Home > Camino Portuguese Guide > Stage 14 : Padron to Santiago de Compostela
Padron to Santiago de Compostela : Step By Step Guide to Stage 14 of the Camino Portuguese Coastal
(And Stage 12 Of The Camino Portuguese Central)
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It doesn’t matter whether you walked from Porto, Lisbon, Vigo or Tui, or whether you took the Central or Coastal route. It doesn’t matter if you chose the Spiritual Variant or the path through Herbón. Today, every pilgrim on the Camino Portuguese will set out from Padrón and walk the same path to Santiago.
The final stage, from Padron to Santiago de Compostela, takes you through a landscape rich in history and faith. Along the way, you’ll pass ancient places, a few quirky cafés, and many pilgrims, all with the same goal; to reach Obradoiro Square. And if that sounds a little fanciful, I can assure you that after countless visits to this UNESCO World Heritage city, just typing these words still brings a lump to my throat.
But the path isn’t easy. There are still hills to climb, and in wet weather, the forest tracks can be muddy. At 25.6 km, this is a longer day too, although some may choose to break the stage or extend yesterday’s walk to make this more manageable.
No matter how you approach today, it is a day like no other. The walk to the Cathedral will be a day of a mix of emotions, excitement, reflection, and maybe even a little fatigue. But one thing is certain: by the end of this stage you arrive in Santiago de Compostela.

Route Overview: Padron to Santiago de Compostela (25.6 km)
Walking from Padron to Santiago involves a lot of tarmac, which can feel tough on a longer walk. You’ll also face some elevation gains as you approach the city, making the final half of today a bit more challenging too. But despite heading into the urban centre, the approach is gentle, and there are still historical sites to discover along the way.
This stage is deeply associated with St. James and the journey of his relics to Compostela. As you walk, you’ll pass historic churches and walk on medieval roads once used by kings and pilgrims alike. And today will be busy; expect a lot of pilgrims making this same journey.
With the distance, trail surface, urban spaces, and the elevation, you might feel this stage is tougher than the last few; but the rewards are also greater.


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Towns and Villages Between Padron and Santiago de Compostela
As you walk today, it can sometimes feel like one long suburb stretching all the way to Santiago. The closer you get to the city, the more developed the landscape becomes.
But there are still pockets of quiet, with forests and green spaces offering moments of calm. Pace yourself and enjoy the silence while you can.
Padron
Most of the accommodation in Padron is centrally located and not far from the Church of Santiago. If you’re walking through and onwards, you’ll follow the arrows along the tree-lined Rúa Castelao, making your way out of town.
The route meanders through suburbs which, if I’m honest, aren’t the prettiest. But they do lead you to Iria Flavia. Historically, Padron was a Roman port known as Iria Flavia, but over time its name evolved to reflect the Pedrón, the stone said to have moored the boat that carried the body of St. James.
But Iria Flavia didn’t disappear. Follow the arrows out of Padron, and they’ll lead you to what is now a small parish with a remarkable history.

Iria Flavia (1 km)
Iria Flavia is one of the most historically significant sites on all the Camino de Santiago, with origins predating the Romans. The Celts first settled here, and the Romans later established a major port and administrative centre, renaming it Iria Flavia in 74 AD; before this, it was simply called Iria.
According to tradition, St. James the Apostle preached here. After his martyrdom in Jerusalem, his disciples, Theodore and Athanasius, brought his body back to Galicia, landing near Padrón before moving inland to what we now know as Santiago.
We once stayed in Iria Flavia at Héctor’s Albergue Cruces de Iria, sadly now closed. He wasn’t a historian, but as a local man born and raised here, his stories brought the area to life; perhaps giving us more local insight than any guidebook could.
We also visited the Igrexa de Santa María a Maior, built on the same sacred ground as Galicia’s first Marian church, which legend says dates back to the 1st century AD. The current Romanesque structure was rebuilt in the 12th century after the previous church was destroyed in 999 AD by the Moors.
By at least the 5th century, Iria Flavia had become Galicia’s first bishopric, and at one point, there were 23 bishops here. But in 820 AD, a hermit named Pelayo led Bishop Teodomiro to investigate a mysterious light in a field; a discovery that would change Galicia’s history forever and lead to the founding of Santiago de Compostela as one of the world’s most important sites of pilgrimage.
The church is often locked, but even if you find the doors closed, take a moment to pause. Walk around the building, visit the stone sarcophagi resting against its walls, and note how the spire differs from others you’ve seen. This is one of the most important historical sites on the Camino, yet so many pilgrims walk by without a glance.
Top Tip: If you stay in Iria Flavia or Padron, make sure you visit both Churches and collect your Pedronia; a special certificate issued in town to commemorate your stay in this historically significant location.

Leaving Iria Flavia
Leaving Iria Flavia, the arrows lead you through small rural settlements that seem to blend into one another. About 1.5 kilometres after the church, you’ll pass a rather nondescript-looking hotel on the main road; Hotel Scala.
These days, when walking with my groups, this is where we spend the night. It’s a few kilometres beyond Padron and helps shorten the walk into Santiago the next day.

A Escravitude (5.5 km)
This is a very small village but again with an important Marian shrine; the Santuario da Esclavitude, known for its miraculous healing waters.
Local legend tells us that in 1582, Juan Pérez Mondragón, the rector of the parish of Cruces, narrowly escaped death when a tree nearly fell on him. In gratitude, he commissioned a sculpture of the Virgin and Child, and placed it above a local fountain. A chapel was built in the late 16th century to house the image.
In 1732, a passing pilgrim, suffering from dropsy drank from the fountain and prayed to the Virgin Mary. Three days later, cured of his illness, he exclaimed “Thank you, Our Lady, for freeing me from the slavery of this disease.” Escravitude in Galician means slavery or bondage.
In gratitude, he donated his oxen and cart to the sanctuary. The main structure of the current sanctuary was completed in 1743, featuring Baroque and Neoclassical architectural styles with later additions adding to the grandeur.
Today, you can visit both the Sanctuary and the Holy Fountain, which sits beneath the stairs leading up to the church from the road. And there is a small bar, café here where I’ve found a morning coffee, even in December; but you have to cross the road so be careful as it’s busy!
For pilgrims wishing to break this stage, there are a couple of options available :

Picarana (3 km)
Leaving Escravitude, you’ll pass the Iglesia Santa María de Cruces, and from here, you’ll start to feel the road rise. While the climb is gentle, it’s a steady ascent now all the way to Santiago.
The arrows guide you away from busy roads whenever possible, leading through forest trails, under the railway line and eventually into the small town of A Picarana. You’ll drop out beside Café A Milagrosa, often busy with pilgrims. While it might not be the most picturesque café ever, the coffee is good, there are services, and you can get a sello for your credencial.
After crossing the busy main road, you’ll find another café, México Restaurante, immediately after the point where the arrows guide you back to quieter paths; but just a matter for metres so worth the detour.
Continuing on, you’ll walk through O Faramello, where you’ll find a Xunta albergue if you’re looking for a traditional pilgrim stay; Albergue De Peregrinos De Faramello. There’s also a bar as you enter the hamlet; it’s hours though seem a little hit and miss though especially in the quieter season.

Rua de Francos (2.8 km)
Rua de Francos is a tiny hamlet, with narrow streets lined with traditional Galician houses. Just before the main village, there is a café; LaBrujita76. It is rather tiny and for this reason I’ve never stopped; the reviews mention a few house rules, so keep that in mind if you pop in for food or coffee.
A short walk further along brings you to the Capela de San Martiño, a simple stone chapel with a small picnic area nearby. While modest in appearance, the picnic benches are very welcome. From here, you’ll pass through more hamlets and eventually come upon a glorious little café that’s well worth a pause.

Casalonga (1.2 km)
A Tenda de Rosa is one of those wonderfully unique Camino stops. A quirky little shop offers wine, local produce, souvenirs, and, more importantly, great coffee and cake.
On my last walk, we planned to make a quick stop but ended up staying much longer, chatting and laughing with the pilgrims that we’d met since Porto. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel at home, and there’s a fabulous sello too.
From Casalonga, the landscape starts to feel increasingly suburban. Stick to the pavements, as the roads can get busy and as you crest a hill, you’ll arrive in O Milladoiro.

O Milladoiro (4.4 km)
O Milladoiro feels like a modern city compared to the villages you’ve passed. Before the discovery of St. James’ tomb, there was little reason to visit, but delve a little deeper and you’ll always find history.
The Capilla de Santa María Magdalena is believed to have been established between the 10th and 11th centuries. A modest stone structure which has long served as a waypoint for pilgrims nearing the end of their journey. The chapel you see today has been more recently renovated but it’s still worth the little detour to visit.
As you’d expect, O Milladoiro offers all services, but the Camino arrows lead you quickly through and out of town so you need to divert off the trail if you’re looking for services. But, partway along, on the right-hand side, look out for La Merenguela, Pastelería-Cafetería. Their cakes and coffee are fabulous.
If you’d like to spend the night here there are a few fabulous options including :

The Last Few Kilometres to Santiago (7.7 km)
As you leave O Milladoiro, and just when it feels like you’ve reached the urban outskirts of Santiago, the Camino surprises you with a brief return to greener trails. But it’s short-lived. Before long, you’ll be navigating hills; up and down and up again. Santiago may feel close, but it’s still a fair distance to walk before the Cathedral.
The name O Milladoiro is thought to originate from either the Latin word humillatorium, referring to a place where pilgrims would humble themselves upon catching their first glimpse of Santiago’s cathedral spires, or from the Galician word miradoiro, meaning viewpoint. Either way, along these last few kilometres, and after one of those hills, you’ll turn a corner and catch your first view of the Cathedral spires in the distance.
I love this point on the trail. I’ve walked with so many who doubted they’d make it from Porto, and yet here, at this moment, they know they will arrive.
Top Tip: You may find granite Camino markers pointing in opposite directions. Follow the left-hand path to Santa Marta; it’s the easiest way into the city.
As you continue, green spaces give way to quiet suburbs, which then merge into noisier outskirts of Santiago. And yes, the hills continue, right up to the old town.
With less than a kilometre to go, you’ll walk along Avenida de Rosalía de Castro, a wide boulevard leading into to the older city. On the left-hand side, look for steps leading into Alameda Park. You can of course stay on the road if you prefer, but I highly recommend the glorious green space. With shady trees, water features, flower beds, and the famous Two Marías.
Both road and park will bring you to the same zebra crossing, they are the same distance too, so why not take the scenic option? Take the steps up into the park; it’s so much nicer!

Santiago de Compostela
From the zebra crossing at Alameda Park, you’ll step into the historic centre of Santiago de Compostela. Be prepared; it’s busy. The UNESCO World Heritage city attracts travellers and pilgrims from all over the world, and those walking the Camino are just a small portion of the crowd.
In 2024 almost half a million pilgrims visited the Pilgrim Office to claim their Compostela. However, the city itself typically receives perhaps 3 to 4 million visitors annually. Walking into the old town, through its narrow streets, can feel overwhelming and perhaps like you’ll never reach the Cathedral.
The energy and the sheer number of people can come as a shock, so take your time and follow the pilgrims and arrows; all roads lead to the Praza do Obradoiro.
Pilgrims pour into this square from all directions, they arrive from the Camino Frances and the Norte and the Primitvo and of course the Portuguese routes. And every one of them will make their way to the centre of the square and stand before those enormous spires and know that they have followed in the stead of a million pilgrims and more for more than a thousand years.
Congratulations; you have walked a journey like no other. And now it’s time to rest.

Exploring Santiago de Compostela
Where do you start? How can you possibly explore everything this incredible city has to offer in such a short time?
On my first Camino, I arrived, visited the old Pilgrim Office, then went straight to the tomb and the cathedral. We had dinner in town and left the next day. That was a mistake. Now, after more than a decade of visiting Santiago, I’ve learned to slow down. Every time I stay, I discover a new quiet corner and I look forward to longer and longer visits.
When I finish my Camino, I sometimes feel the urge to escape the city. Maybe it’s the shock of the crowds or the sadness at reaching the end. But trust me, don’t rush away. Take time to soak in the atmosphere and explore all this UNESCO world heritage city has to offer.
There’s far too much to cover in this post, but here are some of my top recommendations for things to see and do:
This is just the beginning; there’s so much more to explore in this incredible city but this will keep you busy for a day or two!

Where to Stay in Santiago de Compostela
No matter how many beds there are in Santiago, in high season, there are never enough. I know many pilgrims prefer to let the Camino provide; but when there are no more beds, instead of enjoying the city, you’ll worry about where you’ll stay. Book ahead.
Santiago de Compostela, just like St. Jean Pied de Port and Roncesvalles, will run out of beds during peak times.
But the good news is that Santiago offers something for everyone. Here are four of my favourite places to stay:

Potential Challenges Between Padron and Santiago de Compostela
The last day into Santiago comes with it’s own set of challenges beyond those of the trail. Here are a few things to consider :
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Recommended Apps, Books And Websites for the Coastal Camino
If you’re walking any stage of the Camino Portuguese Coastal, these apps, guidebooks, and websites are invaluable. Be sure to download or purchase them before leaving home:
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Final Thoughts: Camino Portuguese From Padron to Santiago de Compostela
Walking the Camino Portuguese Coastal is an immense undertaking. By now, you may have walked 280 kilometres, over the course of days or even weeks. This final day, from Padrón to Santiago de Compostela, is a day of celebration but also a day of endings.
For some, the Camino is a physical challenge; for others, it’s a deeply spiritual experience. I have walked this route many times, for many different reasons, and even now the emotions of my own journeys stay with me.
A few years ago, I walked into Santiago along the Portuguese Camino following the death of my father.
It was a really cold morning but I arrived and I walked down to the Pilgrim’s Office. A priest handed me a ticket. It said Number 67 but there was no one else there. A buzzer went and the screen flashed: Number 67.
‘Where did you start walking?’ they asked. ‘Why are you walking?’
I tried to explain, but the words wouldn’t form. I breathed. ‘I walked because I wanted to get a Compostela for my father,’ I finally said. ‘He died. And he wasn’t always a good man. But if there is a heaven, I want him to go there. I want him to be with my mother. And I thought if I walked, if I did this, it might help.’
They understood. Five people trying to help me as I stood there and cried. Tissues. Water. Words of kindness. Thank goodness there were no other pilgrims. They wrote the Compostela.
For my Father.
Walking the Camino de Santiago is more than a bucket-list adventure. And even if it starts that way, it rarely ends the same.
Acknowledge those emotions today. Give yourself time in Santiago. Allow yourself to reflect on the journey, the places you’ve seen, the friendships you’ve made, the things you’ve learned about yourself too along the way.
Whatever your reason for walking, one thing is certain: The Camino will change you. And things will never quite be the same again.

Are You Walking The Portuguese Coastal Camino?
I’ve walked this glorious trail many times and I know I’ll walk again. If you’re walking from Porto to Santiago de Compostela, I’ve created detailed daily walking guides packed with route tips, accommodation recommendations, and insights to help you along the way.
Here are some posts that may inspire and help you to plan your journey:
If you’re planning your Camino or are already on the trail, I’d love to hear about your experiences! Join my Camino community on Facebook, share your stories, find inspiration and ideas for the road ahead.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Whenever you travel, you should have great travel and medical insurance. None of us expect anything bad to happen, but in the event of an incident, you want to be sure that your insurance will cover you.
I’ve ended up in hospital in Peru, Indonesia, Portugal, Japan and Ireland. Every time my insurance took care of everything. I would never leave home without full and comprehensive insurance.
TrueTraveller : We have this policy and are very happy with the cover, especially considering our ages and pre-existing conditions.
Globelink: We have used and recommended Globelink for years and not heard of any issues. They are a great choice for European and UK Residents.
Genki : This is an EU based company offering long term policies for nomads and travellers. Their monthly rates are very competitive for longer trips too.
Safety Wing : Many of my travelling buddies from the USA recommended Safety Wing; we’ve not used them personally but know folks who have.
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Hey I’m Colleen. I’m married to Gerry, we’ve three fabulous kids and been living in France for almost two decades. I fell in love with Spain in the 1980s and I’ve walked 1000s of miles along the Camino de Santiago. Now we’re exploring and walking the world and I can’t wait to share what we’ve learned!