The great route through western Spain: over 700 kilometers from Seville along an ancient Roman road through Extremadura and Castile to Astorga – the longest and loneliest of the Spanish caminos.
The Via de la Plata is the great route through western Spain – and, at over 700 kilometers, one of the longest caminos. It follows the ancient Roman Ruta de la Plata, which linked Mérida with Astorga, from Seville northward. The route crosses the wide oak pastures (dehesas) of Extremadura, Roman cities like Mérida and Cáceres, and the golden university city of Salamanca, before meeting the Camino Francés at Astorga.
It's a route of wide horizons and long stages, with few pilgrims and a great deal of history – though scorching hot in summer.
The name probably comes not from silver but from the Arabic "al-balat" (paved road) – a nod to the Roman paved road the route follows.
Ideal if you love space, solitude and history and don't mind long, even stages. Anyone who loves Roman and medieval cities is richly rewarded.
Less suitable in high summer (extreme heat) and for anyone who needs company and dense supplies: some stages are very long and lonely.
From Seville the route crosses the dehesas of Extremadura – wide pastures dotted with holm oaks – over Zafra and Mérida with its Roman ruins to Cáceres.
Further north it reaches Salamanca and the uplands of Castile and León before meeting the Camino Francés at Astorga. To branch off earlier, take the Camino Sanabrés at Granja de Moreruela toward Ourense.
Technically the Via de la Plata is moderate – mostly gentle ups and downs. The real challenge is the distance, the long stages and, in summer, the heat on shadeless stretches.
Most pilgrims need about 30 to 38 days for the whole route; many walk it in sections. Waymarking is good, but accommodation is sparser than on the Camino Francés.
No other camino is so Roman in character. In Mérida (Emerita Augusta) you'll find a complete Roman ensemble: theater, amphitheater, aqueduct and the longest Roman bridge in Spain.
For long stretches the route follows the original Ruta de la Plata with its milestones (miliarios). In Cáceres and Salamanca, medieval and Renaissance Spain awaits in golden sandstone.
The Via de la Plata doesn't end in Santiago but in Astorga – where it meets the Camino Francés; from here it's about another 260 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela. If you prefer the lonelier, greener path, turn off at Granja de Moreruela onto the Camino Sanabrés, which leads straight into Galicia and Santiago. Either way is a worthy continuation.
The best time is spring and autumn; high summer is extremely hot in the south and winter is cold in the north. Accommodation is in albergues and guesthouses; on long stages, check the next bed and water in advance. As on all Spanish routes, you'll need a pilgrim's credential (credencial).
Budget roughly €25–40 per day. Public albergues often cost €8–12, private ones €12–18, plus food and the occasional pilgrim menu.
The starting point is Seville, with an international airport and rail links.
Akla Hotel Mérida
Open season unknown
Albergue de Don Juan
Open season unknownEverything you need for the Via de la Plata, shipped to your door.
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