I have to confess, I’m having a bit of a “love affair” with ancient and medieval city walls—yes, you heard that right! Especially the ones that are still standing strong after centuries of epic battles, natural disasters, and what I can only assume is relentless weather tantrums. I mean, if only my relationships could be as resilient as those old stone giants!
About Lugo
Lugo is the capital of the province of Lugo, and let’s be honest, it’s the fourth most populated city in Galicia—yes, that’s a thing! It’s one of the star players along the Camino Primitivo (the oldest Camino de Santiago route, still looking fabulous after all these years). Lugo is famous for its medieval wall, which is not just for show—it’s practice for medieval reenactments, obviously. And let’s not even get started on the food, particularly Galician cuisine. Travelling on a budget feels like a culinary treasure hunt, especially when the delightful empanadas are so affordable that you might just fill your suitcase with them instead of clothes! Trust me, they’re so delicious I’m considering applying for honorary citizenship at this point!
Getting there
Train
- Renfe Media Distancia train (mid-distance) from Sarria to Lugo costs EUR 3,30 per person.
- Duration: 25mins – 27mins Direct
- No need to reserve seats.
- For updates of train fares and schedules, please click here for Renfe official site.
Alternative modes of Transportation
- According to Rome2Rio site, there appears to be buses from Sarria to Lugo. However, the official bus websites showed otherwise. I would strongly suggest traveling to Lugo by train to minimise uncertainties and lengthy journey.
It was awesome to kick off our trip early so we could check out Lugo before the crowds rolled in. I totally recommend this to anyone planning the same adventure!
Medieval Wall of Lugo
If you’re hopping on a train to Lugo, don’t freak out if the ancient Wall plays hide-and-seek from the station—it’s just a breezy 500m uphill trek to the Old Town. And believe me, your legs won’t mind this workout because the views are like a scenic postcard come to life! Plus, Porta da Estacion is the closest city gate to the Lugo train station, so grab your invisible explorer hat and get ready for a mini adventure!
The entire Roman walls of Lugo (also known as Muralla Romana de Lugo) is approximately 10 to 15metres high and stretches about 2,120 metres with 71 towers around the Old Town of Lugo. This is by far the only city in the world to be surrounded completely by intact Roman walls. The Roman Wall, built in the 3rd century, is now recorded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Note: Access to the Wall is free of charge. There are several entrances and stairs to the top. Most of the stairs are located next to the city gates.
Our intention for getting to Lugo early was to walk the entire Wall that surrounded the Old Town. Before we could do half of the Wall, the weather was not looking too promising from the top of the Wall which made us decide to descend and visit the Old Town and take cover instead.
