Walking the Camino de Santiago‬

Begin with an evening flight to Coruna and transfer to Samos where you’ll meet your fellow walkers. 

Stay: Hotel A Veiga (Standard)

After breakfast, you’ll start your walk along perhaps the most unspoilt section of the Camino, populated by a number of traditional villages. You’ll also stop off at one of the oldest monasteries in Spain; exhibiting competing architectural influences, it combines Gothic severity with neoclassical flourishes. You’ll then continue through ancient oak forests to reach Sarria.

Day 2 walking distance - 8 miles

Stay: Hotel Oca Villa de Sarria (Standard)

Follow the region’s hilly, green-dappled contours to reach Portomarín. Along with the rest of its historic buildings, its centuries-old castellated church was moved, brick by brick, from the valley floor to its current hilltop position. In doing so the town swapped the threat of flooding for stunning views over the region.

Day 3 walking distance - 14 miles

Stay: Hotel Villa Jardin (Standard)

Begin with a steady ascent to Ventas de Naron – a charming stone village – where the gradient levels out. As you continue, there’s plenty of opportunity to take a break with a café stop. You’ll then overnight at the halfway point of your trek, at Palas de Rei. This delightful church town is perhaps the best example of the Camino’s communal spirit, with plenty of walkers choosing to stay here.

Day 4 walking distance - 15 miles

Stay: La Cabana (Standard)

Today you’ll be treated to perhaps the most picturesque stretch of the route. Crossing several Roman bridges, you’ll pass medieval churches hidden among endless swathes of rolling greenery. You’ll then take your lunch in the small town of Melide, perhaps sampling the local delicacy – octopus. Your final destination for the day is Arzúa, famed for its excellent cheeses.

Day 5 walking distance - 18 miles

Stay: Pension O Retiro (Standard)

Ascending and descending through woods, fruit fields and eucalyptus groves you’ll reach Pedrouzo. As the capital of a farming parish, it’s surrounded by a beautiful tapestry of fields; their produce is best sampled is the town’s atmospheric tapas bars.

Day 6 walking distance - 11 miles

Stay: Hotel Platas (Standard)

Your last day’s walking will see you summit the famous Monte do Gozo, a hill topped by religious sculptures. It’s here that you’ll be treated to your first view of journey’s end – a sight that elicited cries from the original pilgrims, hence the name ‘Hill of Joy’. Then, as is the ancient tradition, you’ll descend to walk the city’s streets and to reach the Plaza del Obradoio and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Most Fridays, you’ll be treated to its famous mass service, renowned for its botafumeiro incense swinging.

On arrival in Santiago de Compostela, you will obtain the 'compostela', a certificate of accomplishment given to pilgrims upon completing the way; gained by walking at least 100km of the route, which is done on this trip.

Day 7 walking distance - 12 miles

Stay: Hotel Avenida (Standard)

Today is left free for you to explore the historic city of Santiago at your own place. After a second look at the cathedral, stroll through the narrow streets of its UNESCO-listed old town to take in the city’s diverse architecture before making a stop at the Museum of Galician Life. Here, the region’s rich traditions and art are presented across a range of exhibitions. Alternatively, join a day excursion to Cape Finisterre. Thought to be the end of the world by the Romans, it’s a site of dramatic natural beauty.

Stay: Hotel Avenida (Standard)

Transfer back to Coruna airport in the evening, to make your flight home.