Before choosing the number of days
Sarria is a common start for people with about a week. It is not an effortless stroll: consecutive days with luggage require preparation. Count travel days, walking days and time in Santiago separately. Do not book return travel around an exact arrival hour. Weather, a long break or changing accommodation may alter your day. Allow time for the Compostela if you meet its requirements.
A five-day tiered distribution
This example helps you understand the towns along the route. Distances are approximate and vary with accommodation, variants and measurement points.
| Day | Tour | Orientation distance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarria to Portomarin | 22 km |
| 2 | Portomarin to Palas de Rei | 25 km |
| 3 | Roof from Rei to Arzúa, passing through Melide | 29 km |
| 4 | Arzúa a O Pedrouzo | 19 km |
| 5 | Or Pedrouzo to Santiago | 20 km |
The third day is noticeably longer. One alternative is to split it into Palas de Rei to Melide and Melide to Arzúa, giving six walking days. Some people need shorter stages still. Adjust the route in the app and check door-to-door distances before booking.
What to get ready before we get there
Test footwear on long walks and use your intended backpack. Check accommodation cancellation conditions and save addresses. A power bank and downloaded map help, but waymarks and judgement remain essential. Carry an official credential if you want accreditation. See our Compostela guide before deciding the starting point.
Where to pause
A meal stop need not coincide with a stage ending. You can have breakfast after setting off or lunch in an intermediate town. See the pages for Portomarin, Melide and Retirement To place the stops without turning them into a race.
