What is the Camino de Santiago like for vegetarians or vegans?

Project Manager

Ricardo González Raposo

9 May, 2025 · 4 min

Doing the Camino de Santiago is a transformative experience, both physically and spiritually. But if you're vegetarian or vegan, you might wonder: Will I be able to eat well along the way? Will I find suitable options? The good news is that yes, it is possible to walk the Camino while sticking to your plant-based lifestyle, although there are some important things to keep in mind.

Your Buen Camino can also be a green one!

Is it hard to do the Camino de Santiago as a vegetarian or vegan?

It's not impossible, but it requires planning and flexibility. Although more and more people are choosing plant-based diets, many rural areas in Spain — through which much of the Camino passes — are still not very familiar with this type of diet. However, with a bit of preparation, you can enjoy the Camino without compromising your values.

What challenges might you face?

1. Limited pilgrim menus: many hostels and restaurants offer the classic "pilgrim menu," but rarely include vegan options. Some have a vegetarian option, though it often includes cheese or eggs.
2. Lack of variety in rural areas: in small villages, supermarkets and bars may have very basic options. If you're vegan, you’ll need to be ready to improvise.
3. Lack of ingredient information: sometimes even dishes that seem plant-based (like a soup) might contain meat broth or ham.

Tips for vegetarian and vegan pilgrims

Plan your stages in advance

Research which towns have restaurants with vegetarian or vegan options. Apps like HappyCow, Google Maps, and vegan pilgrim Facebook groups can be very helpful.

Bring snacks with you

Nuts, energy bars, dried fruit, or small packs of hummus can save the day more than once.

Use hostel kitchens

Many public and private hostels have shared kitchens. Take advantage of them to cook your own meals using ingredients from local supermarkets.

Be flexible and realistic

You won’t always find tofu or plant-based milk, but you will find plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and bread. Adapting to what’s available without losing your essence is key.

Common plant-based foods you’ll find on the Camino

It may not seem like it, but many traditional foods are suitable or easily adaptable to a plant-based diet. Some examples:

• Bread, olive oil, and tomato (very common for breakfast)
• Pisto (a vegetable stew that’s usually vegan)
• Gazpacho or salmorejo (watch out for egg in the latter)
• Various salads
• Fresh fruit (apples, bananas, oranges)
• Canned legumes (chickpeas, lentils)
• Boiled or fried potatoes
• Olives, nuts, and seeds

Which Camino route is easiest for vegans or vegetarians?

Some Camino routes are more friendly to plant-based diets thanks to better tourist infrastructure, more restaurants, and larger local populations. These are the most recommended:

French Way

The French Way is the most popular route with the best infrastructure. From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela, you'll pass through cities like Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, and León, where it’s easier to find vegan options.

Portuguese Way

Whether starting from Porto or Lisbon, the Portuguese Way offers good options in cities like Ponte de Lima, Tui, and Pontevedra. In Portugal, there’s also great availability of fresh fruit, legumes, and rice.

Northern Way

Along the north of Spain, cities like San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander, and Gijón are offering more and more vegetarian and vegan options. That said, the terrain on the Northern Way is more demanding.

Vegan restaurants on the Camino de Santiago

Here are some plant-based friendly spots you can find along your route:

• GreenVita (Pamplona) – Healthy cuisine with vegan options.
• El Patio de Mi Casa (Logroño) – Offers a daily vegetarian menu.
• Raíces (León) – 100% vegan restaurant with homemade dishes.
• A Curtidoría (Santiago de Compostela) – Has vegan options on its traditional menu.
• Café Venecia (Sarria) – Pilgrim menu with vegetarian option.

It’s possible to walk the Camino as a vegetarian or vegan

Although you’ll encounter some challenges, doing the Camino de Santiago on a vegan or vegetarian diet is completely possible and enriching. It takes preparation, an open mindset, and a bit of creativity, but it allows you to live the experience in harmony with your values.

From TuBuenCamino, we encourage you to follow your path with awareness, respect, and determination. Whether you walk for health, spirituality, or adventure, remember that the way you eat is also a way to honor the journey.