8 Days & 7 Nights

4.8

Camino Final Stage - Sarria to Santiago - 8 Days

Walk the last 100km of the Camino de Santiago
The pilgrim's mass at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Collect your Compostela from the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago
Forge lifelong friendships with fellow pilgrims from all over the world
Visit an abundance of churches, chapels, and historic landmarks along the path

Walk the classic final stage of the Camino de Santiago, covering the last 100km over six walking days. This breaks up the longest day (usually 28km) between Palas de Rei and Arzua. By adding an extra night you will have more time and energy to embrace all that the final stage of Camino Frances has to offer. The gentle rolling hills of Galicia, charming villages with pretty churches, outstanding local cuisine, and the friendliness of the locals all combine to create a truly unforgettable experience of rural Spain.

From £630.00

Select Date Enquire Tour Brochure

Gallery

All Photos (10)

Itinerary

Expand all

Day 1 Arrive in Sarria and overnight

You 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.

Overnight Sarria

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Alfonso IX | Hotel

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).

Hotel Roma | Hotel

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.

Hotel Mar de Plata | Hotel

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.

Day 2 Sarria to Portomarín 13.7 miles / 22.1 km

The section from Sarria to Portomarín on the Way of St. James is characterised by its natural beauty and historical richness. Starting in Sarria, the route ascends passing significant monuments such as the hermitage of San Salvador and the monastery of La Magdalena, crossing the river Pequeno over the medieval bridge Ponte Aspera. The route continues through landscapes dominated by oak trees until it reaches Barbadelo, where the church of Santiago stands out. Moving towards Ferreiros, the route passes through several villages and rural areas, marking the 100th kilometre milestone at Morgade. Finally, the descent towards Portomarín offers views of the Belesar reservoir, culminating with the entrance to the historic town over the old medieval bridge. This segment of the Camino fuses nature, history and spirituality, preparing pilgrims for the final stages to Santiago.

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.

Ascent: 397m (1,302ft) / Descent: 462m (1,516ft)

Overnight Portomarin

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Vistalegre | Hotel

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.

Hotel Ferramenteiro | Hotel

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.

Casa Rural Santa Mariña | Bed and breakfast

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.

Day 3 Portomarín to Palas de Rei 15.5 miles / 24.9 km

From Portomarín to Palas de Rei, this segment of the Camino de Santiago combines ascents and descents through Galician landscapes and rural villages. The route begins with a descent from the church of San Nicolás in Portomarín, crossing the reservoir and ascending winding paths to Gonzar and Castromaior, places full of history. The second part takes pilgrims through quieter and flatter areas, passing historic monuments such as the cruceiro de Lameiros, before reaching Palas de Rei, a key point towards Santiago.

Ascent: 498m (1,634ft) / Descent: 321m (1,053ft)

Overnight Palas de Rei

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Mica | Hotel

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 | Hotel

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.

Pension As Hortas | Hotel

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.

Day 4 Palas de Rei to Melide 9.1 miles / 14.6 km

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.

Ascent: 254m (833ft) / Descent: 357m (1,171ft)

Overnight Melide

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Lux Melide | Hotel

Hotel Lux Melide is located in Melide and offers comfortable rooms and a terrace as well as a 24-hour reception.

Pensión Berenguela | Guest House

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).

Urban Pension | Hotel

Located 49km from Santiago de Compostela, this 3 star guest house offers comfortable rooms, private bathrooms and flat screen TV. The nearest airport is Santiago de Compostella located just 44km away from Urban Pension.

Day 5 Melide to Arzúa 8.9 miles / 14.3 km

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.

Ascent: 283m (928ft) / Descent: 359m (1,178ft)

Overnight Arzua

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Pensión Restaurante Casa Teodora | Bed and breakfast

The Casa Teodora Guesthouse has twenty-eight fully equipped and recently remodeled rooms with careful decoration. Its privileged location on the Camino de Santiago and in the heart of the town allows guests to have the main services and attractions of Arzua. Its family character, warm atmosphere, and welcoming treatment have made Casa Teodora recommended by specialized travel guides from different countries and especially by regular clients for many years.

Pension Boutique La Casona de Nené | Hotel

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.

Hotel Pension Elena | Hotel

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.

Day 6 Arzúa to A Rúa 11.1 miles / 17.8 km

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.

Throughout the day you’ll be passing different villages: Brea, Calzada, Rua and A Calle; the meaning of which is synonymous with ‘Camino’.

Ascent: 281m (922ft) / Descent: 391m (1,283ft)

Overnight A Rúa

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel O Pino | Hotel

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.

Pensión Residencial Platas | Hotel

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.

Casa Do Acivro | Hotel

The rural pension has a modern touch that bumps with the natural surrounding in which it is situated. Each room has a different theme and a name which is linked to the Camino de Santiago or to the Galician culture. After your hike you can relax in the Garden of the pension or even enjoy the swimmingpool.

Day 7 A Rúa to Santiago de Compostela 12.7 miles / 20.5 km

Today you can look forward to a fabulous day walking to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The Camino leads first to San Paio and Lavacolla, where it was traditional for pilgrims to wash in the river before reaching 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 where the towers of Santiago Cathedral come into view. This final stretch is a mixture of anticipation and reflection, culminating in the thrilling arrival at the Plaza del Obradoiro, where the majestic cathedral welcomes pilgrims at the end of their spiritual and physical journey.

Ascent: 347m (1,138ft) / Descent: 361m (1,184ft)

Overnight Santiago

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Herradura | Hotel

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.

Hotel Lux Santiago | Hotel

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.

Hotel Gelmirez | Bed and breakfast

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.

Day 8 Onward travel

Reviews

Expand all

Other Information

Expand all

Is it for me?

On this section of the long-distance trail Camino Frances between Sarria and Santiago, you will walk on 6 days over 114km through the beautiful green landscape of Galicia. This part of the Camino is the most popular one and with 15 to 25km walking per day it is suitable for beginners that enjoy extended walks.

Trip Type:

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.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Long-Distance Trails

Grade & Terrain

This walk is graded moderate and includes daily walks of 14 to 25km so you will be walking for between 5 and 8 hours each day. The trail consists of a mixture of dirt tracks, minor roads and footpaths. There will be a few ascents along the way on well-developed hiking trails. The path to Portomarin leads down a short, steep descent on a narrow stone staircase with high steps. During rainy weather this part on the way can be slippery.

Distances

Our walks start and end at a central point in the village (church, bus stop., etc.). Access routes to your accomodation are not included in our kilometre distances.

Experience & Fitness

Although the route mostly leads along wide, relatively easy-to-walk paths, the unpaved sections and the daily distances of between 9 and 30 kilometres require a good basic level of fitness and a certain amount of hiking experience. The first section from St Jean-Pied-de-Port with steep ascents and descents in the Pyrenees is the most difficult. The entire 40-day Way of St James naturally requires a great deal of stamina. But the longer you are on the road, the fitter you will become. Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos and León are fascinating cities that you must visit and the smaller towns are also very charming and often offer wonderful regional delicacies.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

Accommodation in small rural hotels and hostels, twin/double rooms with en-suite W/C
Daily Breakfast
Baggage Transfers
Any transfer(s) listed in the standard itinerary (if applicable)
Pilgrim Passport and shell
Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
24/7 Emergency support

Excluded

Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
Travel to Sarria / from Santiago
Lunches, dinners, snacks or drinks
Travel insurance
Personal Equipment

Extras

Additional nights’ accommodation

When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

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. You can check this on the RENFE 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 https://www.renfe.com/es/en (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.

Getting from the End

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.

Baggage Transfer

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 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.

Info & FAQ

General Information

Extra Nights

There is so much to do and 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.

Online Documents

At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimize the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery.

On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website.

Pilgrim Passport

Your Pilgrim Passport (Credencial del Peregrino) and scallop shell will be waiting at your first accommodation. The Passport isn’t just practical—it’s a beautiful record of your Camino journey, officially issued by the Church of St. James. Along the route, you'll collect stamps (sellos) from albergues, churches, cafes, and more. Each stamp is a colorful reminder of your journey. To earn your Compostela Certificate in Santiago, you must walk at least the final 100 km, with your stamps serving as proof of this accomplishment.

Local taxes

Local taxes may apply in some places. Where ever possible, we will pay there taxes in advance for you. It is not always possible to pay the taxes in advance and you will have to pay it directly at your accomodation.

Extra charge

On some days there may be some extra charges on the tour price due to public holiday.

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Equipment

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.

Can I add extra nights on my Camino tour? What type of trails does the Camino follow? What to do in the event of a problem on site? Do I have to pay tourist tax on site? How far in advance do I need to book? How fit do I need to be? Can I walk with my bags? When is the best time of year? What happens if I can’t walk a stage? Can I walk the Camino solo? Do you offer group trips? When can I start? Where do I collect the Pilgrim Passport?

The Ultimate Guide to the Camino de Santiago

Discover the ancient pilgrimage routes that lead to the shrine of the Apostle Saint James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Each route offers unique charm, challenges, and unforgettable experiences. Decide for yourself which journey is right for you.
Walking the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago in Spain is the heart of the modern pilgrimage world, and every year, thousands take to its various paths to trek to Santiago de Compostela. A deep spiritual sense accompanies this walk, whether you are looking for it or not. People undertake pilgrimages for a multitude of reasons and it is meeting these fellow pilgrims, hearing their stories and sharing your adventure with them that makes a Camino tour a life-changing event.
Everything you need to know about the Camino de Santiago.

In this video, Rachel and Ewan talk through the main points of walking the Camino. While there are more detailed videos on most of the points covered, this is a great place to start to give you a general overview of what walking the Camino Frances is going to be like.
What to pack for the Camino de Santiago

One of the most important things people think about when walking the Camino is what to pack. There are some essentials, but most people are trying to lighten their load and carry their backpacks with them as they go. This is amazing, but with Macs Adventure, we transfer your luggage for you (which is not cheating!!) so you can pack whatever you like.
How to travel to the Camino de Santiago

How do you get to Sarria? How do you get back from Leon? There are so many start and endpoints on this massive spiritual journey, that we thought it would be helpful to make a video that told you exactly how to get to and from the various points along the route. No longer need you wonder about getting from Biarritz to St Jean Pied de Port, it is all laid out here for you.
How many days to walk the Camino?

With a walk that stretches all the way across the north of Spain, you might imagine that there is a lot of different itineraries on this route. In this video we break down how many days it takes to walk the Camino de Santiago and all the different ways you can break it up.