Camino Portugues Coastal Full Camino Portugues Coastal from Porto to Santiago

Start your Camino de Santiago journey in gorgeous and colourful Porto, with its UNESCO-listed old town, picturesque river front 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. 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. From Caminha, you will take the ferry-boat Santa Rita de Cássia across the river Minho to Galicia. There are about 10 crossings per day from Caminha to A Guarda (schedule varies depending on the season, no ferries on Monday). Ticket fare not included in the holiday package. From the ferry to can 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. 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 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.