Sarria

Most pilgrims who walk only the final stretch of the Camino begin here.

Sarria sits just over a hundred kilometres from Santiago — the minimum distance on foot to earn the Compostela — which makes it the most popular starting point on the entire Camino Francés. Expect a town that understands pilgrims: the main street, Rúa Maior, climbs past albergues, pulperías serving octopus the Galician way, and small shops selling last-minute gear for the days ahead.

There is a particular energy here, a mix of anticipation and nerves, as hundreds of strangers shoulder their packs for the first time and become, within days, a walking community. The 13th-century Church of Santa Mariña and the Monastery of La Magdalena have watched this scene repeat for centuries.

Staying in Sarria means choosing how you want to begin. The town holds everything from large pilgrim albergues to quiet private rooms — 39 places to stay are listed below, with addresses, prices, seasons and booking. In summer and around holidays the popular albergues fill early; booking your first night ahead lets you start walking instead of worrying.

From here, the Way leads through Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Arzúa and O Pedrouzo to Santiago — five or six days of Galician green, eucalyptus shade and stone villages. Buen Camino.