What to see in Arzúa: a guide to the town and the Camino
Arzúa is famous for its cheese and is the last big town before Santiago. This guide gathers what pilgrims staying at the house ask us most: where to eat, what to see and what to do if you arrive with time to spare.
Arzúa at a glance
- 400 mfrom the house to the centre of Arzúa
- ≈ 39 kmto Obradoiro Square in Santiago
- 1–2stages to Santiago, depending on your pace
- 8guests in a 3-bedroom house
Where to eat
Cheese, octopus and local cooking. Arzúa-Ulloa cheese is the first thing to try. There are octopus restaurants (pulperías) and traditional kitchens near the centre.
See where to eat
Culture and traditions
The town and the Camino. Arzúa grew up around the pilgrim route. It is worth strolling through the old town and stepping into the Magdalena chapel.
See culture and traditions
Leisure
Nature nearby. If you still have energy, there is the Fervenza das Hortas waterfall or the Ribadiso recreation area, a good place to rest your feet before the last stage.
See leisure
Things to do in Arzúa
Beyond walking. There are short hiking routes and centres that explain how cheese and honey are made. A good plan if you take a rest day before reaching Santiago.
See what to do
A stop on the Camino. Arzúa leaves you about 39 km from Santiago, split into two short stages or one long one. If you decide to sleep here, at Casa Buen Camino we look after you ourselves.
Map of Arzúa: sights and services
The places we cover in this guide, on one map. Tap an icon to see its name and open the route in Google Maps from where you are.
Everyday essentials near the house
Supermarkets, pharmacies, the health centre and other basics, a few minutes on foot. Each button opens the route from the house to the place in Google Maps.
Shopping
- FroizSupermarket · 430 m · 6 min walkGet directions
- DiaSupermarket · 330 m · 4 min walkGet directions
- EroskiSupermarket · 460 m · 6 min walkGet directions
- CoviránSupermarket · 610 m · 8 min walkGet directions
- Carrefour ExpressSupermarket · 580 m · 8 min walkGet directions
- Librería AnagramaBookshop · Rúa de Lugo, 18Get directions
Health and pharmacies
- Pharmacy SaavedraPharmacy · 430 m · 6 min walkGet directions
- Pharmacy BarreiroPharmacy · 630 m · 8 min walkGet directions
- Pharmacy MosqueraPharmacy · 690 m · 9 min walkGet directions
- Centro de Saúde e PAC de ArzúaHealth centre and out-of-hours care · 430 m · 6 min walkGet directions
Safety, post and banks
- Guardia CivilSafety · 780 m · 10 min walkGet directions
- CorreosPost office · 720 m · 10 min walkGet directions
- AbancaBank · 610 m · 8 min walkGet directions
- CaixaBankBank · 580 m · 8 min walkGet directions
- Banco SantanderBank · 530 m · 7 min walkGet directions
Car and laundry
- Estación de Servizo Teiraboa24-hour petrol station · 1.9 km · 26 min walkGet directions
- O LimpoLaundrette · 570 m · 8 min walkGet directions
Emergencies: 112 (free, from any phone). Opening hours vary by day and season, so check before you go.
If you arrive late in Arzúa
The essentials at hand if you arrive at night or outside opening hours.
Other Caminos that pass through Arzúa
Arzúa in a nutshell
Arzúa is the last big town before Santiago and, besides the cheese it is famous for, it is where the Camino Francés is joined by pilgrims from the Camino del Norte. From here it is about 39 km to the Obradoiro square, one or two stages depending on your pace. If you are looking for where to stay in Arzúa, our house is 400 m from the centre, with three bedrooms and a terrace with a barbecue.