Relaxed Camino Final Stage - Sarria to Santiago
- Experience a more relaxed version of the final stage of the Camino Frances
- Celebrate your achievement and attend a pilgrim’s mass in Santiago de Compostela
- Enjoy plenty of time for visits to churches, lunches with fellow pilgrims, and photo stops
- Appreciate pleasant hiking through the rolling green countryside of Galicia
- Receive your ‘Compostela’ certificate from the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Sarria and overnightYou can take a bus or we can arrange a private transfer from Santiago to Sarria. For more information see the "Trip Info" tab of this tour. Sarria is the last place from which you can start your Camino walk and still collect your Compostela (or certificate of completion) in Santiago. Pick up your pilgrim's passport, a scallop shell and enjoy an evening in one of Sarria’s restaurants, eating the local speciality, pulpo (octopus), while sipping on some delightful Albariño.
Hotel Roma is located in a peaceful location, just next to the railway station and close to the Camino Frances. The accommodation has 18 rooms, all of them with telephone, heating, private bathroom and TV. Furthermore, the hotel has a guests´ living room, parking area, terrace, bar and a restaurant which offers best of Galician gastronomy.
NH Alfonso IX Hotel is located in the heart of Camino de Santiago within the urban part of the town, in incomparable natural beauty, surrounded by gardens and bordering the river, it is very close to the monumental zone and the Roman route. You can also enjoy the famous street of the Anticuarios, (Antique dealers).
Located in Sarria, the Hotel Mar de Plata is much more than just a place to rest; it is the living testimony of a family history that has been cultivating Galician tradition since the 1970s.
Leaving Sarria you pass Sarria Castle, with its one remaining tower, the rest destroyed in the peasants’ uprising against the aristocracy in the 15th Century. You will be walking along shady tree-lined roads and pathways this morning, passing through pretty small hamlets such as Cortinas and A Brea, before reaching the stone marker; a photo opportunity before taking the first step on the final 100km to Santiago.
Ascend: 373m/ Descend: 139m
A charming family run guesthouse with its own restaurant serving traditional Galician specialities.
The property is located on the Way of St. James and offers you a beautiful terrace and garden where you can relax in the evening.
Leaving Morgade, the Camino ascends to a high point at Pena dos Corvos; at 660m you will enjoy panoramic views, before descending into the lush Rio Mino valley, to Mercadoiro and then Portomarin. Enjoy the Galician ambience as you stroll up the cobbled main street and end your day by relaxing in one of the cafés surrounding the square.
Ascend: 77m/ Descend: 333m
Located in a beautiful spot, this rural house offers a relaxing spot to stay. The house runs entirely on renewable energy. They cultivate a small vegetable garden that supplies their own restaurant. They have vines and a small wild fruit orchard which are used to make wine and homemade liqueurs.
Opened in 2018, this accommodation with Spa is situated before reaching the portical buildings and 2-minute walk to the church and next to the communal gardens. Every room is equipped with air-conditioning, Wifi, TV and private bathroom with shower and free toiletries. It also has a cafeteria where the breakfast buffet is served. There are also outdoors common areas.
Located right on the Camino de Santiago, the property is on the outskirts of Portomarin with impressive views of the hotel's natural surroundings. The Miño River is just a few meters from the hotel.
Cross the Minho river then follow the Camino route as it climbs steadily upwards, then pass through the settlement of Gonzar and Castromaior, where you’ll find the tiny Romanesque Church of Santa Maria.
Ascend: 364m/ Descend: 49m
The traditional Galician country house, Casona de Ventas, features cozy accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi, free private parking, and a terrace with access to the lovely garden. All units offer air conditioning and feature flat-screen TVs, and private bathrooms with showers, hair dryers, bed linens, and towels.
Situated directly along the Camino de Santiago and right next to the Albergue O Cruceiro-Bar Plaza in Portomarin, the property is only 29km from Lugo Cathedral, 29km from the Roman Walls of Lugo, 30km from the Congress and Exhibition Center, and 70km from the nearest airport, Santiago de Compostela Airport.
Albergue O Cruceiro is a private hostal on the French Way of Saint James in Ventas de Naron and has its own bar and restaurant serving traditional cuisine. The property also offers a terrace with a garden to relax after a long day of hiking.
Leave Ventas de Naron and climb to the Sierra Ligonde with lovely views, and pass the 4th century Romanesque Church of Castromaior, before descending to Palas de Rei.
Ascend: 134m/ Descend: 285m
Pension As Hortas is located in the heart of Palas de Rei, only a stone's throw away from a variety of cafes, restaurants and shops, as well as some useful amenities you may need on your trip. It is also located nearby the San Tirso church, which is worth visiting while staying here.
Located at the foot of the Camino de Santiago, the Hotel Mica offers its guests a comfortable and pleasant stay. The family-run accommodation ensures that you can enjoy your free time, just a step away from the city's best gastronomy, leisure and culture.
Casa Benilde is a local and welcoming hotel in Palas de Rei. Often spoken of as the friendliest accommodation on the route, you will be sure of a delightful stay here.
Depart Palas de Rei and make your way to Melide which is famous for pulpo galega galicias—a delicious octopus dish.
Today’s walk crosses shallow river valleys and pathways through woodland. San Xulian do Camino is a classical Camino village with its tiny 12th Century church dedicated to Saint Julian. Cross the provincial border to the hamlet of O Coto, before traversing a medieval bridge edged by woodland to the quintessential Camino village of Leboreiro.
The day ends by travelling through the little village of Furelos where you will pass over a medieval bridge (thought to be one of the best pieces of civil architecture on the Camino Frances) before entering your resting place for the night, Melide.
Ascend: 254m/ Descend: 357m
Pension Esquina is located in the center of Melide. The hotel offers comfortable and cozy rooms, that all offer ammenities such as a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen, towels and a wardrobe. Some rooms offer a balcony that offer a view of the city and a buffet, continental or vegetarian breakfast is offered every morning.
Hotel Lux Melide is located in Melide and offers comfortable rooms and a terrace as well as a 24-hour reception.
This two-star guesthouse has been recently opened, offering 12 rooms with private bathrooms and fully equipped with TV, WIFI and air conditioning (hot and cold).
Leaving Melide behind today’s walk takes you to the “cheese town” of Arzúa.
Most of today’s walk is on a mix of soil and stone paths interspersed with small roads leading from village to village. The majority of walking is gentle ascents and descents with the exception of the steep incline into Arzua from Ribadiso.
Notice as the shaded forests of oak and chestnut give way to eucalyptus and pine. Relax on the river banks at Ribadiso, before ascending to Arzúa.
Ascend: 283m/ Descend: 359m
Its privileged location on the Camino de Santiago and in the heart of the city of Arzúa allows guests to reach the main services and attractions of the city and its surroundings in a very short time.
All rooms are decorated differently to offer customers the greatest sense of comfort. All rooms are equipped with plasma TV, heating, wooden floors, toiletries, towels, hairdryer and WIFI.
This accommodation is located in the heart of Arzúa, with 29 bedrooms. They all have TV, heating, private bathroom but not air conditioning. There is an elevator, a guests´ lounge and a small cafeteria. On the ground floor you´ll find the restaurant which serves traditional Galician cuisine.
Leave the old quarter of Arzúa as the Camino leads past oak tree forests, that give way to lush meadows. Visit the medieval shrine at Santa Irene, dedicated to a martyr saint from Portugal, and the Baroque fountain of healing waters.
Ascend: 179m/ Descend: 220m
Flanked by farms, this casual hostel is a 12-minute walk from a bus stop, 8 km from Mi Picon viewpoint and 9 km from the Ulla River Interpretation Center.
Straightforward rooms with stone accent walls have TVs and private bathrooms. A mixed-gender dorm offers bunk beds, linens and a shared bathroom.
Breakfast is served in an informal restaurant that has patio seating. There's a hot tub with sunloungers, plus a garden with a reflection pool, a fountain and sitting areas. Parking, lockers and guest laundry facilities (fee) are also available.
Leave Salceda along a woodland path, continue through the woods around Alto de Santa Irene until you reach the traditional hamlet of A Rua.
Ascend: 111m/ Descend: 187m
Located only 10 minutes away from the historic city of Santiago de Compostela, Pension Residencial Platas is a comfortable spot on your journey on the Camino de Santiago. Pension Platas is next door to two cafes, and Pub Che Copas nearby offers an opportunity for drinking and dancing.
The rural and rustic hotel provides 15 comfortable, well-tended and handsome decorated rooms each with its own indoor furnishing and special ambience. The Hotel offers its pilgrims a pleasant nights stay before the final section of their walk to Santiago de Compostela.
This property offers comfortable cottages with 3 double bedrooms and 1 single, all with private bathroom and TV, living room with gallery. There are also 3 tourist apartments for 2-4 persons, each consisting of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room with fireplace and terrace. Dining is available. It has swimming pool and garden to relax into the summer.
Embark on your penultimate day of the Camino. Stay in Lavacolla, where it was traditional for pilgrims to wash in the river before reaching Santiago.
Ascend: 222m/ Descend: 208m
This accommodation is the closest hotel to Lavacolla Airport in Santiago de Compostela. In addition to comfortable rooms, it also has its own restaurant with traditional cuisine.
Walk into Santiago, tall eucalyptus trees sway in the wind as you make your way to the ‘Mount of Joy’ of Monte del Gozo (368 m). From here, catch sight of your goal - the impressive spires of Santiago de Compostela’s cathedral. The final kilometres of your walk take you through the beautiful streets of Santiago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ascend: 98m/ Descend: 133m
The Lux Santiago Hotel is located in the centre of the Galician capital. It has an exceptional location that allows you to explore the city in depth. The hotel is just 800 metres from the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
In the heart of Santiago de Compostela, this hotel combines modernity with tradition, offering a cozy and comfortable stay. located next to La Alameda Gardens, hotel rooms are equipped with every comfort, the hotel also offers a 24-hour coffee shop.
The hotel is located in the centre of Santiago, between the train station and the old town. It is a modern accommodation with comfortable rooms.
After breakfast your walking holiday will come to an end. See the Travel Info section for some useful details for your onward travel.
Other Information
Is it for me?This itinerary is thoughtfully designed for those who wish to have shorter hiking days to allow plenty of time to sightsee, enjoy longer lunches with fellow pilgrims, and relax in the evenings. While having leisurely hiking days, you will still qualify for the ‘Compostela’ certificate on arrival in Santiago de Compostela. Expect hiking distances of under 10 miles per day, with an average of under 7 miles per day.
Pilgrimages | For those looking to follow a path of self-discovery. Our Pilgrimage and Camino routes take you on a journey through diverse landscapes and local flavours, while meeting like-minded adventurers along the way.
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This itinerary is graded easy/moderate and includes daily hikes of 4-10 miles with gentle ascents and descents of up to 1200ft. You will hike on a mixture of dirt trails, minor roads, and established footpaths. Although the terrain and navigation are fairly easy, we have graded this tour easy/moderate due to the fact that you will be hiking for 10 days in a row.
This section of the Camino leads mostly along wide, relatively easy-to-walk paths. The unpaved sections and the daily distances of between 7 and 15 kilometres require a basic level of fitness. The longer you are on the road, the fitter you will become. Along the way there are only a few ascents waiting for you and you will find enough villages where you have the chance to take a break and relax.
Our Camino Tours include small rural hotels and hostels close to the route of the Camino. You will always have a private room and en-suite (attached) bathroom. When staying in Sarria and Santiago, you will stay in 3* hotels, the other nights will be in a mixture of rural hotels and hostels.
Alternate Accommodation
During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations that are not listed in the main daily description. If those listed are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.
Single Rooms
Single rooms are available, although a supplement is payable. The price for a single room is available on the included tab of this tour and in the booking engine.
Meals
A light continental breakfast is included each morning, which can sometimes just be coffee, bread and orange juice. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Every place you stop will have evening meals available, you can get a pilgrims menu for about 10 Euros which includes 3 courses, wine and water!
Extra Nights
We can add extra nights if you wish, allowing you to have rest days in between the longer walking days.
The Camino is very easy to follow. The route is marked with yellow painted arrows and a yellow shell on a blue background. The detailed travel pack we supply includes a detailed guidebook including maps, a detailed information pack for planning and preparing for your Camino, detailed instructions of how to find your overnight accommodation and everything you need for your Camino.
In addition to the printed route notes, you will receive in your travel pack, you will also have access to our Macs Adventure App, allowing you to follow the route on richly detailed mapping on your cell.
- 11 Nights accommodation in small rural hotels and hostels, twin/double rooms with en-suite W/C
- Daily breakfast
- Baggage Transfers
- All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
- Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK & US offices
- Travel to Sarria / from Santiago
- Travel insurance (required)
- Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal equipment
- Additional nights’ accommodation
The spring months of April and May tend to offer nice mild conditions for walking although the nights can be quite cold at this time of year and there can be quite a lot of rain in the region of Galicia at this time. The summer months of July and August can get very hot and humid. The autumn from late September through to October offers cooler temperatures again although daylight hours start to become less at this time. The region of Galicia in particular experiences higher rainfall than the rest of Spain so you should come prepared with waterproofs!
By Air:
Santiago de Compostela is the closest airport to Sarria. From the UK Ryanair fly direct to Santiago from Stansted and Easyjet fly direct from Gatwick. From outside the UK, you can fly to Santiago via Paris with Vueling or from Madrid with Ryanair
Private Transfers:
We are able to arrange taxi transfers for you in Spain (bookable in advance at a supplement) from Santiago, Vigo and A Coruna Airports. Please get in touch to enquire about how we can help with transfer arrangements in Spain.
By rail from Madrid city centre to Sarria
If you are flying into Madrid, you can take the train directly to Sarria. It takes around 4-5 hours on a fast train. You can check this on theRENFE website, but please note that on the website you have to book the train to Lugo (and get off at the stop before which is Sarria). German Rail (Deutsche Bahn) has a useful website for looking up train travel throughout Europe. To reach Madrid city centre from the airport you can take a train, a bus or the underground (see Madrid Airport's website)
From Santiago Airport to Sarria by bus and train
From Santiago city centre, catch the bus to Monforte de Lemos – timetables are available at http://www.alsa.es/. Then from Montforte de Lemos it is a very short train journey to Sarria by train – timetables are available at RENFE (Sarria is small so you will find your accommodation easily).
You can also travel from Santiago Airport to Sarria by road; you will need to change buses in Lugo. The Santiago-Lugo route runs between the airport and the city of Lugo with stops in the towns of Arca, Ferreiros, Arzúa, Mélida, Palas de Rei and Guntín. From the airport, departures are at 07:10, 09:25 (except Saturday and Sunday), 11:10, 12:55 (except Sunday), 16:10, 18:40 and 20:10 h (except Saturday). Please check for the most recent information on the Santiago Airport website and/or the Monbus website.
From Santiago City to the Airport
From Santiago you can arrange a private transfer through Macs Adventure, to ensure a smooth end to your Camino. Alternatively, a bus runs between the airport and Plaza de Galicia in Santiago, stopping at different points in the city (Pazo de Congresos, Capilla San Lázaro, the bus station, the railway station, Rúa da Rosa, and others). From the airport, the bus departs from 00:00 to 23:30, every half hour (duration 20 mins). Please see the Santiago Airport website for current timetables.
From Santiago to Madrid by train
If you would prefer to travel by rail, you can take a train (fast trains are available, 4h duration approx.) from Santiago to Madrid with RENFE.
By Bus within Spain
There are good bus connections from Santiago to other cities within Spain – see http://www.alsa.es for bus schedules.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
Baggage transfers are included (max 20kg / 44lbs per person). Your main bag will be transferred each day between your overnight accommodation so that you only need to walk with a day pack.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Pilgrim Passport
The Pilgrim Passport is issued by the Church of St James, you will find this in your pack waiting for you at your first hotel. Alternatively, you can obtain one at the start of your walk in the Pilgrims’ Office or the local church in town. You need to get the passport stamped in churches, restaurants and hotels along the way. At the end of the walk, in Santiago, you can obtain your Compostela Certificate (only if you have walked the last 100km).
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard hiking gear such as good hiking boots or shoes, lightweight clothes, waterproofs and a day pack.
Please refer to the sections "Grade & Terrain" and "Experience & Fitness" under "Trip Info".
We suggest you book as far in advance as possible as the Camino is extremely popular. Numbers can rise by up to 100,000 people. We will always try and accommodate late booking requests.
Yes of course! There is so much to do and to discover on the Way of St. James that many of our customers plan extra nights, either as rest days or to get to know the region even better.
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, lightweight clothes, waterproofs and a day pack.
Local tourist taxes are payable to some accommodations for overnight stays. Where possible, Macs Adventure cover this as part of your tour cost. However, we're not always able to pay this in advance, and in some places, this must be paid on the spot (often in cash only). If you need to pay any taxes, then your accommodation will make you aware of this and you should check with them at check-in. The amount varies from hotel to hotel, and from town to town, but is usually around 1-3 Euro per person per night.
Should you ever need us, we’re available 24/7. But we think one of the best reasons to enjoy a self-guided holiday is that you’re free to take in the world on your own terms, in your own time and with only the people you want. So while we’re always here when you need us, we’re never there when you don’t.
For receiving the certificate "Compostela" at the end of your trip you must have walked at least the last 100km of the Camino. During this days of walking you should collect at least two stamps per day in your pilgrimage passport, which you will receive in the first accomodation you are staying. When you reach Santiago de Compostela make sure you go to the pilgrimage office to collect your certificate. The location of the pilgrimage office you can find in the app.
Yes, many of our guests travel solo. Although the nature of the Camino means that they soon join up with other pilgrims. There is a single room supplement payable for solo walkers.
Yes, some people prefer to walk carrying their own bags as a true pilgrim would have. You can select the option for removing the baggage transfers in Step 2 of the Booking Engine.
No, we do not offer group trips as independent self-guided trips are a much better way to experience the Camino.
Yes, although we find our standard itineraries are perfect for most walkers, we can add additional nights at any point of the Camino and tailor-make the trip to meet your needs.
A mixture of farm/dirt tracks, minor roads and footpaths. The route is well marked with yellow arrows and is easy to follow.
Public transport and taxis are available if you are need of support contact us and we will be more that happy to help.
Unfortunately we are unable to change your accommodation bookings and itinerary once you start walking as alternative accommodation is generally not available at such short notice.
We strongly suggest that you have travel insurance which covers you for cancellation, curtailment, illness or injury before and during your trip.
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