Make your way to Baiona, a historic coastal town at the southern edge of Galicia, where cobbled streets, stone churches, and panoramic ocean views set the tone for the days ahead. Perched above the Atlantic, the Monte Real fortress once defended these shores from pirates, including Sir Francis Drake. Spend the afternoon exploring the lively old town, wandering through the arcaded streets, or enjoying fresh seafood beside the marina. The Parador de Baiona, a former fortress turned luxury hotel, offers sweeping views over Vigo Bay and marks the official start of your Camino.

Enjoy a full day to relax in Baiona, a seaside town where Galician charm and maritime history meet. In 1493, the Caravel La Pinta returned here from the New World — a replica now floats in the harbour. Take time to explore the old quarter’s cafés and tapas bars, visit small beaches tucked into the coast, or walk along the palm-lined promenade. The town’s peaceful energy and sea air make it an ideal place to rest and prepare for the journey ahead.

Leave Baiona on a gentle trail that traces the coastline north along the Senda Litoral, with beach views and ocean breezes guiding the way. Cross the medieval Ponte Ramallosa bridge and continue through seaside villages and quiet promenades. You’ll choose between staying on the coastal boardwalks or following the Coastal Way inland, where the path climbs through forest and small rural lanes. Both routes converge near Vigo, where the final kilometres become increasingly urban, with busy roads and industrial surroundings replacing the calm of the coast. Arrive in Vigo Baja, a bustling city with a vibrant food scene and estuary views.

Depart Vigo and make your way through the suburbs, with the Camino gradually guiding you away from the city’s bustle. The route weaves between residential streets and quiet woodland, offering brief glimpses of the Vigo estuary and the forested hills beyond. As you leave the urban landscape behind, the path becomes more tranquil, passing eucalyptus groves and traditional stone walls. Arrive in Redondela, a charming town where the Coastal and Central Camino routes merge, and where towering railway viaducts span overhead, giving the town its unique character. The walk is moderate and varied, with a mix of shaded forest tracks and paved sections through local neighbourhoods.

Leave Redondela on a peaceful track that soon leads into shaded forest and rolling countryside, passing small farms, hamlets, and stretches of native woodland. Stop in the riverside town of Arcade, famed for its Galician oysters, then cross the medieval Ponte Sampaio bridge over the River Verdugo — a highlight of the day and a historic site of resistance during the Napoleonic Wars. From here, the trail climbs steadily through quiet lanes and woodland before descending gently into Pontevedra, one of Galicia’s most picturesque towns. With its arcaded squares, lively tapas bars, and the iconic Santuario da Peregrina, this is a rewarding and atmospheric end to the day. The terrain is varied and undulating, with well-maintained stone paths, forest tracks, and a lively urban finish.

Depart Pontevedra by crossing the scallop-shell-studded Ponte do Burgo, then follow quiet lanes out of the city and into lush Galician countryside. The trail passes through peaceful eucalyptus and pine forests, open farmland, and sleepy villages, with shaded paths and gentle terrain throughout the day. Along the way, you’ll see stone crosses and cruceiros, traditional markers of the pilgrim path, before arriving in Caldas de Reis, known for its thermal springs and riverside setting. Rest your feet in the warm natural waters, stroll through the small town, or relax by the River Umia as the sound of flowing water marks another day well walked.

Leave Caldas de Reis on forested paths that follow streams and cross small stone bridges, winding through the tranquil countryside of the Bermana and Valga valleys. The walk passes through hamlets and farmlands where the scent of eucalyptus mixes with the sound of flowing water. Arrive in Padrón, a town deeply tied to the legend of St. James, where his body is said to have arrived by boat from Jerusalem. Visit the Pedrón stone beneath the altar of the town’s main church and take time to explore the riverside promenade and historic centre. The day is rich in spiritual significance, with a gentle rhythm and a landscape that invites reflection.

Your final stage begins with a steady walk out of Padrón, climbing gently through rural villages and shaded woodland. The trail passes the Sanctuary of A Escravitude and the Chapel of San Martiño, where one of Galicia’s oldest stone crosses (cruceiros) stands. As you continue north, small hamlets give way to suburban sprawl, and excitement builds with every step. From Milladoiro, just 7km from Santiago, you may glimpse the cathedral spires on the horizon. Enter the city through quiet backstreets and finish your journey at the magnificent Praza do Obradoiro, standing before the Cathedral of Santiago — a moment that marks the end of the walk but the beginning of something much deeper. The day offers a mix of forest trail, quiet road, and a gently urban finish, with a steady but manageable incline into the city.

Spend a full day in Santiago, with time to explore the historic centre, revisit the Cathedral, or attend the midday Pilgrim’s Mass. Walk the narrow stone streets, enjoy a relaxed café breakfast, or visit the Museo do Pobo Galego to learn more about Galician culture. Many pilgrims use this day for quiet reflection, journaling, or reconnecting with fellow walkers one last time. It’s a gentle, restorative day that allows the journey to settle in before returning to everyday life.

Your pilgrimage officially comes to a close. Some pilgrims continue on to Finisterre or Muxía, while others begin the journey home.