What is the best way to experience the Camino de Santiago from Sarria?
Starting your Camino de Santiago journey from Sarria is quite popular due to the route's requirement of walking at least the last 62 miles (100 km) to Santiago to earn the Compostela certificate. The best way to experience it is on foot, for it allows you to experience the beauty of the landscapes fully, meet fellow pilgrims, and explore the small towns and villages along the way.
How do you get to Sarria?
To get from Porto to Sarria, you have several options depending on your starting point and preferences. If you're coming from within Spain, buses and trains are available, with routes connecting Sarria to major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Santiago de Compostela. You can also book a door-to-door car service of Daytrip.
When is the best time to walk the Camino de Santiago?
It is better to avoid the summer months from June to August, since it gets quite crowded and the scorching heat makes it very hard to walk long distances. Embarking on the pilgrimage walk is best done during the spring and early autumn months.
Where to explore on the way from Porto to Sarria?
One of the main attractions you should stop to explore is Portugalโs ancient religious capital, Braga. Climbing up the magnificent stairs leading to the hilltop Bom Jesus do Monte and enjoying the city view up there might be one of the highlights of your trip.
What are the main attractions in Sarria?
Sarria is known for its historical sites and nature around, great for both pilgrims and tourists. Some of the must-visit attractions are the Church of Santa Mariรฑa with an impressive facade, the Monastery of La Magdalena, and the medieval bridge, Ponte Ribeira. The town is also a starting point for the Camino de Santiago, which makes its streets and paths attractions in their own right.
How do you fly to Sarria, Spain?
Sarria does not have an airport, but the nearest major airport is Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ), about 74 miles (120 km) away. International and domestic flights land here regularly. From Santiago de Compostela, you can take a direct bus or train to Sarria or book Daytrip for a direct and convenient trip.
Embarking on a car trip from the beautiful coastal city Porto to Sarria is a journey full of mesmerizing landscapes of Portugal and Spain passing through you while you are looking forward to each stop youโll explore along the way.
Youโll start your 180-mile (291 km) trip by the vast blue of the Atlantic Ocean in the city of bridges and wine. Heading up north to the border with Spain, your eyes will have a feast on vineyards and vast hills as you are crossing through the Minho region.
Reaching the border, youโll go across into the Galicia region of Spain; this part of the trip will be all coastlines, forests, and hilltops. Approaching Sarria, your surroundings will become calmer and more rural. Youโll already start feeling the sacred energy of Sarria, the popular starting point for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.
The most important tip for your trip is not to miss the towns and sites on the way waiting for you to explore. Start with Braga, the religious capital of Portugal since the 12th century. Walk up to the iconic hilltop Bom Jesus do Monte. Then, continue to Valencia to wander along the series of fortifications, and the Romanesque church of St. Mary.
About Sarria
Traveling from Porto to Sarria will be an amazing part of your trip, as you travel between two countries, seeing all the beauties offered to you on the way to finally arrive in a serene and historic town in Loco.
Sarria preserves highly historical and spiritual significance thanks to its role in the Camino de Santiago, a centuries-old pilgrimage route leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Sarria has been chosen as the starting point by many pilgrims throughout history because it is just 62 miles (100 km) from Santiago, which is the minimum distance one needs to walk to receive the Compostela certificate.
Alongside the remains of its medieval past, Sarria is also surrounded by the lovely landscapes of Galicia. The Rio Sarria River goes through the heart of the town and has hiking trails leading to small waterfalls.
Sarria is one of those towns where, even if you are only visiting, the warmth of its community and the daily lives of people reflected in the calm but still lively streets get to you, and you feel connected to the place you are in. The weekly market, for example, is the little social and commercial center of the town. Going through the stands selling local goods, from fresh vegetables, fruits, and food to works of original craftsmanship, is surely one of the nicest things youโll be doing during your time in Sarria.
So, come to Sarria and spare some days for this town of communal spirit instead of just passing quickly. Merge into the tiny streets and welcome people.
From Porto to Sarria: travel tips
Your trip from Porto to Sarria will be memorable and enjoyable no matter whatโespecially if you travel in the comfort of Daytrip service. But we still have some tips for you to consider to make sure all goes smoothly.
Choose your travel mode wisely
The distance between Porto and Sarria is not the shortest, and not all transportation options might be the most convenient. So, in order to have a problem-free trip, consider your options well and choose the one that is best for you.
Be prepared for the border-crossing
If you are driving, make sure your carโs insurance and documentation are valid for international travel. Keep some Euros handy for tolls along the highway in Portugal. Even if you are not driving, make sure your passport is valid or in case you need a visa, check if it is a Schengen one. Carry your passport, visa, and identification always with you.
Arrange your accommodation beforehand
Sarria is a popular place for people starting the Camino, so it means that there is a high demand for accommodations. Book your stay well in advance and consider choosing places with flexible cancellation policies, just in case your plans change.
How to get from Porto to Sarria
Choosing the best way to get from Porto to Sarria is the key to making your journey a good one or a bad one. Check your options here and decide wisely!
Porto to Sarria by car
Driving from Porto to Sarria is one of the most popular options you can choose from. It will take you around three and a half hours to drive the 180 miles (291 km) to get to Sarria. Although it offers flexibility to stop whenever you want to rest or explore, keep in mind that the responsibility of the tolls, traffic rules, border-crossing, parking in Sarria, and possible traffic jams will be occupying your mind throughout the drive. So you might want to opt for a more relaxing alternative.
Porto to Sarria by train
Unfortunately, there is no direct service from Porto to Sarria, which makes this option the most time-consuming because of the transfers, usually more than one. You would take a train from Porto to Vigo, then from Vigo to Ourense, and finally from Ourense to Sarria. Traveling on the trains is comfortable and quite scenic, especially in the Spanish part of the journey, but it is not a flexible option. Keep in mind that the duration of stopovers can be up to almost four hours.
Porto to Sarria by private car service
This is your most convenient, flexible and fun alternative to get to Sarria. Simply hop on the car that comes directly to your address to pick you up, let your local and English-speaking driver help you with your luggages and explore all the route offers until you get to the door of your destination. By booking your trip with Daytrip, you will avoid long transfer times, strict schedules, and carrying your luggage around in the warm weather of Portugal and Spain.
Things to do when you get to Sarria
A trip from Porto to Sarria is definitely worth it for this small town; its historical corners and warm energy offer more than meets the eye. Here, take a look at some of the things you can do in and around Sarria:
Explore the historic town center
Take a leisurely stroll through the old town of Sarria, where the narrow streets are decorated with stories of medieval times. Start exploring at the Igrexa de San Salvador, a Romanesque church that has welcomed pilgrims for centuries. Then, continue to the Monasterio de la Magdalena, which was founded by Italian friars in the 13th century. It used to be a monastery and now it serves people as a part hostel, part museum. Stopping by the chapel connected to the monastery will be the calm and relaxing point of your city tour.
Go for walks around the Rio Sarria
If you are a fan of combining your town visits with nature trips, then Sarria will be quite satisfying for you. The Rio Sarria offers gentle paths with the Galician countryside as the background, which is dotted with traditional stone bridges and endless greenery. The river and its surroundings are also great for bird-watching.
Attend a pilgrim mass
No matter what one believes in or not, observing deep spiritual rituals is always a memorable experience. Attending a pilgrim mass means witnessing an experience that unites people from all walks of life and fills them with nothing but soft thoughts. The mass is often held in the Igrexa de Santa Mariรฑa. Spending time in the cafes and local eateries around is also an alternative to meeting other pilgrims and locals. For instance, the restaurant Meson Roberto is one of the localsโ favorites; it is also a great spot for trying the best of Lugoโs cuisine.
When is the best time to visit Sarria
The best time to plan your trip from Porto to Sarria, especially if you are planning to walk the Camino de Santiago, is around the spring months from April to June and fall, around September and October. During spring, the countryside around Sarria is in full bloom with bright colors all around. While there can be rain occasionally, the overall weather is just pleasant enough to make up for it.
Spring months see a moderate amount of pilgrims and tourists, which increase towards the end of June. Visiting Sarria in spring means avoiding large crowds. When it comes to fall, the weather starts getting cooler and fresher, cleaning the heaviness from the high summer temperatures. This time, the colors of the landscape are quite warm, with leaves turning orange and yellow. Rain is more common in late October, so pack waterproof gear. Stay updated about Sarriaโs weather here.
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Braga
Portugalโs ancient religious capital is chock full of churches, baroque architecture, and scenic side streets.ย Churches, Churches, Everywhereย
Ponte de Lima
While the Limia River won't wipe your memories, the oldest town in Portugal might make you forget about the outside world. ย Utterly Enchantingย
Valenca
Spanning two hills, this fortified town near the Spanish border was Portugal's first defence against invasion. ย Walled Wonderย
Tui Cathedral
This hilltop cathedral is no mere church - its battlements and thick walls make it more like a fortress.ย Godโs Castleย
Ecomuseo de Arxeriz
Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Mino river, this ecomuseum thoughtfully utilizes interior and exterior spaces to depict history and life in the area.ย House on the Hillย
Torre da Homenaxe do Castelo de Lemos
This was one of the castle's most important buildings as it was where the peasants swore an oath of allegiance to their feudal lord.ย The Tower of Truthย
โWe did two trips on our vacation. The first trip was from Porto, Portugal to Sarria, Spain. The distance was far and long but the driver was super friendly. Spoke English really well and was really knowledgeable. We were traveling with 6 other people who booked their own van and our driver contacted their driver and they followed us so that when we stopped to use the restroom or grab a snack we were all together.
The trip from Compostela de Santiago, Spain to Porto, Portugal was much much shorter and out driver, Armando was incredibly sweet. He brought us waters and a traditional Portuguese snack. He had a nice big van and we have ample space. We were exhausted from our drip so we slept most of the way. It was a comfortable ride.โ
โHad a very pleasant journey with Igor from Porto airport to Sarria in order to start my sprint-Camino. He was very informative and courteous. Would highly recommend Igor and Daytrip for your requirements around Porto.โ
