As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Today, you’re inching closer and closer to Santiago de Compostela. With the final destination within reach, the walk from Caldas de Reis to Padrón is an exciting one!

On today’s beautiful walk, the yellow arrows will lead you through lush forests and along several small streams.

Through the day, you have the small town of Padrón to look forward to with its cute town centre, imposing church and monastery, and of course, the famous Padrón peppers!

All in all, the Camino Portuguese still has a few secrets to reveal on this second-to-last day.

Save it for later! ↓

Quick links:

• Central Route Overview
• Yesterday’s stage: Pontevedra To Caldas De Reis
• Tomorrow’s stage: Padrón To Santiago

Have a question? Leave a comment at the bottom and I’ll reply right away 🙂

Stage Overview

Experience Today’s Walk
☑ See the cathedral in Padrón, which contains relics of Saint James
☑ Taste the Padrón peppers
☑ Hear some of your final conversations with fellow pilgrims on the trail
☑ Touch the walls of the historic mill (O Muiño do Xalleiro) where pilgrims along the Portuguese way have gathered for centuries
☑ Smell car exhaust as you walk close to traffic entering Padrón

From the town centre in Caldas de Reis to Padrón, the distance is about 19 km, which makes for a nice and short stage.

At the beginning of the day, there is a bit of a climb as you ascend to the small village of Carracedo. You have reached the top as soon as you get to the beautiful Church of Saint Marina after a few kilometers. From here on, it’s just a gradual descent through the familiar forests and small villages of the Galician countryside until you eventually reach Padrón.

Galicia is one of the wettest regions in Europe and you can clearly see this when walking through the forest. Unlike earlier stages, trees, shrubs and even many walls in Galicia are covered in moss which gives it a nice feel.

Statistics

Distance: 18.9 kilometers / 11.8 miles
Elevation gained: 380 meters / 1,247 feet
Elevation lost: 394 meters / 1,293 feet

Map

Our map starts at the famous hot springs in Caldas de Reis and stops at the imposing church of St. James in the town centre of Padrón.

In the last 2-3 km of today’s stage, you will have to share the road with all the pilgrims coming from the Variante Espiritual. The Spiritual Variant reconnects with the Portuguese Camino in Pontesecures.

You won’t find this exact point on our map since this map follows the original Camino trail, not the variant.

Amenities on this Stage

Pilgrims walking to from Caldas de Reis to Padrón will find that cafes are generally a little sparse. However there are a few good ones that cater to pilgrims.

Caldas de Reis is a very sleepy town early in the morning and you may have to walk around for a while before you find your morning coffee. Right next to the church and the hot springs is the excellent Pastelería Caprichos which opens at 6.45 am. They have good coffee and a selection of delicious and huge pastries.

A few minutes after you walk past the beautiful Iglesia de Santa Mariña de Carracedo, you cross the busy N-550. On the other side, you can find the Fogar do Peregrino with its charming seating area. This place is popular with pilgrims ,and you’ll find nice coffee and plenty of snacks here.

For hungry pilgrims, the restaurant called Buen Camino in San Miguel de Valga is a welcome stop for a snack or even lunch.

Besides its famous peppers, the final destination of Padrón is rich in amenities. There are several great cafes in town as well as some nice restaurants that serve pilgrim menus.

Padrón and the Legend of Saint James

Besides the city of Santiago de Compostela itself, Padrón is an important location in the legend surrounding Saint James.

It is said that before he was martyred, the famous saint visited this part of Spain to help spread Christianity. If you think it’s worth a small climb, you can go up to Mount San Gregorio in Padrón to see the place where Saint James preached as part of his mission. There’s a stone cross that marks the location.

However, Padrón is especially important because of what’s known as the ‘translatio de Santiago‘ or the transfer of the remains of Saint James. After the aspostle was killed in Judea, his body was transported on a boat that eventually landed at Iria Flavia near modern Padrón.

A visible part of the legend is the stone pillar that the boat carrying the remains of the apostle was tied to. You can see it at the current church of Santiago in Padrón where it’s on display.

What’s in Store?

This short day is a pleasant walk through small villages and the familiar scenes of Galicia. You’ll walk a lot on little forest trails and small backcountry roads, across many picturesque bridges and streams.

Unlike the urban stretches of yesterday, today’s stage really hits the forest hard. You’ll see many moss-covered trees, rocks, and sometimes even stone crosses.

You also enter the heartland of Saint James and the pilgrimage tradition. All around you, you can see signs and images of the famous saint, and you’ll come across several places connected to the historic pilgrimage.

Morning: Leaving Caldas de Reis

For the first stage, the Camino Portugues does an amazing job of keeping you off the N-550. While you follow the road north, you don’t really spend a lot of time on it.

In fact, the Camino follows quiet country roads through a mixture of open countryside and woodland areas. Most of the early stage is relatively flat which makes for a very pleasant walk.

The beautiful church of Santa Mariña at Carrecedo is a highlight. Since medieval times, pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela have stopped at this very church to pray and rest.

Since you’re nearing the final day of your Camino, you can use this old church to sit for a moment and reflect on your personal journey so far.

Afternoon: Valga

The next few kilometers are more or less a descent through forests and farmland until you reach the small town of San Miguel de Valga.

While there is little in terms of elevation, the gains and losses of this stretch are noticeable. However, by now you’ve been walking long enough so they shouldn’t be much of a problem.

The area has plenty of rural charm with its traditional farm houses, fields, and of course the horreos. Snap a picture if you haven’t done so already, since this type of granary can only be found in Galicia.

Historical fun fact: Near the end of this stage, you’ll pass an old mill called the O Muiño do Xalleiro. While this building doesn’t look like much on the outside, pilgrims used to gather here to rest and exchange news and information on the road ahead.

Arriving in Padrón

After crossing the Ulla River, you find yourself in Pontecesures in the province of A Coruña. This is where the Spiritual Variant rejoins the Camino Portuguese.

Crossing the Roman bridge across the River Ulla to enter the town of Padrón. From here, it’s simply a matter of keeping the River Sar on your left hand as you walk towards the historic town centre. In the distance, you can see the monastery Convento del Carmen, as well as the towers of the Church of Santiago, slowly appear.

Walking into Padrón isn’t the most scenic, as the Camino passes through the small industrial part of town. Fortunately, this is also where the first albergues are.

Accommodation in Padrón

Given its long-standing connection to the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, you’re right to expect Padrón to have plenty of accommodations available to pilgrims.

The private Albergue D’Camiño is a great option if you want to stay close to the historic sites in town. With nice little bonuses such as balconies as well as a coffee maker in every dorm, this place is perfect to wind down and take in the history that Padrón has to offer.

If you’re looking for a night with more comfort and fewer other pilgrims, the centrally located Hotel Corona de Padrón is one to consider. This hotel comes with a great breakfast and is known for its friendly staff.

When you arrive in Padrón, you have options for spending the night, but keep in mind that this town is a popular stopping point. Especially in peak season, places do fill up, and booking ahead is recommended if you want first pick of accommodation.

Extending the Stage

While Padrón is a great stop, it’s by no means your only option. Whether or not to stay here largely depends on what you want your final day to be like.

Many pilgrims just follow the standard itinerary which stops here, but if you’re looking to shorten your walk into Santiago, here are two options to consider.

Option 1: A Escravitude

Roughly an hour and a half after you leave Padrón, you enter the town of A Escravitude. Here you’ll find a beautiful church that holds a very nice stamp. Despite being a tiny town, A Escravitude has a few accommodation options available to pilgrims.

First, there is the Pensión Buen Camino, a humble B&B that is right next to the church. This guesthouse is really a restaurant that has a few beds available but it’s a great and convenient stay right on the Camino.

The second is the albergue O Lagar de Jesus located a few hundred meters before A Escravitude. This option is especially cosy in the colder months as pilgrims have access to a functioning fireplace!

Option 2: Teo

Some pilgrims choose to walk even further than A Escravitude! At roughly 10 km past Padrón there is the town of Teo which is a popular stop for pilgrims looking to have a shart final day on the Camino.

Close to town, you’ll find the Albergue de Peregrinos de Teo. This albergue has 20 beds which makes it a little on the small side, especially in peak season.

If you can’t find a bed, consider staying at Albergue Casa Aldea da Pedreira. Beds in this albergue come with curtains which makes your final night a bit more of a private experience.

Preparing for your Arrival in Santiago de Compostela

If this is your first Camino, you may be a little sad that you’re nearing the end. After all, next day’s walk will be the last day on the Camino de Santiago.

Walking into Santiago de Compostela is a very special experience that you will remember for the rest of your life. It’s worth thinking about it to make sure you have the experience you want. From my personal experience, there are two things that can make your final day on the Camino feel special.

Praza do Obradoiro

Your arrival at Praza do Obradoiro, the square in front of the cathedral, is one of the highlights of the Camino. Everywhere you look, you see pilgrims who experience intense joy and gratitude, and the moment becomes extra special if you see fellow pilgrims whom you met on the road.

Pilgrims normally come in waves, with one arriving around noon and the other later in the afternoon. If you want to experience the shared joy of completing a pilgrimage, make sure you plan your arrival accordingly by choosing the right starting point for your next day’s walk!

Pilgrim’s Mass

For many pilgrims, pilgrim’s mass presents a very special way to end your Camino de Santiago. Like the pilgrims of days gone by, you end your journey by visiting the relics of Saint James and attending service in the stunning Cathedral of Santiago.

There are four daily services: two in the morning, one at noon, and a final one at 19:30 in the evening. If pilgrims’ mass is important to you, make sure you have time to attend.

Keep in mind that backpacks are not allowed in, so leave enough time to either walk to your hotel and drop them off or find luggage storage elsewhere.

Learn more in our mass guide: Pilgrim’s Mass FAQs.

Buen Camino!

And just like that, you’re nearing the end of your (first) Camino Portuguese. Take time to reflect on all the things that defined your Camino. The weight of your pack, the people you met and the sense of freedom and adventure that was there every day, and of course, the beautiful scenery that you walked through.

What will you remember most fondly?

I really hope you have an amazing last day and let me be the first to wish you a heartfelt Buen Camino!