Camino In Style
- The final 100km of the Camino Frances in style
- Enjoy upgraded accommodation including the iconic Parador in Santiago and ‘pazos’ (converted manor houses)
- Delight in delicious Galician gourmet cuisine including local shellfish and fresh stuffed peppers
- Collect your ‘Compostela’ certificate from the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago
- Begin in the UNESCO city of Lugo with its impressive intact Roman Walls
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Lugo & overnightTravel in comfort to Lugo, a historic city whose impressive Roman city walls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the afternoon strolling through the charming old town and soaking up the lively atmosphere. Visit the local cafés and sample traditional Galician cuisine. Then, enjoy a restful night's sleep in your comfortable accommodation. You will then be well prepared for your upcoming pilgrimage on the Camino Francés.

The Gran Hotel Lugo is a beautiful 4* upgrade hotel with spacious ensuite rooms and all amenities.
A short 40-minute transfer takes you to Sarria, where the first stage of the final 100 kilometres of the Camino de Santiago begins. You will walk along paths through fields and forests, passing small villages such as Cortinas and Brea. Your destination is Portomarín, a medieval town which was once an important pilgrimage site. Although the original town was flooded by a reservoir in the 1960s, some historic buildings have been preserved and relocated. Take time to enjoy the special atmosphere of this unique place.
Ascent: 350m (1,148ft) / Descent: 447m (1,467ft)

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.
Today's stage begins with a crossing of the Miño River, leading you steadily uphill to Castromaior. It is worth stopping at the small Romanesque church of Santa María there. You will then hike through a varied landscape of broom, pine and oak trees. At the day's highest point, the 750-metre-high Sierra de Ligonde, you can enjoy sweeping views before descending to Ligonde and continuing on to Eirexe. Once you arrive in Palas de Rei, be sure to visit the Church of San Tirso, which has an interesting façade. Finally, a short transfer will take you to your accommodation in Vilamaior.
Ascent: 493m (1,618ft) / Descent: 273m (896ft)

The beautiful honey-coloured stone buildings of Torres de Hermida house beautifully-appointed bedrooms. Every room has a garden view, en-suite bathroom and a range of home comforts.
After a short transfer to Palas de Rei, you will begin today's hike towards Arzúa, the famous 'cheese town'. This stage takes you along quiet paths and small roads, through picturesque villages and green landscapes. As you walk, you will notice a change in the vegetation – oak and hazelnut trees will give way to eucalyptus and pine forests. Shortly before the final ascent to Arzúa, the idyllic Ribadiso riverbank is the perfect place to take a well-deserved rest. Once you arrive in Arzúa, you can relax and enjoy the rest of the day.
Ascent: 521m (1,709ft) / Descent: 687m (2,254ft)

The 1930 offers a unique and authentic experience for pilgrims seeking to explore Galicia's history and natural landscape. The hotel's 14 rooms are each inspired by a story from the owners, combining tradition and family atmosphere with modern amenities and elegant design. Guests can relax in the common areas, where they can mingle with other pilgrims or enjoy a meal made from local produce in the hotel's restaurant.

The Pazo Santa Maria is a real oasis on the trail. A historical manor house dating back to the 18th century, the hotel offers a massage service for those weary legs, a fantastic restaurant serving fine Galician cuisine and tranquil gardens in which to relax.
The penultimate stage of your hike will take you through idyllic, hilly countryside and numerous charming villages, such as A Calzada, Calle, Salceda, Brea and Cercada. The well-maintained paths provide a relaxed hiking experience, offering many small highlights along the way. Once you arrive in Pedrouzo, you will be transferred back to Arzúa. You can then end the day in comfort there, perhaps with a glass of wine in the garden of your accommodation. Then it's time to gather your strength for the final, emotional stage to Santiago de Compostela.
Ascent: 335m (1,099ft) / Descent: 408m (1,339ft)

The 1930 offers a unique and authentic experience for pilgrims seeking to explore Galicia's history and natural landscape. The hotel's 14 rooms are each inspired by a story from the owners, combining tradition and family atmosphere with modern amenities and elegant design. Guests can relax in the common areas, where they can mingle with other pilgrims or enjoy a meal made from local produce in the hotel's restaurant.

The Pazo Santa Maria is a real oasis on the trail. A historical manor house dating back to the 18th century, the hotel offers a massage service for those weary legs, a fantastic restaurant serving fine Galician cuisine and tranquil gardens in which to relax.
After a short transfer, you will embark on the final stage of the Camino de Santiago, which will be a very special experience. You will hike over Monte do Gozo, where you will catch your first glimpse of the towers of Santiago Cathedral. Once you arrive in Santiago, you can look forward to exploring the historic old town and the impressive cathedral, not to mention the unique atmosphere. If you arrive early, you can attend the Pilgrims' Mass and receive your Pilgrim's Certificate.
We recommend spending an extra night in Santiago to explore the city at your leisure or take part in a day trip to Finisterre – we will be happy to advise you on this.
Ascent: 349m (1,145ft) / Descent: 394m (1,293ft)

The Parador of Santiago de Compostela or “Hostal Reis Catolicos” is set in an exquisite 15th century building facing the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. An overnight stay here offers a wonderfully luxurious end to your Camino journey and an experience you will never forget!

Just 150 meters from the cathedral, in the heart of the historic center of Santiago de Compostela, is the San Francisco Hotel Monumento. Is it located inside the Convent of San Francisco. It offers its guests the tranquility of an 18th century monsatery, combined with all the services and amenities of a 4 Star hotel.
Today, your journey on the Way of St James comes to an end, leaving you with many memories. Taxis and the airport bus to Santiago de Compostela Airport are available for your onward journey. If you would like to extend your stay and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this special city for a little longer, we will be happy to organise an additional night's accommodation for you. Take this opportunity to explore Santiago at your own pace or simply reflect on your experiences. Please feel free to contact us at any time if you need advice.
This trip has a carbon score of 1kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 1kg is equivalent to 9 bananas. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?This section of the Camino de Santiago is one of the most iconic and popular sections of the long-distance trail. Over 5 days of walking scenic paths lead you through the green galician landscape and passing typical villages, where you take some culinary breaks. The last 100km of the Camino are perfect to get a taste of this spiritual and religious pilgrimage and it is suitable for beginners that enjoy extended walks. Experience the finer things by overnighting in beautiful Spanish country mansions, upgraded hotels, and iconic paradors. These buildings are not only gorgeous, but also steeped in history and culture. During a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago it is tradition to collect stamps in your pilgrimage passport which you will receive in your first accommodation. Stamps you will receive in every place you go and you should at least collect two stamps per day. After walking the final 100 km and with your stamp collection you are qualified for your "Compostela" certificate. Celebrate your accomplishment at the end of your journey with fellow pilgrims you met along the way!
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 walk is graded moderate overall and includes daily walks of 19 to 29 kilometres per day. You can expect to walk for between five and eight hours each day. Whilst the days are quite long the paths you are following are mainly flat and the terrain is easy. It is also possible to shorten the longest day with an optional transfer (paid locally). You will follow a mixture of farm/dirt tracks, minor roads and footpaths. 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.
Although the route mostly leads along wide, relatively easy-to-walk paths, the unpaved sections and the daily distances of between 19 and 29 kilometres require a good basic level of fitness and a certain amount of hiking experience. 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.
6 nights of accommodation in stylish boutique hotels and "pazos" (country manor houses) are included. You will always have a private room and en-suite bathroom. For your convenience, these properties are close to the Camino route and local attractions. The hotels that we have chosen will make your Camino just that extra bit special with their focus on service, special little touches, and elements of luxury!
We work with a small selection of hotels on this tour to ensure that you have the best experience. Should some of the hotels not be available on your requested dates, we would encourage you to see if there are alternative travel dates that may also work for you. Early booking is essential in securing this popular trip.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
This trip is available to solo travellers to start on any day. You will need to pay a supplement for a single room (which is available on the Included tab of this tour).
Meals
A light continental breakfast is included each morning. Evening meals are included every day apart from Day 1 and you can expect delicious Galician cuisine in wonderful restaurants including the Restaurante O Mirador in Portomarin with its terrace overlooking the River Minho and serving the freshest market cuisine. All the restaurants have been chosen for their reputation for serving the most delicious food and fantastic service. On the first day in Lugo you are free to choose from the many local restaurants.
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 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.
You will have access to our Macs Adventure App, allowing you to follow the route on richly detailed mapping on your smartphone.
Recommended Reading
Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:
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A Guidebook to the Camino de Santiago by John Brierly
- 6 Nights accommodation in stylish hotels and country manor houses
- 6 Breakfasts and 5 Evening Meals
- Baggage Transfers
- Pilgrim Passport and shell
- Transfers as per the itinerary
- 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
- Lunches, snacks or drinks
- Evening meal on Day 1
- Travel insurance
- Personal Equipment
- Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
- Additional nights’ accommodation
You can start your Camino in Style on any day of your choosing between March and November. As some of the accommodation used has limited rooms, we recommend booking this trip as far in advance as possible.
The best time to walk the Camino depends on your personal preference!
Spring (April to June) is a fantastic choice. Expect pleasant temperatures, blooming landscapes, and fewer crowds than summer. Be prepared for the potential of spring showers.
Summer (July and August) brings sweltering heat to much of Spain, but the northern regions remain refreshingly mild thanks to their coastal climates. If you're a social butterfly, this is your season! The trails are buzzing with fellow pilgrims, creating an unbeatable atmosphere for meeting people, local festivals, and sharing stories.
Autumn (September to early November) is another excellent time to go. You'll enjoy milder temperatures, stunning autumn colors, and quieter trails as the summer crowds dwindle. But, much like spring, there's still a chance of rain—because nature loves keeping us on our toes!
By Air:
The closest airport to Lugo is Santiago. 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. From the US it is possible to fly to Santiago via Madrid with Iberia, American Airlines or Lufthansa.
Private Transfers: We include a private transfer from Santiago Airport to your accommodation in Lugo. A transfer is also included to take you back to the airport at the end of your stay.
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.
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.
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.
You can start on any day of your choosing between February and mid-November, subject to availability. We would recommend April/May/June and September/October when the weather is at its best for walking. July and August can be very hot and busy.
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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.