The Camino de Santiago has lost its nature

In recent decades, the Camino de Santiago has experienced a steady rise in popularity. Between 1993 and 2023, the number of people walking the route increased from 99,000 to 446,000, making it one of the most frequented pilgrimage paths in the world. This growth has brought significant economic benefits to many towns along the route, often affected by depopulation, especially in smaller villages. According to a study conducted by the Galician Regional Government in 2018, the majority of residents believe that the benefits of tourism outweigh the drawbacks. However, there is a downside. During peak seasons, the large influx of pilgrims causes significant disruptions for local communities: in Santiago de Compostela, a town with fewer than 100,000 residents, the increasing number of visitors is creating issues similar to those seen in other popular European tourist destinations like Barcelona or Venice.

In Santiago’s historic center, shops catering to local residents have largely been replaced by businesses aimed at tourists, such as souvenir stores. The real estate market has also been affected: numerous apartments previously rented to students and locals have been converted into vacation rentals and Airbnb properties, contributing to rising housing prices. Highlighting these changes, an Instagram account named @compostelaresiste documents the impact of tourism on the city through images and reflections. Meanwhile, the municipality has issued guidelines on how to be more responsible tourists towards the city and its residents. Sarria, a small town in northwestern Spain with around 14,000 inhabitants, has also been affected by this transformation. Located along the French Route of the Camino, the most popular section of the paths leading to Santiago, Sarria welcomed over 130,000 visitors in 2023. Despite its modest size and limited historical heritage, the town is now filled with businesses catering to pilgrims, including trekking gear stores and souvenir shops.