Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago
Before you begin your Portuguese Coastal Way, pay a visit to the 12th century Porto Cathedral and take time to explore the city. Transfer to Matosinhos to walk alongside the ocean towards the pretty old town of Vila do Conde, with a lace-making tradition and strong naval history. The coastal towns of Povoa da Varzim, Esposende and Vila Praia da Âncora offer particularly fresh seafood. Viana do Castelo gives you the chance to explore its medieval history and detour to visit Santa Luzia basilica for magnificent views. Then weave your way through Portuguese countryside and back to the Atlantic portuguese coast near Caminha, just across the river from Spain.
A scenic ferry ride takes you to A Guarda for a beautiful stretch of unspoiled coastline towards the attractive town of Baiona and its tapas bars. Between Vigo and Redondela, you’ll be able to see the Ria de Vigo lagoon, dotted with the Cies islands and floating mussel farms. Meet fellow pilgrims as you merge with the Portuguese Central Way in Redondela. Take time to enjoy Pontevedra’s charming historical center and relax in one of its attractive squares. More forests, fields, rivers, villages and valleys lie between here and the spa town of Caldas de Reis. Explore Padrón, its peppers and its links to St. James before the final journey to Santiago de Compostela.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Day 1: Porto
Arrive in Porto with free time to explore the city before you start your Camino.
Stay in a 3-star hotel
Day 2: Porto (Matosinhos) ⇒ Vila do Conde (21 km / 12.9 miles)
Start the Portuguese Coastal Way in Matosinhos after transferring from Porto. Wooden boardwalks and pavements will lead you along the coastline via a series of wide sandy beaches, nature reserves and fishing villages to the historical coastal town of Vila do Conde.
Stay in a 3-star hotel
Day 3: Vila do Conde ⇒ Esposende (25 km / 15.4 miles)
Cross the residential areas that connect Vila do Conde with the seaside resort town of Povoa de Varzim. Spend a significant portion of the day walking alongside the coast between flowers and sand dunes and across beaches then head inland towards Esposende via market gardens, forest and villages and a bridge across the wide Cávado estuary.
Stay in a 3-star hotel
Day 4: Esposende ⇒ Viana do Castelo (23.5 km / 14.5 miles)
After leaving the coast behind, you’ll pass through various villages and some delightful sections of woodland and rivers. The exceedingly long Eiffel bridge into Viana do Castelo, an attractive town famous for its ancient and contemporary architecture offers magnificent views over the Lima valley and estuary with views of distant mountain ranges.
Stay in a 3-star hotel
Day 5: Viana do Castelo ⇒ Vila Praia de Ancora (19.5 km / 12.2 miles)
Today’s journey is largely inland, with occasional coastal views from a string of hillside villages. Enjoy the shade of the eucalyptus forest as you make your way uphill before descending to the low-key beachside resort town of Vila Praia de Âncora.
Stay in a 4-star hotel
Day 6: Vila Praia de Ancora ⇒ A Guarda (14 km / 8.7 miles)
A level coastal path connects Âncora with Moleda and then continues to the charming town of Caminha. If there’s time, take a detour through the pine forest beside the beach before catching the ferry across the River Minho to the peaceful fishing town of A Guarda in Spain, a great place to tuck into fresh seafood.
Stay in a 3-star hotel
Day 7: A Guarda ⇒ Oia (14 km / 8.7 miles)
Try to make time for a detour to the Santa Tegra Celtic settlement before leaving A Guarda – the views are spectacular. Follow the Camino through the town center and out towards the rugged coastline. Use coastal paths, forest tracks and tarmac roads to reach the small beachfront village of Oia, dominated by its 12th century monastery.
Stay in a 3-star hotel
Day 8: Oia ⇒ Baiona (17.5 km / 10.9 miles)
The day begins with tiny fields, scattered houses and a few villages along the coast before a change of scenery and terrain as you cut across the mountains. A final descent through the countryside and outlying villages bring you into the medieval center of Baiona via two ancient churches.
Stay in a 3-star hotel
Day 9: Baiona ⇒ Vigo (25.5 km / 15.8 miles)
Once you leave the residential areas around Baiona, the terrain becomes ever more rural with villages and patches of woodland. There is a brief section along a busy road after which you’ll back among villages on the approach to Vigo. The Camino takes you through Castrelos Park to avoid walking through the city.
Stay in a 3-star hotel
Day 10: Vigo ⇒ Arcade (22 km / 13.5 miles)
Walk along Vigo’s main shopping street and out of the city onto a long road that connects a string of peaceful hillside villages with views across the city, estuary and port. Around halfway into the journey you’ll exchange houses for trees before the steep descent towards Redondela. Climb through the woods before heading down to Arcade, a riverside town famous for its oysters.
Stay in a 3-star hotel
Day 11: Arcade ⇒ Pontevedra (13 km / 8 miles)
Leave Arcade via its iconic bridge. Follow ancient stone paths up through another forest then take a scenic detour along the River Tomeza to approach Pontevedra surrounded by birdsong and greenery instead of traffic. Explore the historical city center, its atmospheric squares and tapas bars.
Stay in a 3-star hotel
Day 12: Pontevedra ⇒ Caldas de Reis (22 km / 13.6 miles)
Today’s walk to Caldas to Reis takes you through attractive countryside and a section of forest to the riverside spa town of Caldas de Reis. Bathe your weary feet in the thermal spring when you reach the main square.
Stay in a 2-star hotel
Day 13: Caldas de Reis ⇒ Padron (19 km / 11.5 miles)
Begin the day with an easy ascent through a series of small villages and the delightful Valga forest. Several impressive churches and stone crosses line the route to Padrón, the riverside town where St. James’s body is said to have been laid to rest by his faithful followers.
Stay in a 3-star hotel
Day 14: Padron ⇒ Santiago (23 km / 14.3 miles)
The final stage of the Camino is largely through the countryside with a pretty area of woodland. Only the final few kilometers are in busy urban areas and once you enter the ancient narrow streets of the narrow medieval center of Santiago, the atmosphere changes on your approach to the cathedral square.
Stay in a 3-star hotel
Day 15: Leave Santiago
After breakfast, prepare for your onward journey. If you have time, explore the old city of Santiago de Compostela before you leave.
* Notes: After breakfast on your second day in Porto you will meet a member of our team who will drive you to Matosinhos to start your Portuguese Coastal Way. By doing this, you avoid the busy, noisy roads through urban areas of Porto and its suburbs. If you wish you can start walking in Porto – contact us for more information.
Map
ESSENTIALS
What’s included?
- 14 Nights of accommodation with breakfast
- Luggage transfers between hotels (1 bag per person – Max. 15 kg/bag)
- 24/7 emergency support
- Pilgrim kit: passport (credencial) and shell (vieira)
- Roadbook of the Way with tips and information (in English)
What’s not included?
- International flights arrival and departure transfers
- meals (where not listed as included in the itinerary)
- optional additional tours or activities during free time
- tips and items of a personal nature
Note: Upgrade for 4, 5* Hotels and Paradores available
For more itinerary suggestions, please consult our specialist Portuguese Camino de Santiago site: www.portugueseway.com
Make an Enquiry
Duration
15 Days
Tour Type
Self-guided
Nº of people
From 1
Region
Minho and Galicia
Available
March to October
Price per person
in double room: 840€
Supplement for single accommodation: 295€
Supplement for June and September: 90€
Supplement for July and August: 125€