length

9 Days

difficulty

Moderate

trip cost

from $1550 pp

Icons / stylised / time Created with Sketch.

length

9 Days

Icons / stylised / difficulty Created with Sketch.

difficulty

Moderate

Icons / stylised /cost Created with Sketch.

trip cost

from $1550 pp

Nature Immersion

Cultural Interest

Self-Guided Trip

our walk expert

  • Overview
  • Highlights
  • Itinerary
  • Map
  • Inclusions
  • Destination Guide
  • FAQs
  • Similar walks

Overview

Sarria to Santiago: 9 day

Walk a section of the world famous Camino De Santiago walking trail or ‘The Way’. Start in Sarria and walk through the hills of Galicia to finish at the Pilgrim’s goal of Santiago De Compostela. Follow in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims and over 1,000 years of history on the world’s greatest historical trail. Following scenic country roads and forest tracks crossing old villages and cities born from the Camino trail, it is difficult to imagine a better way to enjoy Spain’s rich legacy of history, culture, food and art than to follow your own Camino. Join people from all walks and life and nationalities as they embark on this great adventure, you don’t have to be religious just a keen walker!

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The Camino Stage 5. Sarria to Santiago: 9 day

Highlights

Get Ready For

  • Walk the final 100km of the Camino Trail
  • Qualify for your Compostela
  • Finish in this historic city of Santiago
  • Visit the final end point of your walk at the Cathedral
  • The self-guided trip allows you to set your own pace while
  • We look after your accommodation and luggage transfers
  • Dedicated local support person in Spain for reassurance

Itinerary

Daily details

Day 1: Arrive Sarria

Welcome to Sarria, the starting point for your exciting journey! If you arrive in the morning on this first day you can spend exploring the city of Sarria and all it has to offer. Sarria is a busy, modern town with plenty of shops, hotels, restaurants and bars, but its origins are Celtic and it was an important and major medieval centre for pilgrims. Remnants of its ancient past can still be seen in the old quarter along Rua Major. The church of Igrexia de Santa Maria has an ancient pilgrim’s mural. If you follow the Camino route to the top end of town you will see the ancient convent Monasterio da Madalena, the ruins of the castle and the medieval bridge Ponte Aspera that crosses the River Celerio. Nowadays the town is bustling with peregrinos, from those who started their Camino hundreds of kilometres back, to pilgrims like you who walk the final 100km to Santiago de Compostela to qualify for their Compostela.

Day 2: SARRIA TO PORTOMARIN (22KM)

Time to finally get onto the Camino Trail and on your way to Santiago. The majority of your first walk is a great introduction as it is along sheltered woodland pathways or quiet country roads and passes through many hamlets and small villages. The scenery along the way is wonderfully green and lush and very rural. The trail climbs and falls repeatedly as it passes tiny hamlets full of history.

The high point of the day (660m) at Pina dos Corvos has wonderful views over the reservoir and surrounding countryside. From here begin your steep descent, crossing the Mino Reservoir over its modern bridge into Portomarin. Portomarin has been inhabited for thousands of years and its importance grew with the popularity of the Camino in the middle ages. At one time it had three orders of Knights: the Knights Templar, the Knights of St John and the Knights of Jerusalem, which may go some way to explaining the castle like edifice of the 12th century Romanesque Igelsia San Nicolas church which still stands in the square at the centre of town. The town was previously divided by the Rio Mino but was flooded in 1960 to create the Mino Reservoir. Every historic monument was moved brick by brick to the town that stands on the hill today; you can see pictures of the old town in some of the bars and cafes that line the main street.

Meals: B

Day 3: PORTOMARIN TO PALAS DE REI (25KM)

Today’s walk is uphill for pretty much all the way, however the gradient is never too steep. The path crosses and runs parallel to the main road to Gonzar, though you spend most of your days walking on woodland tracks and quiet roads

A climb takes you to Sierra Ligonde, today’s high point at 720m. The walk is then downhill to Ligonde and Eirexe and onto A Calzada. There is a detour here of 2km to the National Monument, Vilar de Donas where the Knights of Santiago are buried and is worthy of a visit if you have time. A gentle climb now takes you through several small hamlets to Alto Rosario, a good vantage point on a clear day and then down into Palas de Rei.

Palas de Rei or Palace of the King has little to remind you that it was once home to a king. Today it is a small country town with plenty of services available.

Meals: B

Day 4: PALAS DE REI TO MELIDE (15KM)

Today’s walk is mostly on paths through quiet woodland, crossing over the main road to Arzua several times and guiding you through six river valleys to reach a high point of 515m at Coto.

On route you will pass Melide, a busy town founded in the 13th century and has many historic buildings and churches including the Capilla de San Pedro and San Roque next to which stands a 14th century stone cross said to be the oldest in Galicia. The museum and the buildings around the Plaza de Convento are well worth a visit. Melide is also famous for Pulpo Gallego, octopus cooked Galician style and reputed to be the best in Spain.

Meals: B

DAY 5: MELIDE TO ARZUA (14KM)

From Melide the path winds through woodlands of oak, pine and eucalypt, passing over several valleys though Boente, Castañeda and then Ribadiso from where you can see the Hospital San Anton, one of the oldest pilgrim hospitals in existence. From Ribadiso follow the country road on a steep uphill climb and through the outer suburbs before entering Arzua.

Arzua with a population of around 7000 is the last large town before you reach Santiago. The 14th century Capilla de la Magdelena is the town’s main monument. Arzua is most famous for its local cheese, Queixo, a smooth creamy cheese made from cow’s milk which most restaurants feature in some way and is definitely worth trying. The town also celebrates its cheese with a Queixo Cheese festival every March.

Meals: B

DAY 6: ARZUA TO O PEDROUZO (21KM)

The majority of today’s walk to O Pedrouzo is through wonderful pine and eucalyptus scented woodland. The path is mostly level, passing through three shallow river valleys with a gradual climb up to Alto de Santa Irene at 404m. The country lanes and woodland paths pass through many small hamlets. The final section climbs steeply to a main road, into eucalyptus woodland and onto A Rua and the village to O Pedrouzo. O Pedrouzo /Arco do Pino is a small but busy town with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars and the staging point for the last section of the Camino before entering Santiago de Compostela.

Meals: B

DAY 7: O’PEDROUZO TO SANTIAGO (20KM)

Today’s route will be a busy as pilgrims begin the last stage of their walk into Santiago. The pilgrims mass at Santiago Cathedral begins at midday so you will need to leave early to arrive on time. The first section of today’s route passes through eucalypt forests with most of the route on quiet roads and pathways before the final kilometres and a climb to Mount Gozo before descending into the suburbs of Santiago. The path runs alongside the airport and you will see many crosses of twigs and branches used by pilgrims to decorate the fence.

Lavacolla village is where pilgrims traditionally washed to purify themselves before entering Santiago and Lavacolla literally means to wash your tail. At Monte Gozo, Mount of Joy, you will first sight the stunning Catedral de Santiago spires.

The final section is well signposted into the old quarter with its wonderful historical buildings and narrow shop filled alleyways, until you finally reach the Praza Obradoiro and the wonderful ancient Cathedral.

Meals: B

DAY 8: FREE DAY IN SANTIAGO

Today you have the whole day to enjoy and explore historic Santiago with its many enticing tapas bars and restaurants. You can attend the midday pilgrims mass and look around the famous Cathedral of St James which forms the city’s heart and watch the steady stream of pilgrims arriving into the square as they finish their epic journey.

Meals: B

DAY 9: DEPART SANTIAGO

You are free to check out of your hotel any time before 10am. If you would like to explore Santiago further you are able to leave your bags with reception.

Meals: B

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Map

Explore

Sarria

Sarria is a busy, modern town with plenty of shops, hotels, restaurants and bars. It is bustling with pilgrims – those who began their Camino hundreds of kilometres back as well as the large number that walk the final 100km to Santiago de Compostela to qualify for their Compostela.

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Portomarín

The lovely small village of Portomarín on the Rio Miño has a remarkable history and significant sites, including the castle-like 12th-century Romanesque Church of San Nicolás in the centre of town. It is an unusual combination of a church and a fortress. This twofold purpose originated with the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, who built it to provide protection for pilgrims and traders.

Palas de Rei

The small and pretty town of Palas de Rei was a favourite place of residence of the Galician nobility. The name comes from Pallatium regis (royal palace). The Castle of Pambre is one of the greatest examples of medieval military architecture to in Galicia. The importance of the Jacobean pilgrimage in this village goes back to time immemorial.

Melide

Melide is a busy town founded in the 13th century. It has many historic buildings and churches including the Capilla de San Pedro and San Roque next to which stands a 14th century stone cross said to be the oldest in Galicia. The museum and the buildings around the Plaza de Convento are well worth a visit. Melide is famous for Pulpo Gallego, octopus cooked Galician style and reputed to be the best in Spain.

Arzúa

This is the last large town before you reach Santiago. It has plenty of restaurants bars and cafes and a few ATMs. The 14th century Capilla de la Magdelena is the town’s main monument. Arzúa is most famous for its local cheese, Queixo, a smooth creamy cheese made from cow’s milk which most restaurants feature in some way and is definitely worth trying.

O Pedrouzo

The charming village of O Pedrouzo has plenty of shops, restaurants and bars. For many pilgrims, it is the last stage of the Camino before finishing their journey in Santiago de Compostela. Its main attractions include the Roman bridge over the Rio Mera, the parish Church of Santa Eulalia de Arca, and the baroque church of Lardeiros, which stands out for its size and beauty.

Santiago de Compostela

The wonderful and historic city of Santiago is the end of the Camino journey for most pilgrims. Praza do Obradoiro and the wonderful ancient Cathedral form the city’s heart. Attend the midday pilgrims mass and watch the steady stream of pilgrims arriving into the square as they finish their epic journey. There are many enticing tapas bars and restaurants in which to celebrate your journey.

Inclusions

What's included?

Included
  • 8 nights excellent accommodation including historic hotels and character country houses
  • Private en suite rooms on a twin share basis
  • Daily breakfast
  • Luggage transfer each day from hotel to hotel (1 x 20kg bag per person)
  • RAW Travel navigation APP with maps of your hotel locations and emergency contact numbers
  • Local and Australian emergency contact numbers
  • Pre-trip Camino guidance and planning
  • Dedicated local support person in Spain for reassurance
Excluded
  • Single supplement $570
  • Travel insurance
  • Flights to/from Spain
Added Extras

Take a private transfer from Santiago airport to your hotel in Sarria at an additional cost from $320 per vehicle, based on 4 people or less, so that you can start your trip as smoothly as possible.

For an extra indulgence, upgrade your hotel in Santiago to a Parador from $170 per person/per night twin share and $250 per person/per night single occupancy, when booked 6 months in advance (subject to availability).

For any part of your trip that falls between 31 October and 31 March there is an out-of-season luggage transfer surcharge cost of $30 per person per day.

RAW Travel also offers tailormade arrangements and can adapt this itinerary to suit your needs – just ask us about this and we can advise on how to best vary the itinerary to suit your needs. Please note that tailormade arrangements incur higher costs due to the extra work involved.

Camino De Santiago destination guide

Destination Guide

get inspired

Discover inspiration, travel essentials, practical information and more in our free Destination Guide. All you need to know about walking the Camino de Santiago routes through Spain, Portugal and France!

Walking the Camino is an incredible journey that will immerse you not only in Europe’s grand history, food and culture but most importantly the extraordinary camaraderie that exists along these routes. The spirit of the Camino de Santiago is alive and well among people from all over the world. It is a ‘bucket list’ experience you will never forget!

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FAQs

Sarria to Santiago

How many kilometres is it from Sarria to Santiago?

The final stage of the Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago is approximately 115km. With plenty of towns and villages to stop at along the way, you can walk as little as 10km per day or as much as 30km. 

How long does it take to walk from Sarria to Santiago?

You can walk from Sarria to Santiago in 9 days or take it more leisurely over 11 days. We can easily tailor-make a 12 day or 14 day itinerary with shorter daily walking distances and/or more rest days. We also offer a Sarria to Santiago Women’s Parador trip and a Sarria to Santiago group trip, which enables you to travel in a small group while still giving you the freedom of self-guided travel.

How difficult is the walk from Sarria to Santiago?

This section is one of the easiest on the Camino Frances. The walking is considered moderate, and there are gradual inclines as opposed to sharp climbs. The trail is well-maintained and well-marked, making it accessible to many walkers. During the walking season (from March to the end of October) there are frequent places open to stop for a refreshment break, and it is usually possible for walkers to find their own transport to the next town if choosing not to walk for all or part of a day.

Why is the section from Sarria to Santiago so popular?

The walk from Sarria to Santiago ticks the box for the minimum number of kilometres you need to walk to obtain a Compostela (certificate of completion). You’ll make friends with people from all walks of life and countries and of course on this section you get to experience the crowning glory of walking into Santiago de Compostela!

What are the highlights of the walk from Sarria to Santiago?

There is something for everyone along this section: historic sites and churches, beautiful views, local cuisine and the companionship of other pilgrims. It is the perfect walk to get a taste of the Camino and of northern Spain. Read more about the highlights of this walk.

What traditional dishes can travellers enjoy along the way from Sarria to Santiago?

One of the delights of walking the Camino de Santiago is the anticipation and enjoyment of the delicious foods you will sample along the way. Lunch is considered the most important meal of the day and could be a picnic, a pilgrims menu, tapas or a more traditional sit down lunch. Read more about lunch on the Camino. There are a number of specific local delicacies along this stretch of the Camino including ‘Queixo’ (a smooth creamy cheese made from cow’s milk) in Arzua, and ‘Pulpo Gallego’ (Galician style octopus) in Melide. Historic Santiago de Compostela has numerous enticing tapas bars and restaurants.

What is the best time of year to walk the Camino from Sarria to Santiago?

The best time to walk from Sarria to Santiago is the cooler months of spring (March to June) and early autumn (September and October). Although Galicia has a comparatively mild climate, July and August will be hotter and busier as these are the main European holiday months. Accommodation fills up quickly in these peak travel months, so you will need to book well in advance if you want to travel at this time.

Is it advisable to book accommodation in advance along the Sarria to Santiago section?

On RAW Travel trips you don’t need to worry about getting up at first light and competing with other pilgrims for a bed in an albergue (hostel). We take care of all the logistics and will pre-book accommodation with your own private bathrooms in charming casa rurales, historic hotels, and good quality guest houses. When you arrive in Santiago you may like to reward yourself with a memorable stay at the world-famous Parador, subject to availability and with surcharges payable.

Shell, Camino de Santiago
Camino de Santiago
Camino de Santiago
Backpacker man pilgrim looking at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral standing on the Obradeiro square (plaza) - the main square in Santiago de Compostela as a end of his Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. ( Backpacker man pilgrim looking at Santiago de Com
Camino de Santiago
Camino
Camino
Santiago de Compostela

Customer Star Rating of 5   

Customer Testimonials

Brilliant experience! The accommodation was also lovely to settle into each night and we accomplished the goal we set for ourselves.

Victoria Reimann, Redlynch (QLD) – September 2023

Customer Star Rating of 5   

Customer Testimonials

Wonderful experience beyond all my expectations. I enjoyed the physical challenge away from all my everyday pressures knowing I was waking the path that pilgrims had used for over 1000 years!

Susan Carr, Dernancourt (SA) – September 2023

Customer Star Rating of 5   

Customer Testimonials

It was a wonderful experience! Loved challenging myself, seeing some beautiful rural countryside, and meeting other walkers.

Janet Ransley, Woolloongabba (QLD) - September 2023

Customer Star Rating of 5   

Customer Testimonials

Overall, the experience was excellent. Accommodation, baggage transfers and organisation all worked very well. Loved walking with family and friends through scenic countryside. Pazo de Laia, Pazo de Santa Maria and the Parador were truly exceptional, and the other accommodation was also very good.

Andrew Ransley, South Melbourne (VIC) – September 2023

Customer Star Rating of 5   

Customer Testimonials

A well-organised and stress-free experience. Enjoyed not worrying about accommodation and carting a pack.

Pauline Gale, Bentleigh East (VIC) - July 2023

Customer Star Rating of 5   

Customer Testimonials

We thoroughly enjoyed our Camino walk. Thank you for arranging the wonderful accommodation. The meals were truly lovely and reflected the local cuisine.

Chris & Louise Beary, Williams (WA) - June 2023

Customer Star Rating of 5   

Customer Testimonials

Thank you for organising such a stress-free and well planned Camino trip for us. We had a great time, felt so relaxed, safe and well prepared because of everything you provided us with and told us to plan for. The accommodation was fantastic. We couldn’t have wished for more

Jen Tyquin, Gisborne (VIC) - June 2023

Customer Star Rating of 5   

Customer Testimonials

It was the most wonderful experience walking with friends in the beautiful countryside. Slow travel at its best! The authenticity of the hosts and the spectacular locations was brilliant. RAW Travel were excellent –Adrian in particular.

Karen Hawkins, Wongaling Beach (QLD) – May 2023

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TRIP date selection

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Please select your preferred dates for on-demand trips or select a scheduled date for group departures. If you have booked a self-guided trip please understand that because your trip date is on demand and we must check availability of all properties on your chosen dates before it can be fully confirmed

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