Camino de Santiago : Words, Phrases and Expressions Every Pilgrim Should Know

So you’ve heard about the Camino, and there’s a little voice inside your head that says, I’d like to do this.  At least that’s how it started for me. A friend walked The Way and at first, I thought she was crazy. But a few years later, there I was walking that same 800 kilometre trail across Spain.

In the meantime, I tried to understand the phrases and jargon that come with any new experience. And the Camino de Santiago has plenty!

This list isn’t exhaustive — I know there are more — but I had to stop somewhere. 

If you’re considering taking your first steps along the Camino de Santiago, then I hope this glossary helps demystify some of the words and expressions that you’ll hear along the way.

Albergue: The name for a Pilgrim hostel offering basic accommodation, usually dormitory-style. Some are donation-based, while others charge a small fee.

Aquarius: An orange or lemon-flavoured sports drink widely sold in Spain. Pilgrims swear by it for quick hydration and a pick-me-up on hot days.

Bicigrino / Bicigrina: A pilgrim who completes the Camino by bicycle instead of on foot. They also carry a credential and can receive a Compostela.

Bon Camiño: Galician greeting for “Buen Camino.” As you cross into Galicia, you’ll notice the Camino is referred to as “Camiño de Santiago” in the local language.

Bom Caminho : The Portuguese equivalent of Buen Camino, still meaning have a good walk!

Bordón: Traditional wooden pilgrim’s staff, often topped with a scallop shell or gourd. Historically used for support and protection.

Botafumeiro: The giant incense burner swung across Santiago Cathedral during special pilgrim Masses. A dramatic and awe-inspiring sight!

Buen Camino!: The cheerful greeting exchanged between pilgrims and locals meaning “Have a good walk!” It symbolises goodwill and community spirit.

Calabaza: A dried gourd traditionally carried by pilgrims to hold water. Today, it’s more symbolic and often decorates pilgrim staffs.

Caldo Gallego: Traditional Galician soup made with greens, potatoes, chorizo, and beans — a hearty and warming dish perfect after a long day’s walk.

Calzada romana: Ancient Roman road, remnants of which you still walk on in some sections of the Camino. Durable but often hard on the feet!

Camino: Spanish word for path or road. “El Camino” means “The Way,” a term that captures both the physical route and the spiritual journey.

Casa Rural: A country guesthouse, often family-run, offering comfortable accommodation and sometimes home-cooked meals.

Certificate of Distance: A document from the Pilgrim Office in Santiago certifying how many kilometres you walked, separate from the Compostela.

Clara con Limón: A refreshing Spanish drink made of beer mixed with lemon soda — like a shandy, perfect for hot afternoons.

Códex Calixtino: A 12th-century guidebook for pilgrims to Santiago, including sermons, miracle stories, and descriptions of the route.

Compostela: The official certificate awarded in Santiago to pilgrims who complete the required distance and present their credential.

Concha: Scallop shell, the enduring symbol of pilgrimage to Santiago, often worn on backpacks or around the neck.

Convento: A monastery where some offer accommodation to pilgrims. Traditionally places of refuge and prayer.

Credencial: Pilgrim passport used to collect stamps along the Camino. Required to earn a Compostela.

Credencial del Peregrino: Full title for the Pilgrim Passport. Stamped along the route to prove the journey, especially the last 100km on foot.

Crucero: Stone wayside cross, often elaborately carved, marking the Camino and offering a place for reflection.

Cruz de Ferro: The Iron Cross near Foncebadón where pilgrims traditionally leave a stone brought from home, symbolising burdens left behind.

Desvío: A detour or alternative route, often marked when the main path is under construction or for weather safety.

Domus Dei: “House of God,” the medieval term for a hospital or shelter for pilgrims.

Donativo: Pilgrim Accommodation or meal offered on a donation basis. Pilgrims give what they can afford.

El Camino: Simply “The Way,” referring to the Camino de Santiago. Emphasises both physical and spiritual journeys.

Empanada Gallega: Savoury pie typical of Galicia, often filled with tuna, meat, or vegetables — delicious and filling.

Ermita: Small rural chapel found along the Camino. Many date back centuries and offer a quiet place for prayer.

Etapa: A day’s stage or section of the Camino. Guidebooks often suggest traditional etapas based on logical stopping points.

Flecha amarilla: The famous yellow arrows that guide pilgrims across Spain. Found on walls, posts, and even rocks.

Frances : Often used instead of Camino or Camino de Santiago. As the most popular route, this is often considered the only route; whereas there are actually many paths across Spain and Europe. The Camino Frances is the French Way.

Fuente: Fountain or spring, providing water for pilgrims. Always check signs to ensure it’s safe to drink. (Potable if ok – Non-Potable if not)

Hórreo: Traditional raised granary found across Galicia. Built to store food off the damp ground — iconic in Camino landscapes.

Hospedería: Lodging often attached to religious houses or monasteries, offering simple rooms for pilgrims.

Hospitale: Medieval term for a pilgrim hospital or shelter, offering food, rest, and medical care.

Hospitalero/Hospitalera: Volunteer who runs an albergue or refuge, caring for pilgrims along the way.

Jacobeo: Pertaining to Saint James (Santiago). Holy Years when his feast day (25 July) falls on a Sunday are called “Año Jacobeo.”

Lavadero: Outdoor communal washing place in villages. Pilgrims still use them to wash clothes the traditional way!

Menú del Peregrino: A budget-friendly pilgrim’s menu on the Camino, offered by restaurants and albergues, usually including three courses and wine.

Milagro: Miracle. Many places on the Camino are associated with legends and miracles attributed to Saint James.

Mirador: Scenic viewpoint. Some of the most stunning vistas on the Camino are marked with this sign.

Misa del Peregrino: Special Mass for pilgrims, often including a blessing and occasionally the swinging of the Botafumeiro.

Mochila: Backpack. Your essential companion on the Camino, carrying everything you need — ideally lightweight! The name in Spanish is often used by luggage transfer companies.

Mojón: Stone marker showing distance remaining to Santiago, often topped with a scallop shell.

Monte do Gozo: “Mount of Joy,” the hill from which pilgrims get their first glimpse of Santiago Cathedral.

Municipal: Albergue run by the local council. Basic but affordable lodging prioritised for foot pilgrims.

Order of Santiago: A religious and military order founded in the 12th century to protect pilgrims on their journey to Santiago.

Parador: Luxury hotels often located in historic buildings. Some offer special rates for pilgrims.

Pensión: A small, often family-run hotel or guesthouse, providing a private room and sometimes meals.

Peregrinatio: Latin term meaning pilgrimage. Used historically in religious writings to describe the journey to sacred places.

Peregrino/Peregrina: A pilgrim (male/female) undertaking the Camino journey.

Pimientos de Padrón: Small green peppers, lightly fried and salted. Beware: some are hot, most are mild — it’s a surprise!

Privado: Privately run albergue, often with more amenities than municipal ones but at a slightly higher price.

Puente romano: Roman bridge. Many original Roman bridges still carry pilgrims today.

Pulpo a feira: Traditional Galician dish of octopus, cooked and seasoned with paprika, olive oil, and salt.

Refugio: Simple shelter for pilgrims, often basic and rustic, rooted in medieval hospitality traditions.

Romero: Old Spanish term for a pilgrim, particularly one going to Rome, but sometimes used historically for Santiago pilgrims.

Santiago: Saint James, one of Jesus’ apostles, whose remains are believed to rest in Santiago de Compostela.

Sello: The stamp collected at albergues, churches, and cafes to fill your credential. Proof of your pilgrimage.

Sendas: Trails or footpaths. The Camino includes paved paths, country tracks, and forest sendas.

Stone carrying: Tradition of carrying a stone from home and leaving it at Cruz de Ferro as a symbolic release of burdens.

Suseia: Rarely heard today, this is the medieval pilgrim response to “Ultreia,” meaning “Upward!” or “Higher!”

Tarta de Santiago: Almond cake from Galicia, often marked with the Cross of Saint James. A delicious reward at the end of your journey.

The Way: English translation of “El Camino.” Refers to both the path and the spiritual journey of the pilgrimage.

Santiago de Compostela: The city where the remains of Saint James are believed to lie. The final destination of the Camino.

Ultreia: Ancient pilgrim greeting meaning “Onward!” or “Further!” used to encourage fellow pilgrims.

Ultreia et suseia: Medieval phrase meaning “Forward and upward,” used between pilgrims to offer strength and hope on the journey.

Variante: An official alternative route on the Camino, often offering different scenery or avoiding difficult sections.

Vieira: Scallop shell, the most recognisable symbol of the Camino, found on way markers and worn by pilgrims.

Way of St James: English term for the Camino de Santiago, referring to the pilgrimage routes leading to Santiago de Compostela.