OUR WAY

 25th May 2025

Day 27 - Palas de Rey to Arzúa

Arriving in Arzúa

After being woken at 12:30am by a drunk man trying to find his bed - he was politely evicted from the albergue - we managed to get a reasonable amount of sleep. We were first up at 5:30 and ate quietly in the kitchen, lit by the light from the vending machine.

We were on the road by 6:10am and surprised to see so many cafés already open. This is one of the busiest stretches of the Camino, and it was clear that early morning trade is well catered for. We passed plenty of pilgrims enjoying their first coffee of the day and eventually stopped at a smaller, older café run by a local woman -less polished than the big commercial one across the road.

The morning began clear, but it wasn’t long before mist rolled in and settled over the landscape for the rest of the day. Note to self: the Met Office weather app struggles with British forecasts - its European accuracy is no better.

Galicia countryside

The route took us along pleasant trails through rolling countryside and small villages. In the town of Melide, we asked a local for a bakery recommendation and were rewarded with excellent round loaves—intended for lunch but mostly gone within the hour.

There were a lot of people on the trail today, but we gradually passed most, thanks in part to the motivating power of coffee and bread. Gaby powered up and down the hills.

As we arrived in Arzúa, we picked up more bread for sandwiches and stopped again at a second bakery just before our albergue - this time for essential pastries. After showering, washing clothes, and having lunch, we realised the pastries had already disappeared. A return trip was required.

The afternoon was quiet, with a siesta to recover from the disrupted night. We’ll be up early again tomorrow, hoping to leave before the bakery opens or our rucsacs will be weighed down by extra calories.

Where we stayed
Albergue Via Lactia
€15 bunk bed in 8 bed dorm
Hand washing, line drying. Washing machine & dryer. Good kitchen, dining area, patio
Our rating 8/10