Melide

Camino Frances

To end of camino
52.7
Altitude
455

Furelos

1.50

Melide

5.80

Boente

Services
ATM
Yes
Bar
Yes
Bus
Yes
Correos
Obispo Varela 20, 15800, Mon-Fri: 0830-1430 & Sat: 0930-1300, 981 505 866
Grocery
Yes
Medical Center
Yes
Pharmacy
Yes

Although it has been on the menu as far back as O Cebreiro, Pulpo (octopus) doesn’t seem to garnish much attention until Melide. Despite its apparent disconnect with the sea, Melide’s thriving Thursday market meant that shipping pulpo was a profitable enterprise. It is served today as it was then: on a wooden plate, garnished only with a healthy drizzle of olive oil and a shake of paprika. It is eaten with a rather crude looking toothpick, alongside heavy Galician bread and a bowl of the local Ribeiro wine.

One of the better places to try it is Pulpería a Garnacha, the last door on your left before you get to the main road in Melide.

The melindre is another of Melide’s favorite  foods, and if you like dry and flavorless it can be your favorite too. It resembles a glazed donut and is sold from dozens of identical booths during festivals.

Melide, long the crossroads between territories, is also the meeting point of the various camino routes which come from the north, including the part of the Camino del Norte and the Camino Primitivo. Because of this, and the proximity to Santiago, the road become a great deal more congested.

History

Melide is an ancient settlement and despite its importance as a natural crossroad since Neolithic times, it has never been protected by a wall. In Medieval times the overwhelming bulk of the town industries were tied to the camino. This is evident today in the way the town is shaped; stretched out lengthwise along the camino road.

The Road

The traffic through Melide can be dangerous, particularly on market days when booths line the crowded streets and the arrows through town become difficult to spot. Simply follow along with the main road to the first roundabout. If you have not yet crossed the main road do so at the roundabout, and then cross the road that runs perpendicular to it. Arrows should point you towards a small side street through the old part of town that parallels the main road. There are many other yellow arrows that direct you towards the many albergues in town, they are often attached to adverts or are painted alongside a simple ‘A’. These can be ignored.

Comments

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Wow! What a treat. Walk through the crowded downtown area and there is a beautiful place with a sparkling pool in the country. It’s just a short distance off the Camino, maybe 200m.

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Right in the centre is a new pension with only 4 rooms. It’s beautiful, clean en very quiet. Costs about 56 euros. Would recommend it!

All Caminos App User (not verified)

The Churreria is a strong recommendation, delicious...

All Caminos App User (not verified)

There is a divide in the path approx 2km out of town at the 50.5km mark.

All Caminos App User (not verified)

A Casa do Lado is a short walk off the Camino. You can enter through a gate at the back which is on the Camino. It’s a house next to the owners house and has four or five rooms. I was the only one there so I had the whole place to myself. Great kitchen and the owner sticks it with lots of snacks and fruit…so generous! Great place for a group of pilgrims to coordinate and stay. Well worth the price and it’s so quiet!

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Alborada (right on the Camino) has amazing icecream. Small selection of flavours but veeeery good. Try the pistachio!

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

This casa is about 5 minutes from the camino and is quiet, clean, and very comfortable. The owners live in a house next door and are super responsive. They even helped us order pizza delivery because we were exhausted and just wanted a quiet night in.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Fantastic place to stopover. Has a swimming pool, but we just paddled our feet with an ice cold drink from the bar. They offer food. Rooms very comfy. Immaculately clean. Highly recommend.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

It's become a rip more so than a culinary delight.
Had some in Sarria, half price of Melide.
And yes, better

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Five minutes off the main road. Very quiet except for the birds at dusk. Breakfast available early (7:30?) at the bar. Highly recommend if you need your own room for 1-2 people.