14 days

Beach, Culture and Portuguese Charm

There are good reason why the Camino Portugues along the coast has become popular: Sandy beaches invite you to take a dip and the Camino passes vineyards, picturesque villages and important cities like Port, Vigo and Padrón. Taste the delicious cuisine and experience the famous Portuguese hospitality. Along the coast, through the Eucalyptus forests and in the small villages – you will often hear the greeting "Bom Caminho!" - "Have a good trip!"

Our journey begins in Porto, the cultural capital of Portugal and home of the famous Port Wine. Get there a day early to enjoy the many sights!
On our first day, we lace up our boots and follow the Camino, as it winds along the coast and allows breathtaking views over the rough cliffs. The path will lead us through lush forests, picturesque villages and fertile vineyards. There will be plenty of opportunities to take a dip along the way and refresh body and mind. As well as stunning scenery, this tour offers many historic and cultural highlights. We will visit the beautiful Viana do Castelo with its famous castle and see the historic city of Padrón, where, as legend has it, the body of St. James arrived on an unmanned ship.

Arriving in Santiago, we will have time to experience the unique atmosphere of the city, collect our Compostela and visit the breathtaking pilgrim’s mess with over 2000 attendees.

Every morning, we offer a spiritual start into the day. Usually, this means that a short, interesting, and hopefully inspiring text will be read. This part is open for anybody who would like to participate.

242 Kilometres

Day 1: Arrival in Porto
Arrival in Porto and independent transport to the hotel in Porto. Free day to explore the city and optional dinner (not included).

Day 2: Porto - Vila do Conde
Together, we take the Metro to get to the Camino de Santiago on the coast. Today, as on every walking-day, we offer a spiritual start into the day, reading a text and preparing for the road ahead. We then walk along the coastline all the way until Vila do Conde. With the sea always to our left, the Camino leads over boardwalks and later through little villages. The further we get from Porto, the more pleasing the scenery becomes, and there will be ample opportunity to have a quick swim.
22.8 km - easy

Day 3: Vila do Conde – Esposende
Leaving Vila do Conde, we 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 sea before the Camino heads into the green hinterlands. Passing by vegetable fields and crossing a forest, we finally see the river Cávado and reach Esposende.
25.1 km – easy

Day 4: Esposende – Viana do Castelo
Behind Esposende, the Camino leaves the coast for a day. Now it winds through lush forests, smelling of Eucalyptus, and then leads through typical Portuguese villages. Today’s destination, Viana do Castelo, is one of the most beautiful cities along the coastal Camino, boasting a historic city centre that includes a cathedral, and two defence towers that were part of the city’s fortress.
25.3 km – medium

Day 5: Viana do Castelo – Vila Praia de Ancora
Leaving Viana, we follow a hilly pass all the way until Ancora. Walking on small forest trails and past little villages, we always return to the sea and let the sounds of the surf follow our steps. In Vila Praia de Ancora, the Camino finally reunites with the sea again.
17 km – medium

Day 6: Vila Praia de Ancora – Oia
Depending on the tide, we may transfer to Caminha, shortening today’s longer stage. This small city with its many bars, the typically Portuguese main square, the townhouse and its clocktower, is perfect to give Portugal a proper farewell, and be welcomed into Spain. Crossing the river Miño by boat, we enter Galicia. From there, the Camino leads us to the fishing village A Guarda, known as the “capital of lobsters”. Following the rocky coast, we reach our destination in Oia.
28.3 km – medium to difficult

Day 7: Oia - Baiona
We leave Oia on small trails and that later become paved roads. The destination of this stage is Baiona – an important commercial hub until the 19th century, its beautiful old town still tells tails of the once bustling city and its affluent people.
18.8 km – easy

Day 8: Baiona – Vigo (Redondela)
Leaving Baiona, we will hike through villages and forests up the hills around Vigo. From there, pilgrims can see the estuary called Ria de Vigo, that pierces far into the country. Also, the Islas Cies (Isles of the Gods) can be seen. To avoid the metropolitan area of Vigo, we will transfer to Redondela from a checkpoint along the Camino.
22 km – medium

Day 9: Redondela - Pontevedra
Walking mostly through forests, today we arrive in the Capital of the Camino Portugues in Galicia: Pontevedra. After a relatively short stage, there will be plenty of time to explore the ancient old town and see the cathedral.
18.5 km - easy

Day 10: Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis
Walking through beautiful rural landscapes, we get to Caldas de Reis, famous for its thermal springs.
22.9 km – easy, short ascent

Day 11: Caldas de Reis - Padrón
Up and down the green hills of Galicia, we make our way to Padrón. As the legend goes, the ship carrying the body of St. James reached the shore here. The city is known for its historic buildings, but also for its “Pimientos de Padrón”: delicious small, green peppers, roasted at high heat.
18.3 km - easy

Day 12: Padrón - Santiago
Passing by old churches and cemeteries, today we will reach the long-awaited destination of our pilgrimage: Santiago de Compostela.
23 km - medium

Day 13: Santiago de Compostela
Free day in Santiago, with the possibility to do a city tour, visits the pilgrim’s mess and obtain the pilgrim’s certificate, the Compostela.

Day 14: Santiago de Compostela - Home
Return flight from Santiago de Compostela

Dates:

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