Camino De Santiago: Portuguese Way

Arrival in Porto and check-in at hotel. The hotel is a 4-star hotel with a central location in the old city of Porto.

You will be free to dispose of the whole day on your own in this beautiful city. The historical core of the city is full of charm and was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Interesting monuments, history, the beautiful location and not to mention the port, are some of the reasons why you should visit this city. An interesting visit that permits you in one day to walk the equivalent of one stage of the Pilgrimage Route.

The ”Camino” (”Caminho” in Portuguese) starts at the cathedral of Porto by the name of 'Sé'.

From here you primarily travel through the suburbs of Porto. Later, the terrain turns greener and according to most pilgrims more beautiful. If the stage-length seem to long, we recommend to take a taxi or bus the first 5-10 km. out of Porto.

Distance: 32 Km

After Vilarhino the countryside becomes even more rural. The route is seasoned with a wonderful medieval bridge as well as with some historical churches.

In the afternoon/evening you will have plenty of time to experience the old fair city of Barcelos.

Distance: 20 Km

Today´s route is the longest of them all, but without mayor climbs and a relatively easy terrain. It is a beautiful stage that brings you through vineyards.

Ponte de Lima is a charming city with a very famous market that dates back in time to year of 1125.

The ancient 277 meter long medieval bridge from 1368 represents the most important sight of the city.

Distance: 32 Km

The route continues from Ponte de Lima by crossing the famous bridge. After Ponte de Lima you will soon find yourself in rural surroundings.
This particular stage is not very long, but on the other hand you are encountered by a climb of some 2 km which is the most challenging of the Portuguese Way.

Distance: 19 Km

Once again a short stage which commences with a light climb.
The way leads you through woods and fields to the old fortified city of Valença. Here you should experience the old fortress and fortification. From here the way crosses the river Miño and brings you into Spain, to Tui, and its famous cathedral. Tui is a cosy city full of life, good restaurants and with a very exciting history which is all about the many wars against Portugal.

If you want another distribution of the stages and you do not mind not spending the night in Tui, you can opt to walk approx. 5 km more –and the corresponding 5 km less the day after whereby the two stages are almost of the same length.

Distance: 20 Km

A relatively long stage with only single (but still somewhat difficult) climb en route. On the other hand, this stage is probably the most beautiful of all of the Portuguese Way, particularly the way through the valley of Rio Louro and later the views of the impressive Galician fjords.

Many choose to split the stage halfway, because of the difficulty and the amount of kilometers.

Distance: 32 Km

Today you will have a few climbs on your way to Pontevedra, but you will also be walking through the very heart of Galicia! Along the way you will get to see the famous stone crosses (Cruceiros), which for centuries have guided and protected pilgrims on their way to Santiago. Several of these small masterpieces are dated back to the 15th century. When you reach Pontevedra, you can visit various churches, monasteries and monuments of the city, go shopping in the city's old quarter (Casco Viejo), or enjoy the vibrant nightlife and the many excellent restaurants - and of course, taste a glass of the local Albariño white vine.

Distance: 20 Km

After leaving Pontevedra's Old Town Centre, the route quickly takes you to one of the most beautiful sections of this part of the Camino. Among other things, you will pass the area of Barro with absolutely wonderful waterfalls, and later Briallos, the latter leading you through scenic vineyards of Galicia. In Caldas de Reis you will have the opportunity to enjoy one of the many thermal baths which Galicia is famed for.

Distance: 22 Km

Today you arrive at Padrón, the next most important pilgrimage city after Santiago de Compostela. According to ancient legend, the Apostle Saint James is said to have preached on the Iberian Peninsula. The tradition has that after being beheaded in the year 44 AD, the body of Saint James arrived by boat to the Galician coast navigated by two of his disciples from the city of Jaffa in Palestine. From here, his corpse was carried to Padrón, because the Apostle James is said to have preached at Monte de Santiaguiño. In Padrón, a long and very beautiful stairway leads along the Mosterio Convento do Carmen to this sacred place that is definitely worth a visit. The route to Padrón is as beautiful as the former pilgrimage route, and there is an overall special atmosphere in the small town of Padrón, with its mere 3,000 inhabitants.

Distance: 19 Km

This is the last of your 13 pilgrim’s stages towards Santiago de Compostela. Whether it is your first pilgrimage, or you have done it several times, you will undoubtedly notice a very unique contrast of excitement while feeling an unexplained serenity throughout your body, both at the same time the closer you come to Santiago.

The route from Padrón to Santiago starts with some walking along the road, but soon you get back to the small and charming paths and dirt roads, which you know so well from the previous days. About seven kilometres from Santiago, you can see the Cathedral's two iconic spires for the first time, and from here there is only path to reach your goal of arriving to Santiago.

When you enter the Plaza de Obradoiro in front of the Cathedral, which may already be filled with happy, tired and redeemed pilgrims, you will most likely see some others you have met on your way to Santiago. Perhaps, you have made new friends along the way, and maybe, you will find that these friendships will grow stronger and evolve over time – Buen Camino!

Distance: 25 Km

True pilgrims continues further and finish their journeys in Finisterre. The tour goes by bus with an English-speaking guide from Santiago to Finisterre in the morning and returns mid-efternoon to Santiago. Just off the stunning, rugged coastline and the fabled “Costa de la Muerte” (Death Coast), a reef filled with shipwrecks and tales of legends captures a raw, natural beauty. On the coast’s westernmost point is Finisterre – meaning the world’s end. Romans named this coast because it was literally the end of the known world. For many pilgrims this is the symbolic endpoint of the pilgrimage. 

The evening is spent in Santiago de Compostela.