Camino de Santiago from Sarria – a 2024 guide and stages

The pilgrimage on the Camino from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela is an unforgettable expertise. The Camino de Santiago is an outdated pilgrimage path to the tomb of the Apostle St.James within the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

The historical past of the Camino de Santiago goes again to the ninth century when the precise tomb of the Apostle was found. The primary formally documented pilgrimage to Santiago was made by the king of Asturias and Galicia Alfonso II within the ninth century on the Camino Primitivo or the Unique Means from Oviedo to Santiago.

These days greater than 300 000 folks from all around the world stroll the Camino yearly. The Camino Francés from Sarria is the preferred Camino de Santiago route. In keeping with the Pilgrim’s Reception Workplace in Santiago in 2023, 131 136 folks, or 30,8% of all pilgrims walked this route. The Portuguese Camino from Tui is the second hottest route walked by 7,7% of pilgrims.

Camino from Sarria free downloadable PDFs

Obtain our free PDF information for the Camino Francés from Sarria with detailed strolling levels and locations to remain alongside the route.

GPX information of the route

Camino with a tour

In case you’re involved about planning the stroll from Sarria your self you possibly can guide your Camino by way of an organization. They do all of the planning and reserving for you and offer you an in depth itinerary. All it’s a must to do is stroll.

The route overview

Complete distance – 116 km/72 mi

Days required – 5 days

Strolling floor – 45 km/28 mi asphalt, 71 km/44 mi footpath/gravel highway

Complete ascent (over 5 days) – 2373 m

Complete descent – 2587 m

Common value – 25-30 Euro per individual per day (if staying in dormitories), 40-45 Euro pp. per day (if staying in non-public rooms).

Lodging – municipal and personal albergues (hostels for pilgrims), inns, and visitor homes.

Route marking – yellow arrows and shells painted on bushes, partitions, floor, and many others., and distance poles that present what number of kilometers are left to Santiago.

How lengthy is the Camino de Santiago from Sarria?

The space of the Camino stroll from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela is 116 km/72 mi. It takes 5-7 days on common to finish the route.

How arduous is the stroll from Sarria?

The Camino from Sarria is a difficult route, particularly for individuals who have by no means carried out multi-day strolling/climbing earlier than. It’s advisable to organize for the Camino earlier than trying the stroll.

This half is the busiest and essentially the most crowded on the Camino de Santiago in season be able to see a whole lot of pilgrims. It’s higher to guide locations to remain prematurely in case you’re planning to stroll between Might and September.

The final 100 km on the Camino Francés vs on another Camino

The French Means from Sarria shouldn’t be the one possibility for strolling the required minimal of 100 km to Santiago to get the Compostela. You possibly can stroll it on another Camino route e.g. Camino Portugués, Vía de la Plata, Camino Inglés, Camino Primitivo, or Camino del Norte (the final two merge with the French Camino in Melide and Arzúa respectively).

You possibly can stroll the final 100 km on any Camino de Santiago route

Journey insurance coverage for the Camino

Examine appropriate journey insurance coverage for the pilgrimage in our Journey insurance coverage for the Camino put up or get an on the spot personalised insurance coverage quote in your journey proper now.

World Nomads journey insurance coverage has been designed by vacationers for vacationers, with protection for greater than 150 actions in addition to emergency medical, misplaced baggage, journey cancellation and extra.

When is one of the best time for strolling?

Warmth shouldn’t be the largest downside in Galicia it is perhaps fairly heat in July and August. From our expertise rain is extra of an issue right here Might to September weather-wise is one of the best interval for strolling. The tip of August and the start of September is the busiest time on the Camino Frances. The second half of Might, June, and September are most likely one of the best months to do the Camino de Santiago; the climate is good (it’d nonetheless rain), the times are lengthy and there aren’t too many individuals.

In case you stroll this route low season from October to April you may get numerous rain and even snow in January – February.

The price of the Camino Francés from Sarria

Lodging. The most cost effective possibility is municipal albergues a mattress in one among them prices 8 Euro. It was cheaper between 5 and seven Euro however now a mattress in all public albergues in Galicia prices 8 Euro. Non-public albergues are costlier 10-12 Euro per mattress however they’re smaller and extra comfy. A single non-public room prices 25-30 Euro, a double room – 35-40 Euro.

Meals. Menu del Día or Pilgrim’s Menu is the preferred set meal on the Camino you may get it for lunch and generally dinner. It’s a set menu that features a starter (often soup, salad, or pasta), the primary dish (meat, rooster, fish, vegetarian, egg and bacon, and many others.), a bread basket, a drink (beer, home wine, cooldrink or water) and dessert or espresso. The typical worth is 10 Euro. Breakfast (espresso, juice, croissant/sandwich/toast) is between 3 and 4 euros. Meals on the Camino de Santiago is part of the expertise. Don’t neglect to attempt a number of the native specialties reminiscent of Pimientos de Padron, Pulpo a la Feira, and Tarta de Santiago.

Purchasing. It’s cheaper to purchase meals in a grocery store and prepare dinner for your self, particularly in case you’re a few folks cooking collectively, simply be certain that the place you’re going to remain has a kitchen. To purchase meals for lunch and dinner will value 6-8 Euro per individual on common.

Baggage switch. 5 Euro per backpack per stage, for five days it’ll be kind of 25 Euro per individual.

Transport. Practice Madrid to Santiago for 33 Euro a method. A one-way flight to Santiago from Madrid with Ryanair (in case you purchase it prematurely) is about 15-20 Euro with out check-in baggage. It’s costlier and longer to get to Santiago from Barcelona, by prepare it takes about 10 hours, there are some flights for 20-30 Euro a method.

Laundry. 3 Euro per load for laundry, 3-4 Euro per load for drying. The machines are fairly large you possibly can share a load between two or three folks which is cheaper and higher for the atmosphere. I washed socks, underwear, and shirts by hand each day and each 4th or fifth day did machine laundry.

My detailed finances breakdown

For five days for 1 individual

Lodging (5 nights) – 84 Euro, 3 nights in dormitories, and a couple of nights in non-public. In case you persist with dormitories the associated fee will be as little as 50 Euro.

Consuming out – 45 Euro, 1 Menu del Día, many sandwiches and tortillas

Meals buying – 47 Euro

Espresso, wine, beer – 10 Euro

Laundry – 3 Euro

Transport – 72 Euro; prepare Madrid-Santiago-Madrid – 66 Euro. Bus Santiago-Sarria – 6 Euro (on-line low cost). Word! I took solely the Santiago-Madrid prepare I arrived in Sarria strolling as I began the Camino in St.Jean Pied du Port.

Complete: 261 Euro or 52 Euro per individual per day together with transport, lodging, meals, and many others. In case you use baggage switch add 5 Euro to your each day finances.

What’s the lodging like on the Camino from Sarria?

There are several types of lodging on the Camino you possibly can keep in shared dormitory rooms which would be the most cost-effective possibility or in non-public rooms in inns or visitor homes/pensions relying in your finances. Particular hostels for pilgrims on the Camino are referred to as albergues, they are often municipal (sponsored by the municipality, the most cost effective possibility) or non-public (a bit costlier however often with higher amenities).

Albergues often have one or two large rooms with a number of bunk beds every, shared bogs and showers, and a shared kitchen. Typically costlier non-public albergues have regular single beds as an alternative of bunk beds. An albergue is a hostel with dorm beds and shared amenities. Municipal albergues are completely for pilgrims to have the ability to keep there it’s a must to current your Credential (pilgrim’s passport). Non-public albergues let anyone keep; pilgrims, vacationers, college students, and many others.

Municipal albergues amenities

Scorching bathe

Electrical energy

Kitchen (often)

Washer (generally)

Blankets (often however not at all times)

Wi-fi (often)

Non-public albergues amenities

Scorching bathe

Electrical energy

Kitchen (often)

Washer (often)

Blankets (often)

Wi-fi

In case you fairly keep in a personal room than in a dormitory there are various inns and visitor homes or pensions alongside the Camino. They’re costlier however extra comfy. Once we stroll the Camino we attempt to combine albergues and inns and keep a few times every week in non-public, It is perhaps not an enormous difficulty in case you stroll for lower than every week however if you stroll an extended route that takes a month you get fairly bored with staying in dormitories.

My recommendation is in case you’re planning to stroll the Camino in peak season from Might to September guide non-public lodging at the very least a few days prematurely. In my expertise of strolling in September, generally it was troublesome to discover a non-public single room on arrival all the pieces was totally booked.

What to pack for the pilgrimage?

An important factor to recollect is to not pack a whole lot of stuff in case you’re planning to hold your backpack your self. The lighter it’s the simpler the stroll is. Take solely the mandatory issues that you just’re going to wish. In case you’re planning on utilizing a baggage switch service you possibly can pack as a lot as you want (word that often your baggage is proscribed to 20-25kg per individual). Yow will discover extra particulars on what to pack for the Camino in our Camino de Santiago packing information.

Footwear is crucial merchandise for the pilgrimage. Be sure to select comfy footwear for strolling the Camino and a great Camino backpack.

Backpack supply on the route

It’s attainable to rearrange baggage switch from door to door each day. There are a few corporations that ship baggage on the Camino from Sarria e.g. Correos, Xacotrans, Pilbeo, and others. It’s a quite simple system within the morning you place your backpack/suitcase within the reception space with an envelope that incorporates the deal with of your subsequent place, your identify, cellphone quantity, and 5 Euro for supply. The courier comes within the morning to choose up the backpacks. Often, by the point you arrive on the subsequent place, your baggage is already there.

Sarria to Santiago route map

Find out how to get to Sarria?

Madrid might be one of the best metropolis to fly into, there are various transport choices from there. In case you’re beginning the Camino in Sarria the best choice shall be to fly to Santiago. A return flight from Madrid with Ryanair will value 30-40 Euro (in case you guide prematurely), this fare doesn’t embody check-in baggage. There are flights from Barcelona as nicely for about 50 Euro return. There are a lot of flights to Santiago from completely different cities in Spain and Europe. When you have a global flight you possibly can fly to Madrid or Barcelona first after which catch a neighborhood flight to Santiago.

A prepare journey from Madrid to Sarria is 30-40 Euro a method, it may be booked on-line. There aren’t any direct trains from Barcelona to Sarria. To get there from Barcelona by prepare, you’ll should take a prepare from Barcelona to Santiago first after which take a bus from Santiago to Sarria. The prepare journey from Barcelona to Santiago is an exhausting journey, it takes between 10-12 hours, and we’ve carried out it as soon as.

From Santiago de Compostela you possibly can take a bus to Sarria. The journey takes 2 hours and prices 10 Euro generally they’ve particular reductions in case you purchase on-line. 

The place to remain in Sarria?

In case you’re going to stroll the Camino within the peak season (Might-September) and going to reach in Sarria after lunchtime I’d suggest reserving a spot to remain beforehand. There are a lot of albergues and hostels within the city I’m positive you’ll be capable to discover a dorm mattress however if you wish to keep in a personal room reserving prematurely is advisable. There’s a municipal albergue in Sarria at Rúa Maior, 79. It will possibly’t be booked prematurely like most public albergues on the Camino. Worth – 8 Euro per individual.

Albergues and inns in Sarria

The place to get a Pilgrim’s Passport (Credential) in Sarria?

Each pilgrim wants the Credential with stamps (two stamps per day for the final 100 km) from albergues, inns, eating places, or church buildings to get the Compostela in Santiago. You’ll want it in addition to proof in case you’re planning to remain in municipal albergues as they’re completely for pilgrims. Non-public albergues and inns don’t require it. You may get a Credential in Sarria within the Church of Santa Mariña de Sarria, Monastery La Magdalena, and a few non-public albergues promote Credentials as nicely.

Camino Francés from Sarria strolling levels

Day 1. Sarria to Portomarín, 22 km/13,6 mi

Distance – 22 km/13,6 mi

Time – 4h20min.*

Strolling on asphalt – 13 km/8 mi

Strolling on the highway – 500m

Ascent – 496m

Descent – 570m

Problem stage – 2 out of 5

*All given occasions don’t embody stops on the way in which, it’s pure strolling time. I stroll fairly quick I’d recommend including 1-2 hours to my time (relying in your health stage).

In case you begin in Sarria and it’s the primary strolling day for you. I strongly suggest taking it straightforward, stopping for a relaxation on the way in which, consuming sufficient water, and don’t attempt to chase after different walkers. There shall be some pilgrims who’ve been strolling for weeks and they’re undoubtedly in higher strolling form since they’re already used to it.

On the way in which, there shall be a few locations (farms) promoting native do-it-yourself merchandise like jams, bread, cheese, and many others. Every part may be very contemporary and attractive.

Highlights

A pleasant and peaceable countryside surroundings; chestnut and oak forest, small farms and villages, wheat fields.

The attractive city of Portomarín with its cozy streets, inviting eating places, an attention-grabbing church, and gorgeous views over the lake Embalse de Belesar. A really attention-grabbing factor in regards to the city is that in 1963 it was utterly flooded, and a few historic buildings like San Nicolás Church or Chapel de la Nieves was moved larger uphill the place you’ll find them these days.

Challenges

A simple strolling day with a number of brief ascents and descents largely within the first half.

A rocky and steep descent simply earlier than Portomarín.

Extra lodging choices in Portomarín*

*The entire listing of lodging alongside the route you’ll find in our free PDF file.

Day 2. Portomarín to Palas de Rei, 25 km/15,5 mi

Distance – 25 km/15,5 mi

Time – 4h30min.

Strolling on asphalt – 3 km/1,8 mi

Strolling on the highway – not likely strolling on the highway however numerous strolling on the gravel path subsequent to the highway

Ascent – 580m

Descent – 431m

Problem stage – 3 out of 5

It was a pleasant strolling day a bit more durable and longer than Day 1 with many locations on the way in which to cease for lunch or espresso. A lot of the route goes by way of the forest and fields generally subsequent to the highway with only a few automobiles.

Highlights

Stunning Galician forest.

A few stalls with fruit, snacks and funky drinks for donation.

Challenges

350m ascent throughout the first half of the day.

A few stretches of strolling subsequent to the highway on the gravel path.

Extra lodging choices in Palas de Rei

Day 3. Palas de Rei to Arzua, 29 km/18 mi

Distance – 29 km/18 mi

Time – 5h30min.

Strolling on asphalt – 11 km/6,8 mi

Strolling on the highway – 0 km

Ascent – 588m

Descent – 724m

Problem stage – 3 out of 5

It’s the longest day on the Camino from Sarria to Santiago in case you don’t really feel robust sufficient you possibly can break up it into two days, stroll 15km to Melide, keep there, eat pulpo, relaxation and the subsequent day stroll the remaining 14km to Arzúa. The Northern Camino de Santiago merges with the French route in Arzúa.

Highlights

Melide is a fairly large city in comparison with the opposite locations on the way in which. It’s well-known for its pulpo a la Feira (cooked octopus tentacles served in olive oil and spices). It’s a must-try right here, there are a few pulperias (eating places specializing in getting ready pulpo) proper on the Camino you received’t miss them. The Camino Primitivo merges with the French Means in Melide.

Ribadiso de Baixo – a tiny village about 2km earlier than Arzúa, is perhaps a great possibility to complete the day in case you don’t need to keep in a much bigger and busier Arzúa. There are a few albergues right here together with one municipal.

Challenges

Many brief ups and downs all through the day.

Numerous strolling on asphalt, about 11 km/6,8 mi.

Extra lodging choices in Arzúa

Day 4. Arzúa to O Pedrouzo, 20 km/12,4 mi

Distance – 20 km/12,4 mi

Time – 4h.

Strolling on asphalt – 7 km/4,3 mi

Strolling on the highway – 2 km/1,2 mi subsequent to the highway

Ascent – 341m

Descent – 468m

Problem stage – 2 out of 5

To be sincere we’ve walked this half from Arzúa 3 occasions (the top of three Camino routes is identical) and by no means walked this final half in two days. We often stroll in at some point from Arzúa to Santiago however I do know it’s very far and never many individuals need to torture themselves like this. So I break up today into two.

Proper on the exit from Arzúa, there’s a break up the fitting route continues alongside the highway, and the left goes into the forest, we´ve at all times taken the left one to be away from the busy highway. A few kilometers after Arzúa the gap marking disappears you´ll see the phrase Complementario as an alternative, don’t fear about it you’re nonetheless on the fitting approach you’ll begin seeing distances once more after 2km or 3km.

For many of the day you stroll by way of the forest sometimes the Camino goes subsequent to the highway however not for lengthy. There are a lot of eating places and cafes on the way in which to cease.

Some pilgrims make their final day shorter stroll to Monto do Gozo which is simply 5km exterior of Santiago and keep there for the night time. We’ve by no means stayed there however from what I’ve heard from my pals who stopped there for the night time it wasn’t good, there have been cockroaches and mice and it was type of soiled. The place doesn’t look nice from the skin both we’ve by no means felt like staying there.

If you wish to stroll an additional distance I’d recommend strolling to Lavacollas which is 9km from O Pedrouzo, the whole distance from Arzúa shall be 29km and your final day shall be solely 11km to the cathedral.

Highlights

Stunning forest, small villages, fields.

Challenges

A number of ups and downs on the way in which although nothing steep or lengthy.

Locations to remain in O Pedrouzo

Day 5. O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela, 20 km/12,4 mi

Distance – 20 km/12,4 mi

Time – 3h50min.

Strolling on asphalt – 11 km/6,8 mi

Strolling on the highway – 3 km/1,8 mi alongside a really quiet highway with no automobiles

Ascent – 368m

Descent – 394m

Problem stage – 2 out of 5

Many individuals begin the final day very early to make it to 12pm Pilgrim’s Mass in case you begin from O Pedrouzo at about 7.00-7.30am you’ll make it in time. The very starting of the stroll is gorgeous; inexperienced dense forest, no automobiles, no homes, very quiet.

The second half from the airport and after Lavacollas shouldn’t be my favourite half on the Camino there may be one lengthy stretch between Lavacollas and Monte do Gozo alongside the highway that feels prefer it takes ages to stroll 4-5km. When you’re at Monte do Gozo the final 5km go very quick, you begin strolling by way of town and don’t discover the way you attain the cathedral.

Highlights

Forest originally of the day.

Arriving on the Cathedral with the sounds of the Galician bagpipe (from morning until late night there may be at all times a musician taking part in on the Palace Arch (El Arco de Palacio) a small tunnel that results in the Obradoiro Sq. and the cathedral, preserve some change able to tip the bagpipe participant.

Challenges

There are a few ascents and descents on the finish of the stroll, a few of them are fairly steep however not lengthy.

A stretch between 10 km and 15 km is a bit monotonous, it at all times feels lengthy however after Monte do Gozo you enter town, and the final 5 km are very quick.

Santiago de Compostela, the top of the pilgrimage

The Camino finishes on the Cathedral de Santiago on the Plaza Obradoiro.

You’re not allowed contained in the cathedral with a backpack you possibly can go to your resort and go away it there or go to the baggage storage which is 5min. away from the sq. in entrance of the Pilgrim’s Workplace, the place you possibly can go away your backpack for twenty-four hours for 3 Euro.

Pilgrim’s Mass takes place each day at 12 pm within the Cathedral.

Locations to remain in Santiago de Compostela

There are a lot of superb locations to remain in Santiago de Compostela. Lots of the cheaper locations are positioned exterior the historic middle. While you guide a spot, be certain that it’s not too removed from the cathedral in case you’re planning on doing some sightseeing or exit at night time. We’ve been to Santiago 7 occasions and each time we stayed elsewhere (we like making an attempt new issues).

Find out how to get the Compostela in Santiago?

To get your Compostela it’s a must to go to the Pilgrim’s Reception Workplace positioned on Rúa das Carretas Avenue, 5min. stroll from the cathedral. You go there first and take a quantity relying on the season you may anticipate 30min. to a few hours. You don’t have to sit down and wait there you possibly can observe the queue on-line.

You’ll want your Credential and passport or ID (for EU residents), it’s free. The Compostela incorporates your identify and the date it was issued. If you would like extra personalised paper you may get the Certificates of Distance (each will be obtained on the similar time) which has extra private particulars e.g. how far you walked, the place you began and many others. It prices 3 Euro. 

For the final 100 km you want two stamps per day in your Credential, one stamp you get on the place you keep (it may be an albergue or a resort each place on the Camino has its stamp), the second stamp you may get in a restaurant, restaurant, bar or a church on the way in which. If you would like, you possibly can put extra stamps in your Credential there aren’t any limits.

Issues to do in Santiago

There are a lot of nice issues to do in Santiago de Compostela to maintain you busy for a few days. The primary, in fact, is to have a good time the top of the Camino. If you wish to exit to have a good time, Rua do Franco is likely one of the greatest streets within the metropolis for it. There are a number of tapas bars with an enormous number of tapas and drinks. For individuals who love seafood and fish I can suggest tapas bars Petiscos do Cardeal and Taberna do Bispo they’ve some scrumptious tapas. It was not costly I paid between 6 and seven Euro for 3 superb tapas and a glass of wine.

The very best guidebook for the Sarria to Santiago stroll

John Brierly’s books for the Camino de Santiago in my view are by far one of the best and essentially the most useful guidebooks. For the Camino from Sarria, I can suggest his Pilgrim’s information to the Camino de Santiago; Camino Frances.

Camino planning assets

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