Cycling holiday along the Camino by the Coast (Porto - Santiago)

Camino Portugués

The historic Camino Portugues starting in Portugal is favoured by many, as it offers some of the most beautiful beaches and some of the best food and wine in Spain and Portugal.

The Way of Saint James along the Portuguese Coast (El Camino de Santiago Portuguese por La Costa) has been known for centuries as an important religious and spiritual pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela for pilgrims visiting the tomb of Saint James in the Cathedral of Santiago. After having being partially forgotten for many years, somewhat overshadowed by the French Camino de Santiago, this pilgrimage is now experiencing a near explosive interest over the last couple of years.

There may be various reasons for this, but probably the most important explanation is the truly unique experience it is in nature, to walk or cycle along the Atlantic Ocean. The Way of Saint James Portuguese by the Coast is therefore, not only a religious journey, but also a spiritual journey through some of the most magnificent natural scenery in Europe. This pilgrimage offers so many unique experiences, historical and as said, in nature, that travelling this route you will definitely have experienced the significance of being a pilgrim. It is no exaggeration to claim that no one arrives at Santiago de Compostela without being touched both physically and mentally by the magnificent experiences that await each pilgrim on this journey.

Your pilgrimage begins at the Cathedral Sé in Porto, in Porto's Old Quarter with its idyllic streets. Thereafter, you will follow the Duero River to its estuary at the Atlantic Ocean. After a beautiful farewell to Porto, you will walk along the Atlantic Coast, and with the exception of a few detours where the route takes you a little inland, you follow the Atlantic Ocean all the way to City of Vigo. At the end of the Bay of Vigo, you might have a melancholic moment, before saying farewell to the ocean, but you will also look forward to the new expereinces awaiting you as you continue your pilgrimage through the beautiful Galician countryside. On your journey through Spain's most north-western region, you will get to know the authentic Galicia as you pass through beautiful villages, try the famous Galician cuisine with its vast array of seafood, taste the exquisite Albariño wines, and of course, meet the local population and the hospitality shown there.

We have organised this pilgrimage in different stages, where you have the opportunity to hike, cycle or do a combination of both hiking and cycling.

✔Daily Departures all year round.

✔Hotel-to-Hotel Baggage Service is optional.

✔Your personal Pilgrim's Passport.

✔Specially Selected Hotels - always with private bathroom - selected for best location, service and authentic charm.

✔Spain is More Camino Guidebook (which you will receive some weeks before departure) contains practical pilgrim information, suggestions for packing list, recommended restaurants, maps of all cities along The Camino- and hotel location, Pilgrim's Passport/Credential, advice and guidance, service phone numbers and much more, all to make your trip on The Camino an experience of a lifetime!

✔This trip can be combined with other Camino routes.

✔Dividing stages: Yes, always!

✔Day trip to Finisterre.

The services are good along the entire stretch. You will pass through a number of largely populated areas, so that you can buy everything you need.

In the section, "detailed itinerary", you will find more detailed information of each stage, as well as maps of the profiles of each stage with photos.

It includes

From 1.250 Euro/pers.-

Single room supplement: 230 Euro

It includes

8 nights in a double room - always with private bath/toilet.
8 x breakfast.
Bicycle Rental
Waterproof bike panniers
Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
The price includes 1 Spain-is-More-Travel Guidebook per every 4 travellers. More copies can be purchased when booking for 20€ per copy, or 30 euros per copy if the request is less than 6 weeks prior to departure.
Pilgrim Passport / Credencial.
Guided Tour to Finisterre.
24/7 emergency telephone number.
Taxes.

Not included

Some short local bus or taxi journeys, e.g. from airport to bus or train station in the same city.
City tax in Porto (2 eur/pers per night)

Optional

Personalise your Camino: Extended stays, divide stages, transportation to startingpoint from anywhere in the world and back. Please ask us, we will be happy to assist you.
Extension of stay in Porto, Santiago or elsewhere. We recommend you to spend an extra night in Porto before starting your Camino journey. This vibrating city offers a vast varity of gastronomic and cultural experiences. We also recommend you to spend two nights in Vigo or Baiona so you can sail to the "Islas Atlánticas natural park" and experience this amazing place. Ask for further information.
The price include 1 Spain-is-More-Travel Guidebook per every room booked. More copies can be purchased when booking (20€/copy).
Cancellation insurance: available in the trip confirmation process. (can be added when ordering).

Description

To leave Porto the best way is by following the Duero River and the Atlantic Coastline. From the old part of the city you will travel along Portugal's amazing coast. On the first part of this Camino up until the Spanish border, you won't find many ascents and descents. There are only a couple of times, when you move inland to the Portuguse backcountry, that you might find your pulse working a little faster. But even so, the inclines don't last very long.

Most of the time you will travel along the wooden paths next to the Atlantic Coastline to the Spanish Border.

Once you have crossed the border and the Minho River, you will notice a difference in the landscape. This part of the Galician Coastline is rougher with rocks and only a few smaller beaches. But, you will be richly compensated with some breathtaking ocean and mountain views. On this part of your Camino journey you will follow the ocean all the way to one of the biggest fishing ports in the world, Vigo. From here the Camino route takes you inland and converges with the other Portuguese Camino in Redondela.

For a more detailed description of this Camino, please have a look at the itinerary for each day.

More information on Porto - Redondela

After getting to Redondela, the terrain provides slightly more incline than during the previous section. But, you will never climb higher than about 200m. After Ponteveda, you will find some stretches through the beautiful and green Galician woodland. Here the terrain rises and falls while you continue towards Santiago. It's an amazing section of the trip, where you will often pass by Galician vineyards.

More information on Redondela - Santiago

Detailed itinerary

Detailed itinerary (view all days )

Day 1.- Arrival to Porto

After arrival to Porto you will check in at your hotel in the center of Porto.

Your bicycle will be at the hotel upon arrival.

We recommend you mounting your bike the night before you leave for your cycling holiday. All you need do is to unpack your bike and follow the instructions included, basically take the time to adjust the handlebar and pedals.

Remember: Our bikes are delivered with waterproof Ortlieb Panniers, an extra bag mounted on the handlebar for camera, personal items etc. Extra tube and tools for repairs are included.

After preparing for your Cycling Camino Journey, we recommend that you relax and enjoy your first evening in this magnificent Portuguese city.

You will be free to dispose of the rest of the 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.

Day 2.- Porto - Povoa de Varzim 46 Km

Your first day as a pilgrim starts at the Cathedral Sé in the heart of Porto's Old Town, with stunning views of Vila Nova de Gaia and the Port wine houses and their characteristic red brick roofs.

Your route cycles through Porto's Old Town and from there you leave Porto, riding along the Duero River and further on, along the Atlantic coast. This beautiful cycle route takes you out of Porto and you will quickly sense the role the Atlantic Ocean will play on your upcoming pilgrimage. If you feel like having lunch during the route, there are several places to pick from. Otherwise, we suggest bringing some food to enjoy at one the many amazing beaches.

Distance: 46 Km

ALTITUDE PROFILEm

Day 3.- Povoa de Varzim - Viana do Castelo 44 Km

This day’s cycling also takes you a little more inland to the Portuguese countryside, where you will experience beautifully maintained villages, ancient churches and pristine woodlands before you ride again along the breathtaking Portuguese coastline. It is a somewhat hillier route, but, you won't have to go any higher than about 160m! A beautiful and varied stage that takes you to the carefully renovated city, Viana do Castelo.

Distance: 44 Km

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Day 4.- Viana do Castelo - Baiona 58 Km

This day of cycling includes something special, since today you will take the ferry and cross the border between Portugal and Spain. This is also your last day along the stunning Portuguese coast, so you might feel a touch of sadness at the prospect of saying goodbye to all of this natural beauty! We therefore suggest that you plan to take a little break before you leave; find somewhere on the beach or on one of the rocks, look out over the ocean, take a deep breath, and recall the previous days' experiences, before you ride your final few kilometres towards the ferry in Caminha. From A Guarda to Baiona you will cycle along the vast coastline of Galicia and get the sense of the truly enormous power of the Atlantic Ocean.

Distance: 58 Km

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Day 5.- Baiona - Vigo 25 Km

This stage offers you the opportunity to choose between two different routes. You can either take the traditional Camino, that leads you into the countryside, through beautiful forested areas, historic monuments and with great views of the Atlantic Ocean. Or, another option is the "New" Camino, which follows the coast and runs along some of the most beautiful beaches that local Spaniards like to visit during their summer holidays. This route has fewer inclines, but it also includes some spots where you have to follow the main road. The distances are roughly the same for both routes.

Distance: 25 Km

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Day 6.- Vigo - Caldas del Rey 58 Km

After yesterday’s shorter cycling part of the Camino, a little longer route is waiting ahead for you today. From your hotel in Vigo you will start the day with a little climb, where you will also be cycling along the beautiful "La Ruta de Aqua", with spectacular views of the Bay of Vigo (La Ría de Vigo). The Camino takes you through the adorable towns of Redondela and Pontevedra before arriving at Caldas de Reis. Along the way you will cycle through the authentic and incredibly beautiful Galician countryside. Enjoy your experience of beautiful woodland areas and picturesque villages in this area on your pilgrimage to Santiago.

Distance: 58 Km

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Day 7.- Caldas del Rey - Santiago de Compostela 43 Km

This is the last of your pilgrim's stages towards Santiago de Compostela. Whether this is your first pilgrimage, or you have done the Way of Saint James previously, you will notice that there is a very special contrast between excitement about arriving, and, at the same time, an unexplainable peace of mind the closer you get to Santiago, .

The route from Caldas de Reis to Santiago de Compostela starts with some cycling on the main road, but you soon return to the small and charming paths and dirt roads, which you know so well from your earlier days of this cycling pilgrimage. About seven kilometres from Santiago, from a hilltop, you can see the Cathedral of Santiago's two iconic spires for the first time, and from here there is only one way to Santiago.

When you reach the Plaza de Obradoiro in front of the Cathedral, which may already be filled with happy, tired and redeemed pilgrims, you will surely see some of the pilgrims you have met before on your way to Santiago. Maybe you have made new friends along the way, and maybe, you will find that these friendships and the special Camino spirit only gets stronger and better as it develops over time – Buen Camino!

Distance: 43 Km

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Day 8.- Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre

True pilgrims continue 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), is a reef filled with shipwrecks and tales of legends that captures the raw, natural beauty of this place. On the coast’s westernmost point is Finisterre – meaning the "World’s End". Romans named this coast that way because for them, it was literally the end of the known world. For many pilgrims this is the symbolic endpoint of the pilgrimage as well.

The final evening is spent in Santiago de Compostela.

Day 9.- Departure from Santiago

This is the last day of your holidays and also of all of your experiences in this beautiful part of Europe. Undoubtedly, you will be saying goodbye to Portugal and Spain with a little melancholy but must of all, you will be bringing wonderful experiences back home with you.