Basic Galician Manual for Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago

Galician (galego) is a Romance language spoken mainly in Galicia, in northwestern Spain. It is similar to Portuguese and has a rich cultural history. Knowing a few basic words and phrases can greatly enhance your Camino de Santiago experience, especially on the Portuguese Way.

1. Essential Greetings & Expressions

• Ola! (Hello!)

• Bos días! (Good morning!)

• Boas tardes! (Good afternoon!)

• Boas noites! (Good night!)

• Como estás? (How are you?)

• Moi ben, grazas! (Very well, thanks!)

• Adeus! (Goodbye!)

• Ata logo! (See you later!)

• Unha aperta! (A hug!)

2. Essential Phrases for Pilgrims

• Son peregrino/a. (I am a pilgrim.)

• Onde está o albergue máis próximo? (Where is the nearest hostel?)

• Preciso a miña credencial. (I need my pilgrim’s passport.)

• Onde podo selar a credencial? (Where can I get my passport stamped?)

• Canto custa unha noite? (How much does one night cost?)

• A que hora abre/pecha? (What time does it open/close?)

• Hai almorzo incluído? (Is breakfast included?)

3. Basic Directions

• Onde está...? (Where is...?)

• Á esquerda (To the left)

• Á dereita (To the right)

• Recto (Straight ahead)

• Cerca/lonxe (Near/far)

• Aquí/alí (Here/there)

4. Ordering Food & Drinks

• Quero un café, por favor. (I’d like a coffee, please.)

• Unha cervexa, por favor. (A beer, please.)

• Ten opcións vexetarianas? (Do you have vegetarian options?)

• Canto custa? (How much does it cost?)

• A conta, por favor. (The bill, please.)

5. Emergencies & Health

• Preciso axuda. (I need help.)

• Chame a unha ambulancia! (Call an ambulance!)

• Onde está a farmacia? (Where is the pharmacy?)

• Teño unha alerxia a... (I have an allergy to...)

• Hai un médico preto? (Is there a doctor nearby?)

6. Accommodation & Booking

• Hai prazas dispoñibles? (Are there available beds?)

• Podo facer unha reserva? (Can I make a reservation?)

• Hai Wi-Fi? (Is there Wi-Fi?)

• Podo lavar a roupa aquí? (Can I do laundry here?)

7. Useful Numbers

• Emergencies: 112

• Tourist Information: 902 200 432

• Redondela Pilgrims Office: +34 986 40 26 86

Learning a few Galician phrases will enrich your Camino experience and help you connect with locals. Buen Camiño! 🚶‍♂️