Melide: The Octopus Capital of the Camino de Santiago

Why Melide Is Famous

Melide is a small town in the province of A Coruña, roughly 55 km from Santiago de Compostela. For Camino pilgrims, it is legendary for one reason: pulpo á feira — Galician-style octopus. This is where the Camino Francés and the Camino Primitivo merge, so the town buzzes with pilgrims from two routes.

The Best Pulperías

A pulpería is a restaurant specialising in octopus. Melide has several famous ones.

Pulpería Ezequiel

The most iconic. Operating since 1950, Ezequiel serves octopus on wooden plates with olive oil, coarse salt, and pimentón (smoked paprika). Simple, authentic, unforgettable. Expect a queue during peak season.

A Garnacha

Another excellent option with slightly lower prices and less waiting time. Their octopus is just as good.

What to Order

• Pulpo á feira: — boiled octopus with paprika, oil, and salt (€12-16 a ración)
• Pimientos de Padrón: — small green peppers, some hot, most not
• Ribeiro wine: — served in small ceramic cups (cunca)

What Else to See

• Church of San Pedro: — 12th-century Romanesque church on the Camino route
• Church of Sancti Spiritus: — 14th-century, with a notable carved portal
• Medieval Cruceiro: — the oldest wayside cross in Galicia, dating from the 14th century, located in the churchyard of San Pedro

Practical Tips

• Melide is a popular lunch stop. Arrive before 1 PM to avoid long waits at pulperías.
• The town has pharmacies, ATMs, and a small supermarket.
• From Melide, Santiago is about 2.5 walking days away, passing through Arzúa — don't miss the cheese.

Need Transport?

If you want to visit Melide on a rest day or need a ride from Palas de Rei to Melide, Taxi Castro covers all stages between Sarria and Santiago. We can also transport your luggage ahead so you walk light. For more on Galician cuisine along the trail, see our food guide. Call +34 659 99 31 39.