Full Camino Portugués Coastal (Lisbon to Santiago via Vigo)

You arrive in Lisbon.

Lisbon is Portugal’s bright and dazzling city. Lisbon has a privileged location, where the River Tejo and the Atlantic Ocean join, so you can relax by the seaside and soak in the famous Lisbon ‘light’. The city is also home to beautiful buildings, cobbled streets and busy squares you can explore on foot or hopping on one of the city trams. Visit the São Jorge castle and if you get a chance head to Belém to see the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Your walk on the Portuguese Way will take you out of Lisbon on the shortest stage of this section, following part of the famous Caminho de Fátima. As the trail follows the river Tejo through the Parque das Nações, it is quite an easy walk. From here you will soon enter the countryside by a lush valley. The change in landscape will make Lisbon seem like a distant memory!

Today you will leave Santa Iria de Azoia along an a trail gradually climbing before descending again into Póvoa de Santa Iria. From here, the Camino will take you along the River Tejo once again along a national road to beautiful Vila Franca de Xira, home to a famous bullfighting festival every year.

From Vila Franca de Xira, the Camino continues through a region famous for bullfighting and horse breeding. The River Tejo continues to guide you, as you head inland to today’s destination: Azambuja. The town is famous for its bull run, taking place in the streets of town in May every year.

Today’s walking day on the Camino will take yo through vineyards, orchards, groves and crop fields on your way to one of the highest points of the entire route: the town of Santarém. However at just 110 metres high this should not be too difficult. Santarém, is an old Moorish city of narrow cobbled streets. We recommend you visit the ‘Sun Gate’ (Porta do Sol), a beautiful look-out point where you can watching the sun set and soak in the magnificent views.

You will leave Santarém along tranquil country lanes by the banks of the Río Tejo, as you head North-West. You will pass beautiful little villages and farmland, as well as many horses and bulls (the region is famous for horse and bull breeding). Today’s Camino stage is quite long but quite flat so it should be a relatively easy walking day.

Today you will leave the pretty little town of Golegã and head towards ‘Quinta da Cardiga’, one of the most beautiful manor houses in the country. From here you will continue through peaceful villages. nestled in between rolling hills. Your finishing point for the day is the centre of the historic city of Tomar, at the wonderful Praza da República.

Today, you will enjoy a change of landscape as you travel through lovely woodland, valleys and along ancient Roman roads and farm tracks. Today’s walk is one of the most challenging on this section of the Camino however it is also very rewarding.

The trail from Alvaiázere begins with a sharp climb, followed by a gradual descent. The rest of the day’s walk will take you over rolling hills and through olive groves and crop fields, on the way to today’s destination of Ansião.

On your walk out of Ansião you will cross the 17th century bridge of Ponte da Cal as you make your way to Netos. There are lots of trees along today’s stage of the Camino, such as eucalyptus, pine and olive, offering plenty of opportunities for shade. Today’s stage finishes in Condeixa a Nova.

On this walking day you will pass beautiful countryside, dotted with vineyards, olive groves and forests. The final part of the stage takes you over the climb of Alto de Cruz de Mourocos, at 190m, before dropping down into Coimbra. Coimbra itself is a pretty and energetic city, with one of the oldest universities in Europe, declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2013.

Coimbra is an energetic city, once the capital of Portugal. It is home to a magnificently preserved Gothic cathedral and a university from the 13th century, making it one of the oldest in the world. Coimbra’s University was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2013. There are many things to see and do and as it is a university city, there is always some cultural events happening!

Today on the Camino Portugués takes you along valleys and also some urban areas along a relatively flat trail. There is an initial climb as you leave Coimbra up to Cioga do Monte. Throughout the day you will see remains of the old Roman road. Your stop for the night is Mealhada, located in an area famous for its vineyards and wine making.

Today the Camino trail takes you through more pretty vineyards on a fairly easy trail. The route will take you to the city of Avelas de Caminho, with a strong historic connection to the Camino de Santiago hence its name. Your stop for the night will be Águeda, on the banks of the Certima river.

Today’s Camino stage is relatively easy and short, with only one climb at the very end of your day. This particular section of the Camino follows the ancient Roman road known as ‘Via Romana XVI’, through eucalyptus and pine forests. You will also cross a lovely Roman bridge over the Rio Marnel on your way to Albergaria A Velha.

From Albergaria A Velha, the Camino takes you across more woodlands and gradually into more urban areas, in the northern part of the Beira Coast. You will pass the lovely historic town of Oliveira de Azeméis, where you should visit the Matriz de São Miguel church. From here the Camino trail heads across rolling hills, with the climb to São João da Madeira being the highest point of the day, at 220m.

You will pass the town of Arrifana with its distinctive blue church before making your way onto the preserved cobbled Roman road. The last stretch of the stage will take you gradually downhill by O Mosteiro de São Salvador de Grijó, dating back to the 13th century (here you will be picked up and transferred to your accommodation for the night in Porto).

In today’s stage, the Camino travels through a section of the original Roman road. You will pass the town of Arrifana with its distinctive blue church before making your way onto the preserved cobbled Roman road. The Camino will take you gradually downhill by O Mosteiro de São Salvador de Grijó, dating back to the 13th century before heading to Porto where you will enjoy the refreshing breeze of the Atlantic Ocean as you get closed to this city, known as the world capital of Port wine. You will also follow another well-preserved Via Romana in Perosinho. You will then head to Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river Douro from Porto. Cross the fantastic Ponte Luiz I into Porto, to arrive in the historic city centre.

The old city centre of Porto has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. There is plenty to amaze you in Porto, from the colourful riverfront and the Douro river with its period Port wine boats, to the friendly locals and the tasty local cuisine. Did you know there are 365 cod dishes in Portugal? one for each day of the year.

Start your Camino de Santiago journey in gorgeous and colourful Porto, with its UNESCO-listed old town, picturesque riverfront and home to Port wine. Discover the best of Portuguese hospitality before your walk on the Portuguese Coastal Way!

Today you should take the Metro to Matosinhos to avoid the outskirts of Porto and reach the coast to start your Camino walk, this will also make your daily KM 28. Get off at the ‘Mercado’ stop. You will walk following the coastline, passing fishing villages, forts and chapels, the prehistoric castro of San Paio and of course, beautiful sandy beaches.

*If you choose to cycle the Camino, the route will start from the city center, so the distance for this stage will be 40km.

Enjoy a stroll along the pretty Póvoa de Varzim harbour and explore its medieval district before you continue your Camino. Walk up to the Convento de Santa Clara to discover the best views of the town and the surrounding coast. On your way to Esposende you will pass the popular seaside town of Póvoa de Varzim with its sandy beachfront and cross the Coastal Natural Park, Parque Natural do Litoral Norte.

Today you will continue your Camino coastal walk from Esposende, across the Coastal Natural Park, on your way to Viana do Castelo. Take the opportunity to taste the local cuisine, explore the historic center of town and take the funicular to the Basílica de Santa Luzía for great views. Legend has it that the Romans were so impressed by Viana’s beauty when they reached the town in the first century BC that they thought they had reached the paradise.

Today you will leave Viana do Castelo and continue along the beautiful Atlantic coastline heading North. Today is quite an easy day, giving you plenty of time to enjoy a relaxed pace and have enough time to make the most of the seaside villages and towns along the way. You will stay in the coastal town Vila Praia de Ancora.

From Vila Praia de Ancora you will continue on your coastal Camino towards Caminha, right by the Minho estuary, where the River meets the Atlantic. Continue straight to A Guarda or take a detour along the estuary for great coastal views (4km longer). If you have time, once you reach A Guarda, take a visit to its famous hilltop ‘castro’, celtic settlement.

From the fishing village of A Guarda, your path continues northwards where you will be afforded some more breathtaking views of the ocean on your left.  Tonight you will reach the busy seaside town of Baiona with its gorgeous marina.  While in Baiona, visit one of the towns attractions such as the Museo de la Carabela Pinta and the Monumento Encuentro entre dos Mundos.

Today you will follow the coast from Baiona to Nigrán and finally to the city of Vigo. You will enjoy fantastic views of the Bay of Vigo, with the magnificent Illas Cíes and its Natural Park in the horizon. On a hot day, stop at the blue flag beach Praia América in Nigrán for a quick swim.

Easy walking option. Today is your last day along the coast and quite a short walking day so you can make the most of the seaside. Stop to try the famous oysters in the fishing village of Arcade.

Today, you will cross the Verdugo River over Ponte Sampaio. It is in this bridge is where Napoleon’s army suffered one of its greatest defeats in Galicia. From Ponte Sampaio the Camino continues along a cobbled road taking pilgrims to the 13th century Church of Santa María, where you can enjoy magnificent views over the Bay of Vigo while walking towards Pontevedra.

Today, starting in the city of Pontevedra, the Camino will take you through chestnut groves and pine and eucalyptus woods. In the village of Ponte Cabras, take a minute to admire the rectory of Santa María de Alba. At Lombo da Maceira you will spot a statue of Saint James with his walking stick, showing pilgrims the way. On your way to Caldas de Reis you will pass the hamlet of Tivo with its lovely fountain and public washing area. You will be staying in the spa town of Caldas de Reis for the night.

From the spa town of Caldas de Reis, the Camino Portugues takes you across the river Umia and the hot springs that have given the town its name since Roman times. The Camino trail takes you once again to forests, gradually climbing to the village of Santa Mariña. After a descent you will cross the river Fontenlo before making your way through pine forests to today’s final destination: the town of Padrón, believed to be arrival point of the body of Saint James when it was brought to Santiago de Compostela by ship.

Santiago de Compostela is a gem of a city: small enough to be explored and be discovered on foot but always vibrant and lively. Wander the cobbled streets of its UNESCO-listed old town, go for a stroll in the Alameda Park and discover regional flavours in the local market (Mercado de Abastos) and the many restaurants and bars.