Spanish Way Camino de Santiago
Spain Hiking + Walking Tours
Walk the Ancient Pilgrim Route of St. James Way
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€786 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
To hike along the Camino de Santiago is to walk an ancient pilgrimage of great historical, cultural, and spiritual significance shared by people of all interests.
For some the Camino is a journey through beautiful landscapes. For others, it is a personal pilgrimage of self-discovery and achievement. There are those who walk because of the legend and those that walk to enjoy the incredible food and wine, historical sites, and camaraderie all along the way.
Whatever your reason, as you trek the way of the ancients, moving along with other pilgrims, you are participating in something much larger than yourself.
You have options with this tour. One featuring shorter daily distances, and the other a bit longer.
Highlights
- Cultural and historical impact of this walking experience
- Quiet country lanes, leafy riverside paths, tracks lined with ancient stone walls and luscious green pastures as you step back in time in the footsteps of ancestral pilgrims
- Santiago de Compostela with its awe-inspiring cathedral, shrouded in centuries of myths and legends
- Hike with Unesco World Heritage recognition
See our complete list of hiking and walking tours.
Itinerary
Option A
Shorter daily distances
Day 1: Arrival to Sarria
Day 2: Sarria - Portomarín, 14.2 mi. (23 km)
Day 3: Portomarin - Lestedo, 12.4 mi. (20 km)
Day 4: Lestedo - Melide, 12.3 mi. (19.8 km)
Day 5: Melide - Arzua, 8.6 mi. (14 km)
Day 6: Arzua - Rua, 11. 5 mi. (18.6 km)
Day 7: Rua - Santiago de Compostela, 14. 3 mi. (23 km)
Day 8: End of tourDay 1: Arrival - Sarria
Arrival at the Galician town of Sarria, the starting point for all pilgrims wishing to complete the last 112 km of the Camino. Your tour documents will be waiting for you at your accommodation.Accommodation: Hotel Roma, Hotel Oca Villa de Sarria or Hotel Alfonso IX
Day 2: Sarria - Portomarín, 14 mi. (23 km)
Today you set off on the Camino walking through ancient oak, birch, and chestnut forests and later through many hamlets dotted around areas of cultivated land and grazing pastures along quiet country lanes and natural pathways. Enjoy the peace and tranquility as you walk through a part of rural Spain that seems to be caught in a time warp!Elevation: 300 m (984 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Pousada de Portomarin, Hostal Villajardin, or Pension Arenas (Portomarin)Day 3: Portomarin - Lestedo, 12 mi. (20 km)
Pine forests, cornfields, meadows, and leafy green woodland accompanies you on this strech of the Camino. You will also cross a number of small villages full of rural character, with ancient stone-built houses in age-old villages that reflect the simpler pace of life of a bygone era.Elevation: 450 m (1476 ft)
Accommodation: Casa Rectoral de Lestedo or Casa RoánDay 4: Lestedo - Melide, 12 mi. (19.8 km)
Today you will cross several beautiful river valleys as you follow secluded pathways through mature woodland. The area is full of medieval castles as well as Romanesque churches and ancient settlements.
Elevation: 450 m (1476 ft)
Accommodation: Pousada Chiquitín or Hotel Carlos 96Day 5: Melide - Arzua, 9 mi. (14 km)
A short stage day to give your legs a rest! You will walk amongst woodland, meadows and small orchards that surround the many small villages you go through. You'll be tempted to stop and savor each one you encounter!
Elevation: 90 m (295 m)
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Teodora, Hotel O´Retiro, or Hotel Domus Gallery (Arzúa)Day 6: Arzua - Rua, 12 mi. (18.6 km)
This part of the Camino weaves its way towards Santiago through undulating fields and tiny villages, each one a hidden gem with stone-built houses, narrow streets and seemingly standing still in time. You can breathe the history along the way and can only imagine how many thousands of people over the centuries have shaped this legendary route.
Elevation: 120 m (394 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel O'Pino or Hostal Platas (O'Pedrouzo/O'Pino)Day 7: Rua - Santiago de Compostela, 14 mi. (23 km)
Time to relish the last remaining kilometers of your adventure. Today the Camino leads you into the very heart of the unique city of pilgrims, Santiago de Compostela, into the Plaza de Obradoiro overlooking the Cathedral built in honor of Saint James. A city shrouded in centuries of legends, you will arrive elated to the echos of the pilgrims who have gone before you! This is a truly spiritual and uplifting experience! With a buzz of satisfaction and a smile on your face, you will arrive with enough time to get your “Compostelana” or Pilgrim’s Passport. This singular city offers many important landmarks for you to enjoy, every corner imbued with history and atmosphere. You won't want to say goodbye!
Elevation: 375 m
Accommodation: Hotel Avenida or Hotel HerraduraDay 8: Return or extra nights in Santiago
Departure or why not linger in Santiago a few days to rest and enjoy. How about a touch of Luxury in the ***** Parador?Option B
Longer daily distances
Day 1: Arrival - Sarria
Day 2: Sarria - Portomarin, 14 mi. (23 km), 300 m elevation
Day 3: Portomarin - Palas de Rei, 16 mi. (26 km) 450 m elevation
Day 4: Palas de Rei - Arzua, 18 mi. (29 km), 150 m elevation
Day 5: Arzua - Rua, 11 mi. (17 km), 160 m elevation
Day 6: Rua - Santiago de Compostela, 14 mi. (23 km), 120 m elevation
Day 7: Rest day in Santiago de Compostela
Day 8: End of tourFinisterre Extension
The Camino Finisterre is an amazing 96-kilometer extension to your Camino de Santiago. It takes an additional five days to complete. Because Finisterre was considered to be the end of the known world in the Middle Ages, it held special spiritual and physical significance.
Day 1: Santiago de Compostela - Negreira, 22 km
Day 2: Negreira - Santa Mariña, transfer at end of day, 18 km
Day 3: Santa Mariña - Olveiroa, transfer at beginning of day, 15 km
Day 4: Olveiroa - Ces, 20 km
Day 5: Ces to Finisterre, 21 km
Day 6: ReturnInterested in seeing more than our hiking and walking tours? Check out our full list of tours and activities or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news
Map
Accommodation
The hotels are conveniently positioned very near or on the Camino and are always the best quality offered along the way. They are typically of the 3-star grading. On each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred hotels. Please do note that the final hotel list is based on availability. If the preferred hotel is not available, you will be offered an alternative of equal quality.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Option A: 7 breakfasts & 6 dinners (excluding Santiago)
- Option B: 7 breakfasts & 5 dinners (excluding Santiago)
- Luggage transfer (One item per person up to 20 kg. Additional items incur a supplement)
- Detailed maps with trail clearly marked
- Tourist information such as route notes, information, recommendations, etc
- GPS tracks are available on request
- Pilgrim’s passport
- Emergency telephone support
- 5 nights additional accommodation
- 5 breakfasts & 5 dinners
- Luggage transfer (one item is allowed. Additional items incur a supplement)
- Transfer from Santa Mariña to Olveiroa on Day 2
- Transfer from Olveiroa to Santa Mariña on Day 3
- Detailed maps with trail clearly marked
- Tourist information such as route notes, information, recommendations, etc
- Roadbook & maps
- GPS tracks are available on request
Finisterre extension
What’s Not Included
- Meals other than those mentioned as included
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily arrivals possible from April 1 to October 31, 2023
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Option A (shorter daily distances)
Twin/double: $ 1299 £ 707 $ 1,193 € 786 ₪ 3107 ¥ 113023 NZ$ 1393 NOK 9049 kr 9212 $ 864 Single room supplement: $ 382 £ 208 $ 351 € 231 ₪ 913 ¥ 33217 NZ$ 409 NOK 2659 kr 2707 $ 254
Option B (longer daily distances)
Twin/double: $ 1288 £ 701 $ 1,183 € 779 ₪ 3080 ¥ 112017 NZ$ 1381 NOK 8968 kr 9130 $ 857 Single room supplement: $ 372 £ 202 $ 342 € 225 ₪ 889 ¥ 32354 NZ$ 399 NOK 2590 kr 2637 $ 247
Extra Options
Extra night in Santiago
On request
Extra luggage (per piece)
Option A or B: $ 60 £ 32 $ 55 € 36 ₪ 142 ¥ 5177 NZ$ 64 NOK 414 kr 422 $ 40 Extension: $ 50 £ 27 $ 46 € 30 ₪ 119 ¥ 4314 NZ$ 53 NOK 345 kr 352 $ 33
Finisterre Extension
Twin/double: $ 835 £ 454 $ 767 € 505 ₪ 1996 ¥ 72617 NZ$ 895 NOK 5814 kr 5919 $ 555 Single room supplement: $ 260 £ 141 $ 238 € 157 ₪ 621 ¥ 22576 NZ$ 278 NOK 1807 kr 1840 $ 173
Airport Transfers
Santiago Airport to Sarria at beginning of the tour: $ 245 £ 133 $ 225 € 148 ₪ 585 ¥ 21282 NZ$ 262 NOK 1704 kr 1735 $ 163 From Finisterre to Santiago (for Finisterre extension): $ 164 £ 89 $ 150 € 99 ₪ 391 ¥ 14236 NZ$ 175 NOK 1140 kr 1160 $ 109
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate–Difficult
This tour is rated moderate to difficult. Distances are considered longer and you will encounter a hilly terrain. There is an option with shorter distances offered. Please look at each day’s details to see elevation gain. Generally, this rating will entail four ascents per day.
Airport Info
Fly to Santiago de Compostella Airport aka Labacolla Airport (SCQ).
Local Travel
Bus travel to Saria is not direct, but it is not complicated, though you will have a transfer in Lugo. (Keep in mind that for a supplement you can order an arrival airport transfer.)
You will access the bus to Lugo (company FREIRE) right outside the main entrance/exit of the airport. If in doubt, there is an information desk in the main lobby of the airport. Tickets may be purchased on the bus. To check schedules and fares, please visit their website: Empresa Freire. There are 7 departures every day but Sunday, which has 4. It is less than a 2-hour ride and it will cost approx 9,45 Euro. The bus ends at Lugo and here you can access the bus to Saria. This bus operates under the company Monbus. You can purchase your ticket on board. Travel time is 35 minutes and the fare is less than 5 euros. Please check the companywebsite for schedules and fares and double-check all times and prices.Climate
Santiago de Compostela has a moderate maritime climate which is strongly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean despite its situation in the interior. On average temperatures are much lower than in the more southeasterly located places in Spain. Please check local conditions before you travel and you will find Monthly Weather Averages below.
Remarks
.
Important to know
Documents
Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. Please be advised that is your responsibility to ensure that you have proper identification. For US citizens, the U.S. Passports & International Travel website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. It is important to research before you travel as airlines will not permit boarding if you do not have the required valid documents.
*Important note: Please check on the status of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Sustainability
This holiday produces a carbon footprint of 0,356 tonnes of CO₂. This includes taxis, luggage transfers, and accommodation for every traveler. Our partner will compensate the CO₂ footprint for each booking through tropical reforestation projects in collaboration with the CeroCO₂ platform. Additionally, you can also offset your own flight emissions by visiting myclimate.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Extra Stay
If you would like extra nights before or after your tour, just ask.
An extension of 6 days is offered from Santiago de Compostela to Finisterre. See day to day itinerary and pricing.Tour Operator
This tour is run by Senderos y Pueblos.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
Photos
![Hiking Camino de Santiago in Spain. Flickr:Staffan Andersson]()
![Octopus is a local favorite along the Camino de Santiago Trail in Spain. Flickr:Dale Cruse]()
![Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Galicia, Spain. Flickr:Jose Luis Cernadas Iglesias]()
![Hiking the sign-posted Camino de Santiago in Spain. Flickr:BanxietyFree]()
![Hiking Camino de Santiago in Spain. Flickr:Staffan Andersson]()
![Ferris Wheel in Santiago, Spain. Flickr:Jose Manuel Garci]()
![Pilgrimage with help on the Camino de Santiago Hiking Trail in Spain. Flickr:Mike McBey]()
![Walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Flickr:Staffan Andersson]()
![Magician in Santiago, Spain. Flickr:Jose Luis Cernadas Iglesias]()
![100km mark between Sarria and Portomarin on Camino de Santiago, Spain. Flickr:subherwal]()
![Cathedral Santiago (Saint James) de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. Flickr:Jose Luis Cernadas Iglesias]()
![Restaurant in Sarria, Spain. Flickr:Oh Barcelona]()
![Hiking Camino de Santiago in Spain. Photo via TO]()
![Walking the streets of Sarria, Spain. Flickr:Oh Barcelona]()
![Hiking the Camino de Santiago Trail in Spain. Flickr:Staffan Andersson]()
![Spain's famous paella is not to be missed! Flickr:Krista]()
![Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Galicia, Spain. Flickr:Jose Luis Cernadas Iglesias]()
![Hiking Camino de Santiago in Spain. Flickr:Staffan Andersson]()
Reviews
Mary S.
5 months agoVerified Reviewer
Caroline M.
9 months agoVerified Reviewer
Rochelle R.
10 months agoVerified Reviewer
Tripsite Customer Reviews
Rochelle R.
10 months ago
Verified Reviewer
Mary S.
5 months ago
Verified Reviewer
Related Tours
Easy–Moderate Bike Tour in Portugal, Spain
The Portuguese Coastal Way or Caminho da Costa is a stunning but easy e-bike alternative route to Santiago de Compostela. This journey of faith and hope, commonly known as the Camino de Santiago, was…
