Departures from Braga to Santiago reach a new high

Up to October 24, 1,259 departures from Braga Cathedral to Santiago de Compostela were counted, the highest figure recorded at the Oficina del Peregrino (Pilgrim Reception Point), a total calculated based on the number of Compostelas issued. The record in 2022 was 1,258 departures, and this year’s total is up 10.4% from the 1,140 certificates issued in 2025 for departures from Braga. The Geira and Arrieiros Route accounts for most of this increase.

The pilgrims come from more than 40 countries on six continents, including Australians, New Zealanders, Japanese, South Koreans, Iranians, Afghans, Ukrainians, Cape Verdeans, South Africans and Mexicans, among others. The 889 Portuguese make up the majority, with 70.6%, followed by Spaniards, with 10.8%. Slovakia ranks third, up 820% from just 5 pilgrims two years ago.

The two routes with the most departures from Braga moved in opposite directions. The Geira and Arrieiros Route reached 770 Compostelas, 61.2% of the total, with 203 more pilgrims than in 2025, an increase of 35.8%. The Braga variant of the Central Route, with 35.7% of those Compostelas, had 101 fewer pilgrims than in 2025, a drop of 18.4%. Several other routes, including the Miñoto Ribeiro Route, share the remaining departures.

After its recognition by the Church in 2019, the Geira and Arrieiros Route is set to be officially approved as a cultural itinerary by the Galician government before the end of this year, along with other routes. The promoting associations have counted 9,136 pilgrims since 2017, 1,351 of them in 2025, and only 4,049 of them, coming from around 50 countries, obtained the Compostela, which not everyone receives.