Coastal Portuguese Way from Oporto

Route for Pilgrims

Day 1: Arrival in Porto

You can arrive Porto by your own or in case you want it, we can arrange your transfer from the airport or from any station you are. In case you make it with time, many relevant spots awaits to be visited. Moreover, the wide ranfe of gastronomic delights will allow you to start the Camino with plenty of energy!

Day 2: Stage Porto – Labruge

This stage is not particularly difficult, although there are quite a few kilometres ahead of us. In fact, some pilgrims prefer to divide it into two days and spend the night in an intermediate location. In any case, in this stage we will ride at all times close to the coast and along fairly flat routes, between wooden footbridges and cycle paths that will allow us to enjoy the best views of the Atlantic Ocean beaches.

Day 3: Stage Labruge – Póvoa de Varzim

We continue through another simple stage along the coastline on wooden walkways that allows us to visit the town of Vila do Conde, with a beautiful historic centre and a great cultural heritage in which its aqueduct of 999 arches, the convent of Santa Clara or the fortress of San Juan stand out. Further on, when we reach Póvoa de Varzim, we can also appreciate its beautiful heritage and monuments.

Day 4: Stage Póvoa de Varzim – Esposende

We leave Póvoa de Varzim to continue along a stage which, although not one of the most beautiful, will be very varied. We will pass through some stretches of road and on cobblestones, but also along boardwalks, wooden walkways over beaches or dirt paths, which will make this route much more entertaining.

Day 5: Satge Esposende – Viana do Castelo

A stage in which we will not have beaches or sea views during its 25 km of route, but which will not leave us without enjoying beautiful landscapes, such as the path that takes us down to the Neiva River, on a platform of stone slabs, or the old town of Viana do Castelo at the end of this stage of the Portuguese Coastal Route.

Day 6: Stage Viana do Castelo – Caminha

The last stage in Portugal gives us the possibility to choose between the official route through the interior, following the yellow arrows, or the one that deviates along the coast, to walk along footbridges near the sea. Whichever option you choose, don’t forget to enjoy the best Portuguese cuisine while visiting the beautiful old town of Caminha, before leaving the country.

Day 7: Stage Caminha – Porto Mougás

We begin the first stage in Galicia by taking the ferry to cross the river Minho, which serves as the border between Spain and Portugal. Once in Galicia, we can enjoy the viewpoints overlooking the sea and some very photogenic and unique stretches, such as the old town of the beautiful village of A Guarda or the Monastery of Santa María de Oia.

Day 8: Stage Porto Mougás – A Ramallosa

In this stage we will walk through the mountains enjoying beautiful views, as well as passing through the town of Baiona, an obligatory stop. The entrance to A Ramallosa is across the river Miño via a beautiful 13th century Romanesque bridge with ten arches, in the centre of which we find the figure of San Telmo.

Day 9: Stage A Ramallosa – Vigo

In this stage from A Ramallosa, as soon as we cross the medieval bridge, we will have to choose between arriving in Vigo following the yellow arrows of the official route, or following the green arrows of the coastal route. If we opt for this alternative, we will be able to appreciate the beautiful views of the last beaches along the way and the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 10: Stage Vigo – Redondela

The beginning of this stage, at the exit of Vigo, offers beautiful panoramic views of the estuary, on a wooded route along the Senda da Traída das Augas. This is also the last stage of the Portuguese Way of the Coast, since at the height of Redondela we will meet the pilgrims of the Portuguese Way of the interior that will accompany us until our arrival in Santiago de Compostela.

Day 11: Stage Redondela – Pontevedra

A short stage of only 19 km with no major difficulties awaits us, well signposted and of an urban nature. We will pass through Arcade, a town famous for its oysters, cross the historic medieval bridge of Pontesampaio, and enter the beautiful city of Pontevedra, passing first along the Senda Fluvial do Rio dos Gafos, surrounded by lush vegetation.

Day 12: Stage Pontevedra – Caldas de Reis

We will leave the beautiful historic centre of Pontevedra from the church of the Virgen Peregrina passing by the Puente do Burgo, to continue through typical Galician villages in a stage that is also simple and short like the previous day. About 3 kms further on we will have the option of taking the Spiritual Variant. Caldas de Reis, a town known for its thermal spas, awaits us at the end of the day.

Day 13: Stage Caldas de Reis – Padrón

Again, a short section but with more gradients than the previous one. We will have to continue again on the asphalt of the N-550, but we will also pass through one of the most beautiful wooded sections of this variant, in this stage that takes us into the province of A Coruña, bringing us a little closer to the Galician capital. On our arrival in Padrón, we can taste its famous peppers or visit the House Museum of Rosalía de Castro.

Day 14: Stage Padrón – Santiago de Compostela

Our destination is very close, but first we will have to travel on tarmac and in urban areas, as well as walking a long way along a national road. The greatest difficulty awaits us on the ascent to Agro dos Monteiros, at the height of O Milladoiro. After this climb in the second part of the stage, we continue to enter Santiago de Compostela at last and reach the Plaza del Obradoiro via the famous Rúa do Franco.

Day 15: Santiago de Compostela

After enjoying breakfast at your accommodation, we will have the day at leisure to visit all the main points of interest in the Galician capital, from the Cathedral to the Mercado de Abastos or the Plaza de Platerías, as well as the many bars and restaurants in the old town.