Coastal Route Camino de Santiago

Day 1: Porto
Day 2: Transfer to Praia da Memória - Póvoa, 12 mi. (20 km)
Day 3: Póvoa - Esposende, 15.5 mi. (25 km)
Day 4: Esposende - Viana do Castelo, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 5: Viana do Castelo - Vila Praia de Âncora, 12 mi. (19 km)
Day 6: Vila Praia de Âncora - Caminha, 6 mi. (9 km)
Day 7: Departure

Option for extension

Day 7: Caminha - Oia, 14 mi. (23 km)
Day 8: Oia - Baiona, 11 mi. (18 km)
Day 9: Departure

Day 1: Porto
Welcome to historical Porto, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Surrounded by the Douro River, the city was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. The famous blue-tile façades of the historical buildings speak of the city's past, known for its wine, bridges, and historic center. A guided city walking tour is available in this capital of culture and tourism. Highlights include the bookstore that influenced J.K Rowling´s Harry Potter, the church and tower of Clérigos, the São Bento train station with its blue and white tiles, the magnificent Stock Exchange Market, and more. Explore the art, heritage, and traditions!

Accommodation: Trindade Hotel

Day 2: Transfer to Praia da Memória - Póvoa, 12 mi. (20 km)
Starting at the monument in Praia da Memória, which represents the landing place of the troops that defended the city of Porto during its long siege in the first half of the XIX century, a 20 km walk awaits. This day’s walk is mostly flat with minor and imperceptible short climbs. It ends in Póvoa de Varzim, a city historically connected to the sea.

Areas of highlights:

• Fish market at Angeiras
• São Paio station
• The small and protected landscape of Vila do Conde Coast
• Mindelo Ornithological Reserve
• Santa Clara’s Monastery in Vila do Conde
• Replica of a Portuguese vessel called Nau in Vila do Conde
• Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Póvoa de Varzim

Preferred accommodation: Grande Hotel da Póvoa

Day 3: Póvoa - Esposende, 16 mi. (25 km)
As you walk from Póvoa de Varzim to Esposende, you enjoy once again a flat route. Half of the day will be near the North Coast Natural Park, which goes from south of Apúlia to the mouth of the river Neiva. This walk highlights an urbanized coastal area, with a decent amount of cobblestone roads, through farmland and paths near the beach. Some of the areas that might spark your interest during the day are the Masseira agriculture fields (a unique form of agriculture practiced in the dunes around this area) and the fort of São João Baptista in Esposende.

Preferred accommodation: Suave mar

Day 4: Esposende - Viana do Castelo, 16 mi. (26 km)
Leaving Esposende, a route with several ups and downs awaits. You will pass through various villages and some delightful sections of woodland and rivers. The chapel of Senhora do Castro, located about halfway, will be a highlight and offers a spectacular view of the beautiful mountainous landscape. Historic Viana do Castelo, recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the north of Portugal, is your destination for the day. Its medieval historic center is graced with ornate religious buildings, 17th-century villas, and cobbled streets. High on the Monte de Santa Luzia hill, overlooking the city and providing stunning views, is the Santuário de Santa Luzia, a neo-byzantine church.

Preferred accommodation: Melo Alvim

Day 5: Viana do Castelo - Vila Praia de Âncora,  12 mi. (19 km)
Departing from Viana do Castelo, nineteen kilometers separate Viana and Vila Praia de Âncora. You walk mainly on dirt paths and cobblestone roads leading inland through a string of hillside villages. The lighthouse of Montedor and the Dolmen of Barrosa will be highlighted today.

Preferred accommodation:  Hotel Meira

Day 6: Vila Praia de Âncora - Caminha, 6 mi. (9 km)
You start your day crossing the famous Lima Bridge. Continuing along the coast, the walk today gets to the heart of the river that divides Portugal and Spain in their northernmost frontier. This is an easy walk, short in distance and elevation. Yesterday you could at times see Spain from afar, but today, it is clearly visible. Some of the areas that might spark your interest during the day are the chapel of Santo Isidoro, the wayside cross of Santo Isidoro, the Camarido woods through which you walk, the chapel of N. S. das Areias, and the village of Caminha itself.

Preferred accommodation: Portas do Sol

Day 7: Departure

Extension option

Day 7: Caminha - Oia, 14 mi. (23 km)
If there’s time, 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 great place to sample fresh seafood. Follow the Camino through the town's center and out towards the rugged coastline. You walk coastal paths, forest tracks, and tarmac roads to reach the small beachfront village of Oia, dominated by its 12th-century monastery.

Preferred accommodation: Glasgow

Day 8: Oia - Baiona, 11 mi. (18 km)
Today's walk is much like yesterday's hike. You follow the same road, although a big portion of the walk is done on the main road. The same protective shoulder exists every time the path merges with the road. A considerable portion of the path is paved. Several highlights grace today; the lighthouse of Cabo Silleiro, the coastal artillery of Cabo Silleiro, the statue of Virxe da Rocha, the castle of Monterreal, which is the location of your overnight hotel, and the museum of the Carabela La Pinta.

Baiona is an elegant fishing village with a lovely promenade.

Preferred accommodation: Parador de Baiona

Day 9: Departure

Day 1: Baiona
Day 2: Baiona - Vigo, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 3: Vigo - Redondela, 11 mi. (17 km)
Day 4: Redondela - Pontevedra, 13 mi. (21 km)
Day 5: Pontevedra - Caldas de reis, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 6: Caldas de Reis - Padrón, 9 mi. (14 km)
Day 7: Padrón - Santiago de Compostela, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 8: Departure

Day 1: Baiona
Baiona is a lovely resort town with lots of history and a vacation vibe. Your historic accommodation at the Parador de Baiona will be a highlight of your entire experience.

Preferred accommodation: Parador de Baiona 

Day 2: Baiona - Vigo, 16 mi. (25 km)
The path departs from Baiona towards Vigo. Once you leave the residential areas around Baiona, the terrain becomes more rural with villages and patches of woodland. There is a brief section along a busy road after which you’ll be among villages on the approach to Vigo. The Camino takes you through Castrelos Park to avoid walking through the city. As you approach Vigo, you will come across Senda dos Lagares, a beautiful place near the river. Other highlights are the monument to Elduayen, the monument to Jules Verne, the hill fort of Vigo, the Stone Market, and the Co-Cathedral of Santa María. Tonight you will be accommodated next to the port.

Preferred accommodation: Ac Hotel Palacio Universal

Day 3: Vigo – Redondela, 14 mi. (23 km)
The flat days are now left behind and the path starts to deviate from the coastal side, becoming noticeably more hilly, including Penide Hill, the highest point at 430 meters. After that accomplishment, it is a quick downhill and then a walk through the valley. Some of the areas that might spark your interest during the day are the oyster nursery areas near Vigo at the ocean entrance and the zoo of Vigo called Vigozoo.

This region is home to Chan de Castiñeiras, also known as the Mámoa del Rey, a  huge megalithic tombstone and the best-preserved burial mound of this megalithic necropolis. 

Here in Redondela, the Portugues Coastal Route meets up with the inland route.

Preferred accommodation: Pazo de Agrelo

Day 4: Redondela – Pontevedra, 13 mi. (21 km)
The hills are here to stay and as such this walk is no exception. With a cumulative total of 670 m of uphill and downhill, a lot of the walk is on dirt or secondary paths. There are two main hills between 160 and 140 m to conquer during this walk. Climb through the woods before heading down to Arcade, a riverside town famous for its oysters. Leave Arcade via its iconic bridge. Follow ancient stone paths up through another forest then take a scenic detour along the River Tomeza to approach Pontevedra surrounded by birdsong and greenery instead of traffic. Explore the historical city center, its atmospheric squares, and tapas bars.

Preferred accommodation: Parador Pontevedra

Day 5: Pontevedra – Caldas de reis, 16 mi. (25 km)
From this day forward, you will note a change in the route as from now on you follow the back roads to get to Santiago. Many of the roads are specific for the pilgrimage. There are many dirt paths, mixed with paved secondary streets and the occasional walk on the main road. There are two main uphill areas, one occurring at the end of the walk to get to the hotel. Some of the areas that might spark your interest during the day are the church of San Cristobal De Briallos, the thermal fountain of las Burgas in Caldas de Rei, the church of San Tomé Becket, the caballeria of Caldas de Reis, a small garden in the town, and the paths that follow along the river.

Preferred accommodation: Torre do Rio

Day 6: Caldas de Reis – Padrón, 9 mi. (14 km)
Begin the day with an easy ascent through a series of small villages and the delightful Valga forest. Several impressive churches and stone crosses line the route to the riverside town of Padrón. With a total cumulative height of 530 m, this walk has only one major hill to conquer and a big downhill at the start. The walk feels much like the previous one in the type of roads and paths that are traversed. You pass through a picturesque rural area and a section of forest to finally reach the riverside spa town of Caldas de Reis. Bathe your weary feet in the thermal spring when you reach the main square.

Preferred accommodation: 4* Pazo de Lestrove

Day 7: Padrón – Santiago de Compostela,  16 mi. (25 km)
The last day is finally here. The walk towards Santiago might be one of the most challenging so far, with a cumulative height of 620 m, mostly uphill. The goal is in sight! You walk largely through the countryside and woodlands. Only the final few kilometers are in busy urban areas and once you enter the ancient narrow streets, the atmosphere changes as you approach the cathedral square.

Preferred accommodation: 4 *Hotel Compostela

Day 8: Departure

Day 1: Porto
Day 2: Transfer to Praia da Memória -  Póvoa, 12 mi. ( 20 km)
Day 3: Póvoa - Esposende, 16 mi.  25 km
Day 4: Esposende - Viana do Castelo, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 5: Viana do Castelo - Vila Praia de Âncora, 12 mi. (19 km)
Day 6: Vila Praia de Âncora - Caminha, 6 mi. (9 km)
Day 7: Caminha - Oia, 14 mi. (23 km)
Day 8: Oia - Baiona, 11 mi. (18 km)
Day 9: Baiona - Vigo, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 10: Vigo - Redondela, 11 mi. (17 km)
Day 11: Redondela - Pontevedra, 13 mi. (21 km)
Day 12: Pontevedra - Caldas de reis, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 13: Caldas de Reis - Padrón, 9 mi. (14 km)
Day 14: Padrón - Santiago de Compostela, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 15: Departure

For this longer combined itinerary, may we suggest booking a rest day (Day 9) in Baiona?  This will lengthen the itinerary to 16 days. We can provide pricing for this extra overnight on request at the elegant restored Parador de Baiona. For those booking into a preexisting guided group, this may not be possible