Portuguese Coastal Camino Way of St James – 15 Days

Arriving early is essential as it is worthwhile spending time to explore world heritage Porto including 12th century Porto Cathedral, the palace and the many other historical buildings.

Accommodation: Porto, 2 -3-star country hotel

You start the walk by being transferred to Matosinhos missing the busy and noisy urban parts of the Camino. Walk wooden boardwalks to the coast and then via a series of wide sandy beaches along the coastline, through nature reserves and fishing villages to the historical coastal town of Vila do Conde.

Walking: Moderate / 21 km or 12.9 miles / 6 to 7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:  Vila do Conde, 3-star country hotel

Continue on the Camino de Santiago from Vila do Conde via the seaside resort town of Povoa de Varzim. A significant portion of the day is spent walking alongside the coast that’s thick with flowers. The track moves inland towards Esposende via market gardens, dense forest and hamlets, crossing the wide bridge at Cavado estuary.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 25 km or 15.4 miles / 6.5 to 7.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Esposende, 3-star country hotel

We start the day by leaving the coast behind, passing through village after village, negotiating delightful sections of woodland and along rivers. The days walk ends with the crossing of the exceedingly long Eiffel bridge into the picturesque town of Viana do Castelo famous for both its ancient and contemporary architecture. The magnificent views over the Lima valley, the estuary and views of distant mountain ranges are a marvellous bookend to this day’s walk.

Walking: Moderate / 23.5 km or 14.5 miles / 6 to 7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Viana do Castelo,  3-star country hotel

Today’s walk on the el Camino is mostly inland, with occasional coastal views from a string of hillside villages. You might think you are in Australia when you find yourself walking through eucalyptus forest. From the forest make your way uphill for more beautiful views before descending into the low key beachside resort town of Vila Praia de Âncora.

Walking: Moderate / 19.5 km or 12.2 miles / 5 to 6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Vila Praia de Âncora, 2-3-star country hotel

Walking in and out of your accommodation each day makes for a real inn to inn experience. Today is even more special as you walk from country to country, from Portugal to Spain. From your accommodation, the level coastal path makes its way via Âncora to Moleda and then continues to the charming medieval town of Caminha. There’s time to take a detour through the pine forest beside the beach before catching the ferry across the River Minho to the peaceful fishing town of A Guarda in Spain. A real highlight awaits you tonight as A Guarda is well known for its’ excellent seafood.

Walking: Moderate / 14 km or 8.7 miles / 4.5 to 5.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: A Guarda, 2 – 3-star country hotel

In the morning it is worth a visit to the ancient Celtic settlement of Santa Tegra before leaving A Guarda, even if it is just for the spectacular views. Walk out of your accommodation following the el Camino through the middle of town out towards the rugged coastline. The landscape and the coastal track is quite varied today. Our final resting place for the day is the small beachfront village of Oia, famous for its’ 12th-century monastery.

Walking: Moderate / 14 km or 8.7 miles / 4.5 to 5.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Oia , 2-3-star country hotel

The path from Oia begins with quaint little fields, with a scattering of houses and a few villages typical of this region. The coastal scenery and terrain constantly change as you cut across the mountains. The last part of the Camino today descends through the Spanish countryside and outlying villages into the medieval town of Baiona.

Walking: Moderate / 17.5 km or 10.9 miles / 5.5 to 6.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Baiona, 2-3-star country hotel

As you walk out of Baiona the terrain slowly morphs back into semi-rural and then rural countryside with picturesque Spanish villages and patches of woodland all the way to Vigo. Thankfully the Camino takes you through Castrelos Park to avoid the busy streets of the city. Vigo is quite large and tonight as with all major centres there’s lots to do. Explore the Porta do Sol the cultural centre or just wander around Casco Vello the old city.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 25.5 km or 15.8 miles / 7 to 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Vigo, 2-3-star country hotel

As you walk along Vigo’s main shopping street and out of the city one gets the real sense of the contrast between first world Spanish culture with the beauty of the Spanish countryside. As you leave Vigo the Camino connects a string of peaceful hillside villages from which you can get superb views back across the city, estuary and port. Around halfway into today’s walk the terrain changes from houses to trees before making a steep descent into Redondela. From here it’s a stroll through the woods before arriving at Arcade which is like stepping back in time. Arcade is a riverside town and out of the way and thus has not been ruined by tourism.

Walking: Moderate / 22 km or 13.5 miles / 6 to 7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Arcade, 2-3-star country hotel

Leave Arcade via the iconic bridge and walk what is one of the most beautiful sections of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago and one of the shortest. Follow the ancient stone paths through forest, and if you have time take the scenic option along the River Tomeza, approaching Pontevedra surrounded by trees and birdsong instead of traffic. Pontevedra is a city in northwest Spain and is known for its well-preserved old town. Explore the historical city centre, its atmospheric squares and good quality tapas bars.

Walking: Easy to Moderate/ 13 km or 8 miles / 3 to 4 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Pontevedra, 2- 3-star country hotel

Explore a bit more of Pontevedra as you walk on the Coastal Camino out of town into the attractive countryside. The stage to Caldas de Reis is long but reasonably flat. Bathing your weary feet in Caldas de Reis’ thermal springs is an excellent reward after a big day on the track.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 6 to 7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Caldas de Reis, 2-star country hotel

Begin the day with an easy ascent through a series of small villages and the delightful Valga forest. This section exits Caldas de Reis and takes you on an easy climb to the charming woodlands of Valga. Impressive churches and stone crosses line the Camino’s path to Padrón, the riverside town where St. James’ body is said to have been laid to rest by his faithful brethren. The town merges with the ancient and famous town of Iria Flavia a centre for religion, trade and Roman and Vikings invasions of all things.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 19 km or 11.2 miles / 5.5 to 6.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Padrón, 2-star country hotel

The final stage of the Camino is through gorgeous countryside with pockets of woodland to break up the day. Only on the last few kilometres of the way will you travel on busy urban streets. However, once you enter the ancient narrow streets of the medieval centre of Santiago de Compostela the excitement begins to build, and you can feel the atmosphere change as you approach the cathedral square.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 23 km or 14.3 miles / 6 to 7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santiago de Compostela, 3-star country hotel

After breakfast, prepare for your onward journey. It is really worth taking the time to explore Santiago de Compostela, relax and soak up the joyous atmosphere along with all the other pilgrims in this amazing place. If you would like to add a day please let us know.