Sarria to Santiago Camino in 6,5,4 or 7 days

Your adventure begins in Sarria, a charming, lively little town. On your first day in Sarria, we recommend you take the time to sample the diverse local cuisine, especially the octopus, prepared in a unique and special way.

Along with enjoying the food, you can visit places like the Tower of the Fortress, the Monastery of La Magdalena, or the Chapel of San Lázaro. It’s certainly a day to savor before starting your journey.

This first stage of the French Way of the Camino de Santiago from Sarria is a warm-up, an easy stage yet full of charm.

Many pilgrims are captivated by this section, as it leads you through beautiful native forests and offers a diverse cultural heritage. Highlights include sites like the Sanctuary of Nosa Señora dos Remedios and the Church of Santiago de Barbadelo, before reaching the end of the stage in Portomarín.

Portomarín, nestled by the Miño River, is a charming town with incredible appeal. Its tangible and intangible heritage will leave a lasting impression. After a good rest, you can visit places such as the Chapel of das Neves or the Grand Staircase.

The next day, we’ll leave Portomarín behind to continue along the Camino de Santiago toward Palas de Rei.

Starting from Portomarín, the first few kilometers of the walk feature a gentle, extended incline up to the Sierra de Ligonde.

The second half of the route becomes a bit easier, guiding you through charming villages and lush, beautiful forests. Along the way, it’s worth stopping at sites like the Castro de Castromaior, an Iron Age archaeological site, or the Lameiros cross.

Once you reach Palas de Rei, if you’re interested in archaeology, we recommend exploring the archaeological heritage in this small town, where you’ll find dolmens, mamoas, and other megalithic structures.

This third stage of the French Way of the Camino de Santiago from Sarria is the most picturesque. You’ll pass through medieval villages and numerous centuries-old churches.

Starting from Palas de Rei, you’ll walk through areas dotted with traditional Galician houses, where hórreos (granaries) and cruceiros (stone crosses) mark that you are in Galicia. It’s a beautiful walk that brings you closer to your final destination, Melide.

Upon arriving in Melide, the first thing you should do is enjoy a tapa of pulpo (octopus) and soak up the atmosphere.

This stage is also short but a bit more challenging than the previous one due to the greater elevation change. We journey from Melide, famous for its pulpo (octopus), to Arzúa, known for its cheese—yet another culinary stage!

Leaving Melide, you’ll immerse yourself in native forest areas, where peace and tranquility will surround you. In Ribadixo de Abaixo, if the weather is favorable, you can cool off with a dip. After a short rest, it’s only a few kilometers to Arzúa.

In Arzúa, just as in Melide, the first thing you must do is sample all the Arzúa-Ulloa denominational products—you won’t regret it! Afterwards, you can visit the 16th-century Chapel of Magdalena or the 17th-century Church of Santiago de Boente.

You’re almost there! The penultimate stage takes you from Arzúa to O Pedrouzo.

This is a fairly comfortable and enjoyable stage, and along the way, you’ll encounter sites like the Church of San Pedro de Lema and the Fountain of Santa Irene.

Once in O Pedrouzo, you can visit the Church of Santa Eulalia de Arca or the Church of Santa María de Castrofeito.

In this final stage, you’ll leave O Pedrouzo heading toward Monte do Gozo, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of Santiago de Compostela.

After taking in the sights of Santiago, you’ll descend into the historic center of Santiago until you reach your goal: the Plaza del Obradoiro.