You’ve got those flights booked, you’re well on your way to increasing your weekly mileage in preparation, and all your gear is lying in the corner, ready to go – but sometimes you just want to get a sneak peek of what lies in store along the Camino de Santiago.
Considering its fame, good quality books and films portraying the Camino can be few and far between. Capturing such an extraordinary personal experience in words or on film often leads to mediocre attempts.
But thankfully, there have also been some truly noteworthy books and movies about the Camino de Santiago that will fill that burning anticipation before you depart. Here are five books and five films worth exploring before you walk the Camino.
What are the best Camino films to watch?
If you’re preparing for your Camino journey, these films highlight life on the trail, the growth it encourages, and the diverse routes like Camino Frances and Camino del Norte (ask your Uwalk Camino specialist about this route).
They range from Hollywood hits to moving documentaries, each showcasing this pilgrimage’s unique charm.
1. The Way
The most popular film about the Camino de Santiago since its release in 2010. The Way stars Hollywood glamour Martin Sheen, walking the Camino in memory of his son, who died on Day 1 of his walk.
A touching story with just enough Hollywood charm and an excellent cast that gives a good account of life on the Camino. If you’re looking for an easy introduction to the Camino, this is a great place to start.
2. Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago
Walking the Camino is a documentary that follows six distinct characters on their 500-mile journey along the Camino Frances to Santiago.
It’s a peaceful, almost meditative look at the reasons people choose to walk the Camino and the many obstacles they overcome along the way.
3. Footprints: The Path of Your Life
In this documentary, a Roman Catholic priest leads ten young men from different backgrounds on the Camino.
While it’s more dramatic than Six Ways to Santiago, The Path of Your Life can feel a little overdone with the drama at times, but it certainly provides a pleasant watch. It also focuses on the lesser-known Camino Norte, a less-travelled route compared to the Camino Frances and Camino Portugues.
4. I’ll Push You
Just leave the box of tissues out – this one will test the coldest hearts. This heart-wrenching tale of friendship follows two friends walking the Camino de Santiago. Or rather, to be exact, one walking and pushing, dragging, and hauling his wheelchair-bound best friend.
This story will certainly put our own Caminos in perspective. It’s impossible not to be swept up in the quite astonishing feat of moving another person along the route on top of yourself.
Additionally, there is a heartbreaking commitment to friendship in the final months of somebody’s life.
5. The Camino Voyage
As we’ve just seen, not everyone traditionally travels along the Camino. The Camino Voyage takes it up several notches and is a wonderful documentary that will certainly appeal to the Irish audience.
For hundreds of years, Irish pilgrims made their way south in small boats before arriving in A Coruna or Ferrol and continuing on foot from there. And the Camino Voyage is just that – why take RyanAir when you can build a boat yourself?
This inspiring documentary follows four men as they build and then sail a small rowboat south from Ireland, through the choppy Celtic Sea, to the coast of Spain – before walking down the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. It’s a remarkable story about finding your limit – then jumping way, way past it.
Books to inspire your pilgrimage to Santiago
Before you lace up your boots and set out on your Camino journey, reading a few inspiring books can help set the tone for your walk.
Here are five that will enhance your understanding of this legendary journey and its rich history of the Camino route.
6. I’m Off Then: Losing and Finding Myself on the Camino de Santiago – Hape Kerkeling
Hape Kerkeling’s memoir revitalised European enthusiasm for the Camino de Santiago.
The German comedian’s journey, detailing his struggles as a self-professed overweight, overworked, and physically unfit man, became a bestseller with over 3 million copies sold. It boosted Camino traffic by 20% after it was released in 2006.
7. The Pilgrimage – Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho’s The Pilgrimage has been essential reading since 1987 for anyone interested in the Camino de Santiago.
The story is a blend of adventure, travelogue, and fable that explores the human desire to find oneself along one’s path through life.
If you’re looking for an up–to–date, detailed guide on the Camino, this probably isn’t for you. It offers a semi-magical experience of Coelho’s imagination that appeared in The Alchemist. As you read, you might reflect on the deep spiritual meaning and the post-camino blues often following the journey.
8. The Camino: A Journey of the Spirit – Shirley Maclaine
When a major Hollywood star writes a book about their experiences, it can often go one of two ways – either rambling, self-indulgent rubbish or honest and thought-provoking.
Thankfully, Shirley Maclaine’s book, which tells of her own experiences walking the Camino de Santiago, falls into the latter category.
A seasoned author and actress, Maclaine shares both the physical and spiritual challenges of her journey in her sixties. It’s a reflective story of self-discovery and resilience. As you read about Maclaine’s Camino experience, consider the awe and reverence many feel upon reaching the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
9. Buen Camino!: A Father-Daughter Journey from Croagh Patrick to Santiago De Compostela – Peter and Natasha Murtagh
Most books about the Camino tend to focus on a single person. There is something about the inner struggle that often lends itself to the tale of the lone walker, but this one is a little different.
Buen Camino! is a touching story of father and daughter, Peter and Natasha Murtagh, as they travel from Celtic Camino, Croagh Patrick, to the gates of Santiago de Compostela.
It’s a good mix of the adventurous, the religious, and the downright fun. If you’re planning on walking the Camino with a parent or a child, this gives an excellent insight into the trials and tribulations of walking with a family member.
10. Camino de Santiago Guides – John Brierley
This last one is a little different but also probably the most popular book(s) that you’ll see along the Camino. Let’s just say from the very start, you don’t need a guidebook to your journey to Santiago.
The routes are almost always well–signposted, and it’s perfectly possible that you could make it to Santiago without opening one of these books. But these Camino guides are incredibly popular, so you’re likely to see one on a table during lunch anywhere along the route.
Each guide has a huge scope of information about the route, the history of the Camino de Santiago, places to visit, good restaurants, and much more. For those seeking in-depth guidance, these books are unmatched.
Walk the Talk – Your Camino Adventure Awaits!
Why settle for previews when you can create your own Camino story? Whether you’re seeking a cultural escape or a personal challenge, UWalk offers expertly curated Camino walking tours to make your journey unforgettable. Start planning your adventure today!
