Church and Mass - Iglesia de San Tirso. 12th c. Daily Mass 19:00.

Bar round the corner from the Xunta albergue will do a simple meal at any time. Rooms next door at Café Bar Plaza. Tel: 982 380 109.

Buy food here if you are planning to stay at the Xunta albergue in Casanova.

Palas de Rei has been a traditional overnight stay for pilgrims since the times of the Codex Calixtinus. Its name which means palace of the king relates to the palace built by the Visigoth king Witiza (702 to 710). There are no remains of this palace and the oldest historic surviving building is the 12th century Romanesque Iglesia de San Tirso. This is the church which you walk right past on the Camino on your way into Palas de Rei. In terms of stamps, San Tirso claims the second oldest stamp on the Camino, only second in age to the final stamp at the pilgrim’s office in Santiago. It also forms a meeting point for those without rooms when all accommodation is fully booked. If all accommodation is fully booked often the local councils will open up school buildings to house homeless pilgrims for the night. I personally dislike the loss of freedom by booking ahead, none the less at peak times it is advised to book your accommodation a couple of days in advance and for the Sarria to Santiago stretch it is advised to book all your accommodation in advance. Whilst on the subject of good advice, I have heard some pilgrims say that the Galicians are not very welcoming; I have to say that my experience has been the complete opposite and my advice concerning Galician hospitality is that when your host suggests moving on to the local Aguardente liquor called Orujo it is time to remember that you are on a pilgrimage and it is definitely time for bed! Excess of Galician hospitality does not make for a great day's walking the following day!

When leaving Palas de Rei in the morning there are not many cafe/bars open for breakfast except for the cafe/bar Britania opposite the municipal albergue Xunta. Also, when leaving take a moment to look over the very pretty flowerbed made into the coat of arms of Palas de Rei.