Walk the Camino Primitivo, from Lugo to Santiago de Compostela
Stage 2
98.7km
7 days
Carefully Selected 1 to 3 star accommodations
moderate
Starting From
€591
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Popular Time
Good Time
Off Season
Not Possible
Coming down for the Cantabrian Mountain range the terrain is hilly as you join the Camino Frances in Melide.
Beginning in the walled city of Lugo, this walking holiday catches up with the Camino Frances in Melide and finishes in Santiago de Compostela. You will walk through heavily forested rural Galicia, witnessing the Roman influence on Spain’s roads and bridges
FREE This trip createstonne(s) of CO2, we offset it for free
Highlights
Lugo
Lugo is famous for its Muralla Romana de Lugo, the roman walls of Lugo that were constructed in the 3rd century. They are still mostly intact and were added to the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Another interesting place to visit is the Cathedral with its impressive architectural mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Take time to follow the tapas route around the city or visit Campo Square and sample some of the generous appetizers or if you want a more substantial feed one of the many restaurants that serve a wide range of local cuisine.
Melide
Melide is where the Camino Primitivo meets the Camino Frances. With a number of churches to visit this is a pleasant town to relax for the evening in. Enjoy the liveliness of this town after the quiet you have experienced so far on the Camino Primitivo. Enjoy the opportunity to meet new people and hear how their stories. A must do when here is to try the Pulpo (Octopus) that the town is famous for or if you have a sweet tooth some of the local pastries!
Santiago de Compostela
The end goal of your Camino is Santiago de Compostela and what an ending. One of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe Santiago has much to offer, from the Cathedral to the narrow streets with shops and restaurants that surround the Cathedral. Visit the local traditional food market, one of the many churches or take a stroll around Alamedea Park where there is a great viewing point by a large tree back over the Cathedral.
Lugo to Santiago De Compostela
Camino Primitivo
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From €591
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2024
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2026
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Services
Included in this package
Bed & Breakfast
Specially hand-picked accommodation
Our Holiday or Pilgrim Pack
24/7 Customer Service
Virtual face to face pre-departure briefing
Add-On
Premium Accommodation
Airport Pick-up
Additional Night
Dinners
Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
Day Tours Available
Not included
Flights/trains
Insurance
Drinks/Lunch
Itinerary
Day 1
LUGO (Arrival)
You will be booked into a hotel in the heart of the town of Lugo. The rooms are en-suite.
Day 2 18km
LUGO
to
SAN ROMAN DA RETORTA
After leaving Lugo through the Porta Mina, the oldest gate of the wall, the Camino heads towards the old Roman Bridge and the quarter of San Lazaro. A couple of kilometres later, it passes Santa de Boveda; a national monument and a museum where the most interesting early medieval paintings of the Iberian Peninsula can be seen. The Camino continues through a mix of farmland and forest.
Day 3 28.41km
SAN ROMAN DA RETORTA
to
MELIDE
After a brief transfer back to San Romao de Retorta, we begin our walk again. On the road from the hamlet there is a Roman milestone, which would appear to indicate that the present-day Camino was laid out following an ancient Roman road. Further on, you will pass a 13th-century Romanesque church, one of the many which are characteristic of the area surrounding Santiago. The Camino Primitivo follows ancient paths that are still in use today and connects an endless number of small rural villages such as Seixalbo, Xende, Ferreira, and Merlan. Finally, the Camino enters the province of A Coruna through the borough of Toques to the historic pilgrimage town of Melide. Coming to Melide (454m), you can stop in one of the many restaurants to try the traditional octopus dish, “Pulpo a la Plancha”.
Day 4 14.15km
MELIDE
to
ARZUA
This is the perfect start as the stroll quickly leaves Melide and heads off to the quiet countryside, along forest track and through a few hamlets. At Boente de Ariba, you will pass by the ancient church of Santiago before continuing through a forest track and reaching Catanada. You will then cross a few streams, and the last stretch to Arzua is an long uphill bit. Once in Arzua, you can then relax in the hotel.
Day 5 17.62km
ARZUA
to
RUA
This shaded section of the Camino will pass through woods, along streams and through sleepy villages. Take your time and visit the chapel of Santa Irena, with its unique statues of Santiago. The rest of the way to Rua-O Pino is on a quiet country road. Rua (310m) is one of the less crowded stopping points before Santiago de Compostela.
Day 6 20.49km
RUA
to
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
You’re nearly there! The next stage will be Lavacolla where pilgrims traditionally washed in the river before reaching Santiago de Compostela. The tall eucalyptus trees line your way to Monte del Gozo (368m), or Mount of Joy. From here, you can see your goal – the Cathedral of Santiago! After a descent to the city (264m, population 80,000) you’ll be able to witness this UNESCO World Heritage Site up-close. Marvel at the architecture and relish the wonderful atmosphere in this cultural and spiritual mecca.
Day 7
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
After breakfast, we bid you farewell. If you wish to stay in the area, we recommend that you: – Take your time and visit the magnificent historic centre – Continue with us along the wild “Camino Fisterra” (Finisterre Way), and stay overnight at the 2* hotel in the light house! – or take a bus to Fisterra. (Bus to fisterra: 9am, 10am, bus back in Santiago 16:45 & 19:00. takes 3hours) – Visit the unspoilt sandy coves and beaches of the west coast. With very few tourists, you are guaranteed a very special experience.
How to Get There
Getting to Lugo, Spain
It is best to fly to Santiago de Compostela.
Fly into Santiago de Compostela
Ryanair and Iberia/BA fly direct to Santiago de Compostela from the UK. Ryanair flies from Stansted, Nottingham East Midlands and Liverpool and Aer Lingus operates from Dublin. Many of the flights that arrive at the airport are from internal Spanish destinations. Iberia offers the best selection of flights and you can fly to and from Santiago De Compostela from: Frankfurt, Paris and Rome and Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia.
From Santiago airport to Lugo there are several buses every day.
Getting home from Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Fly from Santiago de Compostela
Shuttle buses from Santiago city centre to the airport (20mins).
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