Gaiarooms takes you to Arzúa and Palas de Rei, a different way to discover urban and rural destinations with a strong sense of identity. We are the hotel chain changing the way people stay in the heart of each town and at key points along the route. We focus on technology, strategic locations, and the freedom to travel at your own pace.
In Arzúa and Palas de Rei, Gaiarooms offers accommodation designed for modern travellers: Villa de Arzúa and Hotel Palas de Rei. Functional, well-located spaces with automated check-in and 24/7 online reception. You can book directly at gaiarooms.com.
Arzúa and Palas de Rei are two essential stages of the Camino de Santiago and much more than simple stopovers. In this episode, we explore their history, their role on the Jacobean routes, and how they have grown around travellers, pilgrims, and the surrounding landscape. We talk about Arzúa as a historic crossroads and a gastronomic reference, known for its cheese-making tradition and its close connection to the French Way.
We then move on to Palas de Rei, a town with medieval roots, linked to ancient fortresses, pilgrims’ hospitals, and monasteries that shaped the history of inland Galicia. In the audio, we discover its natural surroundings, the paths that run through the area, and its proximity to places such as Melide or Pambre Castle, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Galicia.
The episode blends historical context, cultural insights, and small curiosities that help explain why this area maintains a rare balance between calm, heritage, and the constant flow of travellers from around the world. We also look at the daily rhythm of the Camino, life outside the high season, and why staying here allows you to experience a more authentic and unhurried side of Galicia.
If you want to discover Arzúa and Palas de Rei with useful information, a local perspective, and without clichés, this episode is for you. Press play and join us on this essential stretch of the Camino de Santiago.