Sarria, Spain: Everything You Need To Know in 2024
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Are you looking for info on Sarria, Spain? If so, you’ve come to right place!
I visited Sarria a few years ago when I was walking the Camino de Santiago. The city really surprised me—hilly, a mix of traditional and modern, and buzzing with excitement.
So, I’ve put together a Sarria guide to help you whenever you visit this little Galician town.
Whether you’re starting the Camino de Santiago from Sarria or simply passing through, we’ll tell you everything you need to know including where Sarria is located, what to expect from Sarria, accommodations, how to get to Sarria, and more!
Where is Sarria?
If the first time you heard of Sarria was when you started planning your Camino, you’re probably wondering, “Where is Sarria, anyway?”
Sarria is located in Lugo, Galicia in northwestern Spain. With a population of 13,200 people, it’s one of the bigger towns along the Camino Frances route of the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
Sarria part of the autonomous community of Galicia. Thus, you’ll find cultural differences from the rest of Spain to be pronounced here. This includes food and traditions—even Celtic ones! Their language differs, too: Galicians (gallegos) speak Galician (gallego).
But don’t worry, they also speak Spanish so you’ll get along just fine with your high school Spanish!
What is Sarria known for?
Sarria is known as the most popular starting point for the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Roughly 36% of pilgrims started their Caminos in Sarria in 2021!
Its popularity as a Camino starting point largely depends on its location: Sarria is located just over 100 km (62 mi) from Santiago de Compostela. Accordingly, 100 km is the minimum distance that pilgrims need to walk to receive a certification of completion upon arrival at the pilgrim’s office in Santiago.
Additionally, Sarria is located on the Camino Frances route (The Camino de Santiago is made up of a system of trails.). The Camino Frances has the most infrastructure for pilgrims such as hotels, eateries, and backpack transport.
Thus, if you’re looking for a place to start the Camino, Sarria has proven to be an excellent choice!
What to Expect in Sarria
Being a smallish town, Sarria is completely walkable. But, it’s quite hilly, which is a bit of a surprise upon arrival—especially if your legs are jelly from having walked previous legs of the Camino!
You can’t avoid the hills either: to head to Santiago de Compostela, you must climb the steep Rúa Maior. This is the main street that runs through the old town.
Luckily, you’ll be rewarded with a view and photo ops at the Mirador de la Cárcel, easily one of the best things to do in Sarria.
In addition to fascinating structures (some dating to the 13th century) and Galician traditions, Sarria is quite modern: it has many shops, eating establishments, a well-connected train station, and grocery stores.
So, if you’re worried about getting to Sarria or picking up extra hiking supplies or snacks, there’s no need to worry!
When to Visit Sarria
The landscape and weather in Sarria are much different from the rest of the country. To be clear, if you’ve ever visited sunny Andalucía, you’re in for quite a difference when it comes to visiting Sarria!
Characterized by a cool, wet, and cloudy climate, northwestern Spain is lush with green hills and mountains backing up to a gorgeous coastline.
Thus, the best time of year to visit for warm-weather activities like hiking the Camino de Santiago is during its short summer season. This runs late June to early September. (Find more details on when to go on the Camino.)
It’s during this time that you’ll find the warmest, driest weather with average temperatures of 75°F (24°C). Of course, summer is also when Sarria will be the busiest, so you may want to take that into account if planning your Camino from Sarria.
What is there to do in Sarria?
Owing to its history with pilgrimages, Sarria is intimately linked to religious orders that once showed hospitality to pilgrims. Today, that centuries-old legacy is unmistakable.
Immediately, you notice that Sarria doesn’t lack for Camino de Santiago signage (yellow arrows) and churches dating back centuries.
Thus, your first stop may be to visit the many churches in the area. Most notably, the Iglesia Santa Marina. Here, you may pick up a pilgrims’ passport (credencial) and receive a pilgrim’s blessing at evening mass before starting to walk on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
There’s plenty to see and do aside from soaking up Sarria’s history. Get to know life in this small Spanish town by experiencing Sarria’s food, antiques, natural landscapes, and culture.
Find out more in our top 10 things to do in Sarria post!
What to Eat in Sarria
When it comes to eating along the Camino, we are big fans of just about everything we’ve tried! In Sarria, you’ll find typical Spanish, Galician, and Mediterranean food — and a few surprises, too!
Here are some yummy things to try in Sarria:
- Pulpo a la feira/pulpo a la gallega – Galician style octopus, boiled to perfection and lightly seasoned w/paprika (See recommendations for the best pulperia in town.)
- Carne gallega – Flavorful, tender, and juicy beef that has been humanely raised and treated with processes that date 3.700 years.
- Cocido – a stew made of pork, octopus, pasty and wild game, partridge, boar, and hare
- Ensalada mixta – Simple salad greens with tomatoes, tuna, and olives
- Estrella Galicia – a pale lager beer and a tradition since 1906
- Queso de membrillo – freshly made Galician cheese and quince paste, served for dessert
- Filloa – a Galician crepe, sweet or savory
Whatever you’d like to eat — Spanish, pizza, or vegetarian — there’s a yummy restaurant in Sarria for you!
How to Get to Sarria
Sarria is a small city. Therefore, it doesn’t have an airport. It is well connected by train and bus, however.
In this section, we’ll review some important information to help you get to Sarria.
Where Do You Fly Into for Sarria?
The nearest airport to Sarria is the Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ).
If flying from overseas, it’s usually cheaper to fly into Madrid (MAD).
From either airport, hop a train or bus to Sarria.
Closest Airports to Sarria
Here are some of the airports near Sarria, Spain.
| Airport Near Sarria | Distance to Sarria |
| Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) | 75 mi (121 km) |
| Asturias Airport, Oviedo (OVD) | 150 mi (241 km) |
| A Coruña Airport (LCG) | 78 mi (125 km) |
| Vigo Airport (VGO) | 103 mi (167 km) |
| Porto Airport (OPO) | 180 mi (290 km) |
| Madrid-Barajas International Airport (MAD) | 324 mi (523 km) |
Getting to Sarria by Train
Sarria’s train station is easily accessible at a 10-15 minute walk to the center. Here are some of the popular train routes into Sarria:
| Trains to Sarria | Route Details | Estimated Price |
| Santiago de Compostela | 3.5-5.25 hrs; includes a long layover in Ourense | $19-$26 (€33-43) |
| Madrid | 4 hrs, 40 minutes; departs Madrid-Chamartin once daily | $35-45 (€33-43) |
| A Coruña | 2 hrs, 22 min; departs twice daily from El Burgo-Santiago | $13-17 (€12-16) |
| Vigo | 3.5-5 hrs; departs regularly from Vigo Urzaiz. | $9-13 (€8.50-12) |
Travel Tip: Take into account total travel time when booking travel in Spain. To expand, pay special attention to routes and schedules. Some busses/trains only leave once a day, alternate between express/local routes, or include transfers between arrival/departure stations. I prefer to use the Omio for full, clear route details right on my smartphone.
Buses to Sarria
The bus is often the easiest, cheapest, and most direct option to get to where you’re going. Here are some of the closest bus routes:
| Buses to Sarria | Route Details | Cost |
| Santiago de Compostela | 2 hrs, 6 min; MonBus operates once daily | (€5-11) |
| Oviedo | 5 hrs, 4 min+ | (€25-34) |
| Vigo | 3.5-6 hrs | $13-36 (€12-34) |
| Madrid | 9 hours, 20 mins | $39-66 (€37-62) |
Walking to Sarria on the Camino Frances
Although some people think that Sarria is the only starting point to the Camino de Santiago, it’s actually a stop along the Camino Frances route.
Pilgrims walk up to 500 miles (800 km). Sarria marks the home stretch of their Camino as well as the beginning for pilgrims just starting out!
Best Accommodation in Sarria
Because Sarria is so intimately linked with the Camino, you’ll find many suitable albergues (pilgrims hostels) in which to stay, including the old monastery.
If you prefer your privacy, Sarria has a few hotels and apartment rentals.
Top Accommodation in Sarria
- Best Hotel: Hotel Alfonso IX: Arguably the most popular hotel in Sarria, the Hotel Alfonso IX is basic but clean, has bathtubs in which to soak, and is located near a peaceful garden in walking distance to the town center.
- Best Guesthouse: Aqua Rooms Sarria is a sweet guesthouse with friendly owners located in the Old Town just steps off the Camino.
- Best Albergue: For the true pilgrim experience, book a bunk in the old monastery, the Convento de la Magdalena. This pilgrim’s hostel has room for 100+ and is immaculate.
Sarria, Spain FAQ’s
Here, I’ll answer some frequently asked questions about visiting Sarria.
How long is the Camino from Sarria to Santiago?
The walk from Sarria to Santiago is typically done in 5-6 days. At this pace, pilgrims can expect to walk 12-14 mi (19-22.5 km) per day. Those looking for a “Camino-lite” for any reason, such as injury or just wanting to walk less each day, can stretch their Camino to around 10 days.
What’s the best way to get around Sarria?
Sarria is small and easily navigated by foot. You may also arrange for a taxi if needed.
How do you pronounce Sarria?
Sarria is pronounced sah-ree-uh.
Sarria Travel Guide
🏨 Where should I book accommodations for Sarria?
Search Booking.com hotels, hostels, B&Bs, and guesthouses on the Camino.
🚉 How do I buy train or bus tickets in Spain?
Search for train tickets in Spain on Omio which will show you the best selection of trains and buses. Trainline and Busbud are also great to cross-reference, as no one platform has every route!
📱 Where can I get cellular data for Sarria?
Try using Airalo, the world’s first eSIM store! Download, and install your eSIM, and get connected as soon as you land.
📃 Should I buy travel insurance for Spain?
Yes! Protect your investment from trip interruptions to unexpected injuries — compare rates on Travel Insurance Master and SafetyWing (which has some of the cheapest rates when you subscribe to a 1+ Month plan).
🎒 How can I book backpack transport on the Camino?
To arrange for backpack transfer on the Camino, check with Jacotrans or Pilbeo.
✈ What are the best sites to book flights within Spain?
Search Skyscanner for best flights that other search engines miss!
🏙 Where do I find the best Spain day tours?
Search for top-rated Spain tours or day trips (with reviews!) on Viator and/or Get Your Guide.
🥾 What should I pack for the Camino de Santiago?
Download the Camino de Santiago packing list.
Go to our resources page for more booking tools we use to plan our trips.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Sarria, Spain
Sarria, Spain is a small yet very well-equipped Galician town. Sarris is famous for being the most popular place to start the Camino de Santiago.
Plan to book an extra night prior to starting your Camino to acclimate, grab any extras you need, and explore what Sarria has to offer! If you’re passing through on a road trip 1-2 days is sufficient.
Now that you’ve learned about where Sarria is, what to do, the nearest airports, where to stay, and more, we hope you every second of your visit!
Planning Your Camino de Santiago? You may also like…
Check out these useful Camino articles:
- Is the Camino Safe? 10 Practical Tips for Camino Safety
- Top 10 Things to Do in Sarria, Spain
- Top Camino de Santiago Podcasts
- 23 Inspiring Camino de Santiago Books
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