Camino Frances Final Stage - Sarria to Santiago - 7 Days
- Hike the final 100km (62 miles) of the Camino ending in Santiago de Compostela
- Attend the pilgrim’s mass at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
- Collect your ‘Compostela’ certificate from the Pilgrim’s office in Santiago
- Meet fellow pilgrims, exchange stories, and feel part of the Camino Community
- Visit churches, chapels, and historical landmarks along the route
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Sarria & overnightToday, you will travel to Sarria, a lively small town and the most popular starting point for the final 100 kilometres of the Camino Francés. This charming town boasts numerous cafés and shops catering for pilgrims, as well as a beautiful promenade alongside the River Sarria. Take a walk to the Church of Santa Mariña or the small pilgrim chapel on the hill. Here, you can already sense the unique atmosphere that defines this section of the Camino de Santiago. Spending the night in Sarria will put you in the perfect mood for the upcoming hike.

Hotel Roma is located in a peaceful location, just next to the railway station and close to the Camino Frances. The accommodation has 18 rooms, all of them with telephone, heating, private bathroom and TV. Furthermore, the hotel has a guests´ living room, parking area, terrace, bar and a restaurant which offers best of Galician gastronomy.

NH Alfonso IX Hotel is located in the heart of Camino de Santiago within the urban part of the town, in incomparable natural beauty, surrounded by gardens and bordering the river, it is very close to the monumental zone and the Roman route. You can also enjoy the famous street of the Anticuarios, (Antique dealers).

Located in Sarria, the Hotel Mar de Plata is much more than just a place to rest; it is the living testimony of a family history that has been cultivating Galician tradition since the 1970s.
As you leave Sarria, you will pass the ruins of a 15th-century castle and embark on the final 100 km of the Way of St. James. Your route will take you along shaded paths through the lush green valley of the River Miño. The famous stone marker will remind you how close you are to Santiago. Via Mercadoiro, you will finally reach Portomarín, a picturesque village boasting a charming market square. Finish the day in a relaxed atmosphere in one of the cosy cafés and celebrate reaching the final stage.
Ascent: 350m (1,148ft) / Descent: 447m (1,467ft)

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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.

Located in a beautiful spot, this rural house offers a relaxing spot to stay. The house runs entirely on renewable energy. They cultivate a small vegetable garden that supplies their own restaurant. They have vines and a small wild fruit orchard which are used to make wine and homemade liqueurs.
The Way of St. James first takes you across the River Minho and up to the small village of Castromaior, home to the charming Romanesque Church of Santa Maria. You then continue along rural paths lined with vibrant broom and through pine and oak forests. After reaching the stage's highest point at 750 metres on the Sierra de Ligonde, the route descends to the tranquil village of Ligonde. Finally, via Eirexe, you arrive in Palas de Rei, where the impressive Church of San Tirso awaits.
Ascent: 493m (1,618ft) / Descent: 273m (896ft)

Casa Benilde is a local and welcoming hotel in Palas de Rei. Often spoken of as the friendliest accommodation on the route, you will be sure of a delightful stay here.

Located at the foot of the Camino de Santiago, the Hotel Mica offers its guests a comfortable and pleasant stay. The family-run accommodation ensures that you can enjoy your free time, just a step away from the city's best gastronomy, leisure and culture.

Pension As Hortas is located in the heart of Palas de Rei, only a stone's throw away from a variety of cafes, restaurants and shops, as well as some useful amenities you may need on your trip. It is also located nearby the San Tirso church, which is worth visiting while staying here.
Today, pleasant paths lead to Arzua, a 'cheese town' known for its culinary specialities. The route features gentle ascents and descents from one small village to the next, with only one steeper climb shortly before the end. The landscape changes, with oak and hazelnut trees giving way to eucalyptus and pine. The banks of the River Ribadiso offer a wonderful opportunity for a relaxing break. The route then continues uphill to the lively town of Arzua.
Ascent: 521m (1,710ft) / Descent: 687m (2,254ft)

All rooms are decorated differently to offer customers the greatest sense of comfort. All rooms are equipped with plasma TV, heating, wooden floors, toiletries, towels, hairdryer and WIFI.

This accommodation is located in the heart of Arzúa, with 29 bedrooms. They all have TV, heating, private bathroom but not air conditioning. There is an elevator, a guests´ lounge and a small cafeteria. On the ground floor you´ll find the restaurant which serves traditional Galician cuisine.

Its privileged location on the Camino de Santiago and in the heart of the city of Arzúa allows guests to reach the main services and attractions of the city and its surroundings in a very short time.
Starting in the charming old town of Arzúa, the route takes you past mighty oak trees as the landscape gradually transforms into lush green meadows and pastures. Highlights include the medieval altar in Santa Irene, which is dedicated to a Portuguese martyr, and the Baroque fountain with its healing waters. En route, you will pass through several villages whose names are synonymous with the Way of St. James: Brea, Calzada, A Calle and, finally, Rua. Take in the peaceful atmosphere and varied natural surroundings of this stage as you gradually approach your destination.
Ascent: 249m (817ft) / Descent: 362m (1,188ft)

This property offers comfortable cottages with 3 double bedrooms and 1 single, all with private bathroom and TV, living room with gallery. There are also 3 tourist apartments for 2-4 persons, each consisting of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room with fireplace and terrace. Dining is available. It has swimming pool and garden to relax into the summer.

The rural and rustic hotel provides 15 comfortable, well-tended and handsome decorated rooms each with its own indoor furnishing and special ambience. The Hotel offers its pilgrims a pleasant nights stay before the final section of their walk to Santiago de Compostela.

Located only 10 minutes away from the historic city of Santiago de Compostela, Pension Residencial Platas is a comfortable spot on your journey on the Camino de Santiago. Pension Platas is next door to two cafes, and Pub Che Copas nearby offers an opportunity for drinking and dancing.
The final section of the Camino de Santiago is an especially emotional highlight of your journey. You will pass through San Paio and Lavacolla, where pilgrims traditionally washed themselves before reaching Santiago. From Monte del Gozo, you will enjoy your first impressive view of the cathedral and the rooftops of the city. Arriving in Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an unforgettable, atmospheric experience steeped in history. We recommend staying an extra night to explore the city at your leisure or attend the Pilgrims' Mass. You could also take a trip to Finisterre – please feel free to contact us for more information!
Ascent: 301m (988ft) / Descent: 315m (1,034ft)

The Lux Santiago Hotel is located in the centre of the Galician capital. It has an exceptional location that allows you to explore the city in depth. The hotel is just 800 metres from the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

In the heart of Santiago de Compostela, this hotel combines modernity with tradition, offering a cozy and comfortable stay. located next to La Alameda Gardens, hotel rooms are equipped with every comfort, the hotel also offers a 24-hour coffee shop.

The hotel is located in the centre of Santiago, between the train station and the old town. It is a modern accommodation with comfortable rooms.
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 15kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 15kg is equivalent to 88.5 candy bars. 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 about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?Get a taste for the Camino by walking the most iconic section of the trail from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela over 5 continuous days of hiking. Covering an average of 15 miles per day, this section is on relatively even terrain. Join the trail in Sarria and complete the final 100 km (62 miles) of the Camino Frances allowing you to qualify for your ‘Compostela’ certificate on arrival in Santiago de Compostela. 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 and includes daily walks of 18 to 29 kilometres so you will be walking for between 5 and 8 hours each day. The trail consists of a mixture of dirt tracks, minor roads and footpaths. There will be a few ascents along the way on well-developed hiking trails. 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 9 and 30 kilometres require a good basic level of fitness and a certain amount of hiking experience. The first section from St Jean-Pied-de-Port with steep ascents and descents in the Pyrenees is the most difficult. The entire 40-day Way of St James naturally requires a great deal of stamina. But the longer you are on the road, the fitter you will become. Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos and León are fascinating cities that you must visit and the smaller towns are also very charming and often offer wonderful regional delicacies.
Accommodation
Our Camino Tours include small rural hotels and hostals (a word used to describe small Spanish hotels and guesthouses), close to the route of the Camino. You will always have a private room and en-suite (attached) bathroom. In Sarria and Santiago, you will stay in 3-star hotels. The other nights will be in a mix of rural hotels and hostals - all with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms.
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).
We don't arrange for solo walkers to room together, but one of the joys of the Camino is the many people you meet so you will rarely walk alone.
Meals
A light continental breakfast is included each morning. This can sometimes just be coffee, bread and orange juice.
Lunch and dinner are not included, so you are free to choose from the available options. Every place you stop will have evening meals available and you can get a pilgrims menu for about 10 Euros, which includes 3 courses, wine and water!
Additional nights:
We strongly suggest that you add an additional night to your trip in Santiago so that you are able to attend the Pilgrim's Mass at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela which takes place at noon each day. A highlight of any journey on the Camino.
Extensions:
Many people choose to continue their Camino to Finisterre, we can organise this for you too. Have a look at the Camino Finisterre itinerary on our website.
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.
In addition to the printed route notes, you will receive in your travel pack, you will also 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:
- A Guidebook to the Camino de Santiago by John Brierly
- 6 Nights accommodation in small rural hotels and hostels
- 6 Breakfasts
- Baggage Transfers
- A detailed information pack including route notes, maps and local information
- Emergency support from our local and UK offices in the event of a problem
- Return travel to Sarria/Santiago
- Lunches, snacks or drinks
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Equipment
- Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
- Additional nights’ accommodation
You can start your Camino on any day of your choosing between March and Mid-November.
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:
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
PLEASE NOTE: Santiago Airport will be closed from 23rd April to 27 May 2026 due to runway renovation works. During this time we recommend you fly into Madrid and take the high-speed train from there to Sarria as detailed below.
Private Transfers:
We are able to arrange taxi transfers for you in Spain (bookable in advance at a supplement); these include from Sarria/Santiago to Santiago Airport/O’Cebreiro/Sarria/Vigo Airport/A Coruna. Please get in touch to enquire about how we can help with transfer arrangements in Spain.
By rail from Madrid city centre to Sarria
If you are flying into Madrid, you can take the train directly to Sarria. It takes around 4-5 hours on a fast train. You can check this on the RENFE website, but please note that on the website you have to book the train to Lugo (and get off at the stop before which is Sarria). German Rail (Deutsche Bahn) has a useful website for looking up train travel throughout Europe.
To reach Madrid city centre from the airport, you can take a train, a bus or the underground (see Madrid Airport's website)
From Santiago Airport to Sarria by bus and train
From Santiago city centre, catch the bus to Monforte de Lemos – timetables are available at http://www.alsa.es/
Then from Monforte de Lemos it is a very short train journey to Sarria by train – timetables are available at RENFE website (Sarria is small so you will find your accommodation easily).
You can also travel from Santiago Airport to Sarria by road; you will need to change buses in Lugo. The Santiago-Lugo route runs between the airport and the city of Lugo with stops in the towns of Arca, Ferreiros, Arzúa, Mélida, Palas de Rei and Guntín. From the airport, departures are at 07:10, 09:25 (except Saturday and Sunday), 11:10, 12:55 (except Sunday), 16:10, 18:40 and 20:10 h (except Saturday). Please check for the most recent information on the Santiago Airport website and/or the Monbus website.
Monbus run buses from Santiago to Lugo – please visit their website for timetables https://www.monbus.es/en**Top Tip! As websites are not always available in English - use google chrome as your web browser, and use the ‘translate’ function (right-click on the page then click ‘translate’)**
From Santiago Airport to city centre and vice-versa
From Santiago, you can arrange a private transfer through Macs Adventure, to ensure a smooth end to your Camino. Alternatively, a bus runs between the airport and Plaza de Galicia in Santiago, stopping at different points in the city (Pazo de Congresos, Capilla San Lázaro, the bus station, the railway station, Rúa da Rosa, and others). From the airport, the bus departs from 00:00 to 23:30, every half hour (duration 20 mins). Please see the Santiago Airport website for current timetables.
From Santiago to Madrid by train
If you would prefer to travel by rail, you can take a train (fast trains are available, 4h duration approx.) from Santiago to Madrid with RENFE.
By Bus within Spain
There are good bus connections from Santiago to other cities within Spain – see http://www.alsa.es for bus schedules.
From Santiago City Centre to the Airport
From Santiago, you can arrange a private transfer through Macs Adventure, to ensure a smooth end to your Camino. Alternatively, a bus runs between the airport and Plaza de Galicia in Santiago, stopping at different points in the city (Pazo de Congresos, Capilla San Lázaro, the bus station, the railway station, Rúa da Rosa, and others). From the airport, the bus departs from 00:00 to 23:30, every half hour (duration 20 mins). Please see the Santiago Airport website for current timetables.
From Santiago to Madrid by train
If you would prefer to travel by rail, you can take a train (fast trains are available, 4h duration approx.) from Santiago to Madrid with RENFE.
By Bus within Spain
There are good bus connections from Santiago to other cities within Spain – see http://www.alsa.es for bus schedules.
PLEASE NOTE: Santiago Airport will be closed from 23rd April to 27 May 2026 due to runway renovation works. Other nearby airports include A Coruna and Vigo, and further away you also have Porto and Madrid. During this time bus connections between Santiago and other cities will be reinforced to make onward travel connections easier. Because of this we recommend you plan your travel in plenty of time and we can help should you require any additional private transfers.
Baggage Transfers
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 daypack.
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.
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.
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.
The average daily distance of our Camino tours are between 12-17 miles / 20-28 kilometres per day, and you can expect to hike for between five and eight hours each day. You should do as much hiking as possible prior to your trip as this will simply add to your enjoyment.
Yes, some people prefer to hike carrying their own bags as a true pilgrim would have. Please select the option for removing baggage transfers if you wish to do this.
Although you can walk the Camino at any time of year 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 are busy.
Public transport and taxis are available if you are need of support contact us and we will be more that happy to help.
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 hikers.
No we do not offer group trips. Self-guided travel with Macs Adventure is for independent, active people who don’t want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.
You can start on any day of your choosing, subject to availability.
Yes. Our tours are designed from years of experience and knowledge and are usually the right balance for hikiers. However we can add additional nights at many points of the Camino if you so wish. Please speak to our team for recommendations of extra nights!
A mixture of farm/dirt tracks, minor roads and footpaths. The route is well marked and easy to follow.
Unfortunately we are unable to change your accommodation bookings and itinerary once you start hiking as alternative accommodation is generally not available at such short notice.
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