The Verano Joven 2026 program will cover accommodation, half board, transportation and credentials to travel the route between Sarria and Santiago
Perform the Camino de Santiago It is the dream of thousands of people every year. This summer, 35 young Valencians will have the opportunity to live that experience at no cost thanks to a new initiative promoted by the Valencia City Council within the program Young Summer 2026.
The proposal will allow the last more than 100 kilometers of the French Way, from Sarria until Santiago de Compostela, thus completing the minimum distance necessary to obtain the Compostela. The activity will take place between July 27 and August 2, 2026.
A complete experience without spending money
One of the most attractive aspects of the program is that virtually all expenses will be covered.
Participants will have accommodation in private hostels, half board, luggage transport between stages, travel, travel insurance, official pilgrim credentials and permanent accompaniment by specialized guides throughout the route.
The route will include some of the best-known stages of the French Way, passing through emblematic towns such as Portomarin, King's Shovels, Arzúa y Or Pedrouzo before reaching the Plaza del Obradoiro, in front of the Cathedral of Santiago.
Who can participate?
The initiative is aimed at young people born between the years 2001 y 2008 who reside, study or work in the city of Valencia.
Registration was opened through the municipal Youth website and places are limited, so a high demand is expected to participate in one of the most notable developments in the summer programming of the Valencian council.
Much more than a pilgrimage
The Department of Family, Youth and Childhood highlights that the objective is not only to travel the Camino de Santiago, but to promote values such as effort, coexistence, camaraderie, contact with nature and the discovery of one of the most important historical routes in Europe.
The initiative is incorporated for the first time into the municipal program and is part of an offer that exceeds 2,300 free places in educational, sports, cultural and leisure activities for young Valencians during the summer.
The Camino continues to conquer young people
The proposal confirms the growing interest that the Camino de Santiago awakens among new generations.
More and more young people discover in the pilgrimage an opportunity to disconnect from routine, meet new people, face personal challenges and live a transformative experience that combines history, culture, nature and spirituality.
For these 35 lucky people, the summer of 2026 will also have an added prize: walking to Santiago de Compostela and being part of a tradition that has been uniting pilgrims from all over the world for more than a thousand years.
