Way from Sarria to Santiago

The generic way we propose is completed in 7 days – 6 nights – 5 stages. If you have fewer days, we can also design the Camino de Santiago in 4, 5, or 6 days.

We understand that your goal is still to reach the Cathedral of Santiago, so we can choose from different alternatives:

We can suggest that you walk more kilometers per day, as long as your physical condition allows it.

We can eliminate a less attractive stage and cover those kilometers by vehicle.

The Camino de Santiago from Sarria, in the Lugo region, is part of the French Way variant. As you can see in the itinerary above, it has 5 generic stages with an average of 22 km per day. However, at Viajes Mundiplus, we can adapt the kilometers based on your physical capacity and the level of relaxation with which you wish to approach this ancient way.

This itinerary we have designed for the Last 100 km of the Camino de Santiago from Sarria with stages that have fewer kilometers than those originally set is designed for those who wish to complete this section of the French Way at a more relaxed pace, even more so.

The breakdown of stages we have prepared is ideal for families with small children and for elderly people who, due to physical limitations, can only or prefer to walk fewer kilometers than the general stages.

Here’s how our new proposal for completing the Camino from Sarria in 10 days would look:

Adapted Itinerary (10 days – 9 nights – 8 stages)

We know that one of the main attractions of doing the Camino de Santiago with organized trips in Galicia is being able to enjoy its varied gastronomic offerings: Lacón with turnip tops, octopus, tetilla cheese, empanadas, stews, etc.

Taking the French Way is an ideal option not only to learn about the customs of these historically rich villages. Additionally, it’s the perfect excuse to taste a very diverse cuisine.

Moreover, as you may know, this is the most popular way of all the ones that lead to the Cathedral of Santiago. What do we mean by this? That you will find a countless number of gastronomic offerings in every town you pass through. So many that it’s completely impossible to list them all here.

That’s why we want to help a bit more in detail. If you’re unsure where to eat on the French Way from Sarria to Santiago, we’ll point out some suggestions. Of course, we will also talk about the typical dishes that characterize this way.

Gastronomy on the French Way

Eating well during this journey is as important as carrying good equipment or staying in comfortable accommodations. Throughout this way, you will find various restaurants offering the Pilgrim’s Menu. The majority include bread, drink, two traditional dishes, and dessert.

In addition, the dishes are excellent value for money. The best part is that you’ll be able to taste local products such as cheeses, chestnuts, honey, as well as different typical dishes. Some of the main ingredients are octopus, fish (eel), shellfish, and game meat.

Similarly, don’t forget to try the main desserts, including the soft cakes from Samos and the cake from Portomarín. The latter is made with an almond base and sweet “melindres,” which are similar to doughnuts with glaze, typical of many Galician regions.

Typical Dishes and Products on the French Way

If you’re planning to do such a long journey, it’s normal to think about what to eat along the way. After all, those kilometers deserve a good gastronomic reward. Of course, in all the towns from Sarria to Santiago, you can enjoy delicious products and typical dishes that will delight you.

Sarria

Among the typical dishes you can taste in Sarria, we highlight octopus a feira, Spanish omelette, and Padrón peppers. They also offer a variety of meats such as ribeye steak or grilled entrecote.

Additionally, the homemade croquettes are delicious, as are the game meats (partridge or wild boar). And if that’s not enough, you can try the Porco Celta, an autochthonous pig breed that has been revived, used to prepare excellent cured meats (chorizo or pressed cracklings).

You should also consider visiting the bread museum and learning about the making of tetilla cheese. You will have an unmatched gastronomic experience there.

Portomarín

In this town, you can taste high-quality Galician products such as chestnuts, bread, cheeses, pork, and beef. Additionally, you can try the typical dish. This is made with eel, a teleost fish that lives between the sea and the river, making its meat highly prized.

Also, don’t miss the exquisite eel empanadas accompanied by orujo liquor. For dessert, we recommend the typical tarta de paradela, made with flour, eggs, sugar, and almonds.

Palas de Rei

This is a well-known village on the French Way of Santiago. Undoubtedly, its typical dish is Padrón and Herbón peppers. So, you must try fried peppers, roasted and topped with coarse salt.

It is also famous for its wide variety of fish and shellfish (king crab, shrimp, clams, octopus, cuttlefish, trout, lamprey). Among its special dishes, you’ll find game meats in season and Galician beef.

It’s important to mention that cheeses and products derived from pork are highly sought after by visitors.

Arzúa

The signature product of this town is the Arzúa-Ulloa cheese. It is made in the municipalities of Arzúa, Melide, O’Pino, Monterroso, and Palas de Rei. It is a soft cheese made from cow’s milk, aged with a thin, elastic rind of bright yellow color.

Its aromas are of butter and yogurt with hints of vanilla, cream, and nuts. It also has a sweet and sour taste at the same time. It’s ideal for tasting on its own or accompanied by quince jelly.

Pedrouzo

In this place, you can find products such as cheese, Ulla river wine, honey, fresh garden produce, and of course, beef and pork. Additionally, you can taste the Piñeira breed rooster and hen, a dish praised in the local cuisine.

This town also offers typical Galician dishes such as octopus, Galician stew, and empanada.

Santiago de Compostela

In the capital of Galicia, you can enjoy a wide variety of traditional Galician dishes. We highlight octopus, fish, shellfish, assorted empanadas, raxo, lacón with turnip tops, and broths.

Additionally, don’t miss the famous Santiago cake, decorated with the Santiago Cross. You should also try the Monterroso ham, Queixo do Cebreiro, or Samos cakes.

Restaurants with Gastronomic Specialties

Of course, on the Camino de Santiago, there are establishments that are a must-visit. For example, along the way from Sarria to Santiago, there are restaurants offering a wide variety of starters, wines, products, and specialties with unique presentations of traditional dishes.

Sarria

You can find Pulpería do Luis, Roma, and A Travesía Dos Soños.

Portomarín

Notable are O Mirador, Restaurante Pérez, and Posada del Camino.

Palas de Rei

You will find A Parada das Bestas, Mesón A Brea, and Pulpería A Nosa Terra.

Melide

We highlight the famous Pulperías Ezequiel and A Garnacha.

Arzúa

In Arzúa, there are restaurants with extensive menus to choose from, such as Casa Nene, Fonte do Picho, and Casa Teodora.

Pedrouzo

Local favorites include O KM19 and Café-Bar O Pedrouzo.

Santiago de Compostela

In Santiago, you can enjoy places like Abastos 2.0, Damajuana, and O Gato Negro, one of the most popular establishments in the city.

We provide you with the different options on how to reach the Camino de Santiago from Sarria, a town that marks the minimum distance of 100 kilometers for walking pilgrims to obtain the “Compostela” certificate.

Option 3: Train (Renfe). Direct trains every day from Madrid and Barcelona. Currently, on the Madrid to Sarria way, you’ll reach Ourense by train and from there, Renfe offers a bus from Ourense to Sarria (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes). This is due to ongoing construction work until July 2023.

Option 4: Plane

The nearest airport to Sarria is Santiago de Compostela, about 1 hour 15 minutes by car.

From here, there are two possibilities to reach Sarria:

– By bus, as mentioned earlier.

– Private transfer with us: pick-up at Santiago Airport and direct transfer to Sarria in approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Please consult us for service rates.

Upon your arrival in Sarria, an unforgettable experience begins, and at the next point, we’ll recommend what to see and do on your Camino de Santiago from Sarria.

Stage from Sarria to Portomarin

In Sarria, among other landmarks, we can visit the Church of San Salvador, a Romanesque church with a Gothic façade, and the Convent of A Magdalena. We will admire the tower of the old medieval castle, as well as the Rúa Maior.

We leave Sarria through the Ponte Aspera to continue towards Barbadelo and Ferreiros, where we find two Romanesque churches: the Church of Santiago (Barbadelo) and the Church of Santa María (Ferreiros).

Portomarin is a beautiful town by the Belesar Reservoir, where the old city is submerged (which can be seen in the summer when the river has a lower flow).

The town is divided into two neighborhoods: San Nicolas and San Pedro. Don’t miss a visit to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snow, as well as the grand San Nicolás Church-Fortress, built by the monks-knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem in the 12th century. The church was constructed by a workshop of disciples of Master Mateo. Portomarin produces one of the most recognized spirits in Galicia, and an annual festival is celebrated.

The Romanesque façade of the Church of San Pedro, the 17th-century Pazo de Berbetoros, and the 16th-century Pazo del Conde da Maza are other attractions you can find in this beautiful town.

In Sarria, among other landmarks, we can visit the Church of San Salvador, a Romanesque church with a Gothic façade, and the Convent of A Magdalena. We will admire the tower of the old medieval castle, as well as the Rúa Maior.

We leave Sarria through the Ponte Aspera to continue towards Barbadelo and Ferreiros, where we find two Romanesque churches: the Church of Santiago (Barbadelo) and the Church of Santa María (Ferreiros).

Portomarin is a beautiful town by the Belesar Reservoir, where the old city is submerged (which can be seen in the summer when the river has a lower flow).

The town is divided into two neighborhoods: San Nicolas and San Pedro. Don’t miss a visit to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snow, as well as the grand San Nicolás Church-Fortress, built by the monks-knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem in the 12th century. The church was constructed by a workshop of disciples of Master Mateo. Portomarin produces one of the most recognized spirits in Galicia, and an annual festival is celebrated.

The Romanesque façade of the Church of San Pedro, the 17th-century Pazo de Berbetoros, and the 16th-century Pazo del Conde da Maza are other attractions you can find in this beautiful town.

Stage from Portomarin to Palas de Rei

In Gonzar, we can visit the most important monument of this locality: the Parroquia de Santa María.

In Castromaior, there is the small Church of Santa María, of simple and rough Romanesque style but very well preserved. Inside, you can see a Romanesque sculpture of the Virgin and a 16th-century altarpiece.
In Ventas de Narón, we can see the Chapel of the Magdalena.

The Church of Santiago, in Ligonde, is of neoclassical style and preserves the Romanesque doorway of its predecessor. Just before entering the town, we find the Lameiros Cross (1670), where the four sides of the base represent the Calvary or the death of Jesus (hammer, nails, thorns, and skulls), while the cross shows a relief of motherhood or life.

Stage from Palas de Rei to Melide

We start in San Xulián do Camiño, where we find the Parish Church of San Xulián, a Romanesque temple from the 11th century.

In Leboreiro, we can see the Romanesque Church of Santa María, where the tympanum of the door and the 16th-century murals stand out.

In Disicabo, you can see the small medieval bridge of La Magdalena.

At the entrance of Furelos, we find a splendid four-eyed medieval bridge. Next to it is the Parish Church of San Juan.

Close to Palas de Rei, although outside the way of what to see on the Camino de Santiago from Sarria, is the Church of Vilar de Donas, a Romanesque style church and former Priorate of the Order of Santiago. It dates from the 13th century. The Latin-cross church has three vaulted apses and a crossing with ribbed vaulting. Inside, you can see several tombs of important knights of the Order of Santiago, as well as well-preserved frescoes. It is one of the most well-known examples of Galician Romanesque related to the French Way.

The Pambre Castle, located in Ulloa, is one of the best examples of medieval military architecture in Galicia. It was built in the late 14th century by Don Gonzalo Ozores de Ulloa. The castle is situated on a rocky outcrop and is surrounded by a defensive wall about 5 meters thick. It can be accessed through a small pointed door. The square-shaped building has four towers at the corners and a central keep. Inside, we find the Chapel of San Pedro.

In Melide, as the endpoint of this stage of the Camino de Santiago from Sarria, we recommend the following places to visit:

– First of all, you must try their famous octopus at any of the renowned “pulperías” (octopus restaurants). It also has a magnificent ethnographic museum, Terra de Melide, which is newly built and unique in the area. The cuisine along the Camino Francés is one of the most famous not only in the Camino de Santiago from Sarria but also throughout Spain.

We also highlight the Melide Cross, said to date from the 19th century and possibly the oldest in all of Galicia. Next to this magnificent cross is the Chapel of San Roque (a gem of Romanesque architecture), which many believe resembles the 10€ banknote. The bill simply reflects an example of strict Romanesque style and is not associated with any specific monument (to avoid issues). However, we can say that the arcades and columns of the door of this chapel in Melide embody the purity and perfection of Romanesque style.

– We also highlight the Church of Sancti Spiritus and the Romanesque temple of Santa María.

– In the surroundings of Melide, we can also visit the Pre-Romanesque Church of San Antoniño de Toques, located in a spectacular setting by a waterfall that runs alongside the church. The Pre-Romanesque church consists of a single nave. Above the triumphal arch, there is a Romanesque carving of a Calvary that dates from the 13th century.

Just outside the way of what to see on the Camino de Santiago from Sarria but well worth a detour if you have time is the Monastery of Santa María de Sobrado dos Monxes, located near Melide. It is one of the main medieval monasteries in the province of A Coruña and all of Galicia. It is believed to date from the 10th century, as several written records mention it. It has undergone numerous reforms from the 16th to the 18th century.

Today, the Church of the Monastery of Sobrado dos Monxes is well preserved, along with part of its monastic dependencies, thanks to the work of the Benedictine monks who inhabit it. The church dates from the 17th century and is in Baroque style. It features a spectacular façade with two slender towers. The interior is worth admiring. The monastery preserves three cloisters. It was declared a National Historical and Artistic Monument.

The Pre-Romanesque Church of San Antoniño de Toques is located in a spectacular setting by a waterfall that runs alongside the church. The Pre-Romanesque church consists of a single nave. Above the triumphal arch, there is a Romanesque carving of a Calvary that dates from the 13th century.

Stage from Melide to Arzúa

In Boente, the Church of Santiago stands out, featuring a statue of the Apostle from the 19th century.

In Ribadixo do Baixo, after crossing the medieval bridge, there’s the Ribadixo Pilgrim’s Hospital, the last historical space that remained open to serve pilgrims. At the Ribadixo recreational area, you can take a break and cool your feet in the river.
In Arzúa, the Church of Santiago stands out, with the Gothic Chapel of Magdalena, belonging to a now-gone hospital. Next to a grove of oak trees, the Chapel of A Mota also stands out.

About 5 km outside the way of what to see on the Camino de Santiago from Sarria, is the Pazo de Brandeso, where Valle-Inclán set part of his novel *Sonata de otoño*. The Pazo is privately owned and cannot be visited. It is a noble building with a chapel on its main façade.

Stage from Arzúa to Pedrouzo

In this stage, we can highlight the Parish Church of San Verisimo in the town of Ferreiros.
In Santa Irene, we can visit the Chapel of the Saint, which gives its name to the town. The hermitage is dedicated to this Portuguese martyr. It also features a Baroque fountain said to have healing properties for the skin.

Don’t miss the chance to taste the magnificent Arzúa Tetilla cheese. Since 1989, this cheese, made from whole cow’s milk, has received the designation of Produto Galego de Calidade. It is produced in all the municipalities of the Arzúa-Ulloa region: Arzúa, Curtis, Melide, O Pino, Santiso, Sobrado dos Monxes, Toques, Touro, and Vilasantar (in the province of A Coruña), as well as Friol, Monterroso, and Palas de Rei (in the province of Lugo).

Stage from Pedrouzo to Santiago

Before reaching Santiago, about 4 km away, the Monte de Gozo offers an incredible panoramic view of the city.

In Santiago de Compostela, we find the most important monument of our entire way, the Cathedral of Santiago, whose façade has been recently restored. It is dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. Key details of the Cathedral:

It was consecrated in 1128 and is a prime example of a pilgrimage church.

It is built in the Romanesque style, with later Renaissance and Baroque elements from the 18th century. The church has a Latin-cross layout with three naves divided by semi-circular arches, a tribune, a crossing, and an ambulatory.

Highlighting the work of Master Mateo is the Pórtico de la Gloria, the finest example of Spanish Romanesque.

As a tradition, every pilgrim who can and wishes to, attends the 12:00 and 19:30 pm Mass in the Cathedral. If you’re lucky, you might witness the magnificent Botafumeiro in action. *In 2019 and 2020, due to renovations inside the Cathedral, these masses will take place in other nearby churches. The Cathedral is preparing for the grand celebration of the Holy Year 2021-2022.

The entire Old Town is spectacular, transporting you without warning to the medieval era. It includes the Mercado de Abastos (Food Market) of Santiago. Other highlights include the Galicia Pavilion in the San Lázaro district, the Panteón de Gallegos Ilustres (Pantheon of Famous Galicians), the Chapel of As Animas, Praza de Cervantes, the Museum of the House of the Troya, and more.

You can also explore the surroundings of Santiago and take organized excursions to Costa da Morte and the Rías Baixas.

Another tradition is the embrace of the Apostle Santiago’s image and a visit to his tomb.

It’s a must to visit the Cathedral Museum and the Cathedral rooftops.

The Monastery of San Martín Pinario is located opposite the Plaza de la Azabachería.

The Portico of the Parador de los Reyes Católicos, in the Obradoiro Square, was originally founded as a hospital for pilgrims.

Finally, our recommendations for what to see on the Camino de Santiago from Sarria to Santiago is to explore these incredible places yourself and let us know how you found them.