As ancient a route as they come, the Camino de Santiago's growing popularity since its 9th century inception has almost bypassed the need for an introduction. The vast expansion of its humble Roman roads connecting France and Spain has, over time, fanned out across Iberia and western Europe, making it one of the most unmissable long distance trails in the world.
On this seven-night walk, you'll start in Sarria, a large town famed for Galicia's antique fairs. From here you'll walk along farm tracks, paths and country lanes, and through vineyards, stopping off at churches to admire the frescoes and tavernas for lunch en route. Be sure to have your Pilgrim Passport stamped in bars, hotels and churches along the way to qualify for a certificate from the official Pilgrim Office in Santiago.
Chat to other walkers and share in the camaraderie as you meet people from all over the world, some who have been walking for months, covering hundreds of miles. The finishing line is the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela - the resting place of St James the Apostle - its magnificent baroque facade and elongated spires a fittingly grandiose conclusion to a truly monumental journey. Your accommodation for the week is diverse including restored parish houses, converted water mills and stylish farmhouses, all packed with period features. A phrase book will come in handy for some of the hotels where the owners don't speak English.
Walks on this holiday are on village streets, country lanes, farm tracks and rural paths. Walking boots are essential. Walking poles are recommended.
A transfer takes you from Santiago to your hotel in Sarria.
You stay at the Rectoral de Goian (breakfast and evening meal)
Today starts with a walk along the Roman bridge that leads out of Sarria up the Celerio Valley. Cross through the hamlets of the southern edge of the Sierra del Paramo then descend into Portomarin - the original village was drowned by the Belesar Reservoir, and some remains still shimmer below the surface!
You stay at the Casa Rural Santa Marina (breakfast and evening meal)
Today you can visit Portomarin's church before passing between cornfields lined with ox-eye daisies as you follow the Torres stream. Stamp your Pilgrim Passport in country churches dedicated to the Order of St James before arriving at your beautifully restored rectory.
You stay at the Rectoral de Lestedo (breakfast and evening meal)
Walk along country lanes past fortified farmhouses into the hillside town of Palas de Rei (Palace of the King) as you enter the province of A Coruna. You'll pass typical, raised Galician granaries, and see chickens scamper across narrow streets as you enter vineyards, with views east to the Montes del Vacaloura.
You stay at the Casa de los Somoza (breakfast and evening meal)
Today's first stop is the thriving country town of Melide, where you'll see locals enjoying Galician seafood in specialist pulperias (octopus restaurants). Drop into the Romanesque church to admire the frescoes, before walking to the lively market town of Arzua along lanes lined with bright yellow celandine. Your final stop is the elegant manor house, surrounded by tranquil countryside, just outside the town.
You stay at the Pazo de Santa Maria (breakfast and evening meal)
Follow Arzua's colonnaded streets into open country where local farmers wear berets as they tend vines and build haystacks with pitch forks. Your route will rise and fall through river valleys, crossing rushing streams. This evening you'll stay at Javier's breathtaking converted water mill, where original machinery has been turned into spectacular period features.
You stay at O Muino de Pena (breakfast and evening meal)
The finishing line is near! Set off towards Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy) today, where pilgrims of old caught their first glimpse of the spires of Santiago. As you reach Santiago's historic centre, the atmosphere is electric as a steady stream of pilgrims reach their journey's end below the cathedral's spectacular Baroque facade. Drop into the Pilgrim Office to collect your certificate, before checking into our historic hotel near the old marketplace - still a riot of colour!
You stay at the Hotel Virxe da Cerca (breakfast included)
Enjoy Santiago and the cathedral before taking a taxi to the airport (pay locally approx 15 euro). Alternatively, stay on for extra nights to explore this beautiful historic city. Walking through the old streets of Santiago is a fantastic way to spend your time here, with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings lining the old town's streets and plazas.
If you'd prefer a slightly longer holiday, take a look at our 10 night Walking the Camino de Santiago.
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
A rectoral in Spain is the equivalent of a parsonage in the UK. A grand home, often in a picturesque location built of attractive old stone. Such is the case with The Rectoral de Goian, just 8km from the centre of Sarria, it's a gorgeous property set in isolated countryside in landscaped gardens that are just too perfect.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
This eco-friendly hotel is located on the banks of the Mino river. The rooms are located in the Main building and are decorated with wood panelling.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Set deep in the countryside directly on the Camino, on a hillside with fabulous north facing views, this ancient light stone ruin has been restored by Susana and Cesar (a local vet). The sloping garden gives all the rooms pleasant country views, and the public spaces are very effectively designed to maximise natural light and make the most of the views. The 9 bedrooms are light and spacious with black and white photos on the walls, wooden floors and some striking designer touches that you might not expect in a building of this age.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
An old farmhouse that has been renovated beautifully in keeping with the rustic country feel. The inner courtyard has been restored and the estate is filled with gardens. The rooms have maintained their traditional wood and stone walls and have been furnished with restored furniture from the original house.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
In the tiniest village of just a few houses, Jesus Cardelle's rustic country Turismo Rural is a popular stop on the Camino. The house was originally a farm, and has an old world charm about it with tiled floors and wooden beams throughout. The garden outside is always full of passing pilgrims having a drink in the sunshine, and playing Jesus' typical in house Galician skittle game. This is a simple village and a simple hotel, full of rustic charm. There is no English spoken here.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Juan Manuel Duque took on this ruined Galician stately home on the outskirts of Arzua as a retirement project several years ago, and has restored it to it's former glory using original materials and creating an atmosphere of perfect peace and tranquillity.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Room upgrades: Suite.
Suites offer extra space.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Room upgrades and extra nights: Contact us for details.
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Terrific experience. I do not see your name mentioned among the traditional Camino companies but it should be. It was a very easy and terrific experience.
An enjoyable experience, with like minded people
A great experience with interesting and for the most part, rural, off the beaten track accommodation of a very high standard. The hosts were without exception extremely welcoming. The walk is challenging at times but no less enjoyable for that and the experience of arriving in Santiago and the sense of achievement at the end of the 6 days of walking was one I won't forget any time soon.
A perfect balance of independent travel with the knowledge of knowing that at the end of each days walk there will be a comfortable bed and an excellent meal in an unspoilt rural location each with its own individuality.
The Camino from Sarria to Santiago do Compostela is a pilgrimage rather than a conventional long-distance hike. If you would like to share an unusual, fascinating and historical experience with fellow travelers from all over the world (and of all faiths and none), you will probably love it. I have heard people complain that it is rather crowded. If you see that as a disadvantage rather than a positive part of the experience, then perhaps this is not the right walk for you. The walking itself, for anyone of moderate fitness, is not at all challenging, and the way-marking makes it impossible to get lost. As I say, this is a great, historic pilgrimage, but not an escape to the wild.
Great experience to walk the 100km+ on the camino
Excellent holiday we connected with your other clients and walked as a group of six and made our own
Camino Famílily. Very helpful before set off. Great accommodation and food. Some confusion with notes for arrival at hotels! - we could provide you with better notes!
The holiday was excellent, thoroughly enjoyed it. Well organised, fantastic accomodation. Will definately book again through Headwater
Our holiday processing along the French Way of the Camino de Santiago at the beginning of May was a joy. We were not quite knowing what to expect, as some people had said that the Camino and Santiago itself were pretty busy and commercialized. How wrong they were! We loved the enchanting unspoilt villages and tracks we passed along and the places which we stayed at were a delight. Full marks to Headwater for winkling out those excellent choices. As indicated on the questionnaire, all were good but some were outstanding. Our hosts were generally highly helpful and, even if they didn't speak English, made every effort to please us through our pathetic Spanish. (Charming Fernando at Rectoral de Lestedo even presented us with a voice-recognition translating app on his mobile - conversations became quite fulsome!). The Pazo Santa Maria was the jewel in the crown - I could have stayed for days! A brill holiday - which I've been exalting since our return, thank you. Catherine Parkinson
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 7 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of , , , and hotels
Continental breakfast and 6 evening meals
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Comprehensive route directions provided prior to departure
Standard transfers to your first hotel (if booking inclusive flights), pay locally for return transfer
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers
Pilgrim's Passport
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
| Departing | Tour only | Prices  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26th Sep 2023 | US$2179 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2179 Single supp: US$442 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Oct 2023 | US$2179 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2179 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 9th Oct 2023 | US$2249 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2249 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 10th Oct 2023 | US$2179 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2179 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 17th Oct 2023 | US$2179 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2179 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 24th Oct 2023 | US$2179 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2179 Single supp: US$442 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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| 2nd Apr 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 9th Apr 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 16th Apr 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 23rd Apr 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 30th Apr 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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| 7th May 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 14th May 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 21st May 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 28th May 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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| 4th Jun 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 11th Jun 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 18th Jun 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 25th Jun 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Jul 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 9th Jul 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 16th Jul 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 23rd Jul 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 30th Jul 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th Aug 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 13th Aug 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 20th Aug 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 27th Aug 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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| 3rd Sep 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 10th Sep 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 17th Sep 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 24th Sep 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Oct 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 8th Oct 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 15th Oct 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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| 22nd Oct 2024 | US$2449 | US$442 | Tour only: US$2449 Single supp: US$442 |
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The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.
Minimum group sizes
No minimum group size, however transfers are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked on each departure.
Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices
Children
This holiday is unsuitable for children.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.
Departures
Every Tuesday from 26th Sep 2023 to 22nd Oct 2024, for 7 nights. All dates are subject to availability, please contact us to check.
Meals
Continental breakfast and 6 evening meals
Tour only
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement.
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.
If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.
