect stamps (sellos) → You need them for the Compostela – but mostly, they’re a beautiful keepsake.
6️⃣ Give small albergues a chance → Private, family-run places often have a better atmosphere than the big towns.
7️⃣ Don’t underestimate water → In the hot months always carry at least 1.5 litres – top up at the fountains, which are clean. We never had a single problem.
8️⃣ Use poles → They save your knees and help on the descents.
