Melide
A town where the French Way and the Primitive Way converge, famous for market-style octopus and its long-established octopus restaurants.
Melide is a town of about 7,700 people in the province of A Coruña. The Primitive Way from Oviedo joins the French Way here, and from this point pilgrims walk together for the remaining 50 km to Santiago. Although inland, the town developed a seafood trade thanks to its weekly market, and a professional tradition of 'octopus masters' grew up around it. The octopus is boiled in copper pots and cut into small pieces with scissors. It is served on wooden plates, sprinkled with coarse salt and paprika, drizzled with olive oil, and paired with boiled potatoes, bread, and a glass of Ribeiro white wine. This dish is known as pulpo á feira, or market-style octopus. Old restaurants on the main street, such as Ezequiel and A Garnacha, are must-stop lunch spots for pilgrims. You can also see the 12th-century Romanesque Church of Santa María, the medieval stone bridge and church of Furelos at the town entrance, a 14th-century stone cross, and the Melide local museum. The local dessert is melindres, an anise-flavored cookie. It takes about 45 minutes by car from Santiago.
Opening hours
Open all day (octopus house usually open midday to evening)
Nearby sights
- Pazo de Oca
- Monte do Gozo
- City of Culture of Galicia
- Collegiate Church of Santa María a Real do Sar
- Museo do Pobo Galego & Bonaval Park
- Mercado de Abastos
- Museum of Pilgrimages and Santiago
- Monastery of San Paio de Antealtares