The Complete Camino Portugues Coastal Route from Porto

The charming city of Porto is in charge of welcoming you to this fascinating tour. You can visit Ribeira, its UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town, and dine in one of the pier's beautiful restaurants on the banks of the River Douro.

Overnight in Porto

Today you will walk along the coast and among the beautiful and traditional fishing villages.

You can stop and visit the San Paio castro. Discovered in the 1950s, it is the only marine castro in the Portuguese part of the northwest peninsula.

Overnight in Povoa de Varzim

Before embarking on the road today, you will get to know a little more about Povoa de Varzim, a city that in the 18th century was the main fishing port in the north of the country.

On your way to Esposende, you will have the option to visit the Convent of Santa Clara, one of the largest and richest in Portugal, founded in 1318. From there, you can enjoy the incredible views of the beautiful landscapes that surround it.

Overnight in Esposende

Today, the pilgrim trail will take you inland, where you can enjoy incredible landscapes and walk on the banks of the River Neiva.

Later you will arrive in Viana do Castelo, considered one of the most beautiful cities in northern Portugal. Walk through its streets and discover its fascinating heritage. You can also visit the Basilica of Santa Luzia, located on a mountain top, from where you can observe the city, located next to the sea and the mouth of the River Lima.

Overnight in Viana do Castelo

Today you can choose between walking inland or along the coast.

The first option will allow you to follow the official path of the traditional yellow arrows and the second to enjoy the breeze and tranquillity of the Atlantic coast, while discovering some charming fishing villages.

Overnight in Ancora

Today you will leave Portugal behind to enter Spain. To get to Caminha, you can continue along the coastal route, and from there you will have to take a ferry to cross the River Minho and reach Pasaxe, Galicia. Then you will continue towards A Guarda and if you want to enjoy incredible views you can ascend Mount San Trega, at 341 metres of altitude, where you will find one of the most interesting and well-preserved Galaicos-Roman castros.

Overnight in A Guarda

Discover Galician lands on a charming tour that will take you through beautiful landscapes and always enjoying the magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Take beautiful postcard views from Cape Silerio and the Monastery of Santa Maria de Oya, a building dating from the 12^th century and considered the main monument in the municipality of Oya.

Later on, you will arrive in Baiona, the first port in Europe where, with the arrival of La Pinta, and the discovery of America, was announced.

There you can visit places that precisely refer to this event as are the Monument to the Encounter between Two Worlds or the Pinta Caravel Museum.

Overnight in Baiona

Today, you will have the freedom to choose the route that best suits your tastes and needs.

After crossing the Romanesque La Ramallosa bridge, dating back to the 13^th century, and crossing the River Minor, you can continue along the coast and, why not, enjoy a little of the beach in Nigran. Another possibility is to walk inland, where you will also have the option to choose to go through O Freixo, a town in the municipality of Outes.

Whatever your decision, you can enjoy the incredible views of the Bay of Vigo and the Cies Islands, a beautiful archipelago located in the province of Pontevedra, in the northwest of Spain.

When in Vigo, you can walk through its charming streets and get to know the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, a construction dating from the early 19^th century, or the house of Estanislao Duran, an architectural jewel of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Overnight in Vigo

After leaving Vigo behind, you will enter the Bay of Vigo, pass through Sete Fontes and later you can make a stop in Redondela, known as the village of the viaducts, as you will find the Madrid and Pontevedra viaducts there, both from the 19^th century. In addition, in this municipality, the Camino Portugues Coastal Route and the Camino Portugues Interior Route converge.

Later, on your way to Arcade, the Galician oyster and seafood capital of the world, you can enjoy the incredible views over the Vigo Estuary, one of the deepest geographical features in the Rías Baixas in Galicia.

Overnight in Arcade

Today will be a short walk. You will start by crossing the River Verdugo over Ponte Sampaio, a medieval bridge recognized for having been the scene of the last battle in Galicia against Napoleon's army, where he was defeated.

Then you will continue along a cobbled path until you encounter several towns and you will have charming panoramic views of the Bay of Vigo.

Later you will continue to Pontevedra, a city that is definitely worth knowing. Enjoy a walk through its historic quarter and take advantage of its exquisite gastronomy.

A must-see is the Shrine of the Virgin Pilgrim, one of the most emblematic buildings dating from the 18^thcentury and where Our Lady, the Virgin Pilgrim is venerated.

Overnight in Pontevedra

You will start the day by moving into the magnificent pine and eucalyptus forests, and then continue through the many villages in the region.

The route to Caldas de Reis will be indicated by the famous statue of Santiago, resting on a cane, located in Lombo da Maceira.

Before arriving at your destination you can make a stop in Tivo, known for its fountain and public laundry, and then pass by the Church of Santa Teresa and cross the River Umia.

In Caldas de Reis, you can visit its hot springs, ideal to relax and provide relief to your body after a day of walking. You will also have the possibility to know the Church of St. Thomas A Becket, a construction from the 19th century and the only temple of the region in Galicia in honour of this saint, Archbishop of Canterbury.

Overnight in Caldas de Reis

Gradually you're getting closer to the finishing line. Today you can enjoy incredible landscapes and discover more of the cultural richness of these fantastic lands.

You can make a stop in Santa Marina and then start descending until you find the River Fontelo that will announce that you are about to reach Padron, a municipality in the province in La Coruna, famous for its peppers. It is also recognized as the birthplace of two important writers, Rosalia de Castro and Camilo Jose Cela.

There you can walk through its charming streets and visit the Carmen Convent, erected in the 18^th century, or the Church of Santiago, built a few metres from where the disciples of Santiago moored the boat in which they transported the body of the Apostle.

Overnight in Padron

Start the tour through small and traditional villages until you reach A Escravitude, where you can pause to visit its sanctuary and the fountain that is located in the lower part that, according to stories, has healing powers. From there you can also enjoy the magnificent views of the Castro Lupario fortress, an important archaeological site in this region.

Later, you will continue along an oak tree path until you begin a 230 metre ascent that will take you to Agros dos Monteiros, the highest point on this walking holiday, and from there you will have an incredible panoramic view of the Galician capital and you will even get to see the towers of the Cathedral of Compostela.

Then you will pass near the Rocha Forte Castle or the Churruchaos, which, in ancient times, was a symbol of feudal oppression over the inhabitants of the region.

Gradually the arrows that indicate the route will disappear, which will give you a sign that you are close to reaching the culmination point of this unforgettable pilgrimage route.

You will enter the old town by the Porta Faxeira, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and when you take the Rua do Franco, emotion will begin to take you over, because you will be just a few steps from the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of Santiago the Apostle rest.

After taking a few minutes to experience the joy of reaching your goal, you will be able to participate in the Pilgrim's Mass, the ritual of welcoming all walkers who arrive in Santiago.

If you prefer, you can divide this stage in two, staying overnight in Parada de Francos.

Overnight in Santiago de Compostela

Before you return home, it is definitely worth taking a little more time to discover the fascinating city of Santiago de Compostela. Walk through its splendid old town and get to know the dozens of churches, palaces, convents and squares such as Quintana, Obradoiro and O Toural.

You can also head to the banks of the River Sar and visit the beautiful Santa Maria Collegiate church dating back to the 12^th century, and declared a National Monument in 1895.

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