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The ground behind you: what the walk into Pontevedra crosses, and where it could have been broken.
Tomorrow from Pontevedra
Nothing says you have to stop here, or there. These are simply the towns within a comfortable day's walk, so you can decide tonight.
| Town | km from here | Shared | Private | The walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabaleiro | 5.5 | — No | ✓ Yes | |
| Poio | 8.4 | — No | ✓ Yes | The walk from Pontevedra to Poio |
| Combarro | 11.4 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Pontevedra to Combarro |
| Briallos | 16.4 | ✓ Yes | — No | The walk from Pontevedra to Briallos |
| Tivó | 19.3 | ✓ Yes | — No | The walk from Pontevedra to Tivó |
| Armenteira | 20.6 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Pontevedra to Armenteira |
| Caldas de Reis | 21.2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis |
| Os Castaños | 27.3 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Pontevedra to Os Castaños |
| O Pino (Valga) | 30.7 | ✓ Yes | — No |
Pontevedra has one of the most walkable old towns in Galicia — the entire historic centre is pedestrianised, and you could spend a happy afternoon wandering its granite squares without a map.
Your entrance is punctuated by the Iglesia de la Virgen Peregrina, a scallop-shell-shaped shrine to the Pilgrim Virgin who, according to legend, guided pilgrims here from Baiona. Inside, the polychrome retablo and the unusual round floor plan are worth a look.
The Basilica de Santa Maria la Mayor, often called the cathedral (Pontevedra lost its bishop to Vigo in 1959), has a spectacular Plateresque facade. The Convento de San Francisco preserves Gothic arches and a fine stone cross. The Plaza de la Lena, the smallest and most atmospheric of the old town plazas, is the one to aim for if you only have time for one coffee.
The Museo de Pontevedra is spread across several buildings and is one of the best provincial museums in Galicia — the collection includes Celtic gold torques, Sargadelos ceramics, and a significant holding of Spanish paintings.
Two routes leave Pontevedra for Santiago: the original camino inland via Caldas de Reis (36 km, the shortest and most popular), and the Variante Espiritual via Combarro and Armenteira (44 km on foot plus 28 km by boat or on foot). The split is about 3 km after the bridge, well signposted. All services available.
Local legend claims Pontevedra was founded by Teucro, a hero of the Trojan War who couldn't return home to Salamis after the fall of Troy (his father Ajax blamed him for his brother's death). Teucro wandered the Mediterranean founding cities — Pontevedra was allegedly one of them. The historical truth is less dramatic: the Romans called it Ad Duos Pontes (at the two bridges), and the town grew at the crossing of the Lerez river. The Plaza de Teucro in the old town keeps the legend alive.
Leave by crossing the Ponte do Burgo and heading straight-ish through the next roundabout, turning left immediately after. Before long you will be alongside the railway, which you will cross just before the church of Alba.TWO WAYS TO PONTECESURES / PADRÓNThere are two routes to Pontecesures/Padrón from Pontevedra, and the split occurs about 3km after crossing the bridge in Pontevedra. The original camino keeps on its inland trajectory and is currently the most popular choice among pilgrims. It is also the shortest.The second option is known as the Variante Espiritual and it turns westward to cross over the Monte Redondo as it heads towards the sea at Vilanova de Arousa. From here you have the option of a 3rd day of walking to Pontecesures or a trip by boat up the Ría to the same place. This variant was created and named by the local tourism sector and although the stories told about its origins are fantastic, they are also just that... stories. Don’t let this clever bit of marketing discourage you though, the route is recognized by the Pilgrim Office as an official variant and you will not have any difficulty obtaining your Compostela regardless of whether you take the boat or not.This recognition, and lots of praise from pilgrims, means that this route is growing in popularity. VIA THE VARIANTE ESPIRITUAL - 44. km on foot + 28 km on foot or ferryThe Variante Espiritual is an alternative route which connects Pontevedra with Pontecesures. It adds 8.2km of walking (and a significant climb to the top of the Monte Redondo) and another 28km by boat (from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecesures).Getting started is as simple as turning left at the well signposted fork in the road. The way almost immediately begins climbing upwards, though gently at first. It is making its way back to the Ría de Pontevedra, going up and around a small monte before arriving in the waterfront town of Combarro. There is one small hamlet before arriving at Cabaleiro, and it has a bar/shop with a very limited selection, but as it has odd hours it is not included here as being reliable.THE ORIGINAL CAMINO, INLAND VIA CALDAS DE REIS - 36.3 kmThis is the easiest to navigate and shortest of the options. From the split simply carry on straight.
21. August 2026 - 16:16
Great town with many places to see like the tower of the Santa Maria
church or get ice cream in the plaza
3. August 2026 - 22:48
My god this city is a zoo and the albergues are horrible for taking 100% reservations on the Camino. Very disappointing. Waited over an hour at the onemunicple albergue to be turned away.
And people sending bags forward Dozens of children and roller backpacks
16. May 2026 - 19:57
Before this, we had seen only 1 queer person since Porto. But here, we are finally seeing more gay people and it’s making us quite happy. Also, a very wheelchair accessible city which is impressive in an old Spanish town.
30. October 2025 - 16:05
There are some terrific restaurants in Pontevedra, esp Trasmallo. You will not be disappointed!
29. October 2025 - 16:39
5 star hostel. Very new, everything lovely. Julio and his mother great hosts. Julio welcomed me by name and showed me round. Best cup of tea on whole Camino with teabags and a kettle and milk all free. Free washing machine and dryer and outside drying area. Breakfast made by his mum with homemade Santiago tart. Great location too. Perfect. Slightly higher price worth it for the facilities.
Women only dorm with not many beds, lights, sockets etc. Security code on door.
20. October 2025 - 21:08
I stayed in a 4 beds dorm, it was amazing, the owner julio gives free laudry, and the breakfast was incredible, all staff super friendly specially julio.
30. September 2025 - 3:04
We stayed at Slow City Hostel which is in a great location in the old town district.
We spent our entire time in the old town portion. During a medieval festival, it was amazing. I would go back just to vacation at this town.
24. September 2025 - 20:36
Outstanding customer service. Arrived at 12pm and immediately the attendant checked for an available room. Got my room in less than 5 minutes. Provided local information as well as information on the Camino walk to Caldas de Reis. Recommended the Rincon Peregrino restaurant and the food was excellent and reasonably priced. Good sized room. Wish for better pillows.Laundromat , grocery store and restaurants nearby.
6. August 2025 - 21:20
We had a great afternoon exploring a bit and ate dinner at a fun Moroccan restaurant. Cute town and felt very safe and welcoming. Several laundromats too if you want to get a fresh pepper wash and dry.
Get coffee/breakfast before you leave or it’s a while before you have the chance!
24. June 2025 - 15:30
Excellent location in old Pontevedra. Clean, with two restaurants/bars on the bottom floor. Only a couple of minutes walk to the Virgen Peregrina (mass at 7:30 PM here they finish with a blessing for peregrinos) and Museo Pontevedra. Note: websites say it has laundry facilities but there aren’t any - luckily, two laundromats within 5 minutes walk.
15. June 2025 - 10:20
I did not like Pontevedra - very unfriendly, a bad feel and I could not get any service in three bars I stopped on one the way through. Got spat at by one local. To be clear I’ve walked several Caminos and I’m a tidy, polite, clean middle aged English woman used to travelling around the world. It’s the first time I’ve been somewhere and not wanted to stop and I met a few others who felt the same way. But I carried on thinking there would be something in one of the villages beyond the city. There was not! I finally found a bed at the small albergue at Barro. They were full but made space for me which was very kind. It had been another 8 km on an already long day. The route would benefit from more albergues and open cafes after Pontevedra.Just be aware if you carry on and it’s late you could find yourself stuck.without accommodation.
5. June 2025 - 12:55
La Cantina del Charro - our best tacos we've ever eaten! We tried them here first in 2023 and now back in 2025! Will do it again! It was the best place to eat on our Camino! We had tacos variados and they were veeery yummy, especially with cheese, absolutely fantastic! Service was super, we got helpful advices and friendly treatment
16. April 2025 - 15:30
After a rainy morning walking this hostel was perfect. Quiet and relaxed . Warm clean showers, bunks with clean linen, blankets and curtains!!
1. August 2024 - 19:34
If you have some spare time in Pontevedra and want to relax your muscles, go to this spa! Really relaxing. I did this with my 11 year old daughter.
5. July 2024 - 16:30
Pizzeria Carlos - we went here after walking from rendodela , such a great pizza place! Food and service was excellent and the pizza was so yummy! Highly recommend!
6. June 2024 - 15:41
It appears new, but was highly disorganised. Had to wait in line after 10 others, which took at least 30 minutes. Check in itself took also about 10 minutes even though I had already paid online. Linnen etc wasn’t there and needed to be arranged. Access key codes weren’t working, hence it was quite cumbersome for something that doesn’t need to be as such. And was quite impersonal. Therefore would recommend to try elsewhere.
20. October 2023 - 21:24
Had a wonderful pilgrim meal at Rincon Perigrino Bar-Tapia for 12Euro. Very large serving and very friendly service.
10. October 2023 - 14:52
Great location, exceptionally clean, kind and patient reception staff.
It was easy to find using Google maps.
Pillow slips, sheets, towel and blanket plus a locking cupboard in your cubicle and one to place your pack safely in. I highly recommend a night here.
20. August 2023 - 12:12
After a day walking in the rain it was nice to be able to have a hot shower and then wash and dry your clothes. Great location, very modern families and very clean and new.
Although it’s not the hostels fault our dorm had many women turning on lights, talking very loudly, which made for a rough sleep.
17. July 2023 - 15:28
This was a perfect hostel, private room and bathroom, everything was perfect and clean and Julio was amazing, he booked us dinner and everything, I really recommend this one, I think it has a part of the hostel with share beds and bathrooms
Esta entidad ha sido beneficiaria de una ayuda del Programa de incentivos a la movilidad eficiente y sostenible (MOVES III), gestionado por la Xunta de Galicia a través del Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA) en el marco del Real Decreto 266/2021, y cofinanciada por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEU, dentro del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.
