Holy Year 2027: What Pilgrims Need to Know About the Xacobeo

What is a Holy Year on the Camino?

A Holy Year (Año Santo Compostelano, Xacobeo in Galician) happens when the feast of St. James (July 25th) falls on a Sunday. During that entire year, the Holy Door of Santiago Cathedral is open and pilgrims who complete the Camino can receive a plenary indulgence.

The next Xacobeo is 2027. Following Holy Years: 2032, 2038, 2049.

Why does it matter?

For religious pilgrims, the Holy Year is a rare spiritual opportunity — plenary indulgence, special masses, and the symbolic crossing of the Holy Door (Puerta Santa) of the Cathedral.

For everyone else: massive increase in pilgrim numbers. The Xacobeo 2010 saw 272,000 pilgrims; 2021 (extended due to COVID) surpassed 178,000; 2027 is expected to exceed 400,000.

That means you need to plan *much* earlier than usual.

When does 2027 start and end?

• December 31, 2026, 4 PM: solemn opening of the Holy Door by the Archbishop of Santiago.
• All year 2027: Holy Door remains open.
• July 25, 2027 (Sunday): feast of St. James — the peak day.
• December 31, 2027: solemn closing of the Holy Door.

How to obtain the jubilee indulgence

Per Catholic Church requirements, the pilgrim must:

• Visit the Cathedral of Santiago and cross the Holy Door.

• Pray for the Pope's intentions (typically the Creed, Our Father, or similar).

• Receive communion (within 15 days before or after the visit).

• Receive the sacrament of confession (also within 15 days).

• Attend a Pilgrim Mass (recommended, not strictly required).

Non-Catholic pilgrims can of course visit the Holy Door and obtain the Compostela certificate; the indulgence is a specifically Catholic rite.

Booking accommodation

Start booking 6-12 months in advance , especially for:

• Easter week (April 2027):
• July 2027, especially around the 25th:
• August 2027:

Municipal albergues still work on first-come first-served but they'll be full by 10 AM. Private albergues, pensions and hotels book out early. See our accommodation guide.

Expected price impact

Based on past Holy Years:

• Accommodation: +15-30% vs. a normal year
• Restaurants: similar prices but busier, reservations needed
• Transport (flights, trains): +20-50% in peak weeks
• Taxis: standard prices, but book in advance

Calculate your 2027 budget with our Camino budget tool.

Transport logistics

Santiago airport (SCQ) will have increased flight frequency but also more delays and full planes. Consider:

• Alternative airports: A Coruña (LCG), Vigo (VGO), Oviedo (OVD), Porto (OPO). Slightly more logistics but often cheaper.
• Taxi from airport: reserve weeks in advance for Holy Year dates. See our airport transfer page.

We can coordinate pickup for groups of any size, 24 hours a day. Just call +34 659 99 31 39 or WhatsApp.

Is it worth going in a Holy Year?

Pros:

• Spiritual significance (indulgence, Holy Door crossing)
• Special events, music, masses, illumination
• International energy — pilgrims from 100+ countries
• Botafumeiro swings more frequently during Holy Year masses

Cons:

• Crowds (expect 2-3x more pilgrims on the path)
• Higher prices
• More planning required
• Less solitude for reflection

Alternative: do it in 2026 or 2028

If you want the Camino experience without Holy Year pressure, go the year before (2026) or the year after (2028). You'll have:

• Normal prices
• Easier booking
• More availability at municipal albergues
• Fewer crowds on the stages

You still get the Compostela certificate and the spiritual rewards of the Camino itself — you just don't cross the Holy Door.

Ready to plan your Xacobeo?

Whether you want the Holy Year experience or prefer to avoid it, we can help with airport transfers, taxi between stages, and accommodation recommendations. Contact us 24/7 on +34 659 99 31 39.

Buen Camino — y buen Xacobeo.