Full Camino Portugues Coastal from Porto to Santiago

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Price: 7 nights from €595

Full Camino Portugues Coastal from Porto to Santiago

Activity Walking or Easy Walking or Cycling or Easy Cycling
Distance 259 km
Duration Up to 13 nights
Difficulty Moderate
Tour Type Self-Guided Caminos
Time To Go March to October

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Full Camino Portugues Coastal from Porto, last 200km

If you’re up for a challenge and love the idea of walking or cycling the Camino by the coast, then the full Camino Portugues Coastal, or Camino Portuguese Coastal Way, is a stunning and very scenic alternative route to the classic Portuguese Camino.

Starting in colourful UNESCO-listed Porto, this Camino trail will take you to charming seaside towns and villages in northern Portugal, along the superb Atlantic coast. Porto to Santiago is considered to be the full Route. But you can also start this route in Lisbon if you prefer.

Over the course of at least 12 days, you will stay in picturesque small cities and visit the most charming towns and villages from the coast to the mountains.

From Caminha, you will journey to A Guarda, in Galicia, and the heart of the Rías Baixas, to continue this memorable journey as it veers inland to more countryside landscapes towards Santiago de Compostela.

Discover the wild Atlantic beauty and sandy beaches of northern Portugal and southern Galicia, through the Full Camino Portugues Coastal. We highly recommend that you spend some time tasting all the delicious Portuguese food on offer, particularly seafood and local wines.

This is a wonderful alternative and quieter Camino route than the more well-known Camino Frances and you will stay in pretty fishing villages and be refreshed by the maritime feel of this scenic Coastal Camino.

Please note: the Caminho da Senda Litoral follows the coastline, while the Caminho da Costa (better signposted) weaves inland at times and overlaps with the Senda Litoral in certain sections. If you happen to take the Caminho da Costa, don’t worry, the trail will take you back to the same finishing point. Check the maps and walking notes provided. This route has excellent reviews with many 5-star ratings.

Click below to create your trip and customise your start and finish point. You can walk or Cycle the Full Camino Portugues Coastal.

Map of the Full Camino Portugues Coastal

Itinerary of the Full Camino Portugues Coastal

Porto

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 Portuguese hospitality before walking on the Portuguese Coastal Way!

25 km

Povoa de Varzim

To begin your Camino from Porto, we advise you to take the Metro to Matosinhos. This is the easiest way to reach the coast and will avoid the outskirts of Porto. Get off the metro at the ‘Mercado’ stop. From there, you will see the yellow arrows guiding you on your way. You will walk following the coastline, passing fishing villages, forts and chapels, the prehistoric Castro of San Paio and beautiful sandy beaches.

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

22 km

Esposende

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.

24 km

Viana do Castelo

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.

19 km

Vila Praia de Ancora

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.

13 km

A Guarda

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.

30 km

Baiona

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.

26 km

Vigo

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.

23 km

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. 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.

12 km

Pontevedra

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.

22 km

Caldas de Reis

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.

18 km

Padron

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.

25 km

Santiago de Compostela

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.

Accommodation

Country Cottages

Country Cottages or 'Casas Rurales' are beautifully restored country homes and farmhouses in the heart of peaceful rural communities. Our Country Cottages are renowned for their exceptional food, unique settings and personal touch. Rest assured when you select Country Cottage you will enjoy the full experience of our collection of beautiful Casa Rurales when and where this option is available, however, bear in mind, that sometimes due to location factors, only our choice of standard collection hotels and guesthouses may be available. All rooms are en-suite.

Standard Hotels

We have hand-picked hotels and guesthouses along the Camino for their character and warm hospitality. Up to 3-stars, you will be staying in the centre of town and close to your Camino trail. All rooms are en-suite with bathroom. For our family packages, we have hand-picked establishments with outdoor space and swimming pools where possible. Where accommodation with private outdoor space is not available, we have selected comfortable hotels with spacious common areas as well as a convenient location close to recreational areas and sights. As your comfort is our priority, we try to book hotels located within walking distance of the Camino. Despite our effort, on rare occasions your accommodation can be located a few kilometers away from the trail, so we organise transportation to/from your accommodation.

Superior Collection

Stay in very special hotels and unique properties along the Camino. We have selected luxurious 4 and 5-star hotels, boutique guesthouses, relaxing country homes and stunning heritage ‘Parador’ hotels so you can feel pampered. Rest assured when you select Superior Collection, you will enjoy the full experience of our best hotels and top guesthouses when and where this option is available, however, bear in mind, that sometimes due to location factors, only our choice of standard collection hotels and guesthouses may be available. All rooms are en-suite.

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