Coastal Camino Portugues from Porto to Santiago Itinerary
DAY 1 – PORTO
Fly from Dublin to Porto, in Northern Portugal. The group will be picked up at the airport and transferred to the hotel, centrally located. We recommend you explore the picturesque Ribeira and visit the Cathedral so you can get your Pilgrim passport stamped, the official start to your Camino journey!
DAY 2 – WALKING FROM MATOSINHOS-PORTO TO POVOA DE VARZIM – 25 kms approx.
After breakfast, the bus will take the group to Matosinhos to start your walk on this coastal suburb of Porto, on the Douro Estuary.
From Matoshinos to Vila do Conde and then Povoa de Varzim, you will be following the coastal path passing villages and sandy beaches, as well as the Castro de San Paio historic fort. Take a rest in Povoa and make sure to stamp your pilgrim passport along the way.
The group will be picked up in Povoa de Varzim and travel back to the hotel in Porto for the night.
DAY 3 – WALKING FROM POVOA DE VARZIM TO ESPOSENDE – 22 kms approx.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel in Porto travel back to Povoa de Varzim to continue the Camino walk. From the harbour in Povoa de Varzim, the trail continues north taking pilgrims along the beachfront enjoying fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Today you will be crossing the stunning Parque Natural do Litoral Norte Natural Park, spotting the unique Apulia windmills before heading for our destination: the pretty fishing village of Esposende.
Take a rest in Esposende and stamp your pilgrim passport. After the walk, the group will continue to the hotel by Ofir Beach for the night.
DAY 4 – WALKING FROM ESPOSENDE TO VIANA DO CASTELO – 24 kms approx.
After breakfast, the group will check out of the hotel in Esposende and begin walking from there. The Senda litoral continues along the Atlantic Ocean, enjoying wonderful views on our way to charming Viana do Castelo. As you get approach Viana you will spot the Santa Luzia Basilica crowning the mountain overlooking this little city (it was granted the title of city in the 1800s).
Rich in history and culture, Viana is definitely worth exploring after your walk, admiring its Praca da Republica, the Cathedral or relaxing by the waterfront. Viana was an important port for traders during the Age of Discoveries and many of the grand buildings and impressive architecture in the historic quarter date back from that time.
DAY 5 – WALKING FROM VIANA DO CASTELO TO VILA PRAIA DE ANCORA – 19kms approx.
After breakfast, the group will continue the Camino journey from Viana do Castelo.
From Viana do Castelo to Vila Praia de Ancora we continue our walk on coastal pathways, admiring lovely sandy beaches along the way. It is worth noting there is an inland route that is better marked but the coastal path is easy to follow, more scenic and both trails then converge in Ancora.
After the walk, the group will be picked in Vila Praia de Ancora and travel to the hotel in Viana do Castelo.
DAY 6 – WALKING FROM VILA PRAIA DE ANCORA TO PORTECELO-A GUARDA – 19kms approx.
After breakfast, the group will check out of the hotel in Viana do Castelo and will be picked up at the hotel and travel back to Ancora to walk the last stage of the Coastal Camino Portugues in Portugal. From Vila Praia de Ancora, you will continue along the coast and the beach, then across a pine forest into the town of Caminha on the estuary of the Minho River that is the natural border between Portugal and Galicia. It is approximately 10kms. In Caminha, you can have a little break for a snack or an early lunch.
Many pilgrims take the ferry boat to cross the river into A Guarda but our coach will pick the group up and take you across to Galicia (it is a 30 min drive approximately). After being dropped on the other side of the Minho River, we will continue our walk towards the coastal town of A Guarda, flanked by the iconic Tecla Mountain, famous for its ancient ‘castro’ hill fort.
*Remember to move your watches forward (GMT +1 hour) as there is one hour time difference between Portugal and Spain.
From A Guarda you will continue North following the Atlantic coast to the little village of Portecelo, our stop for the day.
The group will be picked up by the bus and travel to the hotel in Vigo, where you will stay for four nights.
DAY 7 – WALKING FROM PORTECELO-A GUARDA TO BAIONA – 24kms approx
Today will be our last walking day on the Camino. After breakfast at the hotel, the group will be picked up and travel back to Portecelo. We will be taking in the wonderful coastal landscapes of Southern Galicia, passing the picturesque Oia Monastery, a lovely place to have a rest and a snack.
Our destination is the town of Baiona, with its wonderful historic quarter of cobbled streets and fantastic views over the Bay of Vigo. Today the group will enjoy dinner together, an opportunity to share your impressions of the journey. You will travel back to the hotel in Vigo for the night.
DAY 8- LEISURE AT VIGO
Spend a free day at Vigo to explore or relax in the area.
DAY 9 – Walking from San Pedro de A Ramallosa to Vigo – (20km/5.5hr approx)
The group will travel by bus from the hotel in Vigo to San Pedro de A Ramallosa where you will get one of your stamps for the Camino walk.
The trail continues at the Romanic bridge of A Ramallosa and continues along the coast through beaches of white sand and crystalline water with the Cies Islands always accompanying us on the horizon, discovering unique natural viewpoints that will allow us to admire the beauty of the south coast of Galicia.
The entry into Vigo is through the famous Samil beach leading us to Bouzas and the fabulous old quarters of the city with a privileged view over the bay and finally our hotel where we finish the walk.
DAY 10 – Walking from Cabanas to Capela de Santa Marta-Bertola – (23km/6.5hr approx)
This morning the group will be transported by coach to Cabanas and continue along the Camino trail towards Redondela.
You will start the day’s walk again with beautiful views over Vigo Bay before heading into the lovely market town of Redondela. Here you will spot a statue dedicated to writer Jules Verne who devoted a chapter of his book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to Vigo Bay. Redondela is also the point where the Coastal Camino Portugues route joins the traditional Camino Portugues trail, and a great spot to stop for a morning coffee. You will then continue to Arcade, a lovely fishing village famous for its oysters, and a good place for lunch before tackling the last few kilometres of the day. Today’s finishing point is the small chapel of Santa Marta, in the hamlet of Bertola, where you will be picked up around 5pm.
DAY 11 – Walking from Santa Marta-Bertola to Caldas de Reis (26kms/7hr approx)
After breakfast, the group will check out of the hotel in Vigo and travel back to Santa Marta Bertola to continue the Camino walk.
After 5km you’ll reach the beautiful Old Town in Pontevedra city, perfect to have a rest and admire its cobbled streets, squares, Romanesque churches and the Pilgrim Virgin church, Virxe da Peregrina, looking after pilgrims on their way to Santiago. After Pontevedra, you’ll notice a change in the scenery as the route moves away from the coast and begins to take pilgrims inland and through pine forests. You can stamp your passport in the pretty chapels and churches along the way such as Santa Maria de Alba and San Mamede Church in Portela.. After Portela, depending on time, it might be possible to take a detour to visit the waterfalls at the Ría Barosa Natural Park.
Your finish line for today is the town of Caldas de Reis, famous for its hot springs, where you will be collected around 5pm to travel to the hotel in Pontevedra.
DAY 12 – Walking from Caldas de Reis to Padron (18km/5hr approx)
This morning the group will travel back to Caldas to continue the Camino walk from Caldas de Reis to Padron.
Today is a shorter walking stage than previous days and you will be passing various hamlets and villages where you will be able to take a coffee break and get your pilgrim passport stamped.
From the village of Santa Marina the Camino trail takes pilgrims along lovely forest paths into Padron, home of the famous small green peppers and Galicia’s most illustrious poet: Rosalia de Castro. In the town’s Alameda Park you will find a statue dedicated to 19th century poet Rosalia de Castro as well as Camilo Jose Cela, Nobel Prize of Literature and also a native of Padron.
After your day’s walk, you will be picked up from Padron and travel to your hotel in Pontevedra.
DAY 13 – Walking from Padron to Santiago de Compostela (25km/7hr approx)
This morning the bus will pick up the group in Santiago and take you back to Padron for your last waking day.
While the day starts along similar forest paths to previous walking days, as you get closer to the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela the stage becomes gradually more urban, with asphalt replacing the forest tracks and countryside we’ve become accustomed to. It is an exciting day as we tackle the last into Santiago.
As the group nears Santiago’s Old Town and approaches Obradoiro Square and the Cathedral, the excitement and joy of all pilgrims is palpable. Walking into Obradoiro Square, you will finally reach Santiago Cathedral where the atmosphere of exhilaration and jubilation is something special, a memory that you will treasure forever. Enjoy and savour this moment, you have arrived!
Your guide will bring the group’s pilgrim passports to the Pilgrim Office to collect your Compostela certificates.
DAY 14 – Exploring Santiago de Compostela
Today, you will have the day free to explore Santiago de Compostela at your own pace. The city has been a destination for pilgrims for centuries and the capital of Galicia is a city full of wonders, with beautiful cobbled squares, arched streets and cosy nooks and crannies.
Originally built in the 9th century on the spot where the remains of Saint James were found, the Cathedral is the city’s most important landmark and monument but there are many other wonderful places not be missed in Santiago’s Old Town such as the Abastos Market, the Alameda Park, the University Buildings and its many museums.
In the lively streets of the Old Town such as Rua do Vilar, Rua Nova and Rua do Franco you will find a vibrant mix of pilgrims, locals and students enjoying the many cafes, bars and restaurants. Galicia’s traditional cuisine can be found everywhere; the famous Galician octopus, empanadas (savory pastries), Padrón peppers, caldo galego and Tarta de Santiago almond cake are just some of the region’s many unmissable delicacies you should sample.
Santiago city is split in two areas: the Old Town (Zona Vella), and the New Town (Zona Nova). You can also venture into the New Town, wrapped around the historic quarter and a short walk away where you will find many stores.
DAY 15 – Guided city tour and return to Dublin
On your last morning, you will have breakfast in the hotel and check out at 10am. Your local guide will then meet you at the hotel to take you on a guided tour of a the city; the best way to discover this magnificent UNESCO-listed Old Town. You will then have a visit to the cathedral after the city tour. Your bags can be left at the hotel reception while you go on the tour.
Following the tour, you will have a little free time to get lunch and so some last minute souvenir shopping, before returning to the hotel to collect your bags. The group will then be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Dublin.
