Sarria to Santiago

Stage 8 of 8

113.5km

7 days

Comfort

Popular time

may

Starting from

554

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible

Most popular section of the Camino, hilly with many shaded sections. Guaranteed to meet people.

Overall

Distance:

17.9 min | 22.7km average | 29.1 max

Ascent:

355 min |504.7m average | 604.5 max

Cardio:

3   3.4   4

Follow the Camino Preview Map Trip 287

For those who are short on time, but still want to experience the beauty of completing the Camino, you can walk from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela through the beautiful hilly landscapes of Galicia in just 5 days. You will still receive your certificate of completion, or Compostela, upon arrival at Santiago Cathedral. Take an extra day or 2 to experience the magical city sights at the end.

The final stage of the famous Camino Frances (or French Way) is the most popular Camino package.

Portomarin stairs

Portomarin

The Galician town of Portomarín is a delightful mediaeval village situated on the river Mino from Sarria to Santiago. Portomarin is famous for its 400m-high Romanesque staircase that leads you to the town. An interesting fact about this town is that before the dam was created in the 1960s Portomarin used to be lower down in the valley. When they created the dam they moved the town, which was no small feat as they had to painstakingly take down and rebuild the Church of St John. This structure was built by the workshop of Master Mateo who is responsible for the Portico de Gloria in the Cathedral in Santiago.

Ruins of Celtic-settlement Castro de Castromaior antic Celtic and Romanic ruins in Galicia

Celtic Ruins at Castromaior

If you review the Sarria to Santiago mapped route, around 1km passed the town of Castromaior on the way to Melide you will find the 2,000 year-old Celtic ruins of Castro de Castromaior. The recent excavations on this settlement have found proof of occupation from around 4 BC to when the Romans arrived. Watch out for this detour as it is a great spot to get a photo, and standing up on the embankment provides a splendid view of the Galician countryside on the Camino.

Santiago de compostela

Santiago de Compostela

Just before arriving into Santiago you will pass the Mount of Joy. Here, take the time to get a stamp at the small church but also visit the Pilgrim Statues pointing at the city. It is here that you will get your first glimpse of the Cathedral (the reputed burial place of St James and the many Spanish kings, including Alfonso IX) in the distance. There are few feelings like the one of arriving to Praza do Obradoiro in front of the cathedral after your long pilgrimage. Once in the city, you can explore the bustling mediaeval streets, filled with market stalls, restaurants, bars and buskers, as well as the many interesting museums and Alameda Park for a relaxing stroll.

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SARRIA

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Starting from € 554
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Services

Included in this package

Bed & Breakfast

Specially Hand-Picked Accommodation

Our Holiday or Pilgrim Pack

24/7 On-Call Support

Virtual Face-to-Face Pre-Departure Briefing

Add-On

Premium Accommodation

Airport Pick-Up

Additional Nights

Dinners

Luggage Transfers from Hotel to Hotel

Day Tours to Local Sites of Interest

Not included: Flights/trains, Insurance, Drinks/Lunch

Itinerary

Day

1

km

SARRIA

Make your way to your hotel in Sarria in time to enjoy your first evening meal, and get a good rest before you begin your Camino. If you are feeling energised before your walk, visit the town’s main religious sites, Convento de la Magdalena and Iglesia Santa Marina de Sarria.

Day

2

21.9 km

SARRIA PORTOMARIN

Expect a peaceful walk in shady oak woods and pretty villages on quiet country roads. The village of Barbadelo (at an elevation of 580m) has a beautiful Romanesque church that is worth a visit. The next significant village is Ferreiros. When you arrive in Portomarin (an elevation of 550m) you can relax on one of the numerous terraces of the town’s main plaza.

Day

3

24.3 km

PORTOMARIN PALAS DE REI

From the village, the Camino crosses the river Minho and climbs uphill. On your way, you’ll be crossing Gonzar and passing the Romanesque Church of Santa María, Castromaior. The calm of the Galician Cemetery in Ligonde on a sunny day is a rest in itself. In Eirexe, the Romanesque portal of the church is a beauty, featuring a sculpture of Daniel, as well as a statue of Santiago de Peregrino. You will then arrive in Palas de Rei (at an elevation of 565m).

Day

4

29.1 km

PALAS DE REI ARZUA

Today, the Camino continues slightly downhill, passing the village of Casanova and the charming village of Leboreiro. At Melide (an elevation of 454m), stop in one of the many restaurants to try some local specialities. Later today, the Camino will follow a forest track and cross several streams bringing you to the village of Boente. Then, you’ll encounter the mediaeval village of Ribadiso, and finally Arzua (at an elevation of 389m). This small town has two churches that you can visit, Santa María and La Magdalena.

Day

5

17.9 km

ARZUA 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 (at an elevation of 310m) is one of the less crowded stopping points before Santiago de Compostela.

Day

6

20.3 km

RUA 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. Tall eucalyptus trees line your way to Monte del Gozo, or Mount of Joy. From here, you can see your goal – the Cathedral of Santiago! After a descent to the city 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, and contemplate all you’ve experienced on your amazing journey.

Day

7

km

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 of Santiago.
– Continue with us along the wild Camino Fisterra (Finisterre Way), and stay overnight at the hotel in the lighthouse!
– Or take a bus to Fisterra to visit the unspoilt sandy coves and beaches of the west coast. With very few tourists, you are guaranteed a very special experience. Buses depart from Santiago Bus Station at 9am and 10am. Buses return to Santiago at 4:45pm and 7pm. The journey takes 3 hours.

How to Get There

Getting to Sarria, Spain

It is best to fly to Santiago de Compostela. You will need to travel from Santiago to Sarria yourself, or we can arrange a private transfer.

Fly into Santiago de Compostela

Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Iberia/BA fly direct to Santiago de Compostela from the UK and Ireland. Ryanair flies from Stansted, BA operates from Gatwick and Aer Lingus operates from Dublin. Santiago de Compostela can also be reached by a number of locations around Spain and Portugal, as well as major European cities. Iberia offers the best selection of flights and you can fly to and from Santiago De Compostela returning to Frankfurt, Paris, and Rome, Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia. You must take two buses to reach Sarria from Santiago. From Santiago Airport, you get a bus to Lugo. This journey takes between 1 hour and 10 minutes, and 1 hour and 40 minutes. From Lugo, you take a bus to Sarria. There are many buses that run each day, and it’s a 30 minute drive.

    Getting home from Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    Fly from Santiago de Compostela

    Shuttle buses from Santiago city centre to the airport depart every 20 minutes.

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      Walk the Camino to experience what is set to be the biggest Camino experience of the
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      Most popular section of the Camino, hilly with many shaded sections. Guaranteed to meet people.
      January Off season
      February Off season
      March Off season
      April Good time
      July Good time
      August Good time
      October Good time
      November Off season
      December Off season