Camino Portugués: Traditional
Self-Guided Tour 2
Valença ⇒ Santiago de Compostela
Blended with charming and easy-to-walk landscapes, pilgrims traverse cities of major historic significance such as Valença, Tui, Pontevedra, and Padrón.
Regular Pace: 9 Days
Average distance: 20 km. (12.5 mi.) / Day
Average distance: 15 km. (9.4 mi.) / Day
Highlights
This tour covers the final part of the Traditional Camino Portugués. It starts in the picturesque Portuguese fortress-city of Valença on the banks of the river Minho and with a panoramic view of Spain on the opposite shore. Now the “International Bridge” connects the two European countries and you can easily cross the border by foot and arrive in Tui, a Spanish border city with its own fortress and various historical sights.
The way leads into the lush greenery of the rolling hills and eucalyptus forests of Galicia. Here, scenic vineyards and fruit orchards characterize the countryside, and quaint villages and beautiful old towns invite for authentic gourmet experiences of traditional, regional foods.
Read More about this tour ⇒
Passing the beautiful historic town of Pontevedra, you soon arrive in Caldas de Reis. Recover in one of its famous thermal springs before walking to Padrón, where the body of Saint James is said to have arrived in a stone.
The rewarding feeling of arriving in Santiago on foot at the end is indescribable. One extra day (2 nights) in Santiago is the least needed to celebrate this accomplishment and to enjoy this magical city, and the itinerary is planned accordingly.
Impressions from the Camino
Regular Pace: 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 / 6 Days Walking
Total Distance: 120.3 km. (74.8 mi.)
Difficulty: easy
Average distance: 20 km. (12.5 mi.) / Day
Prices (per person):
Double Room:
Starting from € 490
Single-Occupancy Room:
Starting from € 690
What’s Included:
8 nights in single / double room
En-suite facilities
English-speaking emergency assistance
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 Valença
Your travels bring you, at last, to the beautiful Portuguese border City of Valença, located on the banks of the magnificent river Minho. Valença’s imposing reminds of the days when the border between Portugal and Spain was not always peaceful. Check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring the fortress and the charming historic city center of Valença, and get in the mood for the Camino that will start tomorrow first thing with a border crossing on foot.
Day 1: Arrival in Valença
Your travels bring you, at last, to the beautiful Portuguese border City of Valença, located on the banks of the magnificent river Minho. Valença’s imposing reminds of the days when the border between Portugal and Spain was not always peaceful. Check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring the fortress and the charming historic city center of Valença, and get in the mood for the Camino that will start tomorrow first thing with a border crossing on foot.
Day 2: Valença – O Porriño • 20.7 km. (12.9 mi.)
The very beginning of this first day’s journey presents an absolute highlight: crossing from Portugal into Spain. The “International Bridge,” located just beneath Valença’s fortress walls, connects the two European countries, and you will be walking across it, crossing the border on foot..
Attention: When crossing the border into Spain, the clocks are changed 1 hr. ahead.
Tui, the Spanish border city with its own fortress and various historical sites such as its magnificent Cathedral, is worth spending some time exploring. There is no need to rush, as today’s journey is rather short. Beyond Tui, you will follow the Camino on a narrow trail all the way towards O Porriño.
Distance: 20.7 km. (12.9 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 3: O Porriño – Redondela/ Arcade • 15.5/ 21.8 km. (9.6/ 13.5 mi.)
Walking on narrow trails again today, you will approach Redondela, from where you can see the Atlantic.
Distance: 15.5/ 21.8 km. (9.6/ 13.5 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 4: Redondela/ Arcade – Pontevedra • 19.9/ 13.6 km. (12.4/ 8.5 mi.)
Walking mostly through forests, today you will reach the city of Pontevedra – the so-called „capital“ of the Camino Portugués in Galicia: Pontevedra. Today’s stage is relatively short, and you will have plenty of time to explore the lovely old town and to visit the cathedral.
18 km – easy.
Distance: 19.9/ 13.6 km. (12.4/ 8.5 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 5: Pontevedra – Caldas de Reis • 22.9 km. (14.2 mi.)
Through beautiful landscapes and past many crossroads, the Way of St. James leads today to Caldas de Reis, which is famous for its healing thermal springs.
Distance: 22.9 km. (14.2 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 6: Caldas de Reis – Padrón • 18.3 km. (11.4 mi.)
Passing by old churches and cemeteries, and more of picturesque, green Galician countryside, you will reach the long-awaited destination of your pilgrimage: Santiago de Compostela. Let the Camino guide you, one last time, into the heart of this magical City. Congratulations, dear Pilgrim: You. Have. Arrived. Celebrate, and enjoy!
Distance: 23 km. (14.3 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate
Day 7: Padrón – Santiago de Compostela • 23 km. (14.3 mi.)
Passing by old churches and cemeteries, and more of picturesque, green Galician countryside, you will reach the long-awaited destination of your pilgrimage: Santiago de Compostela. Let the Camino guide you, one last time, into the heart of this magical City. Congratulations, dear Pilgrim: You. Have. Arrived. Celebrate, and enjoy!
Distance: 23 km. (14.3 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate
Day 8: Free Day in Santiago de Compostela
We strongly feel that, after this amazing journey, it is instrumental to spend (at least!) one full, extra day and another night in Santiago, which is why it is added in our program „by default“ (though you can opt out of it). This is both the time and the place to unwind, to reflect upon and enjoy your journey’s end and, most importantly, to take it easy on yourself with your post-Camino re-entry into the big, wide World. Aside from that, UNESCO-listed city of Santiago is full of incredible places to explore, and you can collect your very well-earned Compostela (Certificate of Completion) as well as attend the Pilgrims’ Mass at the Cathedral.
Day 9: Departure from Santiago de Compostela
Farewell, Santiago; farewell, Camino – and sage travels on your journey back home or to your next adventure! And here is another option well-worth considering: to continue the Camino on to Finisterre (the „End of the World“) and / or to Muxía – two stunning, mystical places on the majestic Atlantic coast.
¡Buen Camino!
Slow Steps: 11 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: 11 Days Total / 8 Days Walking
Total Distance: 120.3 km. (74.8 mi.)
Difficulty: easy
Average distance: 15 km. (9.4 mi.) / Day
Prices (per person):
Double Room:
Starting from € 630
Single-Occupancy Room:
Starting from € 890
What’s Included:
10 nights in single / double room
En-suite facilities
English-speaking emergency assistance
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 Valença
Your travels bring you, at last, to the beautiful Portuguese border City of Valença, located on the banks of the magnificent river Minho. Valença’s imposing reminds of the days when the border between Portugal and Spain was not always peaceful. Check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring the fortress and the charming historic city center of Valença, and get in the mood for the Camino that will start tomorrow first thing with a border crossing on foot.
Day 1: Arrival in Valença
Your travels bring you, at last, to the beautiful Portuguese border City of Valença, located on the banks of the magnificent river Minho. Valença’s imposing reminds of the days when the border between Portugal and Spain was not always peaceful. Check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring the fortress and the charming historic city center of Valença, and get in the mood for the Camino that will start tomorrow first thing with a border crossing on foot.
Day 2: Valença – O Porriño • 20.7 km. (12.9 mi.)
The very beginning of this first day’s journey presents an absolute highlight: crossing from Portugal into Spain. The “International Bridge,” located just beneath Valença’s fortress walls, connects the two European countries, and you will be walking across it, crossing the border on foot..
Attention: When crossing the border into Spain, the clocks are changed 1 hr. ahead.
Tui, the Spanish border city with its own fortress and various historical sites such as its magnificent Cathedral, is worth spending some time exploring. There is no need to rush, as today’s journey is rather short. Beyond Tui, you will follow the Camino on a narrow trail all the way towards O Porriño.
Distance: 20.7 km. (12.9 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 3: O Porriño – Redondela • 15.5 km. (9.6 mi.)
Walking on narrow trails again today, you will approach Redondela, from where you can see the Atlantic.
Distance: 15.5 km. (9.6 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 4: Redondela – Arcade • 6.3 km. (3.9 mi.)
Today you only have to walk a short stage from Redondela to the village of Arcade. You see the beautiful bay of Redondela again and walk uphill for a short while until you arrive in Arcade.
Distance: 6.3 km. (3.9 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 5: Arcade – Pontevedra • 13.6 km. (8.5 mi.)
Walking mostly through forests, today you will reach the city of Pontevedra – the so-called “capital” of the Camino Portugués in Galicia: Pontevedra. Today’s stage is relatively short, and you will have plenty of time to explore the lovely old town and to visit the cathedral.
Distance: 13.6 km. (8.5 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 6: Pontevedra – Caldas de Reis • 22.9 km. (14.2 mi.)
Through beautiful landscapes and past many crossroads, the Way of St. James leads today to Caldas de Reis, which is famous for its healing thermal springs.
Distance: 22.9 km. (14.2 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 7: Caldas de Reis – Padrón • 18.3 km. (11.4 mi.)
Passing by old churches and cemeteries, and more of picturesque, green Galician countryside, you will reach the long-awaited destination of your pilgrimage: Santiago de Compostela. Let the Camino guide you, one last time, into the heart of this magical City. Congratulations, dear Pilgrim: You. Have. Arrived. Celebrate, and enjoy!
Distance: 23 km. (14.3 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate
Day 8: Padrón – Teo • 11 km. (6.9 mi.)
You walk through the Galician landscape, through a few small villages, to the small town of Teo.
Distance: 11 km. (6.9 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 9: Teo – Santiago de Compostela • 12 km. (7.5 mi.)
Passing by old churches and cemeteries, you will reach the long-awaited destination of your pilgrimage: Santiago de Compostela. Let the Camino guide you, one last time, into the heart of this magical City. Congratulations, dear Pilgrim: You. Have. Arrived. Celebrate, and enjoy!
Distance: 12 km. (7.5 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 10: Free Day in Santiago de Compostela
We strongly feel that, after this amazing journey, it is instrumental to spend (at least!) one full, extra day and another night in Santiago, which is why it is added in our program „by default“ (though you can opt out of it). This is both the time and the place to unwind, to reflect upon and enjoy your journey’s end and, most importantly, to take it easy on yourself with your post-Camino re-entry into the big, wide World. Aside from that, UNESCO-listed city of Santiago is full of incredible places to explore, and you can collect your very well-earned Compostela (Certificate of Completion) as well as attend the Pilgrims’ Mass at the Cathedral.
Day 11: Departure from Santiago de Compostela
Farewell, Santiago; farewell, Camino – and sage travels on your journey back home or to your next adventure! And here is another option well-worth considering: to continue the Camino on to Finisterre (the „End of the World“) and / or to Muxía – two stunning, mystical places on the majestic Atlantic coast.
¡Buen Camino!
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Tour Combination Options
Our Camino Portugués: Traditional Self-Guided Tour 2 can be easily combined with:
Camino Portugués: Traditional
Self-Guided Tour 1, Regular Pace
Porto ⇒ Valença
Starting from € 360
Duration: 7 Days Total / 5 Days Walking
Distance: 119.4 km. (74.2 mi.)
Difficulty: easy/ moderate
Camino Portugués: Traditional
Self-Guided Tour 1, Slow Steps
Porto ⇒ Valença
Starting from € 490
Duration: 9 Days Total / 7 Days Walking
Distance: 119.4 km. (74.2 mi.)
Difficulty: easy/ moderate
Camino Fisterra:
Self-Guided Tour
Santiago de Compostela ⇒ Fisterra
Starting from € 310
Duration: 6 Days Total / 4 Days Walking
Distance: 90.5 km. (56.2 mi.)
Difficulty: easy/moderate
Camino Fisterra – Muxía:
Self-Guided Tour
Santiago de Compostela ⇒ Fisterra ⇒ Muxía