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Your guide for this tour will be Juanfe: (+34) 644 038 696.
Gratuities for our guides are much appreciated to thank them for exceptional service, support, and expertise. The industry standard for each individual guest is 7.5-10% tip of the trip price at the end of the tour. Local currency is preferred.
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
Your insurance policy number is xxxx. You can find your insurance documents here.
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. Your guides will assist you in this.
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!
In order to ensure that there is enough space for everyone to travel comfortably in the van, we ask that you bring only one standard hold luggage size suitcase and one rucksack per person.
Click here for our packing suggestions for a guided bike tour.
Click here for our recommendations for cycling safely and legally in Spain.
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.
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)!
Madrid
Accommodation: Own arrangements
Welcome to Spain! Spend some time exploring the country’s charismatic capital city.
Click here for our Google Maps list of recommendations in Madrid.
Visit one of the galleries that make up Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art”: the classical Prado (open Mon – Sat 10am – 8pm, and Sun 10am – 7pm), the modernist Reina Sofia (open Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat 10am – 9pm and Sun 10am – 2:30pm), or the Thyssen-Bornemisza, a former former private collection (open Tue – Sun 10am – 7pm and Mon 12pm – 4pm).
Make a selfie stop at some of Madrid’s most legendary landmarks: Plaza Mayor, the elegant arcaded square that has been at the centre of madrileño life for centuries; Plaza del Sol, where you can visit the iconic bear and strawberry tree statue and the Km 0 plaque, the origin of all Spain’s roads and the exact geographic centre of Spain; Gran Vía, Madrid’s buzzing central street, full of shops and theatres; and the imposing Puerta de Alcalá, which once marked the entrance to the city.
Explore the Royal Palace, the biggest in Europe, built by a (open Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm and Sun 10am – 4pm).
Next door, visit Madrid’s unique cathedral (open daily 10am – 8:30pm), whose construction spanned more than a century and was only completed in 1993!
Take a stroll in the elegant Parque del Retiro, Madrid’s answer to Central Park. Catch at art exhibition at the striking Crystal Palace, rent a rowboat for a romantic cruise on the lake, or visit the peacocks in the “secret garden” named after architect Cecilio Rodriguez.
Watch the sunset from the Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop bar and restaurant (open Tue – Sun, 11am – 2pm/5pm – 9pm).
Discover Madrid’s very own Egyptian temple! Dating back to the 2nd century BC, the Temple of Debod was transferred to Madrid, brick by brick in the 1970s.
If you happen to be in Madrid on a Sunday morning, we recommend a trip to El Rastro market (open Sun 9am – 3pm) to hunt for treasures and soak up the lively atmosphere!
Enjoy a Spanish-style tapas crawl at one of the local hotspots: laid-back Calle Cava Baja in La Latina, Calle de las Huertas in the historic Barrio de las Letras, or trendy Calle Ponzano in Chamberí.
For a fun local experience, grab lunch or dinner at one of Madrid’s renovated gastromarkets. The elegant Mercado San Miguel, which is located right by Plaza Mayor, is the most famous, and we also recommend Mercado Ildefonso, Mercado San Antón or Mercado Anton Martín.
Try traditional Castilian fare at the oldest restaurant in the world! Sobrino de Botín has been in continuous operation since 1725 (open daily 1pm – 4pm/8pm – 11:30pm).
Sample excellent fusion cooking in a laid-back, traditional setting at La Castela (open Mon – Sat 12:30pm – 5pm/8pm – 12:30am).
Enjoy excellent seafood at Pescadería & Club Fisherman’s, located in the trendy Ibiza district.
Treat yourself to an unforgettable meal at one of Madrid’s 27 Michelin star restaurants.
Visit one of Madrid’s “tabernas centenarias”: the title awarded to restaurants and taverns that have been in continuous operation for at least a century, and often two! Some of our favourites are Bodega La Ardosa, Casa Alberto and Casa del Abuelo. For a sweet treat, visit La Mallorquina, a bakery that dates back to 1894!
For an immersive historical experience, visit La Venencia, a unique bar that only serves sherry, where the waiters will likely write your order on the bar in chalk and where cameras are banned: a tradition dating back to the bar’s popularity with spies during the Spanish Civil War!
Ranked multiple times among the best bars in the world, modern cocktail spot Salmon Guru is a great place to celebrate your bike trip with an amazingly creative concoction!
As a land-locked city, Madrid has for centuries prided itself on its ability to obtain top-quality seafood through sheer purchasing power! To this day, fresh seafood is auctioned in coastal cities in the very early hours of the morning and rushed to Madrid to be sold in markets and served in bars and restaurants. For this reason, one of Madrid’s signature dishes is the bocadillo de calamares (squid sandwich). Try this madrileño staple at one of the famous bars near Plaza Mayor (we like Bar Postas and La Campana), or at Bar El Brillante near the Reina Sofia Museum.
One of Spain’s most cherished traditions (and particularly in Madrid) is la hora del vermut: vermouth o’clock! Traditionally, Spaniards enjoy their vermouth pre-lunch, between 12pm and 2pm, although in recent years la hora del vermut has extended to most of the day. Our favourite spot to indulge in this tradition is at Casa Labra near Sol, where vermouth is paired with delicious cod, served in croquetas and as deep-fried bites. Don’t be afraid of the frequently long queues, they move quickly!
When visiting Madrid in winter, you can’t miss one of the city’s most traditional comfort dishes: cocido a la madrileña. Every madrileño has fond memories of their grandmother cooking this hearty stew of vegetables, chickpeas, chorizo and pork, which is traditionally served as two or three courses: first the broth, then the vegetables and then the meat. Two of our favourite spots to try cocido are Taberna Malacatín and Taberna La Bola, both family-run establishments that have been in operation for over two centuries.
For the most daring, a very traditional side to madrileño cuisine is casquería: offal! These dishes date back to the hard times in Madrid’s history, and one of the most popular variations is callos: a stew of strips of tripe,chorizo and morcilla (blood sausage). For a really authentic experience, try callos along with caracoles (snails) at Restaurante Casa Amadeo Los Caracoles.
No trip to Spain would be complete without churros con chocolate! The most traditional spot for churros in Madrid is at Chocolatería San Ginés, which has been serving up churros (thin deep-fried dough) and porras (fat deep-fried dough) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, since 1894!
One of the most unique snack experiences in Madrid is buying cookies from an “invisible” nun! For centuries, Spain’s cloistered monasteries and convents have funded themselves by selling baked goods, a tradition that still persists today. Ring the bell at the Convento Carboneras (located right behind the Bike Spain Tours office!) between the hours of 9:30am – 1pm/4:30pm – 6:30pm, and place cash on the torno (rotating wall) to buy cookies baked by the nuns themselves!
Wednesday, 14th May: Leon
Arrival day
Accommodation: Parador de León
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry
Meals included: Dinner
Welcome to the Camino, and the start of an amazing tour!
9:15am: Your guide will pick you up from Calle San Bernardo (located just behind your apartment) for your transfer to León. In case of any issues, call Juanfe on (+34) 644 03 86 96.
Together we’ll travel by van through the Sierra de Guadarrama and over the fertile plains of Castile to the historic city of León. On the way, we’ll stop for lunch in Rueda, famous for its exquisite verdejo white wine.
Founded in 68 BC, the ancient city of León will take your breath away. Together, we’ll wander the narrow streets of the city’s old quarter and discover the spectacular Gothic cathedral, which boasts the most beautiful stained glass windows in all of Spain, and admire the Museo Casa Botines de Gaudí, a magnificent example of 20th-century Modernist architecture.
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! Chat to your guides about what time you’d like to have dinner tonight.
Before dinner, we’ll head to the Madres Carbajales convent to get that all-important piece of documentation that will record our pilgrimage – the credencial del peregrino.
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.
Thursday, 15th May: 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, lunch and dinner
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 gradual shift from urban landscapes to rural scenery. The roads are smooth, with occasional gentle inclines.
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, with occasional glimpses of the Órbigo River meandering through the countryside.
We’ll pass through 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 medieval bridge where legendary knight Don Suero de Quiñones once held a month-long jousting tournament in which he swore to break 300 lances in honour of unrequited love.
Continuing on from Hóspital de Órbigo, the road follows gentle undulations, offering beautiful views of the valley. As you approach Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias, the route begins to gain elevation, leading into rolling hills with stunning panoramas.
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.
Today’s route finishes in the historic town of 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. We’ll admire the majestic Palacio de Gaudí, which houses a museum dedicated to the Camino de Santiago, and enjoy a dinner of traditional cocido maragato (meat stew with beans, served one element at a time).
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.
Friday, 16th May: Astorga – Villafranca
Route: 59.7 km/37.1 miles
Elevation: +805 m/+2641 ft
Accommodation: Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo
Hotel services: Restaurante, bar, swimming pool, spa, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
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, with gorgeous views of vineyards stretching out endlessly on both sides.
Our ride begins in the picturesque town of Castrillo de los Polvazares, considered to be one of the region’s most beautiful examples of popular architecture. Take a few minutes to explore the cobblestone streets and admire the brightly painted door and windowframes.
The road climbs gently through the picturesque countryside to 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.
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.
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 before beginning 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. After Molinaseca, we’ll reach the historic city of Ponferrada, the end of today’s route. Historically a stronghold of the Knights Templar, Ponferrada is still dominated by their imposing 12th century castle.
From Ponferrada, we’ll travel by van to our hotel in Villafranca del Bierzo, at the heart of the El Bierzo wine region.
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.
Saturday, 17th May: Villafranca – Monforte de Lemos
Route: 38.1 km/23.7 miles
Elevation: +277m/+908 ft
Accommodation: Parador Monforte de Lemos
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, swimming pool, gym, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
From Villafranca the Camino climbs up to the mountain village of O’Cebreiro, the most demanding ascent of the western Camino Francés. Fortunately, we can cover this segment in our van!
The tiny mountain village of O’Cebreiro is our 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. The 9th century church of Santa María do Cebreiro is one of the oldest and best-preserved along the whole Camino, and is said to house the Holy Grail! Its bells once rang through the mists to guide pilgrims to safety, and the views when the skies are clear are astounding.
From O’Cebreiro, 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. We’ll be taking the route via Samos, allowing usu 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.
From Samos, the road climbs gently, 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’ll stop here for lunch and to soak up the Camino atmosphere, before continuing in our van, to our hotel in Montforte de Lemos, a charming town known for its excellent local wines.
5:15pm: Guided tour and tasting in Bodega Regina Viarum.
Sunday, 18th May: Monforte de Lemos – Arzúa
Route: 48 km/28.8 miles
Elevation: +690m/+2264 ft
Accommodation: Pazo Santa Maria
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, spa, laundry, garden
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Central Galicia is covered with dense pine forests and eucalyptus groves, which will provide shade as we trace our way through tiny villages spread along the Camino, many of which don’t have much more than a couple of residents and a lot of cows!
Starting in the historic pilgrim town of Ventas de Narón, we’ll enjoy panoramic views of the rolling Galician hills, especially as we approach A Brea, where the path meanders through a mixture of farmland and eucalyptus groves.
Soon, we’ll arrive in Palas de Rei, a lively town known for its medieval heritage. From here, the landscape alternates between green pastures and enchanting wooded trails. The Ulloa region is particularly scenic, with peaceful river crossings and traditional stone bridges. A short detour leads to Castillo de Pambre, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Galicia, nestled amid a tranquil natural setting.
Continuing through tiny Galician hamlets, we’ll notice a shift in scenery as we approach Melide, a vibrant town famous for its pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus). We’ll stop at one of the traditional pulperías for a well-earned break to savour this local delicacy.
Leaving Melide, the route crosses into a more wooded landscape. The path here consists of rolling dirt tracks and narrow country roads, flanked by moss-covered stone walls and wildflowers. One of the highlights of the final stretch is the picturesque riverside town of Ribadiso, where we’ll find a medieval bridge and a historic pilgrim’s hospice now converted into an albergue.
We’ll spend tonight in Arzúa, which is famous for its local Arzúa-Ulloa cheese, which has Protected Denomination of Origin status.
Monday, 19th May: Arzúa – Santiago de Compostela
Route: 44 km/27.4 miles
Elevation: +692 m/+2262 ft
Accommodation: Parador de Santiago de Compostela
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
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.
The official end-point of the Camino in Santiago de Compostela is the Cathedral, located in Plaza del Obradoiro. We’ll take a break in the plaza to celebrate our 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. Our next stop is the Pilgrims’ Office, where we can obtain our Compostela pilgrim certificates.
Congratulations on the completion of your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela!
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).
Tuesday, 20th May. Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation: Parador de Santiago de Compostela
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry
tMeals included: Breakfast
Enjoy some time at leisure in Santiago de Compostela.
Wednesday, 21st May. Barcelona
Accommodation: Casa Bonay
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast
Flight from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona (own arrangements).
Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, is renowned for its unique blend of modernist architecture, rich cultural heritage, and Mediterranean charm. Whether you’re wandering through its historic streets, marveling at Gaudí’s masterpieces, or indulging in its culinary delights, Barcelona offers an unforgettable experience.
Click here for our Google Maps list of recommendations in Barcelona.
Top of your list should be the Sagrada Familia (open Mon – Fri 9am – 8pm, Sat 9am – 6pm, Sun 10:30 – 8pm, prior booking recommended). Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of Barcelona. The basilica is due to be finally completed in 2026, so now could be your last chance to see it in its famously unfinished state!
Continue your Gaudí tour with a walk around the Eixample neighbourhood, where you can admire the modernist Casa Batlló (open daily 8:30am – 10pm) and Casa Milà (open daily 9am – 6:30pm/7pm-11pm)
Head north to visit another Gaudí highlight: the iconic gingerbread houses of Park Güell (open daily 9:30 – 5:30, prior booking highly recommended).
Take a stroll down La Rambla, Barcelona’s vibrant artery. Just under a mile long, this famous street is always buzzing with locals, tourists and street performers. Don’t miss the popular Mercado de la Boquería, an enormous food and drink market dating back almost 200 years!
Head to Montjuïc to admire some modern art at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (open Tue – Sat 10am – 6pm, Sun 10am – 3pm) and the Fundació Joan Miró (open Tue – Sun 10am – 7pm), soak up some history and admire the views from the Castell de Montjuïc (open daily 10am – 6pm), or catch the nightly light and music shows at the Montjuïc Magic Fountain!
Explore Barcelona’s atmospheric Gothic Quarter, built over the original ancient Roman settlement of Barcino. Don’t miss the magnificent Gothic Cathedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia, which dates back to the 15th century (open Mon – Fri 10am – 6:30pm, Sat 9:30am – 5:15pm and Sun 2pm – 5pm).
For an immersive historical experience, enjoy lunch or dinner at Els 4Gats (open Tue – Sat 11am – 11pm. Sun 11am – 4pm), which was the hub of Barcelona’s modernist movement at the turn of the 20th century.
Treat yourself to a double Michelin star meal at Cinc Sentits, which serves up a modern take on traditional Catalan cuisine.
For fabulous seafood in the trendy Eixample neighbourhood, check out Batea (open Tue – Sat, 1pm – 3:30pm/7:30pm – 10:30pm).
Enjoy a paella by the beach at Maná 75 (open daily 12:45pm – 10:45pm), an elegant option popular with locals and tourists alike.
For an authentic experience, head down to the historic fisherman’s quarter near La Barceloneta beach for a tapas crawl. Some of our favourite bars are Can Paixano, Cervecería Vaso de Oro and Can Ros, as well as the Mercado de la Barceloneta.
A very popular breakfast in Catalonia is pan amb tomaquet: toasted bread, rubbed with tomato and topped with olive oil, and sometimes also jamón and other cured meats. Considered by many locals to be the best Catalan invention of all time, pan amb tomàquet is often served in its component parts so that you can put your own personal twist on it!
As you explore the Costa Brava, you’ll have the opportunity to try some of the region’s very best seafood! One traditional option is esqueixada de bacallà, a salad made with shredded sald cod, with red peppers, tomatoes, onions, olives and a good amount of olive oil. Another popular dish is bacallà amb samfaina: salted cod served over a tomato and vegetable sauce similar to ratatouille.
Continuing the seafood theme, make sure you try the Catalan take on Valencian paella: arròs negre. The black colour of this squid and rice dish comes from squid ink, and you’ll traditionally find it served with alioli garlic sauce.
Mar i muntanya (surf & turf) is a cornerstone of Catalan cuisine, and nowhere is this better demonstrated than in mandonguilles amb sípia: meatballs and cuttlefish served with a thick gravy sauce. Another popular variation is pollastre amb llagosta, which is made with roasted chicken and lobster.
Meatlovers are sure to come across botifarra, either as an ingredient or served as a dish in itself. Often made with apple, this Catalan sausage is used to make faves a la Catalana (a stew of beans and meat), or served with a side of haricot beans as botifarra amb mongetes.
Another traditional Catalan meat dish is cargols a la llauna: barbecued snails!
Round off your Catalan gastronomic experience with a delicious crema catalana: the region’s take on creme brulée!
Thursday, 22nd May. Barcelona
Accommodation: Casa Bonay
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast
At leisure in Barcelona.
Friday, 23rd May. Barcelona
Departure day
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, our services come to an end.
We hope you had a wonderful time exploring the Camino de Santiago with us!
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.
