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Top 5 places to spend rest days on the VDLP

NicP

Active Member
Donating Member
Time of past OR future Camino
VDLP 2016, Frances 2023, starting SJPdP April 2024
Hello! I'm thinking about my camino on the VDLP next April and wanted to get some advice from those of you who have walked this route previously - I probably have a spare week or so up my sleeve, and thought that some rest days during my camino could be a good way to spend that time... So - what are the top spots to spend an extra night and soak up a little extra culture, food and ambiance on the VDLP? Also, how do people rate the walk to Finisterre as an add on or alternative to rest days on the VDLP itself?

Any advice will be gratefully received. Thanks in advance...
 
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Hi, NicP, Welcome to the forum. The Vdlp is one of the absolute best Caminos to have time to spend, because there are so many great cities along the way. Here are the top five "free days" in my mind: (assuming you have spent a day or two in Sevilla already, which is a must see city) Merida, Caceres, Salamanca, Zamora, Ourense. There you have it, it's easy! And they are pretty well spaced, too.

As far as the walk to Finisterre or Muxia -- many people on the forum prefer Muxia, but both are beautiful. If you are asking for opinions between having rest days on the Vdlp or walking to Finisterre, I would go with the rest days on the Vdlp for starters, and then if as you are walking it doesn't seem right, then you'll have the extra days to go the Finisterre/Muxia. Buen camino, Laurie
 
I ma currently planning a VDLP trip and we are looking at a few days in each of Laurie's suggestions. There is so much to see! I have walked to Finisterre (and back to Santiago) and I would definitely agree with Laurie - allow time on the VdlP
 
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To the list below I'd add Zafra (between Seville and Mérida). It's called the little Seville. Very lovely, with famous paintings by Zurburan in the church.
 
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My favourites:
Sevilla, Salamanca, Merida, Caceres, Ourense

I didn't have a rest day in Caceres but my buddy and I made sure we had a look around the old city, hit the museum etc before the short walk to Casar de Caceres. It was worth leaving early that day to allow for some tourist activity.
I love Sevilla and Salamanca. Merida was also great (and is the last place you will come across snails on the menu).
 
The 3 day walk to Finisterre is easy. It depends on the weather to some extent. Day 2 was dreary because it was drizzly. The coastal section is lovely on a sunny day. But if the rain sets in...this is Galicia! I arrived in Finisterre in the sun thinking about hitting the shops to get a bikini as the weather was glorious and everyone was out and about on the beaches. The next two days were overcast and drizzly and cold. Still lovely in Finisterre but different.
 
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