Rest Day: Pontevedra, CaldasdeReis, or Padron?

[alexismi]

Hello! My girlfriends and I are going in August starting from Valenca (first timers!). What city is the best to do a rest day? One thread seemed to recommend Pontevedra the most, but I was hoping to do something a little closer to Santiago when I think we'll be more tired and in need of rest. I called a tour company because I was worried there wouldn't be enough to do in Padron and he seemed to think Pontevedra or Caldas de Reis would be better than Padron. Caldas de Reis doesn't seem to have a lot to do when I googled it so now I'm thinking Pontevedra is best... Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[MariaSP]

Definitely Pontevedra, but I must confess I'm very partial (I'm from Pontevedra)

 

[alexismi]

Definitely Pontevedra, but I must confess I'm very partial (I'm from Pontevedra)

Thank you!

 

[ranthr]

Pontevedra, but my opinion is may be because I was lucky to end up there during a middleage festival in September.
Caldas de Reis is a town with hot water sources so a night at a spahotel with hot baths could be nice .

 

[BROWNCOUNTYBOB]

I hiked Camino Portuguese last fall. I stayed in both Pontevedra and Caldas de Reis. More things to do and places to shop in Pontevedra. I stayed in the parador in Pontevedra. Fabulous room and delicious breakfast. Pilgrim rate was 117 euros (only me). Caldas de Reis is a smaller town, but nice. I stayed in Via XiX which I booked through Booking.com. Superior twin room with balcony, private bath, but no breakfast 91 euros. I'd stay at both places again. Bob

 

[MJB]

Pontevedra is a much bigger town with a very large pedestrianized historic center, beautiful architecture, and a great food and restaurant scene, including outstanding ice cream shops! You can easily spend a day or two there.

Padron is smaller, but has a good sized historic center, including a beautiful square by the river Sar, a few very good restaurants (Pulperia Rial in the Center; O Pazo, up the hill toward Santiago, one Michelin star), and a wonderful small museum of modern Galician culture and letters, the Casa Museo Rosália de Castro. (A few blocks from the center. She revived Gallego as a literary language. The 20th century author Camilo José Cela also has museum in town, as well as an imposing statute in the square by the river.

Caldas has a pretty setting, Roman bridge, and a number of handsome historic buildings connected to its hot springs. It has a hot spring water lavadero (laundry washing table/pool) if you want to dangle your feet in very warm water. (Lavadero Termal, Rua Don Carlos García Bayón) To do the same thing in cool water, go to the the central park just across the bridge, the Carballeira de Caldas de Reis. Less to see and do than the other towns, fewer restaurants and more empty shopfronts like many small towns in Galicia.

 

[Laura M]

Yes, we started in Valenca and had our rest day in Pontevedra. We were happy with our decision. Enjoyed shopping, walking around, eating out, and visited the Church of the Pilgrim Virgin.

 

[Leaderene]

All our lovely but Pontevedra my favourite. Lots to see, plenty of cafes to people watch and chill, beautiful basillica and other buildings and great food.

 

[Joe C]

If you hit Padron on the day of their big (huge) outdoor market, that could be interesting. I went through on a Sunday, but I don't know if it is every week.

 

[Corelacka]

My vote would be for Pontevedra too. I did Porto to Santiago last summer and had a rest day there. It was perfect.

 

[vanrobin]

Pontevedra makes sense if you want do some things like shop, but Caldas would be a nice place to actually rest. Then you go on to Padron and the next day into Santiago

 

[ShoshTrvls]

Agree that Pontevedra would be the best, Padron second, and Caldas de Reis last.

 

[hikentravel1234]

Hello! My girlfriends and I are going in August starting from Valenca (first timers!). What city is the best to do a rest day? One thread seemed to recommend Pontevedra the most, but I was hoping to do something a little closer to Santiago when I think we'll be more tired and in need of rest. I called a tour company because I was worried there wouldn't be enough to do in Padron and he seemed to think Pontevedra or Caldas de Reis would be better than Padron. Caldas de Reis doesn't seem to have a lot to do when I googled it so now I'm thinking Pontevedra is best... Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

If you do take a rest day in Pontevedra, you can try to schedule your walking to where the walk into Santiago is only 7.5 or 10km on that day. That way, you can arrive in Santiago without being too tired.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

If you do take a rest day in Pontevedra, you can try to schedule your walking to where the walk into Santiago is only 7.5 or 10km on that day. That way, you can arrive in Santiago without being too tired.

We spent the evening before Santiago in Miilladioro and it worked out perfectly. Slept in and arrived in SdC in time for the Pilgrim’s Mass.

 

[jungleboy]

Another vote for Pontevedra but since you mentioned Caldas de Reis as a possibility, I wonder if you know about and/or have considered the Variante Espiritual? It’s a popular variant to the main route, starting just after Pontevedra and finishing (usually by boat) in Pontecesures, just before Padron (and therefore skipping Caldas de Reis). I have walked it twice and highly recommend it, as do plenty of others.

 

[David Tallan]

For a rest day, wherever you are when you find that you need a rest. For a sightseeing day, depends on what you are looking to do and what your interests are.

Pontevedra is the bigger city, with more sights to see, museums, art galleries, churches. Caldas de Reis is the place to relax in a spa with the hot springs. Padrón is closely associated with St. James, where he preached while alive and where his stone boat fetched up after his martyrdom. If you are interested in St. James (to whose relics you are walking) this might be a place to explore a bit more.

 

[alexismi]

Pontevedra is a much bigger town with a very large pedestrianized historic center, beautiful architecture, and a great food and restaurant scene, including outstanding ice cream shops! You can easily spend a day or two there.

Padron is smaller, but has a good sized historic center, including a beautiful square by the river Sar, a few very good restaurants (Pulperia Rial in the Center; O Pazo, up the hill toward Santiago, one Michelin star), and a wonderful small museum of modern Galician culture and letters, the Casa Museo Rosália de Castro. (A few blocks from the center. She revived Gallego as a literary language. The 20th century author Camilo José Cela also has museum in town, as well as an imposing statute in the square by the river.

Caldas has a pretty setting, Roman bridge, and a number of handsome historic buildings connected to its hot springs. It has a hot spring water lavadero (laundry washing table/pool) if you want to dangle your feet in very warm water. (Lavadero Termal, Rua Don Carlos García Bayón) To do the same thing in cool water, go to the the central park just across the bridge, the Carballeira de Caldas de Reis. Less to see and do than the other towns, fewer restaurants and more empty shopfronts like many small towns in Galicia.

Thank you so much! This is very helpful!!

 

[alexismi]

Another vote for Pontevedra but since you mentioned Caldas de Reis as a possibility, I wonder if you know about and/or have considered the Variante Espiritual? It’s a popular variant to the main route, starting just after Pontevedra and finishing (usually by boat) in Pontecesures, just before Padron (and therefore skipping Caldas de Reis). I have walked it twice and highly recommend it, as do plenty of oth

Another vote for Pontevedra but since you mentioned Caldas de Reis as a possibility, I wonder if you know about and/or have considered the Variante Espiritual? It’s a popular variant to the main route, starting just after Pontevedra and finishing (usually by boat) in Pontecesures, just before Padron (and therefore skipping Caldas de Reis). I have walked it twice and highly recommend it, as do plenty of others.

Thank you! I can't do the Variante Espiritual this time, but that's good to know for next time. Thanks again.

 

[Eamonrodden]

Hello! My girlfriends and I are going in August starting from Valenca (first timers!). What city is the best to do a rest day? One thread seemed to recommend Pontevedra the most, but I was hoping to do something a little closer to Santiago when I think we'll be more tired and in need of rest. I called a tour company because I was worried there wouldn't be enough to do in Padron and he seemed to think Pontevedra or Caldas de Reis would be better than Padron. Caldas de Reis doesn't seem to have a lot to do when I googled it so now I'm thinking Pontevedra is best... Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

I have stayed in Pontevedre a couple of times. Get the bus out to Combarro. There are some little bay cruises there. You end up eating all the freshly cooked mussels you can eat and all the wine you can drink for about 15 euros. Great break from the Camino

 

[Enzed]

Another thought, the longer you are on the camino the stronger you become. The first few days are often the hardest. Give it a week, and you may be surprised by what your body is truly capable of.

By the time you reach Santiago, you'll probably be in a good place, body and mind, and be mentally planning your next walking adventure

So, you may not need a rest day because of exhaustion, but no reason why you can't have short days (to allow for sightseeing and walking) or even a 0Km day.

You do you, it's your camino. And don't underestimate what your body. Once the mind and body are in sync, it's a great feeling.

 

[hikentravel1234]

Hello! My girlfriends and I are going in August starting from Valenca (first timers!). What city is the best to do a rest day? One thread seemed to recommend Pontevedra the most, but I was hoping to do something a little closer to Santiago when I think we'll be more tired and in need of rest. I called a tour company because I was worried there wouldn't be enough to do in Padron and he seemed to think Pontevedra or Caldas de Reis would be better than Padron. Caldas de Reis doesn't seem to have a lot to do when I googled it so now I'm thinking Pontevedra is best... Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

Definitely Pontevedra!!! They also have a large, free museum.