Camino de Santiago in a group

Some people picture the Saint James Way (Camino de Santiago) as a route through forests, villages and inland hamlets. And most of the time, it is. But in Galicia, the Way also smells of sea salt.

If you walk the Saint James Way in summer, you’ll find long stretches along the Galician coast — the longest in Spain — where you can take a dip and cool off after many kilometres on foot.

Where to take a dip without leaving your route on the Way

Several variants of the Saint James Way skirt estuaries, sandy shores and small coves where the pilgrim can pull off their boots, dip their feet in the water for a while, and continue their route with their batteries recharged. Or take a proper swim, of course.

Portuguese Coastal Way: the beaches of the Rías Baixas

This variant, which follows the Atlantic coastline from Portugal to Compostela, passes close to some of the most iconic summer beaches in Galicia. The Portuguese Coastal Way offers several excellent stretches of sand without straying far from the yellow arrows.

• Area Grande (A Guarda): right in the town centre of A Guarda, this pleasant beach is surrounded by restaurants — perfect for relaxing at the end of a stage, or before starting the next one if you’re an early-morning swimmer.
• Playa América, Panxón and Patos (Nigrán): after the medieval bridge at A Ramallosa, the route passes the magnificent sands of Panxón and Playa América. A little further on lies Praia de Patos. All three are highly sought-after beaches during the Galician summer.
• Praia de Samil (Vigo): shortly after, the route reaches the Samil inlet, Vigo’s beach of choice, preceded by other smaller but equally beautiful stretches of sand — especially since this area offers superb views of the Cíes Islands.
• Praia de Cesantes (Redondela): a beautiful beach over 2,400 metres long, with the added bonus of the incredible scenery of San Simón Bay, the Rande Bridge in the background, and the mysterious Isla de San Simón in between.

English Way: between city waves and quiet coves

The English Way sets off from A Coruña or Ferrol and, although it’s a shorter route, it doesn’t lack for sea moments.

• Orzán and Riazor beaches (A Coruña): pilgrims who choose the variant starting in A Coruña begin their stage with waves breaking alongside them, over a thousand metres of urban sand, plenty of facilities, and the Tower of Hercules in the background.
• Playa de la Magdalena (Pontedeume): you’ll pass this beach on the English Way if you set off from Ferrol, on the second stage, between Neda and Pontedeume.

Spiritual Variant: granaries and coves leading to the Traslatio

The Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Way branches off in Pontevedra to recreate, several stages later, the sea voyage that carried the remains of the Apostle Saint James. Before boarding, pilgrims pass several beaches of the Rías Baixas.

• O Terrón and As Sinas in Vilanova de Arousa: Praia de O Terrón is one of the beaches pilgrims reach as they approach Vilanova, on the outskirts of town — ideal for a calm, family atmosphere, with gentle waters and golden sand. Surrounded by lush vegetation, it offers panoramic views over the estuary, calm and clear waters perfect for swimming, and activities such as kayaking and paddle surfing, plus a seafront promenade. Past the town centre lies Praia de As Sinas, with beach bars nearby and areas for a stroll.
• Illa de Arousa: if you feel like crossing the bridge (2 km from Vilanova), Illa de Arousa boasts some of the most spectacular beaches on the whole estuary: playa das Margaritas, playa dos Petóns and playa dos Espiños, as well as playa de Lameira, Lontreira and Punta Carreirón, with turquoise waters and white sand. And if you still have energy to walk a little further, you can reach Punta Cabalo, home to the lighthouse. Beside it sits a small beach, and a larger one that is among the prettiest on the island: Playa Area da Secada.

Father Sarmiento Route: the beachiest of them all

Although it isn’t an official Camino de Santiago, if you don’t want to lose sight of the sea for a moment, the Father Sarmiento Route is the Galician variant with the most consecutive beaches. It recreates the coastal itinerary the Benedictine friar walked in 1745 between Pontevedra and Santiago, staying close to the Pontevedra and Arousa estuaries the whole way.

It runs through places like Sanxenxo, Portonovo and O Grove, with countless beaches (Silgar, Montalvo, Paxariñas…), many of them Blue Flag beaches. But the queen of them all is A Lanzada, one of the best Atlantic beaches in Europe, nearly 3 kilometres long and much loved by surfers. Precisely because of this, watch out for the waves here — this isn’t the sheltered estuary, it’s the open sea, and the Ocean has a character of its own.

Again, if you’re walking this route — just as on the Spiritual Way — you can make a side trip to Illa de Arousa.

Way to Fisterra and Muxía: the Costa da Morte has beaches too

The Jacobean extension towards Fisterra and Muxía, starting from Cee, reveals more stretches of sand.

• Estorde, Sardiñeiro and Langosteira: between Corcubión and Fisterra, the Way runs almost right along the sea, linking these three beaches. Langosteira, the best known, was once where pilgrims bathed before reaching the cape to purify themselves ahead of the Lighthouse. It remains a classic stop today.
• Mar de Fóra and O Rostro (Fisterra): already in Fisterra itself, these two beaches open onto the Atlantic and have a wilder character, with regular swell and less shelter from the wind. They’re also two regular surfing spots on the Costa da Morte.
• Praia de Lires: on the stage between Fisterra and Muxía, the Way descends to this beach on Galicia’s smallest estuary — one of the quietest, least-crowded corners of the entire Jacobean extension.
• Playa de Lourido (Muxía): on the final stretch towards the sanctuary of A Virxe da Barca, the Way skirts this roughly 300-metre stretch of fine sand, flanked by a dune system, just before entering the village.
• Playa de Nemiña: it lies outside the official route, but for anyone with an extra day in Muxía, it’s a highly recommended excursion — considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Galicia.

Frequently asked questions about the beaches on the Saint James Way

Which beaches are along the Saint James Way in Galicia?

The Camino de Santiago passes several beaches in Galicia, such as Playa América and Samil on the Portuguese Coastal Way, Riazor and Orzán on the English Way, Combarro and O Terrón on the Spiritual Variant, and A Lanzada, Silgar and Montalvo on the Father Sarmiento Route.

Which variant of the Saint James Way has the most beaches?

Without being an official Camino, the Father Sarmiento Route is the Galician variant with the most consecutive beaches. It hugs the coastline between Pontevedra and Santiago, passing A Lanzada, Silgar, Montalvo, Paxariñas and the beaches of Illa de Arousa and Vilanova de Arousa, most of them Blue Flag beaches.

Can you walk the Camino de Santiago and swim in the sea?

Yes. On the Portuguese Coastal Way, the English Way, the Spiritual Variant and the Father Sarmiento Route, there are stretches that run right alongside beaches, so it’s entirely possible to plan your stage around a swimming stop without straying far from the route.

Which beach is near Santiago de Compostela to cool off after the Camino?

If you have a car, the closest option to Santiago would be the beaches around Noia. The beaches of Vilagarcía de Arousa (Compostela and La Concha), located in the town centre, are reachable by train — which possibly makes them the most convenient option once you finish the Camino de Santiago.

Which beaches does the Portuguese Way pass?

The Portuguese Coastal Way passes Playa América and Panxón, in Nigrán, and Praia de Samil, in Vigo, where you can spot the Cíes Islands before the route heads into the city.

What beaches are on the English Way?

Those setting off from A Coruña begin the stage right next to Riazor and Orzán beaches, in the heart of the city. From Ferrol, the route passes Playa de la Magdalena, in Pontedeume — a much quieter alternative.

Which beaches do you see on the Spiritual Variant of the Camino de Santiago?

The Spiritual Variant passes the beach of Combarro and, once in Vilanova de Arousa, O Terrón and As Sinas, right before boarding for the Traslatio. Two kilometres away, Illa de Arousa offers turquoise-water beaches such as das Margaritas or dos Petóns.

Every pilgrim, their own beach

In the end, there’s no single way to experience the Saint James Way (Camino de Santiago), and no single beach to recommend either. You might prefer the urban buzz of Riazor, the calm, family feel of O Terrón, the impossible blue of Illa de Arousa, or the vastness of A Lanzada. Whichever variant you choose, in summer, the sea is never too far away in Galicia.

Buen Camino!

July 25 is the Feast of St. James the Apostle, Galicia’s most important religious and civic holiday. It marks the day St. James began his eternal life after his martyrdom, and it’s celebrated in Santiago de Compostela with a solemn Mass, the swinging of the giant botafumeiro incense burner, fireworks, and two weeks of festivities. When July 25 falls on a Sunday, the Catholic Church declares a Holy Year, a rare honor shared only by Santiago de Compostela, Rome, and Jerusalem — the next one falls in 2027.

Every July 25 is etched into the memory and calendar of Galicians in general, and of picheleiros in particular. On this date, our city hosts one of the oldest and most solemn celebrations still observed today.

At Rutas Meigas, every year we walk alongside thousands of pilgrims arriving in Santiago de Compostela via the various Camino de Santiago routes. And we know that few experiences hit harder than reaching the end of the Camino during the Feast of the Apostle — or better yet, during one of the rare Holy Years that occur only a handful of times per century. The next one, as it happens, is 2027.

Why we Celebrate St. James the Apostle on July 25

St. James — called “the Greater” to distinguish him from another apostle of the same name — was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus of Nazareth and, alongside his brother John and Peter, one of his closest companions. Christian tradition places his martyrdom in Jerusalem around the year 44 AD, beheaded by order of Herod Agrippa I, making him the first apostle known to have been martyred according to written record. July 25 doesn’t actually commemorate his death, but rather the beginning of his eternal life — which is why it’s a feast day for Christians.

According to tradition, after his death his disciples Theodore and Athanasius recovered his body and carried it by sea to the shores of Gallaecia, present-day Galicia, where he had preached during his lifetime. He was buried there, and his tomb lay forgotten for centuries — until the 9th century, when a hermit named Pelagius (Paio), guided by strange lights over a forest, discovered the remains. The find was confirmed by Bishop Theodomir and by King Alfonso II “the Chaste” of Asturias, who traveled to the site and, according to tradition, became history’s first pilgrim.

Over that “field of stars”, the city we know today would eventually rise.

From forgotten tomb to holy city: the birth of the Camino de Santiago

The discovery of the tomb completely transformed that corner of northwestern Spain. Within a couple of centuries, Compostela went from a modest settlement to one of the three great pilgrimage destinations of medieval Christianity, alongside Rome and Jerusalem. Thousands of pilgrims from across Europe began walking what we now call the Camino de Santiago — a network of routes that drove the construction of bridges, hospitals, monasteries, and churches, and helped shape much of medieval Europe.

That universal appeal explains why, centuries later, UNESCO designated the Camino de Santiago a World Heritage Site, and why every July 25, thousands of people from around the world still converge on the same square to mark the same date that’s been celebrated for over a thousand years.

The Holy Year of Compostela

If July 25 is already a special date every year, there’s one circumstance that elevates it to an entirely different level: when it falls on a Sunday. When that happens, the Church declares a Holy Year of Compostela (Año Santo Compostelano), a unique privilege granted only to Santiago de Compostela, Rome, and Jerusalem.

This privilege dates back to 1122, when Pope Calixtus II granted Compostela the honor of celebrating a Jubilee Year whenever the Feast of the Apostle fell on a Sunday. Decades later, in 1178, Pope Alexander III confirmed and made this privilege permanent through the papal bull Regis Aeterni, formally placing Compostela on equal footing with Rome and Jerusalem as a destination for plenary indulgence.

Because of how the calendar and leap years work, this coincidence follows a repeating pattern of 6, 5, 6, and 11 years, producing fourteen Holy Years per century. In recent decades, Compostela Holy Years were celebrated in 1993, 1999, 2004, 2010, and 2021 — the latter extended into 2022 by Pope Francis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following that same pattern, the next Holy Year will be 2027, followed by 2032.

During Holy Years, Santiago Cathedral opens its Holy Door (Puerta Santa), located in Quintana Square, in a ceremony held on New Year’s Eve of the preceding year, when the archbishop symbolically strikes with a silver hammer what, for centuries, was a bricked-up wall. Passing through the Holy Door, together with confession, communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions, allows pilgrims to obtain the plenary indulgence — a full remission of the temporal punishment for already-confessed sins, which for many believers is the ultimate purpose of their pilgrimage.

How Santiago de Compostela celebrates the Feast of the Apostle

The Feast of the Apostle isn’t limited to a single day. For nearly two weeks, Compostela fills with concerts, exhibitions, street parades, and outdoor performances that build in intensity toward the two biggest days: July 24 and 25.

Novena of St. James the Apostle

From July 15 to 23, at 7:30 PM each evening, the Novena of St. James the Apostle is held at the Cathedral. On July 24, ahead of the grand solemn Mass the following day, the Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, His Excellency and Most Reverend Francisco José Prieto Fernández, will preside over Solemn Vespers. On that day, the Pilgrim’s Mass is celebrated at 8:30 PM, an hour later than usual.

During this period, Pilgrim’s Masses are also held daily at 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 7:30 PM.

Fogos do Apóstolo: the night that lights up the city

The night of July 24 is, for many picheleiros (locals from Santiago) and visitors, the true heart of the festival. This is the Fogos do Apóstolo (“Fires of the Apostle”) — a light, sound, and fireworks show that draws tens of thousands of people to Obradoiro Square and other iconic spots across the city. Its documented origins date back to the 16th century, when the square was lit with colored candles to mark the start of the celebration. In the 17th and 18th centuries, that lighting evolved into the burning of a large pyrotechnic “castle” designed to mimic the Cathedral’s façade.

For heritage-preservation reasons, since 2020 the fireworks display is no longer staged on the Cathedral façade itself. Today the fireworks are launched from several points around central Santiago — typically the Alameda park, the Fontiñas Steps (Carlomagno Park), and the Cidade da Cultura de Galicia.

The Apostle’s Mass, the National Offering, and the Botafumeiro

On July 25, religious solemnity takes center stage. The Apostle’s Mass is celebrated in the Cathedral, usually presided over by the Archbishop of Santiago, during which the traditional National Offering to the Apostle takes place — a ceremony dating back to 1643, when King Philip IV instituted an offering of a thousand gold escudos to the patron saint of Spain.

Today, the King of Spain, a representative of the Royal Household, or a royal delegate travels to Compostela each year to present this offering on behalf of the nation. During the Mass, it’s also customary for the famous botafumeiro to swing — the giant incense burner that sweeps across the Cathedral’s transept, filling the church with a cloud of incense in what is, for pilgrims and visitors alike, one of the most unforgettable images of the entire Camino de Santiago.

Galicia Day

July 25 is also Galicia’s National Day, the region’s official civic holiday, which takes advantage of the Apostle’s feast day to hold official ceremonies, cultural events, and public demonstrations tied to Galician identity.

On this single day, Compostela brings together religious solemnity, Galician cultural pride, and popular celebration — a combination that explains why this date is so unforgettable.

Feast of the Apostle 2026: Festival Program

After several years without it, the Feast of the Apostle 2026 brings back the light-and-sound show projected onto the façade of the Pazo de Raxoi, in Obradoiro Square. The projection will run about 9 minutes, blending imagery and music in a narrative sequence that brings the building’s façade to life.

It can be enjoyed over three nights: July 24 (the festival’s biggest day), with showings every 15 minutes between midnight and 2:00 AM; and July 25 and 26, with showings between 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM. The show joins the rest of the confirmed 2026 program (July 18–31), which includes concerts by Lila Downs and Belém Tajes on July 24, and closes with The Rapants on July 31.

A July 25 already looking ahead to the 2027 Holy Year

There are only a few days left until this year’s July 25 — the starting gun for two straight weeks of festivities in our city. But throughout 2026, it’s impossible not to already look ahead to next year.

Our last Holy Year — also the first double Holy Year in our history, 2021–2022 — was an unusual Jubilee, precisely because it coincided with the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many pilgrims were still seen wearing masks and keeping their distance; the traditional embrace of the Apostle’s statue above the high altar wasn’t even possible at the time.

So yes, there’s real appetite for a Holy Year without restrictions — and one that’s approaching amid rumors that Pope Leo XIV could visit. The invitation has already been extended, and surely the Apostle will do his part to make it happen.

It might not hurt, either, to ask the meigas (Galicia’s legendary witches) for a little help…

Buen Camino!

Rutas Meigas | Camino de Santiago and hiking specialists in Galicia | rutasmeigas.com