CAMINO FROM SARRIA ITINERARY
DAY 1 – SARRIA
Today you will make your way to the market town of Sarria, in Galicia, 111kms away from Santiago de Compostela. Sarria is the most popular starting point for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago because you will be able to get your Compostela certificate having walked the last 100kms into Santiago.
Don’t forget to stamp your pilgrim passport twice each day in order to request the pilgrim certificate.
You can take the bus from Santiago de Compostela airport to Lugo city and take a bus on to Sarria. Talk to our travel experts if you’d like to organise a private pick up.
DAY 2 – WALKING FROM SARRIA TO PORTOMARIN – 22KMS
Your first day walking the Camino from Sarria is quite easy. As you head out of Sarria you will pass the Magdalena Convent and cross the medieval bridge of Ponte Aspera, heading into the countryside.
The Camino trail takes in oak woods and quiet country roads dotted with tiny hamlets and lovely Romanesque churches such as the St James Church in Barbadelo. To reach Portomarin, you will be crossing the bridge over the River Mino.
DAY 3 – WALKING FROM PORTOMARIN TO PALAS DE REI – 24KMS
Today’s stretch on the Camino Frances from Portomarin is a little hillier than the day before, particularly as you head out of the town, gradually climbing up from the river valley and up to the Serra de Ligonde.
This section takes pilgrims mainly along country roads, passing little villages and Romanesque churches such as Santa Maria in Castromaior. There are plenty of places to stop for a rest. Your stop for the night will be the town of Palas de Rei.
DAY 4 – WALKING FROM PALAS DE REI TO ARZUA – 28KMS
From Palas de Rei to Arzua, you have 28kms to walk, so if you’d prefer to make it a bit shorter, you can opt to stop the night in Melide, breaking the long walk into two shorter days.
Some wonderful forest and country trails await today as you leave Palas de Rei behind. About 3kms from Palas, you will pass the pretty hamlet of San Xiao (or San Xulian) do Camino, one of the prettiest of the route. Spot the iconic Galician granaries (known as ‘horreos’), used to store grain and a constant feature in rural Galicia.
More Romanesque churches, farmland and country lanes make today’s journey. Melide is famous for its ‘octopus’ restaurants so make sure you taste this traditional dish.
Another wonderful hamlet is Ribadiso you will pass today. Pilgrims stop here for refreshments and to get their feet in the River Iso in an idyllic place by a medieval bridge. Arzua is a market town famous for its local ‘tetilla’ cheese; it even hosts a cheese festival each year.
DAY 5 – WALKING FROM ARZUA TO PEDROUZO – 19KMS
From Arzua, the Camino de Santiago trail takes pilgrims again through more woodland and quiet little hamlets in rural Galicia. Don’t forget to stamp your pilgrim passport twice each day, you can do that at churches (stop at the Santa Irene Chapel with the figure of St James), cafes, shops and hotels and guesthouses.
The trail to the pretty hamlet of Rúa and Pedrouzo, your stop for the night, offers pilgrims a good mix of country roads and forest tracks.
DAY 6 – WALKING FROM PEDROUZO TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – 19KMS
Today is your last day walking the Camino de Santiago and the excitement is palpable among all pilgrims. Only 19kms to go. The terrain is quite easy, without major difficulties. From Monte do Gozo you will catch your first glimpse of Santiago Cathedral. Walking down Rúa de San Pedro and getting closer to the Old Town, the atmosphere is of vibrant jubilation.
As you walk down the steps into Praza de Obradoiro this is the culmination of your Camino journey: you have arrived at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Pilgrims congratulate and hug each other; there are smiles and tears of joy. This is a wonderful and emotional moment for pilgrims, a day to remember, enjoy it! Don’t forget to head to the Pilgrims Office to request your Compostela certificate.
DAY 7 – EXPLORE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
After your Camino walk, it is time to discover the wonderful city of Santiago de Compostela. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Old Town can be easily explored on foot, enjoying its vibrant atmosphere.
After a visit to the Cathedral and its treasures, head to the Abastos Market where you will find all the Galician delicacies on display from seafood and fish to cheeses, meats, vegetables and sweet treats.
The market is the city’s second most visited attraction and there are lovely cafes and bars nearby, where you can enjoy a cafe con churros, a glass of wine or sit down for lunch.
Read our blog post: Things to do and see in Santiago de Compostela
DAY 8 – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA AIRPORT
Today it is time to say goodbye to Santiago de Compostela as your Camino adventure comes to an end… for now. Many pilgrims return to the Camino to experience different routes and walk various stages each year. Maybe you will be one of them!
The Camino from Sarria self guided tour is completely flexible and can be tailored to suit your preferences, for instance including additional nights and rest days, talk to our travel experts.
