Camino Portugués

Make sure to arrive in plenty of time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage City of Porto. Set on the bank of the Douro River near the Atlantic Ocean, the city is perhaps best known internationally for its famous Port wine. Enjoy a glass or two at one of the countless terrace bars overlooking the river.

Overnight: Porto

Starting from the centre of Porto, the first half of this walk takes you gradually out of the city suburbs into the Portuguese countryside. Pay careful attention to your route notes as you follow the maze out of Porto. The route is much more rural from Maia onwards; taking you through tranquil countryside with numerous churches along the way.

It is possible to shorten today’s walk by 11 km and skip the suburban stretch by taking the metro to Maia and starting your walk from there.

Overnight: Fajozes

From Fajozes the Camino starts heading northeast, gradually moving away from the coastline. A little bit outside Fajozes the route crosses an incredible medieval bridge, Dom Zameiro. The first woodlands of this section also appear here, with pine and eucalyptus trees providing shade from the sun.

Overnight: Arcos

This stage takes you through rolling hills and woodlands to the charming market village of Barcelos. You will pass through numerous villages, including Pontegãos, Vila Chã, Porto Carreiro, Santa Cruz, Mercedes, and finally through Barcelinhos, before crossing the medieval bridge and arriving in the main square of Barcelos, complete with Renaissance fountain and one of the largest markets in Europe.

Overnight: Barcelos

Your day begins with a steady climb to Portela and Albergaría. From there, you follow the yellow arrows that lead you along the Camino, past the churches of Vila Boas and Aborim and finally over the 12^th century Ponte das Tábuas bridge into Balugães.

Overnight: Balugães

Less villages along the way today, but the scenery more than makes up for it as you wall along rolling green hills and through the tranquil Lima valley to Ponte da Lima; one of Portugal’s oldest and most charming towns situated on the country’s finest medieval bridge.

Overnight: Ponte da Lima

Regarded as the most difficult stage of the Portuguese Camino, today you will walk next to the Labruja river and through lovely meadows and woodlands. Beginning with a long, steady climb to Alto da Portela Grande (410m), from where you will enjoy splendid views of the surrounding countryside before descending through pine forest and past the church of São Paio in Aqualonga to the rural village of Rubiães.

Because of a lack of accommodation in Rubiães, you will be transferred back to Ponte da Lima at the end of your walk to spend a second night in the historic town.

Overnight: Ponte da Lima

Your day begins with a transfer back to Rubiães for the start of your walk to Tui.

Today’s route takes you from Portugal to Spain, as you cross the River Minho over the International Bridge to reach Tui, in Galicia. Tui is a well-preserved medieval town with an impressive Romanesque cathedral. You will mainly walk along quiet country roads and woodland paths.

Overnight: Tui

Your first stage in Galicia is a relatively short and easy stage along quiet country roads and woodland paths through the Louro river valley to O Porriño.

Overnight: O Porriño

The terrain becomes easier as you cross the Louro Valley. After a gentle climb you arrive at the chapel of Santiaguino de Antas, which is a pleasant place to take a rest. You then enter a wide expanse of woodland before descending through the hamlet of Setefontes to the seaside town of Arcade, famed for its oysters.

Overnight: Arcade

Begin by crossing the Verdugo river via the beautiful medieval bridge of Pontesampaio, where Napoleon’s army once suffered a heavy defeat. Continue by climbing the ancient stone paths to the 13^th century Church of Santa Maria with its wonderful views over the Bay of Vigo before arriving in Pontevedra. This small riverside city has an impressive heritage; it was once Galicia’s biggest and most important port and it was here that Columbus’ flagship, the Santa María, was built.

Overnight: Pontevedra

Gentle paths take you through chestnut groves, pine and eucalyptus woods and along river valleys today. You will pass through lots of typical Galician villages, such as the hamlet of Tivo with its lovely fountain. As you reach Lombo da Maceira, look out for a statue of Saint James with his walking stick, showing pilgrims the way. The Romanesque Church of Santa María welcomes you at the entrance to Caldas de Reis, a spa town where you can rest your weary feet in the hot springs on arrival.

Overnight: Caldas de Reis

Today you will leave Pontevedra province to enter the province of A Coruña – Santiago is getting very close!

This is an easy and very pleasant day of walking through pine forests in two river valleys. Padrón is believed to be place where St. James first preached in Spain, as well as being the arrival point where his body was brought to following his martyrdom in Jerusalem, before it was carried onwards by the disciples to Santiago.

Tasting the world-famous Pimientos de Padrón (Padrón peppers) is a must!

Overnight: Padrón

The final stage of your journey. As you approach Santiago you will pass through the same villages as the disciples did when carried St. James’ mortal remains to lay them to rest for eternity. There is inevitably some road walking as you approach the city, but you will also walk through some pleasant sections of forest before spotting the spires of the magnificent cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. You can feel the centuries of history as you walk the cobbled streets of its UNESCO-listed old town and enjoy the sense of achievement in completing your journey!

Overnight: Santiago de Compostela

Your arrangement ends after breakfast this morning, unless you have booked additional nights.

Make sure to arrive in plenty of time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage City of Porto. Set on the bank of the Douro River near the Atlantic Ocean, the city is perhaps best known internationally for its famous Port wine. Enjoy a glass or two at one of the countless terrace bars overlooking the river.

Overnight: Porto

Starting from the centre of Porto, the first half of this walk takes you gradually out of the city suburbs into the Portuguese countryside. Pay careful attention to your route notes as you follow the maze out of Porto. The route is much more rural from Maia onwards; taking you through tranquil countryside with numerous churches along the way.

It is possible to shorten today’s walk by 11 km and skip the suburban stretch by taking the metro to Maia and starting your walk from there.

Overnight: Fajozes

From Fajozes the Camino starts heading northeast, gradually moving away from the coastline. A little bit outside Fajozes the route crosses an incredible medieval bridge, Dom Zameiro. The first woodlands of this section also appear here, with pine and eucalyptus trees providing shade from the sun.

Overnight: Arcos

This stage takes you through rolling hills and woodlands to the charming market village of Barcelos. You will pass through numerous villages, including Pontegãos, Vila Chã, Porto Carreiro, Santa Cruz, Mercedes, and finally through Barcelinhos, before crossing the medieval bridge and arriving in the main square of Barcelos, complete with Renaissance fountain and one of the largest markets in Europe.

Overnight: Barcelos

Your day begins with a steady climb to Portela and Albergaría. From there, you follow the yellow arrows that lead you along the Camino, past the churches of Vila Boas and Aborim and finally over the 12^th century Ponte das Tábuas bridge into Balugães.

Overnight: Balugães

Less villages along the way today, but the scenery more than makes up for it as you wall along rolling green hills and through the tranquil Lima valley to Ponte da Lima; one of Portugal’s oldest and most charming towns situated on the country’s finest medieval bridge.

Overnight: Ponte da Lima

Regarded as the most difficult stage of the Portuguese Camino, today you will walk next to the Labruja river and through lovely meadows and woodlands. Beginning with a long, steady climb to Alto da Portela Grande (410m), from where you will enjoy splendid views of the surrounding countryside before descending through pine forest and past the church of São Paio in Aqualonga to the rural village of Rubiães.

Because of a lack of accommodation in Rubiães, you will be transferred back to Ponte da Lima at the end of your walk to spend a second night in the historic town.

Overnight: Ponte da Lima

Your day begins with a transfer back to Rubiães for the start of your walk to Tui.

Today’s route takes you from Portugal to Spain, as you cross the River Minho over the International Bridge to reach Tui, in Galicia. Tui is a well-preserved medieval town with an impressive Romanesque cathedral. You will mainly walk along quiet country roads and woodland paths.

Overnight: Tui

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning, unless you have booked any additional services with us.

Perched on a hill across the River Minho from Portugal, the Galician town of Tui is a picturesque border town. The town boasts a number of historic monuments, and the 12^th century cathedral should not be missed. You can also take a walk around the picturesque streets or stroll over the International Bridge for a quick visit to Portugal.

Starting from the Cathedral of St. Mary in the centre of Tui, the first Galician stage of the Camino Portugués is relatively short and easy. You will follow quiet country roads and woodland paths through the Louro river valley to O Porriño.

Overnight: O Porriño

The terrain becomes easier as you cross the Louro Valley. After a gentle climb you arrive at the chapel of Santiaguino de Antas, which is a pleasant place to take a rest. You then enter a wide expanse of woodland before descending through the hamlet of Setefontes to the seaside town of Arcade, famed for its oysters.

Overnight: Arcade

Begin by crossing the Verdugo river via the beautiful medieval bridge of Pontesampaio, where Napoleon’s army once suffered a heavy defeat. Continue by climbing the ancient stone paths to the 13^th century Church of Santa Maria with its wonderful views over the Bay of Vigo before arriving in Pontevedra. This small riverside city has an impressive heritage; it was once Galicia’s biggest and most important port and it was here that Columbus’ flagship, the Santa María, was built.

Overnight: Pontevedra

Gentle paths take you through chestnut groves, pine and eucalyptus woods and along river valleys today. You will pass through lots of typical Galician villages, such as the hamlet of Tivo with its lovely fountain. As you reach Lombo da Maceira, look out for a statue of Saint James with his walking stick, showing pilgrims the way. The Romanesque Church of Santa María welcomes you at the entrance to Caldas de Reis, a spa town where you can rest your weary feet in the hot springs on arrival.

Overnight: Caldas de Reis

Today you will leave Pontevedra province to enter the province of A Coruña – Santiago is getting very close!

This is an easy and very pleasant day of walking through pine forests in two river valleys. Padrón is believed to be place where St. James first preached in Spain, as well as being the arrival point where his body was brought to following his martyrdom in Jerusalem, before it was carried onwards by the disciples to Santiago.

Tasting the world-famous Pimientos de Padrón (Padrón peppers) is a must!

Overnight: Padrón

The final stage of your journey. As you approach Santiago you will pass through the same villages as the disciples did when carried St. James’ mortal remains to lay them to rest for eternity. There is inevitably some road walking as you approach the city, but you will also walk through some pleasant sections of forest before spotting the spires of the magnificent cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. You can feel the centuries of history as you walk the cobbled streets of its UNESCO-listed old town and enjoy the sense of achievement in completing your journey!

Overnight: Santiago de Compostela

Your arrangement ends after breakfast this morning, unless you have booked additional nights.