9 days
You will start this journey in Porto, the cultural capital of Portugal. A short metro ride takes you to the Camino on the coast. Follow the boardwalks along the beach and walk to Viana do Castelo, one of the most beautiful cities on this coast.
You will taste the traditional Portuguese cuisine in the many small villages along the way. Don't miss the pretty town Caminha. Later you will cross the river Miño and follow the Camino through forests and the lush countryside to Baiona. Here you can visit the fortresses that once guarded the border cities of Baiona and Vigo and then walk over the International Bridge into Spain.
160 Kilometres
Day 1: Arrival in Porto
Arrive in Porto and transfer to your hotel. Take some time to explore the beautiful city and walk along the banks of the Duero river.
Day 2: Porto - Vila do Conde
You will take the Metro to get to the Camino de Santiago on the coast. Now you can 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 you get from Porto, the more pleasing the scenery becomes, and there will be ample opportunity to have a quick swim.
22 km - easy
Day 3: Vila do Conde – Esposende
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 sea before the Camino heads into the green hinterlands. Passing by vegetable fields and crossing a forest, you will finally see the river Cávado and reach Esposende.
25 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, you will follow a hilly pass all the way until Ancora. Walking on small forest trails and past little villages, you will always stay close to the sea and you will let the sounds of the surf follow our steps. In Vila Praia de Ancora, the Camino reaches the coast again.
17 km – medium
Day 6: Vila Praia de Ancora – Oia
First, you will wald to Caminha. 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, you will enter Galicia. From there, the Camino leads us to the fishing village A Guarda, known as the “capital of lobsters”. Following the rocky coast, you will reach your destination in Oia.
28.3 km – medium to difficult
Day 7: Oia - Baiona
You will leave Oia on small trails 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
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, that pierces far into the country. Also, the Islas Cies (Isles of the Gods) can be seen.
22 km – medium
Day 9: End
End of this stage. You can either return home, explore Spain on your own, or continue with our Tour 2 to Santiago de Compostela.
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- Selected accommodation with private bathroom*
- Luggage transfer (1 piece, max. 15 kg)
- Information on getting to the Camino
- Credencial (Pilgrim’s Passport)
- Pilgrim’s Kit:
- Informationen on bars and restaurant on the way
- Directions to your accommodations
- City maps of bigger cities
- History of the Camino
- Little language-guide