Cycling the Portuguese Camino de Santiago
Self-guided | 8 days | from 945€
Cycle the Portuguese Camino de Santiago follows the ancient pilgrim route from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. Experience the natural beauty of northern Portugal and Spain.
Enjoy a truly unforgettable ride as you cycle the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago. You’ll pass by a series of sandy beaches, villages and market gardens between the historical city of Porto and the low-key resort town of Esposende via Vila do Conde. Head inland to follow quiet country lanes to Caminha, passing through the small, attractive city of Viana do Castelo.
A short but scenic ferry ride takes you across the River Minho to the fishing town of A Guarda in Spain. A glorious stretch of rugged coastline and a small mountain connect you to Baiona, a charming seaside town with bags of history and tapas bars. Then it’s on to the city of Vigo through the typical rural countryside. Ride on to Redondela, where the coastal and central Caminos become one, accompanied by views of the Ria do Vigo.
Stop for oysters in Arcade before using ancient stone paths to cycle through the forests and villages to the city of Pontevedra, a city full of intriguing squares and buildings. The next town of note is Caldas de Reis, where you can test the temperature of the thermal waters. Pretty Padrón is where St. James is said to have been buried. Try the famous peppers here then pedal on to your ultimate destination of Santiago de Compostela.
Day 1: Arrival in Porto
One member of our team will meet you at the hotel to welcome you and provide a full briefing, the bikes and all the documentation you’ll need.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Day 2: Cycle from Porto to Vila do Conde (35 km | 21.7 miles)
Departure from Porto and start cycle The Portuguese Costal Way to Santiago along the Portuguese coast using wooden boardwalks and back roads passing wide sandy beaches, nature reserves and fishing villages on your way to the intriguing town of Vila do Conde.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Cycle from Vila do Conde to Viana do Castelo (49 km | 30.4 miles)
Ride through residential areas to the resort town of Povoa de Varzim. Continue cycling alongside the ocean and beaches then head inland past agricultural areas, forest and villages to Fão. Cross the River Cávado to reach the low-key, low-rise resort town of Esposende. Much of the day is spent inland as you cycle through a series of villages, countryside and patches of woodland with rivers and mountain views. The approach to Viana do Castelo across the iron bridge over the River Lima affords magnificent views along the valley and estuary. Take some time out to enjoy this small historical city.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Cycle from Viana do Castelo to Oia (46 km | 28.5 miles)
Start the day towards the beachside town of Vila Praia de Âncora, going over a forested hill to get there and continue with a coastal cycle path connects you to Moledo and continues inland to the pretty town of Caminha. Here you have to take the ferry to across the River Minho, the natural border with Spain. Cycle through the fishing town of A Guarda to follow the Way along scenic coastal trails, forest tracks and tarmac roads. Stop to admire the 12th century monastery that dominates the small but attractive village of Oia.
Accommodation: 2-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Cycle from Oia to Vigo (43 km | 26.6 miles)
Your journey continues along the coast past small fields, occasional houses and villages before crossing a small mountain to reach the pretty resort town of Baiona. As you leave Baiona behind, the scenery becomes more rural with intermittent villages and occasional forested areas. After a brief period on a busy road you’ll cycle through yet another set of villages as the city of Vigo appears in front of you. Ride through Castrelos Park park to avoid the city center.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Cycle from Vigo to Pontevedra (34 km | 21.2 miles)
Cycle along Vigo’s city streets as you head northeast, leaving the urban area behind. Follow the line of the Ria de Vigo estuary for views of floating mussel farms, the Cíes islands and the city and port of Vigo as you ride between villages and through a forest. A steep descent takes you to the town of Redondela where your Portuguese Coastal Camino merges with the Portuguese Central Camino. Pause for juicy fat oysters in the riverside town of Arcade then follow an ancient stone path uphill to the forest. You’ll soon be amid the atmospheric squares of Pontevedra where you can admire the medieval architecture as you sip a beer or wine with some tapas.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Cycle from Pontevedra to Padron (41 km | 25.5 miles)
The journey to Padron is relatively hill-free and you’ll spend the day surrounded by pleasant countryside. Bathe your feet in the hot spring in the center of Caldas de Reis then climb gradually through a series of hamlets and a delightful stretch of woodland. Take some time to explore medieval Padrón and discover its deep connection to St. James as well as its tasty green peppers.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Cycle from Padron to Santiago (25 km | 15.5 miles)
The final stage of your Camino takes you through a series of Galician hamlets with traditional cottages and barns as well as the imposing sanctuary of Nossa Señora da Escravitute. Enjoy the forest trail, and then head up to Milladoiro for your first glimpse of Santiago and the cathedral towers. Drop down to the valley to cross the River Sar, then one last ascent will bring you into the city center and the medieval streets to the cathedral to end your journey.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, get ready for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Simply tell us what you’re looking for. We’ll happily adapt this itinerary to suit your personal interests, needs and schedule to create your ideal holidays.
Duration: 8 nights | 7 cycling days
Tour type: Self-guided
Nº of people: From 2
Cycling grade: Moderate
Total cycling distance: 259 km | 161 miles
Region: Minho and Galicia
Highlights: Historical cities, ancient pilgrim trails, coastal trails, gorgeous and varied beaches, rivers, valleys, iconic bridges, beautiful churches, chapels and roadside shrines, forests, farmland, authentic villages, rural lifestyles, regional dishes, spa town, comfortable accommodations close to Camino trail, amazing seafood, great local wines.
Available: From 1st March to 31st October
Price per person
Low season: March, April, May and October
> In double room occupancy: 1.030euros
> Single room supplement: 340 euros
Mid season: June and September
> In double room occupancy: 1.070 euros
> Single room supplement: 370 euros
High season: July and August
> In double room occupancy: 1.120 euros
> Single room supplement: 430 euros
Extra cost: Upgrade to E-bike TREK Powerfly 4 625 (or similar): 200 euros / E-bike
What’s included?
What’s not included?
Important notes:
Like what you see but it’s not quite a perfect fit?
For more itinerary suggestions, please consult our specialist Portuguese Camino de Santiago site: www.waytosantiago.com
We know the importance of a high quality and comfortable bike for a pleasant cycling tour, so we carefully selected the most appropriated bikes for each type of tour, and only work with the most recent, quality bikes from TREK.
For cycling the Camino de Santiago we selected the MTB TREK Marlin 6 with 29” wheels, disc brakes and front suspension and we’ll provide the bike equipped with rear pannier bags, water bottle and helmet. We have available bikes from all sizes for a more comfortable tour.
Click on the button below to download the itinerary with day-by-day details, highlights, prices and the respective general conditions.
Self-guided | 8 days | from 945€
Cycle the Portuguese Camino de Santiago follows the ancient pilgrim route from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. Experience the natural beauty of northern Portugal and Spain.
Self-guided | 15 days | from 1.075€
Experience the beautiful Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago through the coastlines of northern Portugal and Galicia.
Self-guided | 14 days | from 1.040€
Walk the ancient pilgrim route of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Luggage transfers and hotels make the challenge enjoyable.
Self-guided | 8 days | from 945€
Cycle the Portuguese Camino de Santiago follows the ancient pilgrim route from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. Experience the natural beauty of northern Portugal and Spain.
Self-guided | 15 days | from 1.075€
Experience the beautiful Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago through the coastlines of northern Portugal and Galicia.
Self-guided | 14 days | from 1.040€
Walk the ancient pilgrim route of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Luggage transfers and hotels make the challenge enjoyable.