Camino Portugues Central Camino Portugues Central from Porto

As you start your Camino from Porto, we recommend you take the metro to Maia (not included), so you can skip the suburbs of the city (walking 11km). If you choose to walk from the centre of town, you will walk 25km. From Maia, you will be walking on a quiet country route with many interesting churches along the way, for instance the 12th century monastery: Mosteiro de Leca do Balio. Your stop for the night is the village of Fajozes.

Today’s walking day on Camino starts in Fajozes and heads North East, away from the coast. Shortly after the start you will cross the magnificent Dom Zameiro bridge and enter lush pine and eucalyptus woods, offering plenty of shade.

This stage of the Camino takes you across gentle rolling hills, woodland and lovely little villages. If you like, you can climb up to the Chapel of Santa de Franqueira, at 290m, to enjoy the fantastic views. You will cross an old stone bridge as you make your way to the market town of Barcelos, famous for its ‘galo’, the iconic Portuguese cockerel.

Easy Walking Split Option:  Split the long walking day from Barcelos to Ponte Lima and stay the night in the small town of Balugues.  The next morning you will make your way to the town of Ponte de Lima.

After you leave Barcelos, the landscape will start to change gradually, as you approach Galicia and green hills become more prominent. Today is the most challenging walking day on this Camino section, mainly due to the shortage of villages along the way, as well as some short, sharp climbs. The scenery is fantastic however, so your effort will be rewarded with wonderful views.

There is a fair amount of climbing to be done again today, with the highest point being Alto da Portela Grande, at 410m. However once again you will be rewarded with fantastic views. The Camino de Santiago also takes you past a number of small churches and crossings with cairns, where pilgrims to Santiago have traditionally placed stones to mark their journey and remember their loved ones.

Today you will leave Portugal and cross the River Minho into Galicia. Your day will kick start with a descent to the Río Coura, across lush green hills; then followed by a long, gradual climb to Alto Sao Bento da Porta Aberta. From here there is a sharp descent to Fontoura and the Rio Minho, separating Portugal and Spain. You will cross the international bridge from Valença do Minho to your destination: Tui, in Galicia.

Take time to explore the charming town of Tui, overlooking the River Minho. Stroll down the lovely streets to the Plaza de San Fernando, where you’ll get fantastic views of the magnificent 12th century cathedral. Ask the team if you’d like to upgrade to a Parador or if you would like to book additional nights to explore this beautiful part of Galicia

This section of the Camino Portugues starts from the old port of Tui and makes its way up through the old town along the Camino de Barca. From here you will pass through the Túnel das Monxas and begin a sharp climb up to the pretty bridge of San Telmo. After this, the terrain becomes slightly easier on the way to O Porriño. Please note: an alternative route has been signposted in 2013 to bypass the industrial estate in the outskirts of town.

If you decide to start here, you will receive your Compostela, as you will complete over 100km.

From O Porriño you continue your Camino journey along the Louro valley. On your way to Redondela you will spot the bay in the distance. A short climb takes pilgrims to the chapel of Santiaguiño (Little St James) de Antas, a lovely place where you can rest your legs and feet for a while. After the chapel, the Camino route enters pine forests. Before you reach Arcade, famous for its oysters and your stop for the night, you will pass the village of Setefontes.

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 Portugués 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.

Superior Collection includes complimentary spa in Santiago.