Portuguese Camino de Santiago
The Portuguese Camino de Santiago has been one of the main pilgrim routes to Santiago for centuries. Set out on a journey of discovery, not only of the country but of yourself as you follow in the footsteps of countless pilgrims and walkers.
The long days of walking are physically and mentally challenging and rewarding but there’s no need to punish yourself by carrying all your gear or sleeping in overcrowded smelly dormitories.
Our way of doing the Portuguese Camino de Santiago on foot involves luggage transfers and comfortable beds in the best establishments along this historic route. These carefully chosen fine hotels, charming country houses and historic buildings bring you closer to the history, culture and gastronomy of this region of northern Portugal and Galicia.
When the accommodation at the end of a stage is in a rural setting, we’ve arranged for dinner to be provided so you don’t need to venture out again. When you spend the night in attractive towns, the choice of where to eat is yours.
Our Roadbook contains all the tips and information you need to easily follow the Portuguese Camino de Santiago and to understand and appreciate what you see en route. We’ll make suggestions for when and where you could stop for lunch as well as things that might be worth a slight detour.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Day 1 – Porto
We’ll pick you up from Porto airport and take you to your 4-star hotel for a good night’s rest and a decent breakfast to get you off to a good start.
Day 2 – Mosteiró ⇒ Arcos (17 km / 10.5 miles)
One of our team will meet you at the hotel to welcome you and provide a full briefing and all the documentation you’ll need before taking you to Mosteiró to begin your first stage of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Notice the progressive transition from urban into rural areas as you walk this first stage. You will go through Vilarinho and cross the medieval bridge over the Ave before reaching the village of Arcos where the first stage ends.
Put your feet up at your 3-star country hotel with breakfast included.
Day 3 – Arcos ⇒ Barcelos (20 km / 12.5 miles)
Start walking from Arcos towards the ancient village of Rates and its imposing Romanesque church. Pass the villages of Courel and Pedra Furada then follow rural roads until you reach the attractive town of Barcelos, the end of this stage.
Spend the night at a 3-star hotel with breakfast included. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Barcelos.
Day 4 – Barcelos ⇒ Quintiães (16 km / 10 miles)
Set off from Barcelos along minor roads which will take you into a more rural area where you’ll see small scale agricultural practices and perhaps meet some villagers. Walk through the small villages of Tamel and Aboim towards the River Neiva. End the day in the village of Quintiães.
Relax at a 3-star hotel with breakfast included.
Day 5 – Quintiães ⇒ Ponte de Lima (17 km / 10.5 miles)
The day starts by crossing the River Neiva by a medieval bridge just before the village of Balugães. This is a day of rural roads and magnificent countryside until your spectacular entrance into the picturesque town of Ponte de Lima. Time your walk so that you have ample opportunity to enjoy the historical centre and gardens or just sit by the river for a while.
Enjoy your comfy bed tonight at 3-star hotel with breakfast included. Choose from a range of restaurants in Ponte de Lima where you can try traditional dishes like polvo à lagareiro (baked octopus) or bacalhau assado com broa (baked cod with corn bread) and a fine Loureiro white wine.
Stay at a 3-star hotel with breakfast included.
Day 6 – Ponte de Lima ⇒ Cossourado (22 km / 13.6 miles)
Leave the medieval town of Ponte de Lima and return to the rural world. In the middle of this stage you will encounter Labruja mountain. The 2 km uphill are the most demanding of the whole Portuguese Camino de Santiago but the views are worth the effort. Once you’re over the hill, it’s an easy walk to complete this stage.
Sleep well at a 3-star country hotel with breakfast included.
Day 7 – Cossourado ⇒ Valença (14 km / 8.7 miles)
This day starts by leaving the valley of the River Coura and climbing gently to São Bento da Porta Aberta. Continue to Fontoura through fields and brushwood until you reach the fortress town of Valença.
Unwind at a 3-star charming hotel with breakfast included. Dine in one of Tui’s many restaurants.
Day 8 – Valença ⇒ Porriño (19 km / 11.8 miles)
Before you leave Tui, spend some time visiting its famous Gothic cathedral. From Tui, you’ll follow the Louro valley, walk along a forest track and across a stone slab bridge into a wetland area where you should spot plenty of bird life. Go through the city of O Porriño with its magnificent Gothic town hall building.
Stay in a 3-star hotel with breakfast included.
Day 9 – Porriño ⇒ Arcade (22 km / 13.6 miles)
Leave Porriño and make your way through the forest of Chan das Pipas. You will pass in Redondela, where the central route and the coastal route merge.
Finish this stage in Arcade, a small town renowned for its oysters.
Tonight you will stay in a 2-star hotel with breakfast included.
Day 10 – Arcade ⇒ Pontevedra (13 km / 8 miles)
Start this stage by walking from the small city of Arcade. This stage is on of the shortest and most beautiful parts on the Way.
When you arrive to Pontevedra don’t miss the historical city centre with a lot of tapas bars
Spend the night at a 3-star hotel with breakfast included.
Day 11 – Pontevedra ⇒ Caldas de Reis (22 km / 13.6 miles)
Leave Pontevedra through pleasant countryside. This stage to Caldas de Reis is fairly long but no difficult. Rest you tired feet in a Caldas de Reis’ thermal springs.
Stay in the comfort 2-star hotel with breakfast included.
Day 12 – Caldas de Reis ⇒ Padron (18 km / 11.2 miles)
You’re nearly there! The last stage leaves Caldas de Reis and takes you throught a soft clim to the charming woodlands of Valga. You’ll see many churches and stone crosses on the way to Padrón.
Kick off your walking boots at your 3-star hotel with breakfast included.
Day 13 – Padron ⇒ Santiago de Compostela (23 km / 14.3 miles)
Your final stage. You will walk mostly through rural settings. The last part of this stage is the toughest but think that you are almost finishing your goal. Enter in the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela and enjoy the end of your journey at the cathedral.
Stay in the comfort 3-star hotel with breakfast included.
Celebrate your fantastic achievement in a local restaurant.
Map
ESSENTIALS
What’s included?
- 12 nights accommodation with breakfast
- Luggage transfer between accommodation (1 piece per person, maximum 15 kg/piece)
- Telephone support for emergencies
- Pilgrim Kit: Credencial (passport) and Vieira (shell)
- Roadbook explaining the highlights along the Camino de Santiago
- Journey documentation and practical information
- Personal insurance
What’s not included?
- Lunches
- Dinners
- Transfer from Santiago de Compostela
Like what you see but it’s not quite a perfect fit?
If you would like any additional nights in Porto or Santiago, please don’t hesitate to ask for a quote.
You will start your return trip from Santiago on your own or book a comfortable private transfer to Porto or Lisbon through us.
For more itinerary suggestions, please consult our specialist Portuguese Camino de Santiago site: www.caminhoportosantiago.com
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Duration
13 Days
Tour type
Self-guided
Nº of people
From 1
Region
Minho and Galícia
Highlights
UNESCO World Heritage sites
Magnificent architecture
Luxurious accommodation
Stunning scenery, both rural and urban landscapes
Rich gastronomy
Available
March to October
Price per person
in twin/double room: 785€
Supplement for single accommodation: 295€
Supplement for July and August: 45€