Camino Frances

Short Break on the Camino Frances 3 days

Rate:
Price: 4 nights from €352
  • Activity Walking or Easy Walking or Cycling or Easy Cycling
  • Distance 53 km
  • Duration 4 Nights
  • Difficulty Moderate
  • Tour Type Self-Guided Caminos
  • Time To Go All Year Round
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Short Break on the Camino Francés from Melide to Santiago

If you want to experience the Camino de Santiago in just a few days, a short break on the Camino Frances is best. On this 3-day and 4-night break, you can walk the last 53 km of the most popular route of the Camino in 3 walking days and 4 nights.

This is a more relaxed Camino, and it’s an excellent option for a long weekend and for those with less time to spend on the Camino. It’s enough time to give you a taste of the Camino so that you might return to do the full route in the future.

However, please be aware that to get your official Compostela pilgrim certificate in Santiago, you’ll have to walk at least the last 100 km into the city (or cycle the last 200 km). This is the only catch for a short break on the Camino, as getting the Compostela is one of the most critical aspects of the pilgrimage for many pilgrims.

Discover the Galician culture and meet fellow pilgrims, not forgetting to stop in the pueblos to taste delicious food while you enjoy the rolling hills of the countryside. Enjoy some fresh Pulpo (octopus) in Melide to prepare yourself for this journey and then make your way from the town across woods, villages, and towns in the rolling hills of Galicia.

In the end, the medieval town of Santiago de Compostela waits for you for an always emotional arrival to the cathedral, where pilgrims from the four corners of the world finish this adventure. If you get to Santiago and decide to go further, there is always the option of the Camino Finisterre.

Click below to create your short break on the Camino Francés. You can walk or cycle.

Map of the Camino Frances Short-break from Melide to Santiago

Itinerary of the Camino Frances Short-break from Melide to Santiago

Melide

Stage: Melide

You arrive in Melide.

14 km

Arzua

Stage: Arzua

After your night in Palas de Rei, the Camino trail continues downhill, passing the village of Casanova and the delightful village of Leboreiro. You should take a break in the lively market town of Melide (454m), where you should try octopus, Galicia’s most classic dish, in one of the many ‘pulperías’. The Camino crosses several streams and follows a forest track bringing you to the village of Boente and the church of Santiago. Next is the pretty medieval hamlet of Ribadiso and finally the town of Arzúa (389m), famous for its local cheese. In Arzúa, you should visit the churches of Santa María and A Magdalena.
Easy Option: You can choose to split this day in two and stay in the the town of Melide

23 km

Amenal

Stage: Amenal

After your night in Arzúa, your Camino will take you through pretty woods, sleepy villages and across streams for most of the day. The chapel of Santa Irene, with its unique statue of Santiago, is worth a visit. En-route, don’t miss the lovely hamlet of Rúa (310m) where you can choose to stay tonight and split this walking day. The rest of the route to Amenal is along a mix of good and calm country roads and forest tracks.

16 km

Santiago de Compostela

Stage: Santiago de Compostela

After your night in Amenal, your next point of interest is Lavacolla in the outskirts of Santiago, where pilgrims used to wash themselves in the river in preparation for their arrival in Santiago de Compostela. Rows of tall eucalyptus trees line your journey to Monte do Gozo (‘Mount of Joy’ 368m) and it is from here that will catch your first glimpse of the spires of the cathedral in Santiago. When you arrive in the city (264m, population 80,000), explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s architecture and delight in the wonderful atmosphere of this spiritual and cultural city. With only 16.5km to walk today, you should be in Santiago in time for the pilgrim mass (12pm). After visiting Santiago Cathedral and recovering from your walk, take time to explore this gem of a city, small and vibrant. Its old town will enchant you. In Santiago the Compostela you will find not only pilgrims but also locals and students, enjoying a few bites and socialising over a glass of wine in the many bars, restaurants and cosy cafes. Read our blog post: Top 10 things to do in Santiago de Compostela for ideas before your trip.

Easy Option: Last stop before reaching Santiago.  Choose to stay in Lavacolla and after a deserved rest, arrive in Santiago the next day feeling refreshed and calm.

End of your Camino de Santiago tour after breakfast the next morning. Consider adding an extra night in this gem of a city or perhaps a day tour.

Accommodation

Country Cottages

Country Cottages or  'Casas Rurales' are beautifully restored country homes and farmhouses in the heart of peaceful rural communities. Our Country Cottages are renowned for their exceptional food, unique settings and personal touch. Rest assured when you select Country Cottage you will enjoy the full experience of our collection of beautiful Casa Rurales when and where this option is available, however, bear in mind, that sometimes due to location factors, only our choice of standard collection hotels and guesthouses may be available. All rooms are en-suite.

Country Cottages

Standard Hotels

We have hand-picked hotels and guesthouses along the Camino for their character and warm hospitality. Up to 3-stars, you will be staying in the centre of town and close to your Camino trail. All rooms are en-suite with bathroom. For our family packages, we have hand-picked establishments with outdoor space and swimming pools where possible. Where accommodation with private outdoor space is not available, we have selected comfortable hotels with spacious common areas as well as a convenient location close to recreational areas and sights. As your comfort is our priority, we try to book hotels located within walking distance of the Camino. Despite our effort, on rare occasions your accommodation can be located a few kilometers away from the trail, so we organise transportation to/from your accommodation.

Standard Hotel & Guesthouse

Superior Collection

Stay in very special hotels and unique properties along the Camino.  We have selected luxurious 4 and 5-star hotels, boutique guesthouses, relaxing country homes and stunning heritage ‘Parador’ hotels so you can feel pampered. Rest assured when you select Superior Collection, you will enjoy the full experience of our best hotels and top guesthouses when and where this option is available, however, bear in mind, that sometimes due to location factors, only our choice of standard collection hotels and guesthouses may be available. All rooms are en-suite.

Superior Collection

Access

How to Get There

Live information on Rome2Rio. We can also arrange private transfers if you prefer, just ask us.

 

Melide

Santiago de Compostela Airport 120km: Fastest is to take a bus directly from Santiago Airport to Melide (50min, every day at 7:15, 11:15, 16:15, 18:45, 20h15 + 13h00 except on Sunday + 9h30 only on weekdays). See: https://www.rome2rio.com. Cost for the journey is roughly €10pp. Alternatively, you can book a taxi transfer from Santiago Airport to Sarria costing approx €70.

A Coruna Airport 120km: In A Coruña, there is a bus from the airport to the bus station (Line 443 stop: Avenida A. Molina) departing every 30 min, see www.autoscalpita.es. Then take the bus to Ourense from Arrriva. Departures at 08h00, 11h30 and 19h00 every day.

Vigo Airport 180km: From Vigo you will have to travel to Santiago de Compostela by bus (1h) www.movelia.es or train www.renfe.es; and then take a bus from Santiago bus station to Melide  – https://www.rome2rio.com.

Madrid Airport 487km: The easiest way from Madrid to Melide is a combination of train and bus. In Madrid, there is a train from the airport (Terminal 4) and the train station (Chamartin). For details, times and tickets from Madrid to Lugo, see: www.renfe.com. Then, from Lugo to Melide check times here – https://www.rome2rio.com.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela Airport 11km: There is shuttle bus from Santiago city centre to the airport, departing every 30min. Bus stops are: city centre (Plaza de Galicia),  train station (Estación de Ferrocarril) and bus station (Estación de Autobuses). See: https://www.rome2rio.com.

Vigo Airport 90km: From Santiago you can take a train to Vigo Guixar (see www.renfe.com) or a bus to Travesia de Vigo (every hour). You should then take a city bus from Travesia de Vigo to Vigo Airport (every 30 min).

A Coruna Airport 70km: From Santiago you can take a train to A Coruña (30 min approximately) and then take a bus from Alfonso Molina (line 4051) to the airport (every 30 min, takes 20 min approximately). Monbus has services from Santiago to A Coruña Airport (every 3 hours), see monbus.es/en for details.

Porto Airport 210km: There is a direct bus connection between Santiago (Estación de Autobuses) and Porto airport once or twice a day (taking 4h or 6h resp.). See www.alsa.es.

Whats Included

  • Included: Selected accommodation with private bathrooms, Holiday Pack on your mobile phone (Route ebook and Google Maps) and a 24/7 support number providing assistance during your trip, for instance organising a support vehicle if needed.
  • Not included: Flights, drinks, city tax, Travel Insurance (Recommended)
  • Optional: Luggage transfers (On by default. One bag up to 20kg per person), dinners (On by default, where available), bike rental (On by default) and airport transfers, etc…

 

Note on Accommodation: We aim to book you into each of the towns listed on the itinerary, however in case of low availability we may book you 2 nights in the same town with provided transfers. If you are booking Superior collection or Country cottages, please note it is subject to availability and therefore cannot be guaranteed. Superior/Country cottage accommodation may be away from the route with included transfers. More details.

Have questions? Read our FAQ pages.

Specialist:Claire

More byClaire
Claire

Specialist:Claire

Customer Experience Agent, Claire hails from the lovely Midlands and spent some years living in Galway in the West of Ireland, where she completed a degree in languages. She also lived several yea...

More byClaire

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