Safety and Security
While the Camino is typically a very safe experience, a little common sense goes a long way to prevent unfortunate events.
Most of the Camino de Santiago is long walks through the Spanish countryside. At times you will find yourself in a larger city along the way and some additional awareness is on order, just as you might consider in any other large city around the globe.
THE PHONE EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER FOR EUROPE IS 112. All services in France and Spain are reachable via this number.
Security on the trail
Typically, unless you are walking a camino in the dead of winter or doing a night walk to avoid daytime heat in summer, you will be among groups of fellow pilgrims. This can be a real bonus as there is always someone around if you are injured, ill or require other assistance. Often pilgrims will watch over piles of backpacks while their friends go into bars and cafes to grab lunch, avoiding the possibility of losing everything off your back. Literally…
Never walk away from your backpack. Never leave your valuables in your backpack. While it is a great idea to split up your bank cards and such, try to refrain from leaving any in your pack if at all possible. Always know where your valuables are.
Be extremely careful walking along roads. You will be doing a lot of this over a full camino. Be aware of traffic and keep your eyes and ears open(yes, take one earbud out!). Most fatalities on camino come from pilgrims being hit by traffic crossing busy roads. BE CAREFUL!
You will make some great friends the way, some you will remember for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, people can bring problems as well. When this happens, distance yourself and find safety. Other people, a cafe, anywhere you can be around other people.
If at any point, you require emergency assistance, make yourself heard! Be loud and insistent. Let those around you know. Pack along a whistle if your backpack chest strap does not have one. If needed, use it!
Security at the Albergue
Problems in albergues do happen, it is an unfortunate aspect of grouping humans together.
While most albergue are quite safe, you may hear of theft from time to time and with so much activity it can be easy to misplace items and for mistakes to be made. To avoid these, exercise a few easy steps.
Never, ever walk away from your valuables. If you are traveling with one or more friends, shower and do laundry in shifts so the others can keep an eye on your belongings. If traveling alone, always take your valuables to the shower, laundry, bar, etc with you. (See our guide to backpack packing and management and general security page for hints to make this a breeze.) Albergues do offer locking storage for backpacks in many cases, but it may be best not to trust them with your passport and bank cards.
Don’t leave your phone to charge unattended. This is the most common way phones are lost. Consider carrying a backup battery and charging your phone with it as needed. You can then leave your battery to charge unattended at your bunk with little chance of theft.
Physical assaults are exceedingly rare and are usually due to too much wine and partying, but whatever the case this should be reported immediately to albergue staff and if need be, the police. Be loud, be emphatic and be certain those around you know what is happening!
Lastly, use common sense and avoid risky behaviors.
