The second most common of the routes on the Camino de Santiago, is the Portuguese route starting in Lisbon, 608km from Santiago de Compostella. Of the many pilgrim paths to Santiago de Compostella, The Portuguese route is probably the most synonymous with the life and teaching of St. James. Much of the old traditional route follows ancient Roman roads that linked this region of Portugal and Spain. The popular way from Porto was historically used by the local populations and by those who arrived in the local ports, en route to achieving their Compostella in Santiago.
Route: For this leg of the journey we will be starting from Porto along the Atlantic coast, through fishing villages, coastal towns and harbour cities. We will travel along beaches, through dunes, traditional Portuguese farming regions and woodland paths over rivers and streams and then finally when we meet the Rio Minho that acts as the border in this region between Portugal and Spain we will turn and follow its banks to meet the traditional Camino Central in Valença.
Prices / Dates
Price: €759 per person sharing
Single Supplement: +€350
Tour Dates 2023: Saturday 7th to Saturday 14th of October
Tour Dates 2024: Saturday 5th to Saturday 12th of October
Tour Grade: Easy to Moderate
Accommodation: Hotel & Guesthouse
Included / Excluded
- 7 nights bed & breakfast
- All accommodation is pre-booked in approved hotels guesthouses with all rooms en-suite, private rooms.
- 6 Guided Walks.
- Transfers from Valença to Porto Airport
- Luggage transfers daily while you walk with a small day pack.
- Packed Lunches
- Evening Meals
Our tour will start in Porto City Centre at 1pm. You can get to Porto directly by air or by train from the Portuguese capital Lisbon.
Once we meet up we will be introduced to the richness and heritage of one of Europe’s oldest tourist destinations by a local guide before relaxing into the evening.
Our day will start with a short transfer to the coastal village of Matosinhos and crossing the Rio Leça and with the lighthouse of Farol da Boa Nova ahead our camino journey begins along the coastal paths to Vila do Conde
Walking distance: 22 km 13.75 miles Assent 200m
Our journey continues on this relatively flat stage through the masseiras - a unique form of traditional farms practiced in the area. The days walk relatively flat along boardwalk and path takes us to the beautiful seaside town of Esposende
Walking distance: 24 km 15 miles Assent 400m
We journey slightly inland from the coast today and the path takes us along quiet country lanes and woodland paths over rivers and streams. Our overnight for the day is the beautiful northern Portuguese city of Viana do Castelo on the shores of the River Lima.
Walking distance: 26 km 16 miles Assent 350m
We depart Viana do Castelo by the harbour to the beach promenade at Praia Norte and our route for most of the day follows along beach paths and sand dunes of the North Portuguese coast to our overnight stay in Ãncora.
Walking distance: 19 km 11.8 miles Assent 400m
Departing Ãncora we follow the Atlantic coastline for the last time to Caminha where we meet the Rio Minho. Along the river which provides the border between Portugal and Spain we will follow a path along the riverbank to our overnight stay in Vila Nova de Cerveira.
Walking distance: 24 km 15 miles Assent 150m
Our last day on this leg of our Camino follows further inland along the banks of the Rio Minho. We will follow boardwalks, disused rail tracks and over medieval bridges before a short climb to our end in the border town of Valença.
Walking distance: 15.5 km 9.6 miles Assent 200m
After breakfast we will depart Valença to Porto airport.
Or if you wish you can join us in Sarria on the last 100km of the Camino Frances to Santiago!!!
