Overview Pilgrimage through Portugal to Santiago de Compostela Camino (PR18-213): Porto (Matosinhos) - Povoa de Varzim - Esposende - Viana do Castelo - Praia de Ancora - A Guarda - Oia - Baiona - Vigo - Cesantes - Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis - Padrón - Santiago de Compostela Type of Travel: individual pilgrimage - 14 daysLevel of difficulty: easyDistance: approx. 168 miles / approx. 260 KmFare: from 1.280 EUR per person Discover the Camino Portugues coastal routeaccompanied by sea breeze and beautiful coastlines Your pilgrimage along the Camino Portugues coastal route starting in Porto (or about 2 weeks earlier in Lisbon) to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. This trail offers breathtaking views of the coast, beautiful beaches, charming fishing villages and historic towns full of interesting sights. However, it is also considered more challenging due to the hilly landscape and longer distances between towns. We are happy to divide the Camino Portugues according to your individual wishes and advise you on the different levels of difficulty of each stage! Would you prefer to join a group pilgrimage? Click here for our portuguese Way of St. James group tour! Or would you prefer to take the Inland route? Click here to go to the travel page. “I have now been on the coastal path for three days and would like to say a first thank you for your careful planning and helpful tips. Hotels & luggage transportation are wonderful. Thank you for supporting me with your rich experience on my first Camino.” - H.G. Route sections Pilgrimage through Portugal to Santiago de Compostela Camino (PR18-220): Porto - Povoa do Varzim - Esposende - Viana do Castelo - Praia de Ancora - A Guarda Travel type: Individual - 7 daysDifficulty: easyDistance: ca. 100 KmFare: from 790 EUR per person Camino (PR18-225): A Guarda - Oia/ Viladesuso - Baiona - Vigo - Arcade - Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis - Padrón - Santiago de Compostela Travel type: Individual - 10 daysDifficulty: easyDistance: approx. 140 KmFare: from 930 EUR per person Camino (PR18-245): Baiona - Vigo - Cesantes - Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis - Padrón - Santiago de Compostela Travel type: Individual - 8 daysDifficulty: easyDistance: ca. 127 KmFare: from 720 EUR per person Camino (PR18-235): Vigo - Cesantes - Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis - Padrón - Santiago de CompostelaType: Individual - 7 daysLevel of difficulty: easyDistance: ca. 100 kmFare: from 610 EUR Itinerary Pilgrimage through Portugal to Santiago de Compostela Day 1: Individual arrival at your accommodation in Porto. Day 2: Porto/ Matosinhos - Povoa de Varzim (approx. 16.9 miles/ 27.2 Km / approx. 8 hours) Your included transfer will take you from your accommodation in Porto to Matosinhos (a district of Porto). Here begins your well-signposted Way of St. James along the coast, often on wooden walkways, via Vila do Conde to the former fishing village of Póvoa de Varzim, which has since developed into a small tourist town. Day 3: Povoa de Varzim - Esposende (approx. 12.5 miles/ 20.2 Km / approx. 6 hours / very easy) For about 7 kilometers it continues on the wooden board path along the shore to Aguçadoura from where you keep walking through forests and fields and smaller towns in the green Portuguese hinterland through the natural park Litoral Norte to Apúlia and Fão, where you cross the river Cávado and end your today's pilgrimage day Esposende. Don't miss the chance to jump into the sea. Day 4: Esposende - Viana do Castelo (approx. 15.6 miles/ 25.1 Km / approx. 7.5 hours / easy) Behind Esposende you will leave the coast for today's stage and you will walk via Marinhas into the beautiful green inland and should enjoy, especially in spring, the scent of eucalyptus. But you will also pass a few small Portuguese towns and behind Darque you will cross the river Lima to Viana do Castelo. It is one of the most beautiful places of the Portuguese coastal route. The beautiful old town invites you for a first extensive break. On this occasion, visit the church Santuário de Santa Luzia, which is one of the most beautiful in Portugal. Day 5: Viana do Castelo - Vila Praia de Âncora (approx. 11.4 miles/ 18.3 Km / approx. 5.5 hours / easy) A little bit uphill you will continue towards Vila Praia de Ancora. On this stage today you will also be able to look down on the beautiful sea from above and experience the sound of the sea even at this distance. Day 6: Vila Praia de Âncora - A Guarda (approx. 7.5 miles/ 12.1 Km / approx. 4 hours / very easy) First, make a pilgrimage today to Caminha, about 8 km away and also the last Portuguese town. Enjoy once again the wonderful, delicious Pastel de Nata in one of the beautiful cafes in the city center. You leave Portugal by ferry, directly in the port for about 1.50 €. There are also small private cab boats for about 5 €. There are signs at the port where you can find them. Or walk back a bit and leave the shore on your right until you reach the boat jetties, where the cab boats are also signposted. After you have crossed the river Miño it goes steeply up the small mountain Monte Santa Tegra, further to A Guarda. Day 7: A Guarda - Oia (approx. 7.9 miles/ 12.8 Km / approx.4 hours / easy) From A Guarda walk along the coast until you reach the small fishing village of Oia. Here you can visit the Cistercian monastery of Santa María. Day 8: Oia - Baiona (approx. 11.1 miles/ 17.9 Km / approx. 5.5 hours / easy) Today is a more relaxed stage. In the morning you will make a pilgrimage along the cliffs, past the Cabo Silleiro lighthouse and Parador Monte Real Castle to the port of Baiona. This is the first European port where the discovery of America became known. Enjoy the well-deserved end of today's stage in the old town of Baiona, which was still a significant trading center until the end of the 19th century. Day 9: Baiona - Vigo (approx. 16.8 miles/ 27.1 Km / approx. 8 hours / easy) From here it is a good 1.5 hours to A Ramallosa, from where it goes through small villages and forests over various hills, from which you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Ria of Vigo as well as the islands of the gods (the Islas Cies). The bay of Ría de Vigo is densely populated, you walk leisurely along the beautiful beaches until you reach large port city of Vigo. If you still have energy for some sightseeing today, you can visit Berbes, a small fishing village, Castro de Vigo and of course the old town of Vigo. Day 10: Vigo - Cesantes (approx. 11.3 miles/ 18.2 Km / approx. 5.5 hours / easy) Along the coast today, you will ride an initially relaxed 16 kilometers to Redondela, where the Portuguese coastal path meets the main trail. Now it is another 2.2 km to Cesantes - your stage end today. Day 11: Cesantes - Pontevedra (approx. 10.8 miles/ 17.4 Km / approx. 5 hours / very easy) The path now becomes a bit hilly and leads through many forests to the capital of Galicia, to Pontevedra, where you will have enough time today for the beautiful old town and cathedral and also the church Capela da Virxe Peregrina, whose floor plan is the image of the scallop shell. Let yourself be surprised. Day 12: Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis (approx. 13.1 miles/ 21.1 Km / approx. 6.5 hours / easy) Today's topic is diversity. Because today's stage leads through the beauty of Galicia with its beautiful forests, meadows and small rivers to the thermal springs of Caldas de Reis. Day 13: Caldas de Reis - Padrón (approx. 11.6 miles/ 18.6 Km / approx. 5.5 hours / easy) It is your penultimate stage of your pilgrimage. Enjoy the picturesque, hilly landscape of Galicia one last time. Padrón is known for the legend that the ship docked here after carrying the body of Saint James. The small, famous green Pimientos de Padrón also come from here. Day 14: Padrón - Santiago de Compostela (approx. 15.1 miles/ 24.3 Km / approx. 7 hours / easy) Your last stage bids you farewell with the beautiful fragrant eucalyptus and pine forests. After 2 weeks, coming from the south, you will reach the historic old town with its imposing cathedral. If you like, crown your Camino de Santiago with the pilgrim mass in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Celebrate your Portuguese Way of St. James in the atmospheric streets of Santiago tonight. Day 15: Departure Today it's time to say goodbye and, if possible, slowly enjoy your way home. Alternatively, we recommend that you continue your Camino to the so-called end of the world - to Cape Finisterre, which is almost the most western point of Europe. The portuguese Camino doesn't convince you? There are many alternatives: Camino Francés (French Way) The most popular and best-developed, but also the most demanding Way of St. James, but can be divided into shorter sections, such as Sarria-Santiago. Start: St. Jean-Pied-de-Port (France). Length: approx. 800 km to Santiago de Compostela. Passes through cities such as Pamplona, Burgos and León. Camino del Norte (Northern Way) Runs along the north coast of Spain. Start: Irun on the French-Spanish border. Length: approx. 825 km. A scenic route that passes through cities such as San Sebastián, Bilbao and Gijón. Via de la Plata (Silver Way) One of the longest pilgrimage routes in Spain. Start: Seville (Andalusia), shorter version from Ourense. Length: approx. 1,000 km. Leads through the interior of the country via cities such as Mérida, Salamanca and Zamora. Camino Primitivo (Original Way) The oldest Way of St. James, used by the first pilgrims. Start: Oviedo (Asturias). Length: approx. 320 km. A challenging route through mountainous terrain. Camino Inglés (English Way) Used by English and northern European pilgrims Start: Ferrol Length: approx. 120 km (from Ferrol) or 75 km (from A Coruña). Camino de Invierno (winter route) Alternative route to the Camino Francés to avoid the snowy mountains in winter. Start: Ponferrada. Length: approx. 270 km. Camiño dos Faros See the lighthouses along the Atlantic coast in west Galizia. Route: Malpica - Finisterre Length: approx. ca. 196 km. Padre Sarmiento Shorter route in southern Galizia to Santiago Start: Pontevedra Length: approx. ca. 166 km. Each of these Caminos has its own scenic and cultural characteristics and offers pilgrims different levels of difficulty and experience. Blog Pilgrimage through Portugal to Santiago de Compostela Camino Portugues de la Costa -the Portuguese Way of St. James along the coast Ideally for me, life is a patchwork of journeys, some ordinary, some extraordinary. For me, a truly extraordinary one was my pilgrimage on the Camino Portugues. Starting in the vibrant city of Porto and ending in the historic and famous Santiago de Compostela, I had a memorable experience that will always remain dear to me. My Camino began in the charming city of Porto, famous for its beautiful architecture, rich history, and the bustling Douro River. The narrow, cobbled streets lined with colorful tiled houses, the river adorned with traditional Rabelo boats, and the city's lively energy set the perfect tone for my pilgrimage. I chose to walk the Camino Portugues de la Costa, the Portuguese Coastal Way (instead of the Camino Portugues interior), a popular route known for its captivating seaside views. Much of the journey featured stunning coastal scenery, including sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, fragrant pine forests, and peaceful seaside towns. The constant presence of the Atlantic Ocean, with its soothing waves, provided an ideal rhythmic backdrop to my reflections and insights. With each step, it became evident that this journey was not just a physical challenge, but had a spiritual component as well. Walking the Camino Portugues became a testament to resilience, patience, and humility. Surrounded by the tranquility of nature, walking took on a meditative quality, and the simple act of moving forward felt profoundly freeing. Meeting fellow pilgrims along the way, sharing meals, and swapping stories by the campfires in the evenings added a social aspect to the pilgrimage. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we shared a common goal, mutual respect, and a sense of camaraderie that made the more difficult parts of the Camino easier to bear. As I crossed into Spain, the scenery changed but remained equally captivating. From the Celtic ruins of Santa Tecla to the terraced vineyards of Galicia, each day revealed new, breathtaking landscapes. The path wound through lush green valleys, over brooks, past ancient churches, and through charming villages, each with its own unique story woven into the history of the Camino de Santiago. A highlight of the journey was Vigo, the largest city in Galicia. Known for its vibrant seafood scene, maritime heritage, and the beautiful Cíes Islands, a delightful stop on the Camino Portugues. The sight of the Vigo estuary at sunset, with sailboats dotting the water, was a picture of tranquility. Another memorable milestone was Pontevedra, a city rich in medieval charm. Its well-preserved old town, filled with squares, churches, and monuments, felt like a step back in time. Walking through Pontevedra, I couldn't help but feel the echoes of the countless pilgrims who had walked the Camino before me. As the towers of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral appeared on the horizon, excitement filled the air. The majestic sight of the grand cathedral, rich with centuries of history and countless pilgrim stories, brought forth a rush of emotions—exhaustion, relief, elation, and a profound sense of achievement. Participating in the Pilgrim's Mass, a tradition in the cathedral, was a surreal experience. Watching the Botafumeiro, a massive thurible, swing across the cathedral infused the atmosphere with a potent mix of incense and anticipation, cementing an unforgettable memory of walking the Camino Portugues. Reflecting on my journey from Porto to Santiago, I recognize the transformation it has brought in me. I feel a profound connection to the ancient path and have learned enduring lessons of resilience and self-discovery. If you seek a journey that nourishes the soul and opens the mind, consider walking the Camino Portugues. The coastal route offers a transformative spiritual experience set against stunning landscapes and rich history. An unforgettable journey The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is a timeless journey that challenges and changes you. It is an exploration of self, a testament to human resilience, and a celebration of global camaraderie. Whether driven by spiritual awakening, personal growth, or adventure, the journey along the Camino de Santiago deeply resonates with the human spirit. It is an experience that will forever remain in the heart of every pilgrim.
