Sarria · 6 Days Walking · Santiago de Compostela
Sarria is the last qualifying start point for the Compostela — you must walk at least 100 km. Arrive a day early, explore the medieval streets, collect your Credencial, and rest before the walk of a lifetime.
Fly into Santiago de Compostela (SCQ). Bus to Lugo (45 min), then local bus to Sarria (~30 min). Also from Vigo (VGO) and A Coruña (LCG).
Renfe runs Santiago → Lugo → Sarria daily. Scenic journey ~1h 10m. Book at renfe.com. High-speed AVE to Lugo then connect.
ALSA coaches from Santiago, Lugo, Madrid, and beyond. Lugo–Sarria ~50 min. Buses run frequently all day.
Hotel Mar de Plata ★ 4.5 — Stunning valley views, excellent dinner. Right on the medieval Rúa Maior at the Camino's start.
Collect your Credencial del Peregrino at the pilgrim office. Earn 2+ stamps per day in the final 100 km to qualify for the Compostela.
Correos and Jacotrans collect before 8 am, deliver to next stop for €6–10/bag. Walk light.
Moderate
A glorious first stage winding through oak woods, river valleys, and the hamlets of Barbadelo and Ferreiros. The day climaxes with a dramatic descent to the Río Miño, crossing the elegant bridge before climbing the grand stone staircase into hilltop Portomarín.
Challenging — hilliest stage
The toughest day — the path rollercoasters over wind-turbine ridgelines and through silent chestnut forests. The ascent to Alto do Rosario rewards with sweeping Galician panoramas before dropping into the ancient royal town of Palas de Rei.
Moderate — beautifully scenic
A shorter, enchanting day through a landscape of medieval stone bridges, rushing streams, and misty oak groves. You cross the Ponte Vella over the Río Furelos before the easy walk into Melide — the undisputed pulpo capital of Galicia.
Easy–Moderate
A peaceful walk through quintessential Galician countryside — ancient hórreos on mushroom-shaped pillars, fern-banked streams, and the sweet scent of eucalyptus. Arzúa awaits with its celebrated EU-protected cheese and the finest boutique hotel on the route.
Moderate
You walk deep into fragrant Galician forests — cathedral tunnels of silver eucalyptus and pine where light filters emerald-green. The emotions that have been building for days press against the chest. Tomorrow, Santiago. Tonight, rest well.
Moderate — emotionally overwhelming
Most pilgrims leave before dawn — there's something sacred about walking the final kilometres through forest darkness as the first light seeps in. The city arrives gently: suburbs, old stone streets, Rúa do Franco. And then you step into the Plaza del Obradoiro.
As you step into the Plaza del Obradoiro and the cathedral towers rise before you, something breaks open in your chest. A thousand years of pilgrims have stood exactly where you now stand.
Head to the Pilgrim Office (Rúa das Carretas, 33). Opens 9 am — queue early. Present your stamped Credencial for the official Latin certificate.
Pilgrim Mass daily at noon. On feast days the Botafumeiro — a 53 kg silver incense burner — swings in dramatic arcs across the nave by 8 tiraboleiros.
The Tailor's Garden ★ 4.9 — Magical boutique 5 min from the Cathedral. Stunning garden, legendary cocktail bar, brilliant breakfast.
Order pulpo á feira at A Curtidoría. Pair with a crisp Albariño. Toast with orujo — the Galician spirit that fuelled pilgrim legs for centuries.
Many pilgrims walk 3 more days to Fisterra — the Atlantic "End of the World" — where tradition says to burn your boots and watch the sunset.
Santiago Airport (SCQ) is 12 km away. Bus Line 6A every 30 min (€3). Allow 2+ hours before departure.