Walking From Padrón To Santiago De Compostela On The Camino Portugués

Congratulations, you made it! Your final day.

Last updated: April 2, 2025

Walking From Padrón To Santiago De Compostela On The Camino Portugués

Last updated: April 2, 2025

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Today is an exciting day! After several days or even weeks of walking, you will finally reach the final destination of your Camino de Santiago.

No matter which of the Portuguese Routes you choose for your Camino, it all leads up to this moment. So grab your pack one last time and let’s start today’s stage. Buen Camino!

Save it for later! ↓

Quick links:

Central Route Overview
Yesterday’s stage: coming soon

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

Stage Overview

Experience Today’s Walk
☑ See scallop shell everything
☑ Taste the “tarta de Santiago” (cake)
☑ Hear the Galician bagpipes playing from the tunnel beside the Cathedral
☑ Touch the stone steps of the Cathedral
☑ Smell the seafood being served everywhere in the Santiago city center

I wish I could say that the last stage of the Camino Portugués is a highlight, I really do. While the arrival is a highlight that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life, the actual walk from Padrón to Santiago de Compostela is not.

Although the first few kilometers are very pleasant, the stage turns into a slog through the outskirts of the city. As you approach Santiago, it can feel like you’re ‘almost there’ but it’s actually a surprisingly long day. This is especially true if you’re walking in summer since the lack of shade can easily make for a hot day!

Today, the signage on the path leaves something to be desired. There will be long straight stretches where you find yourself checking your phone more than usual. Although the yellow arrows aren’t as frequent as they’ve been, they’re still there whenever you need to make a turn.

Despite the suburb-like feel for a large part of the day, this stage is not without highlights. Keep an eye out for signs pointing out several historical gems along the way!

A pilgrim walking across a street in Padrón in the dark — Kayla walking across a street in Padrón in the dark

Church of Saint Mary of Iria Flavia in Padrón

Stone cross outside the Church of Saint Mary of Iria Flavia in Padrón

Camino de Santiago scallop shell marker in Padrón

Iglesia de Santa María Magdalena in Santiago de Compostela

Wall of cafe in Padrón signed by pilgrims

Exterior of the 18th-century Santuario de Nosa Señora da Esclavitude

The main altar of the 18th-century Santuario de Nosa Señora da Esclavitude

Historic church in Padrón along The Way

Artwork of Saint James on houses along the final stage of the Camino Portugués

Mother goats with their kids on the final stage of the Camino Portugués

A pilgrim walking beneath vineyards on the final stage of the Camino Portugués — Bert-Jan walking beneath vineyards on the final stage of the Camino Portugués

A pilgrim carved into the 14th-century stone cross "Cruceiro de Rúa de Francos" in A Coruña — A pilgrim carved into the 14th-century stone cross “Cruceiro de Rúa de Francos” in A Coruña

The 14th-century stone cross "Cruceiro de Rúa de Francos" in A Coruña, placed here for pilgrims — The 14th-century stone cross “Cruceiro de Rúa de Francos” in A Coruña, placed here for pilgrims

Fresh bread left on the front doornob of someone's house along the Camino de Sanitago — Fresh bread left on the front doornob of someone’s house along the Camino de Sanitago

A pilgrim walking across a bridge on the Camino Portugués in Teo

A yellow arrow Camino marker pointing pilgrims across a bridge in Padrón

A pilgrim walking down quiet streets beneath vineyards on the Camino Portugués towards Santiago — Bert-Jan walking down quiet streets beneath vineyards on the Camino Portugués towards Santiago

A pilgrim walking in the forest on the Camino Portugués in Teo between Padrón and Santiago de Compostela — Bert-Jan walking in the forest on the Camino Portugués in Teo between Padrón and Santiago de Compostela

A mural celebrating diversity on the Camino on the outskirts on Santiago de Compostela

A pilgrim walking underneath the N-550 underpass next to a Camino de Santiago waymarker — Bert-Jan walking underneath the N-550 underpass next to a Camino de Santiago waymarker

A pilgrim seeing the cathedral for the first time on the Camino Portugués (5km from Cathedral) — Bert-Jan seeing the cathedral for the first time on the Camino Portugués (5km from Cathedral)

A pilgrim walking in a pilgrim lane on the Rúa do Beado on the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela — Bert-Jan walking in a pilgrim lane on the Rúa do Beado on the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela

Compostela certificate in front of the Santiago Cathedral

Two pilgrims' feet stretched out in front of the Santiago Cathedral — Kayla and Bert-Jan’s feet stretched out in front of the Santiago Cathedral

Compostela certificate in front of the 0 kilometer sign in Santiago de Compostela

Pilgrim passport full of stamps in front of the Santiago Cathedral

Camino gifts for sale in Santiago de Compostela

A tarta de Santiago in a bakery window in Santiago de Compostela

Door to the museum of pilgrimage in Santiago de Compostela

Carvings out Saint James outside of the Colexio de San Xerome on the Cathedral Square

Map

For the last day, there are several different options when it comes to choosing a starting point. Most pilgrims tend to start in Padrón but this isn’t your only option.

Many people shorten this final stage, with the most popular alternative starting points being Teo or A Escravitude. For our itinerary, however, we decided to follow the standard route and do the stage of Padrón-Santiago de Compostela.

Our map starts at the Church of Santiago in the heart of Padrón and ends on the Plaza del Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela.

Statistics

Distance: 25.3 kilometers / 15.7 miles
Elevation gained: 625 meters / 2,047 feet
Elevation lost: 381 meters / 1,250 feet

Amenities on the Final Day of the Camino de Santiago

After a few days with somewhat limited amenities, it’s a joy to see the many options available today. Throughout this stage, there are plenty of places to rest and either have coffee or lunch.

Likewise, you will see several pilgrim rest areas where you can meet and talk to fellow pilgrims on their way to Santiago.

On this final day, you’ll likely see many pilgrims on the road and while they can make the road feel crowded, their company can make the kilometers fly by!

A pilgrim rest area ("ponte do peregrino") outside of Padrón on the Camino Portugués — *A pilgrim rest area (“ponte do peregrino”) outside of Padrón on the Camino Portugués*

What’s In Store?

The start is quite promising. After you leave Padrón, the path goes through a few nice sections of rural Galicia. Once again, you find yourself surrounded by the charming elements such that are so characteristic of this part of Spain such as churches, vineyards and villages.

However, soon the scenery becomes urban as the city of Santiago de Compostela draws near. Gradually, the quiet backcountry roads are replaced by busy roads filled with traffic as you get closer and closer to your final destination.

At the town of Faramello, about a third of the way in, you start your slow climb into Santiago. From here on, it’s more or less a slow steady burn until you reach the Cathedral square.

Although the journey is strenuous today and loses some of it’s charm, you get bags of excitement in return!

Morning: Leaving Padrón

After your morning coffee in Padrón, it’s time to put on your pack and walk out the door for your last stage on the Camino Portugues. Today is all about taking it all in.

As you walk out of Padrón, you get to savor the feel of the Galician countryside one last time. Take a moment to admire the typical churches of Iria Flavia and A Escravitude and breathe in the smell of the eucalyptus forests as you’ll soon be past this.

Although you initially follow the N-550 north towards to Santiago de Compostela, you’re on it for only a short time. Overall, this is a pretty section that makes for a great start of the day.

Afternoon: Past Historic Sites towards Milladoiro

Today’s walk takes you through the historic heartland of Saint James. Roughly two hours of walking into the day, you’ll come across a sign that points out some of the historic highlights along the Camino.

One notable site is the Iron Age hillfort of Castro Lupario, home of the famous Queen Lupa who converted to Christianity when her plan to trick the followers of Saint James backfired. Although the site itself isn’t on the Camino, a visit only requires a small detour (1 km).

You may have noticed that your on a slow but steady climb that started shortly after leaving A Esravitude. For the next 12 km, you’re slowly going up until you reach the town and welcome supermarket of Milladoiro.

From the viewpoint, you can see the Santiago Cathedral and past pilgrims would fall to their knees in gratitude. Although it might seem like you’re close, you’re still 2 hours away.

Now you start the final stretch. Before you walk into the Galician capital, you first have to descend and cross the river Sar at Ponte Vella. Although the climb can feel strenuous, keep going one step at a time. You’re almost there!

The dual spires of St James cathedral in Santiago de Compostela seen from the Hill of Joy — *The dual spires of St James Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela seen from the Hill of Joy*

Arriving in Santiago de Compostela

The walk into Santiago involves a bit of a dangerous section where the yellow arrows lead you onto what feels like the highway. The Camino markers are very clear and you’ll be fine as long as you stay vigilant.

A few minutes after you go underneath the highway for the last time, you step onto the Rúa de Choupana. From here on, it’s a more or less straight line until you reach the Parque de Alameda on the Avenida de Rosalía de Castro. After crossing the road, you turn left into the old town.

For most of the day, there are plenty of yellow arrows until you reach this part of Santiago. Once you reach the Rúa de Francos, signs become a little confusing as they are replaced by copper shells on the ground. (If you came here from the Portuguese Coastal Route, you will recognize them as the same ones they had in Baiona). Fortunately, all you have to do is stay on this street.

As you get closer and closer, there’s a noticeable buzz in the air. Everywhere you look, you see cookies with the Santiago cross, pilgrim menus on offer, and streets that are more and more filled with pilgrims.

And then all of a sudden, you see the actual cathedral appear in front of you. If you’re lucky, you might hear the sound of bagpipes as you walk onto a square filled with pilgrims.

You’ve made it.

Accommodations in Santiago de Compostela

There are so many places to stay in Santiago de Compostela but they vary wildly in both price and quality.

Finding a place that’s right for you largely depends on how you want to spend your day. I’ve met pilgrims that wanted to celebrate and were looking for new people to meet. I’ve also met pilgrims insisted on resting their feet in a room with a jaccuzi!

Staying in the Old Town

The dream for many is to stay as close to the Plaza del Obradoiro as possible. After the long walk into Santiago, the last thing you want is to be faced with another long walk to your bed for the night.

One of my favorite places to end the Camino de Santiago is the well-known Hospedería San Martín Pinario. In this former monastery, you get to sleep in cells that used to be monks’ quarters. Although the Hospedería is not a true albergue, it does preserve a little of that communal feeling that made the Camino so special.

If you’re looking to stay at one more albergue, then consider a night at El Último Sello (The Last Stamp). This place is located one block away from the Cathedral and offers quality bunk beds with privacy curtains. They also have a beautiful ‘last’ stamp for your credential!

The last time I was in Santiago de Compostela, I stayed a 10-minute walk from the Cathedral at the Loop Inn. This is a great place for pilgrims looking to stay at a more budget accommodation. It offers private rooms but with a huge communal kitchen and dining area.

How to Spend Your Final Day on the Portuguese Way

For some, arriving in Santiago de Compostela is glorious at first, but the feeling can quickly go from pure joy to some sort of now what?

On my first Camino, these are 4 things that sort of happened to me. I didn’t choose them but looking back, I can see how they contributed to a very meaningful end to my pilgrimage.

If you want to make the most of your last day, this is what other pilgrims suggested for your day in Santiago de Compostela.

Be in the Moment on Plaza del Obradoiro

As you walk through the streets of Santiago de Compostela, the yellow arrows don’t guide you to the cathedral. Instead, they take you to the Plaza del Obradoiro, which is the square in front of it.

You’ll likely see some moving scenes as pilgrims from the Camino Frances and all the other Caminos arrive. I still remember seeing a family from Costa Rica that I’d met a few times on the road walk onto the square, only to burst into tears. It even brought tears to my eyes.

For many pilgrims, stepping onto the square is the highlight of their pilgrimage and I highly recommend putting your pack down and having a moment just to take it all in. Many pilgrims simply sit on the ground and use it as a moment to reflect on their past Camino.

Personally, I like to just marvel at the facade of the church and think about all the pilgrims that have come before.

Visit the Cathedral

Historical fun fact: It is said that the shepherd who discovered St James’ remains was guided there by following a set of especially bright and shiny stars. The field of stars, or campus stellae in Latin, may even be the origin of the word Compostela! Can you spot the shepherd, the stars, and the urn holding the apostle’s remains?

Historically, visiting the remains of Saint James in the Santiago Cathedral were what the pilgrimage was all about. Pilgrims used to travel all the way here, just for a chance to pray and be closer to the divine.

When you first enter this magnificent building and see the main altar, you realize that any photos you may have seen don’t do it justice. Especially when the sunlight shines through the stained glass windows, you walk into what can only be described as an otherworldly building.

Pilgrim’s Mass

For many pilgrims, attending the daily Pilgrim’s Mass is a great way to formally conclude their pilgrimage. Regardless of your religious beliefs, having a formal event is a great way to mark the end of your journey.

Be aware that backpacks are not allowed into Mass, so leave yourself enough time to find a place to store them.

For more details as well as the exact times, check out our guide on the Pilgrim’s Mass.

Get your Compostela

Getting your Compostela is surprisingly easy and it invoves a single visit to Santiago’s pilgrim’s office. After you enter the details of your Camino into a machine, you will be called to one of the many desks where you’ll be handed your cherished document.

Your Compostela not only signals the end of your pilgrimage, it is also a great way to create a lasting memento for back home! Pinterest is full of inspiring examples of what fellow pilgrims have done to preserve their memories of this life-changing event.

Congratulations Pilgrim!

With your arrival in Santiago de Compostela, you’ve officially joined the community of pilgrims.

Although you probably have to go back to normal life, chances are something has changed. Maybe meeting people from different parts of the world has provided you with answers, clarity or just a new perspective on the big questions in life.

Maybe you walk away with the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with completing a challenging physical goal.

Whatever it is, on the Way you experienced unexpected feelings freedom and friendship and I really hope your time on the Camino has been as enriching and rewarding as it has been for me.