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Pilgrims Walking the Camino

Camino Portugués: Traditional

Self-Guided Tour 1

Porto ⇒ Valença

Through lush landscapes, you reach the medieval city of Ponte de Lima as well as the fortress-city of Valença on the banks of the river Minho.

Regular Pace: 7 Days

Average distance: 23.9 km. (14.9 mi.) / Day

Average distance: 17.1 km. (10.6 mi.) / Day

Highlights

You will start this journey in Porto, the cultural capital of Portugal. A short metro ride takes you to the Camino right on the Atlantic coast.

Follow the Camino along the Atlantic and walk to Vila do Conde. Through the lush landscapes of Northern Portugal, you will reach the medieval city of Ponte de Lima. From there, the way leads you along forest tracks up the highest point of the Portuguese Way, from where you have great views of Rubiaes.

Your tour ends in the border town of Valença, which hosts a historic fortress once guarding Portugal against its Spanish neighbors.

Impressions from the Camino

Regular Pace: 7 days

Tour Type: Self-Guided

Availability: April through October

  • April 01 – June 30: Regular Season
  • July 01 – September 14: High Season
  • September 15 – October 31: Regular Season
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Duration: 7 Days Total / 5 Days Walking

Total Distance: 119.4 km. (74.2 mi.)

Difficulty: easy/moderate

Average distance: 23.9 km. (14.9 mi.) / Day

Prices (per person):

Double Room:
Starting from € 360

Single-Occupancy Room:
Starting from € 560

What’s Included:

6 nights in single / double room

En-suite facilities

English-speaking emergency assistance
i
Your full digital Travel Info Package
Details ⇒

We are proud to be working together with hand-picked, high quality and mostly locally owned and operated service providers.

Your journey will be booked through, and your Travel Package will include all the information you will need to access your lodging locations and to process your check-in.

Optional Add-ons:

Luggage transfer on walking days

Breakfasts (subject to availability)

Lodging for additional night(s) stays

Airport transfers (by taxi)
Details ⇒

If you wish to walk your Camino Stages with a light backpack, carrying only the basic necessities, we will be happy to arrange for your luggage to be forwarded from one hotel to the next on your walking days.

Breakfasts are not available everywhere, and they are often served late, starting around 8 am. However, if you wish to include brekfasts, we will be happy to do so, where possible.

Spending an extra night in a given town throughout your journey is often a good idea: you give your body a rest, relax and enjoy exploring the town. In Santiago, two nights are included in most of our Tours by default as we believe it’s the least a Pilgrim would need to enjoy the City; however, you have the option to opt out of it.

We will be happy to arrange for an airport shuttle transfer for you from your airport of arrival to the starting point of your journey. The same goes for the departure, unless you end your journey in Santiago and fly out of Santiago Airport. In that case, a taxi can be easily arranged for the time of your choice directly at the Reception Desk at your Hotel.

What’s not Included:

Flights

Travel Insurance

Tour guide

Meals
Details ⇒

We do not book flights, nor organize any rail or commercial bus-line travel. However, if you need assistance in deciding how to get to and back from your Camino Tour, we will be happy to assist you with tips and ideas!

We strongly recommend to all our travelers to get a Travel Insurance; however, we do not sell any such policies. For our international clients, it is best to get a policy in their country of residence, as some countries offer insurances only to their own residents.

This is a date-flexible tour; therefore, it is self-guided – no Tour Guide will be accompanying you. If you are interested in joining a Group Tour with a Tour Guide, please check our Guided Tours page. (Note: our Guided Tours take place on set dates that are planned ahead.)

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Porto

Your travels bring you, at last, to the beautiful City of Porto, often referred to as the cultural capital of Portugal. Check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring the many amazing sites Porto has to offer, like a walk along the banks of the Duero river.

Day 1: Arrival in Porto

Your travels bring you, at last, to the beautiful City of Porto, often referred to as the cultural capital of Portugal. Check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring the many amazing sites Porto has to offer, like a walk along the banks of the Duero river.

Day 2: Porto – Vila do Conde • 22.8 km. (14.2 mi.)

You first day on the Camino begins with a subway ride: Metro Line A will take you to get to the starting point of the Coastal Camino de Santiago. From here, you will walk along the coastline all the way until Vila do Conde. With the sea always to your left, the Camino leads over boardwalks and, later, traversing charming little villages. The farther you get from Porto, the more pleasant the scenery becomes, and there nearby Ocean will offer ample opportunities to have a quick swim.

Distance: 22.8 km. (14.2 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy

Day 3: Vila do Conde – Barcelos • 28 km. (17.4 mi.)

Today you will walk through the pretty city of Rates and on to Barcelos, where the same „rooster story“ is said to have happened as in Santo Domingo de la Calzada. As this a longer stage, you might want to consider taking a taxi out of town.

Distance: 28 km. (15.6 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Barcelos – Quinta da Portela • 23.7 km. (14.7 mi.)

From Barcelos, the Camino winds through vineyards and small forests, until it reaches Quinta da Portela.

Distance: 23.7 km. (14.7 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Day 5: Quinta da Portela – Gandra • 25 km. (15.5 mi.)

In the morning, the Camino descends to Ponte de Lima – a picturesque little town with a magnificent medieval bridge and historic center, located on the river that shares its name. After Ponte de Lima, the Way of St. James continues to today’s destination, Gandra.

Distance: 25 km. (15.5 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Day 6: Gandra – Valença • 19.9 km. (12.4 mi.)

Today’s walk is one the most beautiful on the Camino Portugués. You will walk over mountain passes and later alongside the river Minho to Valença with its impressive fortress. While the city is now open and well-connected to Spain, its extensive fortress reminds of the days, when the border was not always peaceful. The “International Bridge,” located just beneath the fortress walls, connects the two European countries, and you can easily cross the border by foot.

Distance: 19.9 km. (12.4 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Day 7: Departure from Valença

Farewell, Valença; farewell, Camino – and sage travels on your journey back home or to your next adventure! Or, here is another option well-worth considering: to continue onto our next Part 2 of the Camino Portugues Traditional Self-Guided Tour; from Valença to Santiago de Compostela.

¡Buen Camino!

Slow Steps: 9 days

Tour Type: Self-Guided

Availability: April through October

  • April 01 – June 30: Regular Season
  • July 01 – September 14: High Season
  • September 15 – October 31: Regular Season
}

Duration: 9 Days Total / 7 Days Walking

Total Distance: 119.4 km. (74.2 mi.)

Difficulty: easy/moderate

Average distance: 17.1 km. (10.6 mi.) / Day

Prices (per person):

Double Room:
Starting from € 490

Single-Occupancy Room:
Starting from € 760

What’s Included:

8 nights in single / double room

En-suite facilities

English-speaking emergency assistance
i
Your full digital Travel Info Package
Details ⇒

We are proud to be working together with hand-picked, high quality and mostly locally owned and operated service providers.

Your journey will be booked through, and your Travel Package will include all the information you will need to access your lodging locations and to process your check-in.

Optional Add-ons:

Luggage transfer on walking days

Breakfasts (subject to availability)

Lodging for additional night(s) stays

Airport transfers (by taxi)
Details ⇒

If you wish to walk your Camino Stages with a light backpack, carrying only the basic necessities, we will be happy to arrange for your luggage to be forwarded from one hotel to the next on your walking days.

Breakfasts are not available everywhere, and they are often served late, starting around 8 am. However, if you wish to include brekfasts, we will be happy to do so, where possible.

Spending an extra night in a given town throughout your journey is often a good idea: you give your body a rest, relax and enjoy exploring the town. In Santiago, two nights are included in most of our Tours by default as we believe it’s the least a Pilgrim would need to enjoy the City; however, you have the option to opt out of it.

We will be happy to arrange for an airport shuttle transfer for you from your airport of arrival to the starting point of your journey. The same goes for the departure, unless you end your journey in Santiago and fly out of Santiago Airport. In that case, a taxi can be easily arranged for the time of your choice directly at the Reception Desk at your Hotel.

What’s not Included:

Flights

Travel Insurance

Tour guide

Meals
Details ⇒

We do not book flights, nor organize any rail or commercial bus-line travel. However, if you need assistance in deciding how to get to and back from your Camino Tour, we will be happy to assist you with tips and ideas!

We strongly recommend to all our travelers to get a Travel Insurance; however, we do not sell any such policies. For our international clients, it is best to get a policy in their country of residence, as some countries offer insurances only to their own residents.

This is a date-flexible tour; therefore, it is self-guided – no Tour Guide will be accompanying you. If you are interested in joining a Group Tour with a Tour Guide, please check our Guided Tours page. (Note: our Guided Tours take place on set dates that are planned ahead.)

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Porto

Your travels bring you, at last, to the beautiful City of Porto, often referred to as the cultural capital of Portugal. Check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring the many amazing sites Porto has to offer, like a walk along the banks of the Duero river.

Day 1: Arrival in Porto

Your travels bring you, at last, to the beautiful City of Porto, often referred to as the cultural capital of Portugal. Check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring the many amazing sites Porto has to offer, like a walk along the banks of the Duero river.

Day 2: Porto – Vila do Conde • 22.8 km. (14.2 mi.)

You first day on the Camino begins with a subway ride: Metro Line A will take you to get to the starting point of the Coastal Camino de Santiago. From here, you will walk along the coastline all the way until Vila do Conde. With the sea always to your left, the Camino leads over boardwalks and, later, traversing charming little villages. The farther you get from Porto, the more pleasant the scenery becomes, and there nearby Ocean will offer ample opportunities to have a quick swim.

Distance: 22.8 km. (14.2 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy

Day 3: Vila do Conde – Rates • 13 km. (8.1 mi.)

Just before reaching Rates, this route joins the traditional Way of Saint James once again. You spend the night in the small town of Rates, well worth visiting

Distance: 13 km. (8.1 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate

Day 4: Rates – Barcelos • 15.7 km. (9.7 mi.)

Today you will walk to Barcelos, where the same “rooster story” is said to have happened as in Santo Domingo de la Calzada.

Distance: 15.7 km. (9.7 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Day 5: Barcelos – Balugaes • 16 km. (9.9 mi.)

From Barcelos, the Camino winds through vineyards and small forests, until it reaches Balugaes.

Distance: 16 km. (9.9 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Day 6: Balugaes – Ponte de Lima • 17 km. (10.6 mi.)

In the morning, the Camino descends to Ponte de Lima – a picturesque little town with a magnificent medieval bridge and historic center, located on the river that shares its name.

Distance: 17 km. (10.6 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Day 7: Ponte de Lima – Gandra • 15 km. (9.3 mi.)

After Ponte de Lima, the Way of St. James continues to today’s destination, Gandra.

Distance: 15 km. (9.3 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Day 8: Gandra – Valença • 19.9 km. (12.4 mi.)

Today’s walk is one the most beautiful on the Camino Portugués. You will walk over mountain passes and later alongside the river Minho to Valença with its impressive fortress. While the city is now open and well-connected to Spain, its extensive fortress reminds of the days, when the border was not always peaceful. The “International Bridge,” located just beneath the fortress walls, connects the two European countries, and you can easily cross the border by foot.

Distance: 19.9 km. (12.4 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Day 9: Departure from Valença

Farewell, Valença; farewell, Camino – and sage travels on your journey back home or to your next adventure! Or, here is another option well-worth considering: to continue onto our next Part 2 of the Camino Portugues Traditional Self-Guided Tour; from Valença to Santiago de Compostela.

¡Buen Camino!

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*Accommodation Type

Breakfast (may depend on availability)

Luggage Transfer (on walking days)

Additional Night Stays (beyond what's included in the itinerary)

Tour Combination Options

Our Camino Portugués: Traditional Self-Guided Tour 1 can be easily combined with:

Camino Portugués: Traditional
Self-Guided Tour 2, Regular Pace

Valença ⇒ Santiago de Compostela

Starting from € 490

Duration: 9 Days Total / 6 Days Walking

Distance: 120.3 km. (74.8 mi.)

Difficulty: easy

Camino Portugués: Traditional
Self-Guided Tour 2, Slow Steps

Valença ⇒ Santiago de Compostela

Starting from € 630

Duration: 11 Days Total / 8 Days Walking

Distance: 120.3 km. (74.8 mi.)

Difficulty: easy