Sarria
Sarria is a municipality in Galicia, Spain. Its namesake main village has 9,300 inhabitants (2023) and lies on the French Way (Camino Frances) of the Way of St. James.
Understand
Sarria is by far the most often picked starting point to do a Camino de Santiago. Over 130,000 pilgrims started here in 2024. Many pilgrims choose Sarria because the distance from this point to Santiago allows them to cover the necessary kilometres to get the Compostela, a certificate. However, there are alternative starting points; see Way of St. James.
In holy years (next ones 2027, 2032, 2038 and 2049) there is up to the double number of pilgrims. If you don't have a religious motivation, the holy years are better avoided, as finding accommodation will be more difficult.
Tourist office
- Oficina de Turismo, Rúa da Mercé, 8 (Antiga Prisión), ☏ +34 982 53 06 68, [email protected].
Get in
The nearest airport is the one of Santiago de Compostela. Others are in Vigo and A Coruña. The most destinations are served by the airport of Porto.
From the Santiago airport there is one direct Monbus daily at 11:15am. Otherwise take a Monbus from the city of Santiago to Monforte de Lemos and change there to Sarria. There are also trains from Santiago: Take one to Ourense and change there to a train to Sarria.
From Vigo take an intercity bus to Santiago or a train to Ourense and continue from there.
From A Coruña there are direct trains to Sarria. Otherwise take an intercity bus from A Coruña to Lugo and from there an intercity bus to Sarria.
From Porto take an intercity bus or train to Vigo and continue from there as stated above.
Trains stop at the railway station.
- 🌍 Estación de tren Sarria.
Intercity buses stop at the bus station.
- 🌍 Estacion de Autobuses.
Get around
The village can be easily explored on foot.
See
- 🌍 Igrexa de San Salvador de Sarria, Rúa Maior. 13th-century church.
Do
The township of Sarria offers a number of leisure activities to visitors, such as O Chanto recreational site, on the banks of the river Sarria. There are also options for fishing at several preserves along the river Sarria, hunting, trekking or taking horseback rides. The village has a municipal swimming pool.
- 🌍 O Chanto (in the south-east of the centre). Neighbourhood with park, restaurant and the church of Santa Mariña. Stroll along the river on Paseo da Riveira, have a picnic or partake in the events arranged here.
Buy
The village has ATMs.
There are multiple bigger supermarkets in the centre of the village: Supermercados Gadis, Supermercados Froiz, Mercadona and Eroski Center.
Eat
The village's gastronomy includes dishes like the local stew (cocido), made primarily of pork, octopus, pasty and wild game, partridge, boar and hare. Other local foods include the blood crepes of milk and egg freixos, served with cream or honey.
Budget
- Restaurante Bar El Faro. offering tapas, mains, a menu of the day and a pilgrim menu. Friendly cook.
- Pizzería 17. serving pizzas, hamburgers, tapas, salads, mixed dishes, desserts, etc. Cozy atmosphere.
- Restaurante Hamburguesería Chamorrego. well known for good sandwiches. also offers combo meals and tasty salads.
- Turkey Doner Kebab Sarria. Clean environment and good atmosphere. The durum is recommended. The employees speak English.
- Juvenil Doner Kebab Sarria. Pleasant atomosphere. The kebabs are a little lighter than the meat of the other kebabs but it has more touches of spices
Mid-range
- Restaurante Parrillada "O Recuncho". Famous for its barbecue (churrasco). Tasty trout, croquettes, ribeye and veal. The style of the restaurant is a mix of modern and traditional.
- A Cantina Pulpería Luis. Galician restaurant. Possibly the smallest menu you have ever seen in a restaurant: Galician-style octopus, meat in caldero, empanada and quince with cheese. All of them recommended.
- Pulperia Gol. Rustical looking Galician restaurant serving e.g. empanadas, lacón, padron peppers and Tarta de Santiago.
- Bar Restaurante 8 MM. Tasty pizza and tapas in a Star Wars environment.
- Restaurante Mesón Roberto. Restaurant with a terrace at the river. Well-known for its zamburiñas (black scallops). Also offering a menu of the day.
- Pizzería Salento. Pizzeria with an Italian owner. With a terrace and near the river.
Splurge
- Restaurante Cinza e Lume. High quality products and a great presentation. An elegant place to discover new flavors.
Drink
Sleep
Pilgrims can sleep in all of the albergues.
- Albergue Municipal, Rúa Maior, 79. Public albergue of the town. Capacity: 40 beds. €8.
- 🌍 Albergue Monasterio de La Magdalena, Avenida La Merced, 60, ☏ +34 982 533 568. A private but large albergue at part of a monastery, situated on top of the hill, just before the path leaves town. Also has kitchen and vending machines. The monastery can also be visited as part of a tour. Capacity: 110 beds. €12.
- Albergue San Lazaro, Rúa San Lázaro, 7, ☏ +34 659 185 482. A rustic Albergue with shared bunk beds as well as private rooms, and a common kitchen. Capacity: 36 beds.
- Hostel Andaina, Rua Calvo Sotelo, 11, ☏ +34 628 232 103. A hostel near the train station with sturdy capsule bunks. €14.
- Hotel Novoa. Family operated small hotel located on the way uphill to the Marian monastery. From €55.
Go next
As a pilgrim in the direction of Santiago de Compostela.