A Guarda (also known as La Guardia) is a beautiful, historic Spanish town with colorful houses along the bay, located in the Galicia region near the border with Portugal. The town was founded in the year 300.
In the town of A Guarda, I stayed at Hotel Bruselas.
As in many fishing towns, A Guarda has a monument honoring its fishermen, called the Monumento al Pescador.

The colorful houses lining the bay create a truly picturesque scene.

Igrexa de San Bieito (map) – The Church of San Benedict is where I got a stamp for my pilgrim passport.

The interior of San Benedict Church, constructed between 1558 and 1561.

Here’s what the place where pilgrims get their stamp looks like.

Stairs for a weary pilgrim

View of the city from the top of the stairs

Igrexa de Santa María da Guarda
Igrexa de Santa María da Guarda (map) – The Church of Santa María da Guarda is another place where I got a stamp for my pilgrim passport.

The interior of the Church of Igrexa de Santa María da Guarda is very beautiful. The church is mentioned as early as the 12th century and was originally built in the Romanesque style, but over time it acquired Baroque and Rococo features. Inside the church, you can see Baroque altars, Mannerist-style paintings, and Rococo-style frescoes.
The façade of the church is designed in the Baroque style with white frescoes, while the southern side features Renaissance architecture. The bell tower, which combines elements of Baroque and Neoclassicism, is very majestic and attracts attention from afar.

Streets of the A Guarda
A pilgrims’ bench featuring a large yellow arrow

While walking down the street, I spotted a bench decorated with colorful knitted patterns. This kind of art is known as yarn bombing. I’d heard a lot about it, but it was my first time seeing it in person.

This is the square with the beautiful Mural A Guarda. My hotel was just nearby, and in the evening, there was a local festival taking place here.


This square is called Plaza do Reló, with Plaza de San Marcos right next to it. The building you see here is the town hall, called Concello da Guarda.

A cute sculpture group Nena ao colexio (map) – I absolutely love city projects like this.

I came across this charming building, and I find it absolutely delightful. Its stone façade gives it a historic, rustic feel, while the bright green shutters with a subtle diamond pattern add a splash of color and personality. The balconies are adorned with potted plants, which bring life and coziness to the structure. The combination of old stone, colorful details, and greenery makes this building stand out and gives it a warm, inviting character.

Here’s a lovely street in A Guarda. The cobblestone road is lined with old buildings in soft colors, many with pretty wrought-iron balconies. Some façades look a bit worn, which just adds to the charm. Colorful flags are strung across the street, giving it a festive feel. It’s one of those places where you want to stroll slowly and take in the atmosphere of this cozy Galician town.

Rúa Vicente Sobrino

Cruceiro do Monte Real is the cross where pilgrims and patients from the old San Marcos hospital used to come to pray.

A classic Camino de Santiago sign showing the way! I spotted this yellow arrow and scallop shell on a stone post in the middle of the charming streets of A Guarda.

A Guarda is a lovely old town that’s fascinating for both pilgrims and anyone who loves history and art. I absolutely loved it here and I’m so happy I got to spend some time exploring this place.
Spain
Hotels
- Hotel Atlántico Vigo
- Hotel Bruselas in A Guarda
- Hotel Scala, Padrón
- Hotel Holiday, Nigrán
- Martínez Rooms Pilgrims — apartments in Caldas de Reis
- A Boa Estrela Pension in Redondela
- Hotel Don Pepe, Poio
- Alojamiento Camino Portugues Oia, Villadesuso
- Rey Fernando Guesthouse in Santiago de Compostela
Cities
Camino
- How to walk the Way of Saint James
- Camino Portuguese – Day Five – Vila Praia de Âncora – A Guarda 14 km
- Camino Portuguese — Day Six — A Guarda — Villadesuso 18.8 km
- Camino Portuguese — Day Seven — Villadesuso to Nigrán, 19.5 km
- Camino Portuguese – Day Eight – Nigrán to Vigo, 22 km
- Camino Portuguese — Day Nine — Vigo — Redondela 15.7 km
- Camino Portuguese – Day Ten – Redondela – Pontevedra 21 km
- Camino Portuguese — Day Eleven — Pontevedra — Caldas de Reis 20 km
- Camino Portuguese – Day Twelve – Caldas de Reis to Padrón, 19.7 km
- Camino Portuguese – Day Thirteen – Padrón – Santiago de Compostela 22.5 km
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