Before doing the Cammino Materano, I had only completed one other pilgrimage: the French Way from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela. Naturally, I began to compare the two and noticed similarities and differences. The question “Is the Cammino Materano different from Santiago?” may seem silly, but it is actually one of the most frequent ones I was asked by friends and acquaintances as soon as I returned. So, I decided that it’s worth providing a comprehensive answer.

Have you already walked the Camino de Santiago and wonder if the Materano is similar to it? Or are you undecided and want to know all the differences before choosing which one to begin?

To help, I’ve listed below aspects that either unite or distinguish them, so that the rest of my account can be free from continuous references to Santiago and dedicated exclusively to discussing the Cammino Materano.

Duration and Number of Stages Differences

The Camino de Santiago is definitely more “customizable” because it is longer, with many more stopping points where you can stay overnight. In contrast, both the Via Peuceta and the Via Ellenica have a fixed and predetermined duration (7 and 8 stages respectively). Of course, nothing prevents you from staying two nights at the same stage or deviating from the “official” route to sleep elsewhere. However, the basic route, with minimal exceptions, does not allow you to create an alternative schedule simply because between each stage, there are no inhabited centers, and therefore, no accommodation structures.

On the Camino de Santiago, you can decide “on the go” to shorten or lengthen a stage because you pass through many small towns, and hostels are everywhere. On the Materano, this doesn’t happen, and the only thing to do—if you can no longer continue—is to grit your teeth and move forward.

For my taste, one week of walking was too little, which is why I combined the Via Peuceta with the Via Ellenica (walked in reverse) for a total of 15 days of travel.

Landscape Differences

On this point, it is obvious to note that the 800 km of the Camino de Santiago encompass an enormous variety of landscapes, from the Pyrenees to the mesetas, which are typical of those regions. However, in terms of quality, the Cammino Materano has nothing to envy from its famous Spanish cousin; plateaus, hills, crops, perched villages, woods, ravines, panoramas, oases—you’ll find all of that.

Even though, when you find yourself in the middle of an endless wheat field undulating in the wind, you could be anywhere in the world, and the sensation you experience will always be the same, whether in the vicinity of Burgos or near Gravina di Puglia.

Differences in crowds

It’s probably too obvious to point out: the Camino de Santiago (especially as you approach the destination) has an influx of pilgrims that is incomparable to that of the Cammino Materano, which sees around a hundred times fewer pilgrims annually.

As anyone who has walked it knows, especially in the high season, on the Camino de Santiago “you’re never alone”: making friends, chatting while walking, and sharing convivial moments with fellow pilgrims is very easy and almost inevitable. On the Materano, however, be prepared for solitude, which may accompany you throughout the entire journey. And this is not necessarily a bad thing—it might be exactly what you’re looking for!

The Via Peuceta is by far the most frequented, and during my experience, there were only four of us who met in the evenings in the town or at the overnight accommodation, and sometimes while walking. On the Via Ellenica, which I walked “in reverse” from Matera to Alberobello, in 8 days of walking, I met only two other pilgrims, walking in the opposite direction.

Practical note: Since the Via Peuceta is completed in exactly 7 days, it is likely that many choose to start on the weekend so they can finish by Sunday and return home in time to start work on Monday. Keep this in mind if you want to have more chances of meeting others or, conversely, if you prefer to start in the middle of the week to avoid more crowded conditions.

Differences in planning your journey

On the Camino de Santiago, it is well known that it is never necessary to book accommodation in advance (and often, it’s not even possible) because the large number of stages and structures guarantees a high availability of budget accommodations.

On the Cammino Materano, early planning is advisable, if not essential. As I’ve mentioned, especially on the Via Peuceta, which is done in exactly one week, it is likely that starting on the weekend is the preferred choice for those who can only take a week off. As a result, in the busier months (April, May, June, September, and October), available beds—especially in certain stages—may fill up quickly.

Unless you decide to start your Cammino Materano at the last minute, as soon as you’ve chosen your dates, it’s a good idea to start contacting the various accommodations and book your beds. None of them required pre-payment, so the reservations are based on mutual trust. Therefore, if you need to cancel your trip or change your dates, make sure to inform the hosts with whom you’ve made arrangements as soon as possible.

Cost differences

The quantity and type of accommodation along the Cammino Materano generally makes it more expensive than the Camino de Santiago. Only in some stages are there actual hostels, which are still more expensive than staying in municipal or religious structures dedicated to pilgrims that are abundant in Spain.

Especially along the Hellenic route, it is likely that you will often stay in B&Bs; even those affiliated with the Camino will still be more expensive (but more comfortable) than a typical hostel. In particular, if you are traveling solo and do not share the cost of double rooms, this may affect your budget.

Regarding food, the situation is similar, but it will depend on your needs, and it’s hard to make a general statement. Especially in less touristy towns, it is possible to eat cheaply.

Differences in signage and routes

Just like in Santiago, signs are everywhere; the routes of the Cammino Materano are also very well-marked. You won’t find kilometer markers, so you won’t know exactly how far you are from your destination, but the arrows are frequent and well-maintained; they are painted on rocks, fences, walls, etc., and most importantly, they are positioned in such a way that they can be seen by people walking in both directions (from or towards Matera). Getting lost is very difficult, and there are also useful GPX tracks that can confirm you are on the right path in case of doubt.

Regarding the difficulty of the routes and terrain, I don’t see significant differences. Both routes of the Materano that I’ve walked are technically easy and have mixed terrain, alternating between asphalted roads, paths, mule tracks, dirt paths, etc.

Differences in motivations and attitude

Assuming that everyone has their own personal reasons for embarking on the journey, regardless of which route they take, the Camino de Santiago undoubtedly has a more spiritual and religious imprint compared to the Cammino Materano, and this is confirmed by statistics available online as well as by the general atmosphere.

The only religious welcome point on the Cammino Materano is the Sanctuary of Picciano along the Via Peuceta, which, however, is not included among the affiliated structures, and its availability to host pilgrims is not always certain.

Regarding attitude – I’m not sure what other word to use – there are no differences. A camino is always a camino, and pilgrims are always pilgrims. Moreover, many of the hosts I met, especially some stage leaders, are themselves pilgrims who have completed one or more important caminos. In short, they know what it means to be on the road, and their role as hospitaleros comes from a certain open-mindedness combined with a willingness to invite pieces of the outside world into their homes and lives every day.