Full Camino Portugués: Coastal with Route Espiritual
Self-Guided Tour
Porto ⇒ Santiago de Compostela
The Portuguese Coastal Way offers truly wonderful scenery and experience: along the coast, panoramic ocean vistas are particularly stunning at sunset and sandy beaches invite pilgrims to take a refreshing dip. In addition, this tour offers the Route Espiritual, which takes you via the monastery in Armenteira.
Tour Type: Self-Guided
Availability: April through October
- April 01 –May 31: Regular Season
- June 01 –July 14: Mid Season
- July 15 – August 31: High Season
- September 01 –September 14: Mid Season
- September 15 – October 31: Regular Season
Duration: 16 Days Total / 13 Days Walking
Total Distance: 274 km. (170.4 mi.)
Difficulty: easy
Average distance: 21.4 km. (13.1 mi.) / Day
Prices (per person):
Double Room:
Starting from € 1.040
Single-Occupancy Room:
Starting from € 1.530
What’s Included:
15 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.)
Highlights
Starting in Porto – Portugal’s beautiful “cultural capital” – the Portuguese part of the Coastal Camino follows the Atlantic coast northwards, with occasional detours into the adjacent countryside. After crossing into Spain, the coast is left behind, and pilgrims traverse the lush greenery of the rolling hills and eucalyptus forests of Galicia.
As the trail leads through the most populated regions of Portugal and Galicia, its cultural and historic heritage is especially evident. Pilgrims traverse cities of major historic significance such as Porto, Vigo, Pontevedra and Padrón. It is worth reading up on the cities and regions this Camino crosses, and to allot some time for sightseeing!
Read More about this tour ⇒
This Camino is perfect for everybody who wants to enjoy a bit of everything: beautiful panoramic ocean vistas and sandy beaches, great traditional food, the picturesque countryside and charming rural atmosphere, as well as the great infrastructure for pilgrims.
The rewarding feeling of arriving in Santiago de Compostela on foot at the end is indescribable. One extra day (two 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
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 – Esposende • 25.1 km. (15.6 mi.)
Leaving Vila do Conde, you will soon be on the coast again and pass through the former fishing village Póvoa de Varzim, which is a popular tourist destination today. Much of the way can be walked on a boardwalk next to the Atlantic, before the Camino heads into the green hinterlands. Passing by vegetable fields and crossing a forest, you will finally reach Fão, cross the river Cávado and, finally, arrive at your today’s destination: Esposende.
Distance: 25.1 km. (15.6 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 4: Esposende – Viana do Castelo • 25.3 km. (15.7 mi.)
After Esposende, the Camino leaves the coast for a day. The Way winds through lush forests filled with the scent of eucalyptus, and then leads through traditional Portuguese villages. Today’s destination, Viana do Castelo, is one of the most beautiful cities along the coastal Camino, boasting a magnificent, historic city center with a cathedral and two defence towers that made up a part of the city’s fortress.
Distance: 25.3 km. (15.7 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate
Day 5: Viana do Castelo – Vila Praia de Ancora • 17 km. (10.6 mi.)
Behind Viana, the Camino goes up to a ridge of hills, where the pilgrims walk until just before Ancora. The path leads through many small Portuguese villages and, between them, it leads over beautiful forest paths. Again and again, beautiful vistas of the Atlantic from above will open up, and you will hear its distant roaring from time to time. In Vila Praia de Ancora, the Camino will finally reach the coast again.
Distance: 17 km. (10.6 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate
Day 6: Vila Praia de Ancora – Oia • 28.3 km. (17.6 mi.)
Your first stage of today’s lengthier journey will be to Caminha. This town, with its many bars, the traditional Portuguese main plaza, the townhouse and its clocktower, make for a opportunity to bid Portugal a proper farewell, and to, then, be welcomed into Spain. Crossing the river Miño by boat, you will enter Galicia. (NOTE: your watches will have to be reset 1 hour ahead on reaching Spain!) From there, the Camino will lead you to the fishing village A Guarda, known as the “capital of lobsters”. Following the rocky coast, you will then reach your today’s destination: Oia.
Distance: 28.3 km. (17.6 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Day 7: Oia – Baiona • 18.8 km. (11.7 mi.)
Beyond Oia, you will continue along the coast, following narrow trails that, later, turn into paved roads. There will be some uphill and downhill terrain just before the destination of this stage – Baiona, which was an important trading hub up until the end of the 19th century. Baiona’s beautiful old town is still filled with tails of the once affluent, bustling town life.
Distance: 18.8 km. (11.7 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 8: Baiona – Vigo • 28 km. (17.4 mi.)
Leaving Baiona, you will hike through villages and forests up the hills around Vigo. From there, pilgrims can see the estuary called Ria de Vigo, which pierces far inland. You will also be able to marvel at the picturesque Islas Cies (Isles of the Gods) until, eventually, making it into today’s final destination of Vigo.
Distance: 28 km. (17.4 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate
Day 9: Vigo – Redondela/ Arcade • 19.3/ 25.6 km. (12/ 15.9 mi.)
The Camino continues along the coast or and, from time to time, inland, but always with views of the coast. This day’s journey will take you to the town of Redondela.
Distance: 19.3/ 25.6 km. (12/ 15.9 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 10: 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.
Distance: 19.9/ 13.6 km. (12.4/ 8.5 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 11: Pontevedra – Armenteira • 19 km. (11.8 mi.)
Today, you hike on the variant Camino Espiritual. You cross the small port town of Combarro, well worth seeing. Here, it is advisable to take a short break for a refreshment before going up the mountain. On this stretch, you can enjoy the picturesque view of the green coast. You continue on forest paths to Armenteira and its monastery.
Distance: 19 km. (11.8 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderately with an ascent
Day 12: Armenteira - Vilanova de Arousa • 25 km. (15.5 mi.)
Initially, the Way of Saint James stretches a few kilometers/miles with wonderful views of countless vineyards. Finally, pilgrims reach Cambados, the next coastal town. You continue along Ría de Arousa’s enchanting stretch of coast.
Distance: 25 km. (15.5 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderately
Day 13: Vilanova de Arousa - Padrón • 2.5 km. (1.6 mi.)
Today, the journey starts in a relaxed way with a trip to Padrón on the Ulla by ferry (not included, approx. € 25.00 – 30.00 per person). Passing old stone crosses and half-sunken castles, pilgrims can enjoy the view along the riverbank. After about an hour’s ride, you reach Pontecesures. From there, it is only a short distance to Padrón, today’s overnight stop.
Distance: 2.5 km. (1.6 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy
Day 14: 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 15: 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 16: 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 Fisterra (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 Full Camino Portugués: Coastal Self-Guided Tour with Route Espiritual can be easily combined with:
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