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Wise Pilgrim APPVilamartín de Valdeorras has restaurants, hostals, and a municipal albergue along the river — the second-to-last building on the Sil waterfront, near a small football field and swimming pool. It can be hard to find as there are no signs from the camino side.
Hostal-Restaurante Marbella (Calle Cervantes 32, tel. 988 300 025) has reported pilgrim prices around 15 euros. Hostal Restaurante Pancho y Pilar (tel. 988 300 073) is on the main street. Cafetería El Castillo (50 m off camino, under the road bridge) has a nice covered terrace.
To reach the town center, turn right at the little bridge underpass at the entrance.
Vilamartín's parish archives record that in 1712, a peregrina on her way to Santiago died and was buried beneath the "Puertas del Sol" at the Iglesia de San Jorge. The note says that because she was poor, there was no charge for burial. Though she gave her name as Isabel, the author couldn't understand her surname, noting only that she was from Navarra.
The camino continues along the riverside, past the dam and spillway of the Embalse de Santiago, with views over vineyards, bee boxes, quarries, and circling birds of prey. At the dam, cross the railway tracks and go left on the N-536. At the intersection with the N-120, a sign points left into A Rúa.
On the descent into town, Panadería/Cafetería Peyma has been recommended for breakfast. At the entrance to A Rúa, an arrow points right for the camino. Going straight takes you into the town center.
