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Please leave your luggage in the hotel reception each morning (by 9am at the latest) so that it can be transferred to your next hotel. Make sure that your luggage is clearly labelled with the nametag provided. In case of any issues with the luggage transfer, please call Jacotrans on (+34) 606 049 858.
Your bike fitting is scheduled for xxx at xxx at the Parador de León. In case of any issues, contact Carlos on (+34) 605 88 84 59.
Call the Bike Spain Tours office on +34 915 590 653, or out of office hours call +34 677 356 586. We will get you where you need to be and get you the help you need
Please be aware that Spaniards follow a very particular routine in terms of their daily meals, and this is often strictly enforced by restaurant opening hours, especially in small towns!
You can expect restaurants to be open for lunch from approximately 1:30pm – 4pm. Many places will offer a menú del día: a set menu with 2/3 options for each course, usually including a drink, bread and dessert or coffee. Remember that lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain.
Dinnertime in Spain is any time from 8pm onwards. Dinner in Spain is typically a lighter meal.
In order to prove your status as a pilgrim (and be awarded your Compostela pilgrim certificate once you arrive in Santiago), you will need to obtain a credencial (pilgrim passport) at the start of your journey. In León, you can get your credencial from the Albergue del Monasterio de las Benedictinas (open daily 11am – 11pm) or from the Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago (open Mon – Fri 11am – 1pm/6pm – 8pm). The credencial costs 2€, payable in cash.
Once you have your credencial, make sure that you get it stamped at least twice per day as you travel to Santiago. You can receive stamps in hotels, restaurants, churches, bars, cafés and many other places that you might visit along the way; we recommend that you try to get as many stamps as possible to turn your credencial into a unique souvenir of your trip!
Walking the Camino de Santiago is not just a pilgrimage for the soul but also a feast for the senses. Here’s a must-try list of regional food and drinks along the way:
León
León is a fantastic place to try traditional Castilian meat dishes such as cecina (cured smoked beef) or morcilla de León (spiced blood sausage with rice). Vegetarians can enjoy sopa de ajo (garlic soup with paprika, bread, and egg). Wash everything down with some prieto picudo wine: a bold red from León’s vineyards.
Astorga and El Bierzo
For breakfast in Astorga, we recommend accompanying your coffee with local mantecadas and hojaldres (soft, buttery sponge cakes and flaky pastries). For a hearty dinner, the local specailty is cocido maragato: a three-course stew with chickpeas, meats, and broth, which is traditionally eaten backwards compared to the rest of Spain: meat first, soup last).
As you head west into El Bierzo wine region, we highly recommend trying the local mencía wine: a fruity, deep red. Specialty dishes here include botillo del Bierzo (slow-cooked pork sausage with potatoes and cabbage), pimientos del Bierzo (roasted sweet red peppers) and castañas del Bierzo (roasted chestnuts).
Galicia
As you cross the mountains into Galicia, you’ll notice that seafood features much more heavily in the local gastronomy! The star dish here is pulpo a la Gallega, or pulpo a feira (octopus sprinkled with paprika, sea salt, and olive oil). Melide is particularly famous for its octopus, although you’ll find it in almost all the towns you pass through in this region. Another very traditional dish is empanada Gallega (a savoury pastry filled with tuna, meat, or seafood). Wash it all down with a glass of crisp albariño white wine!
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is a culinary gem! We highly recommend a tapas crawl to sample as much of the local cuisine as possible. The seafood is of course a highlight, although traditional Galician pork dishes such as raxó and zorza are also very popular. Round off your culinary adventure with a slice of tarta de Santiago: an almond cake dusted with icing sugar in the shape of the cross of St James. Those interested in Galicia’s Celtic heritage might consider booking a queimada: a flaming Galician punch made from orujo (pomace brandy), sugar, lemon peel, and coffee beans, brewed by a meiga (witch)!
Click here for our packing suggestions for a self-guided bike tour.
Click here for our recommendations for cycling safely and legally in Spain.
Click here for our recommendations on what to do if you experience mechanical issues with your bike during your tour.
Saturday, 26th April: Leon
Arrival day
Accommodation: Parador de León
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry
Welcome to the Camino, and the start of an amazing tour!
Arrival at leisure in León. You can check into your hotel from 2pm. Remember to request your Bike Spain Tours gifts from reception!
Once you’ve checked into your accommodation, you will need to obtain your credencial (pilgrim passport) from the Albergue del Monasterio de las Benedictinas (open daily 11am – 11pm) or from the Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago (open Mon – Fri 11am – 1pm/6pm – 8pm). The credencial costs 2€, payable in cash.
Click here for our Google Maps list of recommendations in León.
Top of your list should be León Cathedral (open Mon – Sat 9:30am – 1:30pm/4pm – 7pm, Sun 9:30am – 11:30am and 1pm – 3pm), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a spectacular rose window. Constructed between the mid 18th and early 19th centuries, the Cathedral’s architectural style demonstrates the transition from Late Baroque to Neo-Classical.
León’s colourful Plaza Mayor is well worth a visit: grab a coffee at one of the many cafés and admire the elegant architecture. If your visit coincides with a Wednesday or Saturday, you can visit the traditional market held in the plaza from 9am – 3pm, and sample some local produce.
Basílica de San Isidoro: Consecrated in 1063, this beautiful church (open daily from 10am), houses a Royal Pantheon, covered in stunning colorful frescoes, a museum, a collegiate library and a beautiful hotel and restaurant (open daily 1:30pm – 3:30pm/8:30pm – 10:30pm), where you can dine among the ancient cloisters.
Museo Casa Botines de Gaudí: Famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí didn’t just design buildings in Barcelona; among his creations in Castile-León is this magnificent example of 20th-century Modernist architecture, originally a commercial warehouse and private residence (open Thu – Mon 10am – 7pm, Wed 3pm – 7pm).
Discover more about the history of the local area at León Museum, the biggest in Castile-León, and whose collection dates back to the Bronze Age (open Tue – Sat 10am – 2pm/4pm – 7pm and Sun 10am – 2pm).
Art fans will love MUSAC, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Castile-León, which houses works by local and international artists and is famous for its stained glass gallery, designed to mimic the colours of the Cathedral’s rose window.
No visit to León is complete without a tapas crawl around the Barrio Húmedo, or “wet district”, so called because it’s where you’ll find the highest concentration of bars and pubs! From the Cathedral, cross Calle Ancha, an ancient Roman road, and start exploring. You will receive a tapa with each drink order, so we suggest that you order cortos (small beers!)
Some of our favourite tapas bars are: La Bicha (for morcilla, or blood sausage), El Rebote (for croquetas), Jamón Jamón (charcuterie), Rúa 11 (150 varieties of vermouth), El Rincón del Gaucho (garlic soup).
Sunday, 27th April: Leon – Astorga
Route: 55km/34.6 mi
Elevation: +484m/+1,588 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Via de la Plata
Hotel services: Spa, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast
Please remember to leave your luggage with hotel reception each morning by 9am at the latest, so that it can be transferred to your next hotel.
This first stage traverses classic Castilian landscapes, complete with holm oaks, golden wheat fields and moderate rolling hills. The straightforward route follows the path of the N120 highway. The scenery along the first half of the route is relatively dry, but gets greener the further west you go as the cornfields give way to endless vineyards. Keep your eyes peeled for geckos, birds of prey and dairy cows!
As you ride westward from León, you’ll notice a gradula shift from urban landscapes to rural scenery. The roads are smooth, with occasional gentle inclines. Following the course of the Bernesga River, you may spot farmland and pastures flanking the roadside.
At Villanueva del Carrizo, you enter the fertile lands of the Órbigo Valley, cycling through vast fields of corn and wheat. The roads here are quieter, making for a peaceful, enjoyable ride. At Alcoba de la Ribera, the landscape becomes even more inviting, with tree-lined paths and occasional glimpses of the Órbigo River meandering through the countryside.
We recommend that you stop for lunch in the charming town of Hóspital de Órbigo, named after the pilgrim hospital founded by the Knights Hospitaller in the 16th century next to the Órbigo river. One of the town’s most famous attractions is the Paso Honroso, a 300m long stone medieval bridge, where according to the knight Don Suero de Quiñones once held a jousting tournament lasting over a month, in which he swore to break 300 lances in honour of unrequited love.
Our recommended lunch restaurant is La Encomienda (open daily 1pm – 4pm and Sat 1pm – 4pm/8pm – 12am), a historic spot whose specialty is trout.
Continuing on from Hóspital de Órbigo, the road follows gentle undulations, offering beautiful views of the valley. The villages retain their old-world charm, with traditional bakeries and cafés where you can pause for a well-earned refreshment.
As you approach Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias, the route begins to gain elevation, leading into rolling hills with stunning panoramas. The road is well-maintained but slightly more demanding.
Just before reaching Astorga, we recommend a quick photo stop at the Crucero de Santo Toribio, a stone cross atop a hill from where you can enjoy fabulous views of the Montes de León and Astorga.
Bike shops
Carrizo de la Ribera: Ribera Bike. Tel (+34) 987 626 665. Open Mon – Fri 11am – 7pm.
Benavides de Órbigo: Bicicletas Gardel. Open Mon – Fri 10am–1:30pm/5pm–7:30pm.
Astorga: Cadenas Bike Store. Tel (+34) 987 625 504. Open Mon – Fri 9:30am–1:30pm, 4:30pm–7pm
Click here for our Google Maps list of recommendations in Astorga.
Located at the convergence of the Camino de Santiago and the Vía de la Plata, Astorga offers a rich cultural legacy stretching from Roman times through to 20th century Modernism.
Astorga’s Late Gothic Cathedral (open daily 10am – 6pm, closed Sun 11:30am – 1pm for Mass) was built over three centuries, with the result that the stones that make up its walls are from different quarries and are different colours. Don’t miss the figure of St James on the cathedral’s ornate Baroque façade, facing the pilgrims’ route and blessing all those who pass.
Astorga’s majestic Episcopal Palace, or the Palacio de Gaudí, is one of the municipality’s most fascinating buildings, and now houses a museum dedicated to the Camino de Santiago.
The Plaza Mayor is the perfect example of Astorga’s mixture of old and new. Built over the remnants of the Roman forum, the square is home to the 17th century town hall, considered to be one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the region. On Tuesday mornings, the Plaza hosts a market (open 9am – 1:30pm) where you can pick up some fresh regional produce.
For a sweet treat, visit Astorga’s Chocolate Museum, (open Tue – Sat 10:30am – 2pm/4:30pm – 7pm and Sun 10:30am – 2pm) which traces the history of the Astorgan families who became official chocolate suppliers to the Spanish Royal Family, and is set in one of their elegant former mansions.
Discover Astorga’s Classical history at the Roman Museum (open Tue – Sat 10am – 2pm/4pm – 6pm and Sun 10am – 2pm), which is housed in an ancient domed building that was once part of the Roman forum.
A very traditional dish in Astorga is cocido maragato, a meat stew that is served one stage at a time: first the meat, then the vegetables, then finally the broth. What makes cocido maragato so special is that the rest of Spain serves their cocido in the reverse order, starting with the broth!
Cocido maragato is the perfect way to replenish calories after a long day of cycling, and we recommend you try it at Restaurante Casa Maragata, which is dedicated exclusively to this dish! They have two establishments in the city: Restaurante Casa Maragata I (open Wed – Sun 10:30am – 5pm) and Restaurante Casa Maragata II (open Fri – Tues from 10:30am – 5pm).
Monday, 28th April: Astorga – Villafranca
Route: 80.2 km/49.8 miles
Elevation: +1121 m/+3678 ft
Accommodation: Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo
Hotel services: Restaurante, bar, swimming pool, spa, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast
From Astorga, the Camino climbs gently up to the foothills of your first mountain pass. Once you’ve reached the top of Foncebadón, relax and enjoy the sweeping downhill ride to Villafranca, with gorgeous views of vineyards stretching out endlessly on both sides.
Your first point of interest is the picturesque town of Castrillo de los Polvazares, considered to be one of the region’s most beautiful examples of popular architecture. Take a quick breather to explore the cobblestone streets and admire brightly painted door and windowframes.
From here, the road continues to climb gently through the picturesque countryside, passing through Santa Catalina de Somoza and El Ganso, both small villages that have served as rest stops for pilgrims for centuries
Further along the Camino, you’ll reach the medieval town of Rabanal del Camino, a historic pilgrim town at the foot of the Montes de León where you can still find the remains of centuries-old pilgrim hospitals. For an authentic pilgrim experience, stop by the Municipal Pilgrim Hostel for a quick bite to eat at their bar/restaurant. On Sundays, they serve delicious plates of octupus! The town also houses the first monastery founded in the 21st century: the Monastery of San Salvador de Monte Irago.
Next, you’ll cycle up to beautiful mountain village of Foncebadón, which was largely abandoned until the mid-20th century, when the resurgence of the Camino started to attract new residents. If you’re passing through on a Saturday or Sunday, we recommend that you stop by La Taberna de Gaia (open Sat/Sun 12pm – 8pm), a unique medieval-themed restaurant serving authentic historical fare.
Just outside of Foncebadón, you’ll come across the famous Cruz del Ferro, the highest point of today’s ride and also the highest point of the Camino Francés, where pilgrims traditionally leave a small stone as a symbol of leaving behind their burdens before arriving in Santiago.
A little later, you’ll pass through the abandoned mountain village of Manjarín, where you can visit a pilgrim hostel founded by a modern-day Templar Knight! Tomás Martínez received the call to join the Order of the Knights Templar in 1993, and founded a medieval-style pilgrim hostel. Although the hostel is now closed, the site is still a fascinating insight into the history and spirit of the Camino.
From Manjarín, it’s a spectacular descent towards El Acebo de San Miguel. This descent is fast and technical, with sharp bends and stunning mountain views, requiring careful control and attention.
The descent continues through lush green forests, until you cross the medieval bridge into Molinaseca. We recommend a lunch stop here at one of the riverside restaurants. Our favourites are Mesón El Palacio (open Fri – Wed 8am – 12am) and Mesón Puente Romano (open Thu – Tue 8am – 12am)
After Molinaseca, you’ll pass through the historic city of Ponferrada, historically a stronghold of the Knights Templar and still dominated by their imposing 12th century castle (open Tue – Sun 10am – 2pm/4pm – 6pm).
After Ponferrada, you’ll enter the region of El Bierzo, whose wines have their own Protected Denomination of Origin. You have plenty of opportunities to visit a local winery: on the way out of Camponaraya, you’ll find Viñas del Bierzo (open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm and Sat 10am – 2pm), and Bodegas Godelia (open Mon – Fri 9am – 2pm/3pm – 6pm) and Losada Vinos de Finca (open Mon – Fri 9am – 2pm/3pm – 5pm) in Pieros.
Bike shops
Ponferrada: Bici Zona Elite. Tel (+34) 987 403 803. Open Mon – Fri 9:30am–1:30pm/5pm–8pm
Cacabelos: Bicibelos. Te. (+34) 605 663 595. Open Mon – Fri 9:30am–1:30pm/4:30pm–8:30pm Sat 10am – 2pm.
Click here for our Google Maps list of recommendations in Villafranca del Bierzo.
The town of Villafranca del Bierzo is was originally founded to provide pilgrims with refuge and sanctuary before beginning the most difficult part of their pilgrimage. The town boasts a long and storied history, and is replete with churches and monuments, testament to its importance as a stop on the ancient Camino de Santiago route.
At the entrance to the town, you’ll find the 12th-century Church of Santiago, where pilgrims unable to continue to Santiago de Compostela were able to pass through the Puerta del Perdón (Door of Forgiveness) and obtain forgiveness for their sins.
Continuing into town, you’ll find the Castle-Palace of the Marqueses de Villafranca, which nowadays houses a winery. You can admire more historic palaces by taking a stroll down Calle del Agua, a street replete with the manor houses of the aristocracy of yesteryear.
Your hotel, has its own excellent restauarant serving locally-produced fare; however, if you would like to explore the town further, we recommend the Microhostal Restaurante La Puerta del Perdón (open Tue – Sun 1pm – 4pm), the restaurant at the pilgrim hostel Albergue Viña Femita, or Mesón Don Nacho (open Wed – Mon 8am -4pm/8pm-12am)
Make sure you try some locally-produced D.O. Bierzo wine!
Tuesday 29th April: Villafranca – Portomarin
Route: 68.7 km/42.7 miles OR 98.7 km/61.5 miles
Elevation: +739 m/+2425 ft OR +1814 m/+5,976 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Portomarín Star
Hotel services: Bar, spa, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast
Get ready for the most challenging day of the Camino! From Villafranca the Camino climbs up to the mountain village of O’Cebreiro, the most demanding ascent of the western Camino Francés.
In order to optimise your experience on this stage, we have organised for a taxi to collect you from your hotel at 9am and take you up to O’Cebreiro, so that you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the more beautiful (and flatter!) part of the ride.
If you would prefer to cycle the full 98.7km, please let us know in advance!
Those who decide to cycle all the way up to O’Cebreiro can take a breather in Ambasmestas to pick up some locally-produced goat’s cheese from Quesería Veigadarte (open Mon – Fri 8:30am – 7pm).
The tiny mountain village of O’Cebreiro is your first stop in Galicia! The village holds huge cultural significance for the Camino de Santiago, and is well worth taking the time to explore. We highly recommend that you visit the pallozas: oval-shaped stone huts with straw roofs where for centuries local people cohabited with their livestock (open Tue – Sat 8:30am – 2:30pm in summer and 11am – 6pm in winter). Also worth a visit is the 9th century church of Santa María do Cebreiro (open Mon – Sat 9:30am – 1:30pm/4pm – 8pm and Sun 9:30am – 1:30pm), one of the oldest and best-preserved of the Camino, said to house the Holy Grail and whose bells once rang through the mists to guide pilgrims to safety.
Continuing on from O’Cebreiro, we highly recommend a stop at the tiny Albergue del Puerto, just beyond Padornelo, for a well-deserved slice of tortilla!
You’ll cycle through a mix of rolling terrain and short climbs before reaching Fonfría. This section of the ride is characterized by stunning green landscapes, stone farmhouses, and tranquil rural roads.
As you leave Triacastela, the Camino offers us two routes to Sarria. You’ll be taking the route via Samos, allowing you to visit the magnificent Monastery of Samos, which dates back to the 6th century. This quiet stretch, following the Oribio River, is particularly picturesque, with lush woodlands and peaceful countryside roads. Samos is also known for its gastronomy, especially river fish such as trout and eel: you can try these at Hotel Veiga Restaurante (open daily from 8am).
From Samos, the road climbs gently to O Empalme, before descending towards Sarria. The town of Sarria has reached legendary status on the Camino, because it’s the final town before the all-important 100km point, and therefore marks the starting point for many pilgrims. We recommend a quick stop here to soak up the Camino atmosphere, and grab some seafood from Restaurante Santiago.
After leaving Sarria, the route takes you through several small Galician hamlets. This part of the ride features rolling hills, peaceful oak forests, and traditional stone granaries known as hórreos. The terrain consists of well-maintained rural roads, offering a pleasant cycling experience.
As you approach Marcadoiro, the descent towards Portomarín begins, revealing the spectacular sight of the Miño River valley. The final descent into Portomarín crosses the modern bridge over the Miño, leading into the town’s historic center.
Upon arrival in Portomarín, you’ll cross the Ponte Nova: the new bridge that was constructed in the 1960s following the flood that resulted from the construction of the Miño River. The older neighborhoods of the town once belonged to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, but now lie submerged. When the reservoir waters are low, it’s still possible to see the original medieval bridge and get an idea of the layout of the ancient town.
Bike shops
O Cebreiro: Rent a bike. Tel (+34) 640 32 8276. Open Daily 9am–8pm
Sarria: Dos Ruedas. Tel (+34) 982 533 522. Open Mon – Fri 10am–1:30pm/4:30pm–8:30pm Sat 10am-1:30pm.
Click here for our list of recommendations in Portomarín.
The most important historical buildings of Portomarín were rescued, stone by stone, before the construction of the dam, and can still be seen today. Don’t miss the fortified Church of St Nicholas, and the Romanesque Church of San Pedro.
For a well-earned dinner, we recommend the riverside Restaurante O Mirador (open Sat – Thu, 1:30pm – 4:30pm/7:30pm – 10:30pm), which features a chill-out terrace with fabulous views, or Restaurante Xaones (open Sun – Fri 1:30pm – 11pm).
Wednesday, 30th April: Portomarín – Arzúa
Route: 54.4 km/33.8 miles
Elevation: +1012 m/3300 ft
Accommodation: Pazo de Brandeso
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, swimming pool, laundry, garden
Meals included: Breakfast
Today’s stage marks a pleasant contrast with the exertions of yesterday! You’ll enjoy a relaxed ride across the rolling Galician countryside, gradually losing altitude.
The first part of the ride involves a gentle but continuous climb towards Gonzar. The road is well-paved and flanked by fields and rolling hills, making for a peaceful ride.
As you leave Castromaior, you can take a short diversion to visit the Celtic castro (fortified town) which gave the town its name. Dating back to the 4th century BC, this castro is one of the largest Iron Age sites in the Iberian peninsula.
A steady climb leads you through Ventas de Narón and Airexe, small hamlets that have long served as resting points for pilgrims. The road is lined with old stone farmhouses, and the air is filled with the scent of eucalyptus trees.
Arriving in Palas de Rei, one of the larger towns along this route, you’ll find a variety of cafés and bakeries where you can rest and refuel. This town marks the transition from Lugo province into A Coruña province.
OPTIONAL: History-lovers might consider a diversion of 9km round-trip to Castillo de Pambre, which dates back to the 14th century and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Galician medieval military architecture (open Apr – Oct: Tues – Sun 11am – 2pm/4pm – 6pm and Nov – Mar: Tues – Sun 12pm – 5pm).
Leaving Palas de Rei, the route meanders through picturesque woodlands. The road alternates between gentle ascents and descents, passing through quiet countryside as you approach Melide. The small town of Melide is famous for its speciality: pulpo a feira (Galician octopus!) You can sample this very traditional Galician dish at one of the town’s pulperías: Ezequiel (open daily from 9:30am) or A Garnacha (open dialy from 9:30am).
Beyond Melide, the terrain becomes more undulating. In Boente, the Iglesia de Santiago welcomes pilgrims and cyclists alike. The rural landscape is dotted with traditional Galician granaries (hórreos) and peaceful woodland paths.
The final kilometers towards Arzúa feature a mix of small climbs and gentle descents. Arzúa is known for its queso de Arzúa-Ulloa, a creamy local cheese that’s perfect for a post-ride snack. The town’s quaint streets and lively atmosphere make it a fantastic place to relax and soak in the Camino experience.
Bike shops
Melide: BICICLETAS LEIVA MOTOSPORT. Tel (+34) 981 507 334. Open Mon – Fri 9:30am–2pm/4:30pm–8:30pm, Sat/Sun 10am-2pm
Arzúa: Lamas bike. Tel. (+34) 981 508 013. Open Mon – Fri 9am–2pm/3:30pm–8pm, Sat 9am – 2pm
History- lovers can visit the Iglesia de Santiago de Arzúa, a historic church that welcomes pilgrims and visitors alike, or the Capilla de la Magdalena, a beautiful 14th-century chapel that was once part of a pilgrim hospital.
Arzúa is very famous for Arzúa-Ulloa cheese, which has Protected Denomination of Origin status. You can buy some to try at A Queixeira de Arzúa (open daily from 8am).
If you didn’t try pulpo at lunchtime in Melide, you can sample Galicia’s most famous delicacy at Pulpería Parrillada Europa (open daily from 9:30am).
Thursday, 1st May: Arzúa – Santiago de Compostela
Route: 40 km/24.1 miles
Elevation: +647 m/+1925 ft
Accommodation: Parador de Santiago de Compostela
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast
Please note that today is Labour Day, a public holiday in Spain. As a result, some shops, restaurants and tourist attractions may be closed, or operating under a reduced timetable.
Today’s stage takes you along forest paths, through the beautiful Galician countryside to your final destination: the Pórtico de la Gloria (“The Façade of Glory”) of Santiago Cathedral!
Leaving Arzúa, the route follows quiet rural roads, weaving through rolling green fields and dense woodlands. The road surface is well-maintained asphalt, making for a smooth ride with only occasional gravel patches on the Camino paths.
The first few kilometers take you through the several tiny hamlets, where traditional hórreos and stone farmhouses dot the landscape. This section is a mix of gentle climbs and flowing descents, offering fantastic morning views over misty Galician hills.
Between the tiny hamlets of As Ras and A Brea, you’ll find Alimentos Ruta Xacobea (open Mon – Fri 10am – 1:30pm/4pm – 7pm), a small cheese factory making Arzúa-Ulloa cheese and other local varieties.
If you’d like to grab some lunch before arriving into Santiago de Compostela, we can recommend either Raxería San Marcos (open Wed – Mon 10am – 6pm) or Restaurante O Tangueiro for pulpo (open daily from 9am).
Once you arrive at your hotel, please leave your bikes with reception for later collection.
The official end-point of the Camino in Santiago de Compostela is the Cathedral, located in Plaza del Obradoiro. We recommend taking a break in the plaza to celebrate your achievement and soak up the amazing atmosphere. There is something indescribably human about the sight of hundreds of daily pilgrims arriving into the plaza, just as countless others have done over the centuries.
Inside the Cathedral, pilgrims traditionally embrace the statue of St James and visit his tomb. If you’d like to carry out this ritual, you can enter the Cathedral via Porta de Acibechería in Plaza da Inmaculada (daily from 8:30am – 9pm).
When you’re ready, you can visit the Pilgrim’s Office at Rúa das Carretas, 33 (open daily 10am – 6pm), where you can obtain the Compostela: the document certifying you as an official pilgrim! You can also request the Certificate of Distance, which reflects the start point of your pilgrimage, the number of kilometres travelled and the start and finish dates. This Certificate costs 3€, payable in cash at the Pilgrim Office.
Pilgrim’s Mass takes place in the Cathedral daily at 7:30am, 9:30am, 12:00pm and 7:30pm. At the beginning of the Pilgrim’s Mass, a list of the number of pilgrims who have been received in the Pilgrims’ Office in the last 24 hours is read out. Where they have travelled from and where they began their pilgrimage is also read out at the beginning of the service. If you’re lucky, you might even see the Botafumeiro, the enormous censer filled with incense and swung over the heads of mass attendees to counteract the smell of recently-arrived pilgrims!
Click here for our Google Maps list of recommendations in Santiago de Compostela.
Santiago de Compostela was, without a doubt, the most important city in Christian medieval Spain. It’s world-renowned for its cultural and religious significance, and each year thousands of travellers come to visit.
Santiago Cathedral: The end of your pilgrimage and top of your tourist list is Santiago’s magnificent cathedral, which dates back to the 11th century and is one of the few catedrals in the world built over the tomb of an apostle. We highly recommend the cathedral rooftop tour (available daily from 10am – 8pm, reservation recommended). You’ll climb up the cathedral tower and out onto the roof for a once-in-a-lifetime angel’s eye view of Santiago, as well as a unique perspective of the stunning cathedral.
Take a stroll in Alameda Park for fabulous views of the cathedral and the rest of Santiago’s UNESCO World Heritage Site old town. Don’t forget to take a picture with the statue of As Marías, two elderly sisters who used to go for a walk in the park every day at 2pm, dressed in their finery, regardless of civil war, dictatorship or inclement weather!
For more insight into the history of the Camino, don’t miss the Pilgrimage Museum (open Tue – Fri 9:30am – 8:30pm, Sat 11am – 7:30pm and Sundays 10:15am – 2:45pm)
Also well worth a visit is the Museum of the Galician People (open Tue – Sat 11am – 6pm and Sun 11am – 2pm), which explores the unique culture and history of this little corner of Spain. The museum is housed in a former Dominican convent, set in beautiful grounds that are now a public park.
Mercado La Galiciana: This gastromarket is just a couple of years old, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy both local and foreign food. There is an amazing range of eateries, and the place itself is beautifully designed (open Sun – Thu 12pm – 12am and Fri/Sat 12pm – 1am)
For a more traditional experience, visit Mercado de Abastos (open Mon – Sat, 11:30am – 5pm). This historic market is extremely popular with locals, and contains a range of restaurants, traditional market stalls, and even a fishmonger that will cook your purchases for you while you wait!
Santiago de Compostela also has a fantastic tapas culture. You will receive one free tapa per drink purchased, so we recommend that you stick with small glasses of albariño wine! Some of our favourites are Bar La Tita (enormous portions of tortilla) Petiscos do Cordeal (seafood), Benboa (seafood), Viñoteca Ventosela (cheese and charcuterie), Raices Gallegas (traditional Galician dishes including zorza and raxo) and Orella (pig’s ear).
For a sit-down meal, we highly recommend O Sendeiro (open daily until 6pm, and Wed – Sun 8pm – 12am) or A Curtidoria (open Wed – Sat 1pm – 5pm/8:30pm – 12am, Tue and Sun 1pm – 5pm).
Friday, 2nd May. Santiago de Compostela
Departure day
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, our tour will come to an end.
We hope you had a great time on your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
If you need any help with your onward plans, please feel free to contact our Bike Spain Tours team!
Parador de León GL San Marcos
Located in Leon’s historical center, directly in the heart of one of the most impressive Roman complexes of the Peninsula.
The convent of San Marcos is one of the greatest architectural gems of the Spanish town of Leon, together with the Cathedral, the San Isidoro Basilica or the Casa Botines. It has now become a Parador and is one of the most important monuments of the Spanish Renaissance.
Hotel Via de la Plata
This modern hotel was built in 2011, over the stones of the convent of San Francisco.
The hotels design gave priority to the space in the rooms, the furniture and the welcoming contemporary decoration. If offers the rest you deserve while enjoying the best location in the historic district.
Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo
Villafranca del Bierzo is a town full of churches, monasteries and convents. Right at the town entrance stands this converted historical building, known as a Parador in Spain.
The leading tourist accommodation in the fascinating El Bierzo district. It is surrounded by mountains covered with cherry and fig trees, slopes dotted with chestnuts, poplars and small farms.
Parador de Santiago – Hostal Reis Catolicos
The Parador de Santiago is a blend of history, art and tradition. It is the emblem of the city and the prefect nights rest for pilgrims
The hotel is located in Obradoiro Square near the cathedral, creating an area of spectacular beauty in one of the most visited provincial capitals of the world. A stay at this Parador means a visit to a truly unique and exclusive location.
