Group Tour Operator for Holidays to Spain

The Pilgrim Road to Santiago de Compostela – by Air

Porch of Glory in the Cathedral ©Turismo de Santiago, www.santiagoturismo.com
Camino de Santiago ©Turismo de Santiago, www.santiagoturismo.com
Equestrian statue of Philip III with Casa de la Panadería in the background, Plaza Mayor ©Paolo Giocoso, Madrid Destino
View of the west side of the Cathedral ©Turismo de Santiago, www.santiagoturismo.com
Outdoor cafés with Casa de la Panadería in the background, Plaza Mayor ©Paolo Giocoso, Madrid Destino
Quintana Square Cathedral ©Turismo de Santiago, www.santiagoturismo.com

8 days

Prices on request

“El Camino de Santiago” was the most important religious and cultural route in Europe during the Middle Ages. Santiago de Compostela is the only route in the world to be designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It was here in the beginning of the 9th century, a hermit called Pelagius saw a mysterious light shining over a Roman tomb forgotten in the middle of a forest. Very soon, the incredible news spread all over the Christian world: the tomb of St. James the Greater, had been discovered in a far site near the finis terrae, the end of the known Earth, in the northwest of Iberian Peninsula. After a few years, this site became a famous pilgrimage town, one of the most important of Christianity.

Explore the Road to Santiago de Compostela during this Holy Year

Origins of the pilgrimage

The history of the Camino de Santiago goes back at the beginning of the 9th century. At this moment, the discovery of the tomb of St. James changed the religious connotations of the Iberian Peninsula. Since this discovery, Santiago de Compostela became a peregrination point of the entire European continent. The Way was defined by the clearly set Roman routes that joined the Peninsula together. What was to follow was the vast human flow travelling towards Galicia, soon enough hospitals, churches, monasteries, abbeys and towns around the route. During the 14th century the pilgrimage began to decay, brought by wars, epidemics and the natural catastrophes.

The recovery of the route began at the end of the 19th century, but it is during the last quarter of the 20th century when the authentic contemporary resurge of the peregrination takes place. There is no doubt that the social and cultural revitalization but we cannot forget that the route has gained its prestige thanks to its spiritual value.

Santiago de Compostela; The home of St. James the Apostle

This beautiful city has arisen around the grave of St James the Apostle which was famously discovered by a farmer named Pelayo in a field in 813AD. Whilst here, discover the historic centre which is home to an abundance of tiny cobbled streets, pretty squares, monasteries, mansions, typical Galician houses and a historic university. With its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings, the Old Town of Santiago is one of the world’s most beautiful urban areas.

Join many of the Pilgrims from all over World and follow the Camino de Santiago to reach the city of Santiago de Compostela. For more tours to Northern Spain why not check out our Barcelona and the Jewels of Catalonia tour to see the Benedictine monastery of Montserrat, one of the most important religious retreats and is home to the ‘Black Madonna’.

Dates

Dates throughout 2025

Suggested itinerary by air

Day 1

Fly to Madrid

Upon arrival at Madrid Airport, you will be met and transferred to Hotel. Enjoy some free time to explore the Capital.

Day 2

Leon

This morning, your journey begins! Head towards Leon, famous worldwide for the fantastic churches including the Cathedral of Leon built in a Gothic style in the XIII Century and San Isidor Basillica built in the X Century are the most famous. After a guided tour, enjoy some free time to explore Leon before heading back to the hotel for dinner.

Day 3

Ponferrada

We continue on our journey to Santiago de Compostela with an overnight in Ponferrada, one of the most visited towns on the Camino de Santiago. Here, you will visit the ‘Castillo de los Templarios’, built by the famous ‘Order of the Templars’ in the XI Century. Afterwards, head to your hotel for dinner in Ponferrada.

Day 4

Santiago de Compostela

Here we are! This morning we will arrive in the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela, a city that arose around the grave of St James the Apostle which was famously discovered by a farmer named Pelayo in a field in 813AD.

We start with a guided tour of the historic centre which is home to an abundance of tiny cobbled streets, pretty squares, monasteries, mansions, typical Galician houses and a historic university. The tour ends at the cathedral where St James is buried under the main altar. There will also be an opportunity to attend the Pilgrim’s Mass.

This afternoon, there is free time for us to discover the hidden treasures Santiago has to offer. Your tour guide will be hand to assist you.

Day 5

Rias Baixas

After enjoying a spiritual day, take a day of leisure on the Atlantic coast. Enjoy a boat trip through the ‘Rias Baixas’ a series of four estuarine inlets located on the southwestern coast of Galicia, close to the Portuguese border, famed for their fabulous wine. Onboard, enjoy a taste of the local delicacy, Mussels.

Day 6

Oviedo

On our way back to Madrid, we stop at another ‘must see’. The beautiful city of Oviedo. However, before enjoying the city, we will stop in a typical farm to have a taste of the local cheese, a speciality of the region; ‘Queso de Tetilla’. Afterwards, we then head into the city for a guided tour of the Capital of Asturias region. Point Alfa is the Gothic Cathedral; San Salvador, where we’ll see the Cruz de la Victoria, symbol of the victory against the Arabs in the VIII Century. Afterwards, you’ll have some free time to get your souvenirs before heading to the hotel for dinner.

Day 7

Madrid

And last but definitely not least, we head back to the Capital! Upon arrival in Madrid, enjoy a guided tour of the city, including highlights such as Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Puerta de Toledo, The Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral and the Santiago de Bernabeau (entrance not included). Afterwards, enjoy some free time before heading back to the hotel.

Day 8

Return Flight to the UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Greatdays can offer a selection of 3* and 4* hotels throughout

Departure date	8 days / 7 nights
2025	Prices on request

Single supplement price on request

All prices are per person based on sharing a double or twin room and with one free place in a single room, based on a minimum 18 full fare paying passengers. Prices do not include UK coach hire or travel insurance. Dates are subject to availability. Smaller groups can be quoted for on request. Greatdays Holidays Limited is a member of ABTA (Y0380) which means you have the benefit of ABTA's assistance and Code of Conduct. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. Greatdays Holidays Limited has an ATOL licence (4279) and all of our air package tours are protected under this licence. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the Civil Aviation Authority will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any monies you have paid to us for an advance booking. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this tour are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate. Our website policy is to use only copyright free images or images which have been authorised to us for free use by the owner. If you consider an image to be unauthorised or to be your property, please contact us immediately and if invalid we will have the image removed. If your image requires crediting or is missing a copyright statement then we will be pleased to add this to the webpage, contact us at info@greatdays.co.uk