Portuguese Coastal Way: Stage 1

The starting point is the city of Oporto, considered the Northern capital of Portugal, with its many touristic attractions and all the services you need to start your Portuguese Coastal Way. First of all, you will need to follow the coastal line until reaching the mouth of river Douro, in A Foz do Douro. Next you will be passing by the Forte de São Francisco Xavier, also known as Castelo do Queijo, right before the beach in the city of Matosinhos, which belongs to the Oporto district. This is a good place for a first stop.

You will be leaving Matosinhos by a metal bridge, continuing the Coastal Way. From here, you will change the urban and industrial surroundings of Oporto for smaller places such as Leça de Palmeira, Lavra, where the quiet atmosphere is predominant and you can find parks, churches and chapels to put your stamp on your credential.

Following the wooden walkways you will be soon at Angeiras and lately at Labruge. These are points chosen by many pilgrims to end the stage as, despite being small locations, they have bars, supermarkets and campings to spend the night.

In case you decide to walk on for the 13 kms left to Póvoa do Varzim, you will need to pass by Castro de Sampaio, and old settlement from the Iron Age. Then you will see Mindelo’s Bird Sanctuary and Vila do Conde. Póvoa do Varzim will be the next and last stop of this long stage, where you can rest and enjoy its heritage.

Bear in mind

This stage has two different variants: one inland, the most historical but monotonous, and the coastal one, where you will see many coastal landscapes. Your choice will depend on you.