Overview
Spend 12 days on the last section of the Camino Frances, walking from Sarria to Santiago in six days, followed by an additional section that takes you all the way to the sea at Finisterre, over the last few days. Walking from Sarria to Finisterre means that you complete the last 100km of the Camino Frances route, which is the minimum required to earn your Compostela Certificate, strolling at a moderate pace and enjoying the camaraderie and culture of Galicia. Finisterre translates as ‘the end of the world’, and this is the last lap for many pilgrims to push themselves into nature as far as they possibly can go. Following a trail through forests, wild seascapes and more gorgeous Galician landscapes.
- Portomarín
- Ribadiso
- Santiago de Compostela
- Camino Frances
- Cape Finisterre
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Sarria
Sarria is a small town in Galicia, well known as the starting point for the last 100km of the camino. A mostly modern town now, its historic hilltop centre contains well-preserved medieval structures and churches. If you arrive early enough, we also strongly recommend taking a taxi to Samos and visiting the 6th-century monastery which has welcomed pilgrims throughout the years.
- Accommodation: DP Cristal or similar in Sarria
Day 2: Sarria – Portomarín | 22.2km
Setting off for Portomarín, pass Sarria Castle to start your first walk of the camino, mainly along small country roads keeping an eye on the stone markers at the side of the path indicating the distance to Santiago. Most of the roads are tree-lined and provide good shade from the sun. There are frequent hamlets along the route, perfect for rest stops to sample the local cuisine and chat with fellow pilgrims.
- Walking for the day: 22.2km, 5-6h, ↑200m ↓300m
- Accommodation: Pensión Mar or similar in Portomarín
Day 3: Portomarín – Palas de Rei | 24.8km
Today the camino crosses the River Minho and then steadily climbs upwards before passing through Gonzar and Castromaior, where the tiny romanesque Church of Santa Maria is located. Continue along country roads edged with yellow gorse, pine and oak trees to reach the high point of today’s walk at Sierra de Ligonde (750m), then descend to Ligonde, once a popular resting point along the camino. Spend the evening exploring Palas de Rei and Iglesia de San Tirso.
- Walking for the day: 24.8km, 6h, ↑450m ↓300m
- Accommodation: Hotel Mica or similar in Palas de Rei
Day 4: Palas de Rei – Arzúa | 28.5km
Start one of the longest, but technically quite easy sections of the route. Much of the day is shaded, with oak and eucalyptus forests after Melide, where the Camino Primitivo merges with the Camino Frances. Finally, relax on the river bank next to the medieval bridge in Ribadiso before ascending to Arzúa. To shorten the route, you could arrange a transfer with your hotel to be taken to Pambre Castle to then take a shortcut to O Coto, away from the busy roads.
- Walking for the day: 28.5km, 7h, ↑225m ↓400m
- Accommodation: Pensión Rúa or similar in Arzúa
Day 5: Arzúa – O Pedrouzo | 19.3km
Before you leave Arzúa, take the chance to pick up some of its celebrated Arzúa-Ulloa cheese for lunch. Then continue on through the old quarter past sturdy oak trees, which give way to lush meadows. Visit the medieval shrine at Santa Irene and the baroque fountain of healing waters. End the day in O Pedrouzo, full of Galician culture and tradition, this is the last stop for many pilgrims before they reach Santiago de Compostela.
- Walking for the day: 19.3km, 4-5h, ↑200m ↓225m
- Accommodation: Pensión Platas or similar in O Pedrouzo
Day 6: O Pedrouzo – Santiago de Compostela | 19.4km
The final stage of the Camino de Santiago. Today the walk is mostly through rural landscapes and eucalyptus groves. Just before Monte del Gozo, pilgrims historically make one last stop at the spring in Lavacolla to wash their face and feet before they get to the cathedral. Enter the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela and relish the end of your journey at the cathedral, amongst other pilgrims.
- Walking for the day: 19.4km, 4h, ↑175m ↓175m
- Accommodation: Hotel Lux Santiago or similar in Santiago de Compostela
Day 7: Rest day Santiago
Spend the day exploring the old city of Santiago de Compostela. Why not take in the midday mass at the Cathedral if you missed it yesterday. The winding streets of the old city offer so much history with museums such as the Pilgrim’s museum and a modern art gallery to explore. In the evening, we recommend that you try the fantastic seafood and white wines that Galicia is so famous for.
- Accommodation: Hotel Lux Santiago or similar in Santiago de Compostela
Day 8: Santiago – Negreira | 20.6km
Head along the route through the Lost Pilgrims’ gateway, downhill through eucalyptus and pine forests to the River Sar River. When you reach Augapesada climb up to the top of Mar de Ovellas, with magnificent views over the Amaía valley. Continue on through Carballo as far as the River Tambre, cross the Roman Ponte Maceira, continuing on to traditional riverfront village of Negreira, where you spend the night.
- Walking for the day: 20.6km, 5h, ↑475m ↓545m
- Accommodation: Casa Neboa or similar in Negreira
Day 9: Negreira – Olveiroa | 34km
Leave Negreira by crossing the River Barcala, the trail continuing alongside cornfields, pine and eucalyptus woodland. You also walk past some traditional raised granaries such as at As Maroñas, and romanesque churches like Santa Mariña. Continue on to Mount Aro (556m) and then into Terra de Xallas, an area well known for its basketry and straw hats craftsmanship. Continue on through a few more villages to Ponte Olveira, which takes you across the river to a small traditional village of Olveiroa.
An optional transfer to Vilaserio is available today to reduce the walk by 10km, this can be arranged at your hotel and paid for locally.
- Walking for the day: 34km, 8h, ↑535m ↓410m
- Accommodation: Casa Loncho or similar in Olveiroa
Day 10: Olveiroa – Cee | 20km
From Olveiroa, the camino follows the Rivers Xallas and Hospital to Logoso and Nosa Señora Chapel. After the chapel, continue downhill through the pine groves of Alto do Cruceiro da Armada. Today’s walk is less hilly and quite scenic, winding between mountains, windmills and forests for your first sighting of the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Finisterre. Reach the peak of San Pedro then descend for the evening to Cee, a coastal town with a small sandy cove and colourful fishing boats.
- Walking for the day: 20km, 4-5h, ↑200m ↓480m
- Accommodation: Hotel Oca Insua or similar in Cee
Day 11: Cee – Finisterre (Fisterra)| 16km
Leave Cee, and walk to Corcubión to take in the old quarter which has been declared a historical-artistic site. From Corcubión, tackle the steep hill towards Campo de San Roque and Vilar. Finally, follow the coastline and beautiful Langosteira beach to Finisterre (Fisterra). Pay a visit to the iconic lighthouse, which is often referred to as Kilometre 0 of the Camino de Santiago.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 4h, ↑310m ↓245m
- Accommodation: Hotel Vida Finisterre Centro or similar in Finisterre
Day 12: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Important: We aim to book you into each town listed on the itinerary. However, in case of low availability, we may book you two nights in the same town with provided transfers. Also, on some occasions, your accommodation can be located a few kilometres away from the trail, so we organise transportation to/from your accommodation.
Click to view default hotels
- DP Cristal (Sarria)
- Pensión Mar (Portomarín)
- Hotel Mica (Palas de Rei)
- Pensión Rúa (Arzúa)
- Pensión Platas (O Pedrouzo)
- Lux Santiago (Santiago de Compostela)
- Casa Neboa (Negreira)
- Casa Loncho (Olveiroa)
- Hotel Oca Insua (Cee)
- Hotel Vida Finisterre Centro (Finisterre)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included (usually a simple buffet breakfast/coffee and toast/bread/croissant) on all days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Where no dinner is included, most places serve hearty pilgrim menus – you can get a three course dinner including wine for about €14-18 per person.
Difficulty and terrain
This walk is graded moderate with daily distances ranging from 16-34km. The terrain is both flat and hilly but without steep ascents or descents (read more about difficulty grades). You follow a mixture of dirt roads, woodland paths, minor roads and some busier roads close to the bigger towns and cities.
The route is well marked with yellow painted arrows and a yellow shell on a blue background and is easy to follow. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This trip is available year-round. The best months to visit are April–June and September–October as in summer months it may become too hot (and crowded).
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date during the season. For more information, see our blogs on the Best time to walk the Camino de Santiago and the Best time to go to Spain.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Santiago-Rosalía de Compostela Airport (SCQ). Other alternative airports are Vigo Airport (VGO) and A Coruña Airport (LCG).
By train or bus
- From Santiago-Rosalía de Compostela Airport: there is a direct bus to Sarria from the airport (1h 51mins). For more information see the regional operator Monbus, or use the Omio planner above.
- From Vigo Airport: take the bus into the city centre (25mins) then connect to the bus to Ourense (1h 15min), finally take the train to Sarria (1h 18mins). For more information see the regional providers Vitrasa, Monbus and Renfe or use the Omio planner above.
- From A Coruña Airport: take the bus to the city centre (5mins) then a train onto Sarria (2h 11mins) or bus to Lugo (1h 10mins) then onto Sarría (30mins). For more information see the national providers Alsa, Monbus and Renfe or use the Omio planner above.
- Departure from Finisterre: There are several buses that run every day back to Santiago where you can pick up your onward travel. .
Inclusions
Included
- 11 nights accommodation
- 11 breakfasts
- Pilgrim’s Passport and scallop
- Digital pack (general route information and simple maps)
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all walking days (one piece per person, max 20kg)
- Galician cheese tasting in Santiago (not on Sundays)
- Guided tour of Santiago de Compostela Old Town
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable locally)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own.
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
- Airport transfers
Compostela/Pilgrim’s Passport
You are provided with one at the start of your walk in the Pilgrim Kit. You need to get your passport stamped in churches, restaurants or hotels along the way. At the end of the walk in Santiago de Compostela, you can obtain your Compostela Certificate.
Please note: due to the large influx of pilgrims during summer, and to avoid long waiting times, the Pilgrim Office in Santiago has installed a numbered ticket system for issuing pilgrim certificates (the Compostela). This new system allows pilgrims to collect their tickets and, using a QR Code, to check the status of the queue and estimated waiting time to obtain the Compostela. However, the number of tickets per day is limited so on days with high numbers of pilgrims arriving, there is a possibility that not all pilgrims will be able to collect their certificate on the day of arrival and will have to return for it on the following morning – this is one of the reasons we’ve included an extra day in Santiago.
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
