French Way from Sarria (6 stages)

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I get to Sarria?

  Sarria is one of the most common starting points of the Camino de Santiago, and getting there is quite simple, although it will depend on your place of origin.

  From Madrid:

  • Direct train daily in the early afternoon (approx. 13:00–15:00).
  • Bus with Alsa: first to Lugo and then a connection to Sarria.
  • Own or shared car.

  From other points in Spain or abroad:

  • The most practical option is to fly to Santiago de Compostela. From there, you can take a direct bus to Sarria or arrange a private transfer with us to the start of your route.

  At the end of your Camino, it is common to return by train or plane from Santiago de Compostela.

  👉 More info: More info

• Does making the Camino de Santiago from Sarria entitle you to the Compostela?

  Yes, as long as you walk the whole route. From Sarria to Santiago it is just over 110 km, above the 100 km that the Pilgrim's Office requires to be walked (200 km by bicycle) to obtain the Compostela. That is why Sarria is the most popular starting point: it is the closest start that meets the requirement.

• When is the best time to walk the Camino de Santiago from Sarria?

  The best time to walk the Camino de Santiago from Sarria is spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). In these months the weather is mild and pleasant, with less rain and moderate temperatures, ideal for walking. June, July and August are also good in terms of weather, but the route is very crowded with pilgrims.

• Where can I stamp my credential in Sarria?

  In Sarria you can stamp your credential at several places:

  • Church of Santa Mariña.
  • Church of San Salvador.
  • Tourist Office.
  • Association of Friends of the Camino de Santiago of the Sarria area.
  • At most accommodations, restaurants and cafés, as well as at the Town Hall, the Guardia Civil and shops in town.

• ¿Cuántos días necesito para hacer el Camino de Santiago desde Sarria?

  The most common format covers the roughly 115 km from Sarria in 5 stages, so you need 6 days including the day you arrive in Sarria. You can also do it in 4, 6 or 10 stages, depending on the pace you prefer.

• What is the difference between completing the Camino from Sarria in 5 or 6 stages?

  The 6-stage version breaks the longest days (the area of Palas de Rei – Melide – Arzúa) into shorter sections, with days ranging from 14 to 25 km. It is ideal if you walk at a leisurely pace, travel with family, with seniors, or if it is your first Camino. The 5-stage version is slightly more demanding but equally manageable.

• Where does the Camino de Santiago start in Sarria?

  The Camino de Santiago in Sarria usually starts from your first accommodation. However, you can start in the historic centre of the town, where you will find the famous stairs, the Church of Santa Mariña, the Church of El Salvador and the Sarria letters sign.

• Which is the longest stage of the 6-stage Camino from Sarria?

  The second, from Portomarín to Palas de Rei, at 25 km, and also the toughest of the trip: you climb between hamlets up to Castromaior and top the Ligonde range before reaching Palas de Rei. From there the trip gets gentler, because the next two stages, to Melide (15 km) and Arzúa (14 km), are the shortest of the itinerary. Take that day calmly and make time to look around the Castromaior hill fort.

• What to see in Melide if you spend the night there on the Camino from Sarria?

  Sleeping in Melide is the big advantage of the 6-stage format: you arrive after only 15 km and have the afternoon free. As well as trying pulpo á feira in one of its pulperías, you can see what is considered the oldest wayside cross in Galicia and visit the Museo da Terra de Melide, in the old pilgrims' hospital, whose façade dates from 1502. A perfect plan for a quiet afternoon before carrying on to Arzúa.

• Is the Palas de Rei–Melide stage of the Camino from Sarria difficult?

  No, it is one of the gentlest: 15 km with mild ups and downs. You start along a shady corredoira (old country lane), cross the Pambre river and reach Leboreiro, where its cabazo, a curious straw granary, stands out next to the Romanesque church. Then you cross the Furelos river and enter Melide. As it is short, you can sleep in a little and have a relaxed breakfast before setting off.

• Should you pack a swimsuit for the Melide–Arzúa stage of the Camino from Sarria?

  If the weather is good, yes. Just before Arzúa, at Ribadiso de Abaixo, the river forms one of the loveliest spots on the Camino and a swim is very tempting. The stage is short (14 km), although it has a little more climbing than the previous one, and it runs through wonderful Atlantic woodland. In Arzúa you will find all services and a reward to end the day: its cheese with the Arzúa-Ulloa Designation of Origin.

• Is the 6-stage Camino from Sarria a good option with children?

  Yes, it is a perfect format for families travelling with children. It covers the same 115 km to Santiago, but splits the longest stage (Palas de Rei–Arzúa, 29 km) into two days of 15 and 14 km with a night in Melide, so no day is longer than 25 km. If you are travelling with little ones, adding luggage transfer lets you walk with just a light daypack, and giving them the job of collecting the stamps in the credential usually works very well.