The legendary route of the Camino de Santiago, which every year welcomes pilgrims from all over the world in search of spiritual, cultural and natural experience, never stops being reinvented in the face of new technologies. One of the most recent phenomena is the use of drones to capture aerial views of its stages, forests, rivers, coasts and monuments. But before you lift your drone and let it glide between pines, rocks and Galician skies, it is essential to know the regulations that govern its use — and also to discover the best spots to achieve memorable panoramas.
What is AESA and what is its role in drone use?
The Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA) is the Spanish public body responsible for the regulation, supervision and inspection of air transport safety, air navigation systems and aeronautical activities. Among its functions is establishing the rules applicable to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, drones) in Spain.
With regard to drones, some of the key aspects regulated by AESA are:
- Since 31 December 2020 the European UAS regulation has applied in Spain.
- AESA requires operators to register via its electronic office, obtain an operator number and display it visibly on the aircraft.
- The regulation places limits such as a maximum flight height (generally 120 metres in the open category) and the obligation to keep the drone in sight (VLOS).
In summary: flying a drone legally in Spain requires compliance with the AESA criteria — registration, categories of operation, height and distance limits, insurance when required — before planning aerial recording on the Camino de Santiago or any other route.
What is ENAIRE and what is its “ENAIRE Drones” platform for?
ENAIRE is the air navigation manager for Spain; it controls more than two million square kilometres of national airspace and provides route/approach control services for the majority of Spanish airports.
In the field of drones, ENAIRE has the tool “ENAIRE Drones” — a web (and mobile) application designed to help UAS pilots and operators plan their flights safely. Its functionalities include:
- Showing on a map the airspace zones where drone restrictions apply — airports, military bases, etc.
- Allowing consultation of aeronautical notices (NOTAMs), alerts and the official zoning of UAS areas, especially after the approval of Royal Decree 517/2024 which regulates drone operations.
- Guiding when coordination with ENAIRE is required for flights in controlled airspace, the procedures, deadlines and forms involved.
Therefore, before launching your drone in zones of the Camino de Santiago, you must consult ENAIRE Drones to verify that the area is permitted, learn the specific conditions, and ensure no active restriction prevents the flight.
Detail ENAIRE Drones[/caption>
Basic regulations for flying a drone on the Camino de Santiago
In Spain, the use of drones is regulated by AESA and reinforced by ENAIRE zoning. Below are the fundamental requirements, though it is always advisable to check the updated regulations and the specific conditions of the section of the Camino you are going to traverse:
- Registration of the operator with AESA if the drone weighs more than 250 g or has a camera.
- Maximum flight height in the open category: up to 120 metres above the ground.
- Always fly within visual line of sight (VLOS).
- Do not fly over crowds of people or urban areas.
- Consult prior zoning in ENAIRE Drones: prohibited zones, zones requiring authorization, controlled airspace.
In addition, for more complex situations — such as professional flights, in protected zones or with heavier models — the following is required:
- Operational authorization or declaration with AESA.
- Coordination with ENAIRE if the flight will take place in controlled airspace.
- Liability insurance if applicable.
In short: yes, it is possible to bring a drone on the Camino de Santiago route, but you must do so responsibly, complying with the regulations and respecting other pilgrims, the cultural heritage and the natural environment.
The most spectacular landscapes to fly your drone
Along the Camino de Santiago there are several recommended spots where drone flight can yield extraordinary images. For example:
- Monte do Gozo (Camino Francés): from here you can see the arrival to Santiago de Compostela, offering a very symbolic setting.
- Playa de las Catedrales (Camino del Norte): one of Galicia’s coastal gems, with rock formations that yield a unique display from the air.
- Ría de Arousa (Spiritual Variante): ideal to capture the “Traslatio” — that legendary crossing of the estuary — from the air.
- Mirador da Curota (by the Ría de Arousa): on clear days you can even see the islands of Ons and Cíes, a truly beautiful aerial frame.
- Puente de Ponte Maceira (Camino a Finisterre): a photogenic spot, perfect to capture the route with the drone amid history and nature.
Important: even if the spot is beautiful, before flying make sure the area has no temporary or permanent restrictions. Consult ENAIRE Drones and request permission if necessary.
The camino from a drone’s view
The Camino de Santiago continues to be an iconic route for pilgrims worldwide, and now also for those who want to see it “from the sky”. But any drone flight must be approached with the right mix of enthusiasm, respect for the regulations and consideration for the environment – human, cultural and natural.
Landing back on solid ground after a flight, storing the drone, looking around at the landscape and knowing that you captured a unique moment: that’s the real magic. And if you do it respecting the rules and looking out for the other pilgrims and nature… you’ll have made technology add value instead of subtracting it.
