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7 nights Walking Tour from Sarria to Santiago with Madrid stay

7 nights Walking Tour from Sarria to Santiago with Madrid stay

Prices from 3367 EUROS PER PERSON

MAP OF THIS ITINERARY

Trip Overview:

This 11-night, 12-day itinerary blends cultural exploration in Madrid with a pilgrimage along the renowned Camino de Santiago, concluding in Santiago de Compostela. The tour begins with a 2-night stay in Madrid, followed by an 8-day journey on foot from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela (114 kms). This stretch covers the minimum distance required to...

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Trip Summary:

MADRID (2 nights) - SARRIA (1 night) - PORTOMARIN (1 night) - PALAS DEL REI (1 night) - MELIDE (1 night) - ARZUA (1 night) - RUA (1 night) - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (2 nights) - MADRID (1 night)   ...

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Access:

Daily Departures. Flying into Madrid International Airport. Departure from Madrid. Totally Spain does not arrange flights so you have the flexibility to book the flights you prefer. We can recommend a travel agent with whom you can book your flights if required. Otherwise a website such as Skyscanner is very useful for checking up-to-dat...

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Tour Itinerary

Madrid, Spain

Arrive in Madrid. You’ll be met at the airport by your private driver who will transfer you directly to your centrally-located Madrid hotel for 3 nights.

Madrid stands at the very centre of Spain –geographically, culturally and politically. This capital not only offers the culture and good times of a sophisticated, modern city but it also retains the charm and elegance of its early years. Among the splendid attractions of Madrid are the Prado Museum; home to masterworks of Goya, Velazquez and El Greco: the 19th century Villahermosa Palace now the Thyssen-Bornemizsa Museum; the Reina Sofia Art Centre showcasing more than 300 modern works by Dali, Miro & Picasso among others; the 18th century Royal Palace on the lovely Plaza de Oriente; the bustling Puerta del Sol with its many shops, restaurants and tapas bars; Rastro Market on Sundays one of the oldest outdoor markets in Europe; and Retiro Park for strolling while admiring local artists and buskers.

Take your time to settle in. Take a stroll in your neighbourhood that is bustling with atmospheric cafes, bars and restaurants.

For Madrid and for all the other places on this tour, we’ll provide you with our Totally Spain City Guides which highlight the best cafes, bars, restaurants along with museums, parks and other cultural spaces you can explore in your free time.  Your Totally Spain agent will also make personal recommendations based on your final choice of hotel and the size of your party.

We can also assist with restaurant reservations and booking other attractions to avoid queues.

 

Activities & Services Included today

  • Private transfer from Madrid Airport to your Madrid hotel
  • 4 star hotel accommodation in a standard room. Upgrade available on request

Madrid, Spain

After breakfast you’ll be met at your hotel by your expert local Madrid guide who will take you on an private tour of the historic city centre. You’ll enjoy visiting such places as the principal streets and squares including the Plaza del Sol, Plaza Santa, Plaza Mayor as well as the Mercado San Miguel, one of Madrid’s famous food markets.  Remember this tour can be tweaked if you have other special interests. You only need to let your Totally Spain representative know this.

You will continue with your guide to Plaza de la Villa and the Plaza del Oriente. Visit the Royal Palace that stands on the site of an old alcazar fortress and a former Moorish castle. The current building was completed in 1764. With 3,418 rooms there’s something to represent every style (and every monarch) since its construction.

This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps visit the Prado Museum at your leisure.  Totally Spain can pre-book tickets for you if you wish.  The museum is a wonderful space dating back to 1785 that now houses art from the 12th to the 19th century including large permanent collections by Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, Bosch, Titian, Van Dyck and Rembrandt.

 


Activities & Services Included today

  • Private Half-Day Walking tour in Madrid with expert, English speaking guide
  • Pre-Booked Entrance tickets for the Royal Palace
  • 4 star hotel accommodation in a standard room. Upgrade available on request

Meals Included today

  • Full Buffet Breakfast

Sarria, Spain

Today your destination is Sarria in Galicia. Point of commencement of your week-long walk to Santiago de Compostela. You'll be transferred from your hotel to Madrid train station to board the train to Sarria

Arrival and overnight in Sarria.

Sarria stands as a bustling contemporary municipality adorned with numerous stores, lodgings, dining establishments, and bars. However, beneath its modern facade lies a Celtic heritage, marking its historical significance as a pivotal medieval hub for pilgrims. Traces of its ancient legacy linger within the historic district along Rua Major. Noteworthy remnants include the ancient pilgrim's mural adorning the Igrexa de Santa Marina. Continuing along the Camino route towards the town's upper reaches unveils the Monasterio da Madalena, an age-old convent, the castle ruins, and the medieval Ponte Aspera bridge spanning the River Celerio. Additionally, a diverse array of culinary delights awaits, ensuring a robust start to the Camino journey.

 

 

Activities & Services Included today

  • Private transfer from Madrid Hotel to Madrid train station
  • Train from Madrid to Sarria - Tourist class
  • Accommodation in handpicked hotel or inn a standard room.
     

Meals Included today

  • Full Buffet Breakfast

Portomarin, Spain

Enjoy breakfast.  Check out of your accommodation and deposit your luggage which will be safely transferred to your next hotel.

SARRIA - PORTOMARIN (23 Km - 6h - difficulty 1/3)

Expect a nice walk in shady oak forests through pretty villages on peaceful country roads. In Santiago de Barbadelo (580m) see the Romanesque church that is decorated with scallop shells and is worth a visit.  Another good spot to take a break is the Nosa Señora dos Remedios Sanctuary.  Also the village of Ferreiros. When you arrive in Portomarin, enter the town via the famous stone staircase knwn as the `Escalinata´. Later.relax at one of the numerous outdoor cafes in the main plaza.

Portomarin, of medieval origin, was relocated together with its monuments to a new site when the old one was intentionally flooded to create the Miño reservoir. The churches of San Pedro and San Nicolas as well as a pazo, a Galician country house, are the most important buildings in the town.

Overnight in Portomarin.

 

 

Activities & Services Included today

  • Luggage transfer to your next accommodation
  • Accommodation in handpicked hotel or inn a standard room.

Meals Included today

  • Breakfast

Palas de Rei, Spain

Enjoy breakfast.  Check out of your accommodation and deposit your luggage which will be safely transferred to your next hotel.

PORTOMARIN - PALAS DE REI (25.6 Km - 6h15 - difficulty 2/3)

Commence today by crossing the Belesar dam bridge. Continue with a gradual climb ending in the village of Ligonde. This section runs mostly along andaderos (paths), next to the road, or via paved trails. There are many camino signs indicating that you are on a pilgrim route, including the famous "cruceiros" (crucifixes). You may like to see the Cruceiro of Lameiros and explore the Monastery of Our Saviour of Vilar de Donas (2 km detour off the Camino). Palas do Rei is full of splendid Romanesque buildings and is the end of the 12th and last stage in the Codex.

Overnight in Palas de Rei.

 

 

Activities & Services Included today

  • Luggage transfer to your next accommodation
  • Accommodation in handpicked hotel or inn a standard room.

Meals Included today

  • Breakfast

Melide, Spain

Enjoy breakfast.  Check out of your accommodation and deposit your luggage which will be safely transferred to your next hotel.

PALAS DE REI - MELIDE (15 Km - 3h30 - difficulty 2/3)

On this sestion, you will enter the province of Coruna, where you will encounter expanses of eucalyptus and pine trees as well as numerous medieval bridges, such as those in Leboreiro and Furelos. Melide, famous for Pulpo Gallego, octopus cooked Galician style and reputed to be the best in Spain, is an obligatory stop for pilgrims.  Be sure to visit the Church of Santa Maria, the church of the former hospital of Sancti Spiritus and the portal of the Church of San Pedro.

 

Overnight in Melide.

 

Activities & Services Included today

  • Luggage transfer to your next accommodation
  • Accommodation in handpicked hotel or inn a standard room.

Meals Included today

  • Breakfast

Arzua, Spain

Enjoy breakfast.  Check out of your accommodation and deposit your luggage which will be safely transferred to your next hotel.

MELIDE - ARZUA (14 Km - 3h30 - difficulty 2/3)

Today your walk is quite similar to the previous day passing expanses of eucalyptus and pine trees and numerous medieval bridges, as well as some of the most idyllic locations on the Camino in Ribadiso do Baixo near Arzua.  In Arzua see the former hospital next to the church of La Magdalena.

Overnight in Arzua.

 

Activities & Services Included today

  • Luggage transfer to your next accommodation
  • Accommodation in handpicked hotel or inn a standard room.

Meals Included today

  • Breakfast

 

Rua, Spain

Enjoy breakfast.  Check out of your accommodation and deposit your luggage which will be safely transferred to your next hotel.

ARZUA - RUA (18.5 Km -5h - difficulty 1/3)

Today enjoy a pleasant and easy walk over gentle slopes and through forests, alternating with stretches by the road, which you will have to cross at times, before arriving in Rua (500 m from the village of Pedrouzo). In Boente see the beautiful sculpture of Saint James the Pilgrim in the Church of the same name.

 

 

Activities & Services Included today

  • Luggage transfer to your next accommodation
  • Accommodation in handpicked hotel or inn a standard room.

Meals Included today

  • Breakfast

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Enjoy breakfast.  Check out of your accommodation and deposit your luggage which will be safely transferred to your next hotel.

RUA - SANTIAGO  (18.5 k m - 4h30 - difficulty 1/3)

Today you will walk the last stage of your Camino de Santiago journey. The proximity of Santiago will no doubt bring mixed feelings. On one hand, you will be keen to reach the end, yet on the other hand, the sensation that often comes to pilgrims is that their journey is over. Anxiety mixes with joy, where distance does not matter, because you are “already there”.

The route today is mostly flat, except for the climb to San Marcos. You pass Lavacolla, the name coming from the word `lavar´ to wash.  This is where pilgrims used to cleanse themselves before entering the city of the apostle.  Finally pass Monte do Gozo and continue down to Santiago de Compostela. The entire city of Santiago de Compostela is wonderful, but especially the Plaza del Obradorio with its towering Cathedral.

Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

 

 

Activities & Services Included today

  • Luggage transfer to your next accommodation
  • Accommodation in handpicked hotel or inn a standard room.

Meals Included today

  • Breakfast

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Santiago de Compostela marks the conclusion of the Camino Frances. Today we recommend taking it easy. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the city center, ensuring you don't overlook any of its rich history. Today offers you ample time to immerse yourself in the charm of historic Santiago de Compostela, featuring numerous enticing tapas bars and restaurants.

Consider attending the midday pilgrims mass and exploring the renowned Cathedral of St. James, the heart of the city. Witness the continuous flow of pilgrims completing their epic journey, as they arrive at the Obradoiro Square. 

Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

 

 

Activities & Services Included today

  • Accommodation in handpicked hotel or inn a standard room.

Meals Included today

  • Breakfast

Santiago de Compostela - Madrid, Spain

Today after breakfast you will be transferred to Santiago de Compostela train station to take the high speed train to Madrid. A Totally Spain driver will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to your centrally located 4 star Madrid hotel.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

 

 

 

 

 

Activities & Services Included today

  • Private transfer from Santiago Hotel to Santiago train station
  • ​Train from Santiago to Madrid - Tourist class
  • Private transfer from Madrid train station to Madrid hotel
  • 4 star hotel accommodation in a standard room. Upgrade options available on request

Meals Included today

  • Full Buffet Breakfast

Departure,

Following breakfast you will be met by your private driver and transferred to Madrid International Airport for your departure.

 

Activities & Services Included today

  • Private transfer from your Madrid hotel to Madrid airport

Meals Included today

  • Full Buffet Breakfast

Additional Information

This suggested Madrid & Camino de Santiago Tour  does not have any fixed departure dates.  It may be taken, subject to availability, on whichever dates you wish.  We would suggest that the ideal time of year to enjoy this tour would be from late April to mid-November.

 

RELATED & ORIGINAL POSTS FROM TOTALLY SPAIN'S BLOG

Many ways of doing the Camino. What's yours?
Driving the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain
Best Cathedrals in Spain
What to See in Galicia Northern Spain
What to do in Madrid. 10 Things we love in Spain's Capital City
Travel Checklist for Spain & Portugal
 

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What's included

Accommodation Included (based on 2 people sharing)

  • 11 nights accommodation in quality hotels in a standard room. Upgrade options available on request.

Meals Included

  • Breakfast daily

Transport Included

  • Private transfers from airport/train stations as indicated above
  • High Speed Trains (tourist class – upgrades available on request)
    Madrid to Sarria
    Santiago de Compostela to Madrid

Private Guided Tours Included

  • Private Walking tour in Madrid with expert English speaking guide

Pre-Booked Entrance Tickets Included

  • Madrid – Royal Palace

Camino Services Included

  • Luggage transfer from accommodation-to-accommodation while walking the Camino de Santiago
  • Trip Insurance ONLY while walking the Camino from Sarria to Santiago.  Totally Spain always recommends that clients take out separately their own comprehensive travel insurance
  • Pilgrims Passport (credencial)
  • 24/7 telephone assistance while walking the Camino

Other Inclusions

  • Comprehensive personalized trip documentation including local maps, guides and tourist information
  • Totally Spain's specialist trip planning service and support
  • Spanish Government tax


NOT INCLUDED
Flights, Personal Travel Insurance, Porterage (not commonly available in Spain), Tips, Meals, drinks or hotel extras other than those described above. Anything else not specified above.

 

 

Prices from

3367 EUROS PER PERSON

Customer Reviews

Hi Ken, We’ve been meaning to send you a Thank You!   Thank you for helping us create an amazing tour around Madrid and Andalusia. The monuments, architecture, & tours were overwhelmingly interesting, ...

K & B Parzych, San Luis Obispo, CA USA
2023-05-19

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