The Camino Portugués
Journey from Portugal to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino Portugués, a fully guided pilgrimage through charming villages, spectacular scenery, and the rich cultures of two countries.
"An amazing trip following the Portuguese route to Santiago (…) my second time using Andaspain and another unforgettable experience."
Overview of the Camino Portugués
The Camino Portugués is an enchanting, unique, and peaceful alternative to the buzzing excitement of the Camino Francés. Over 155 km and 10 days, you will get to know the quaint hamlets, bucolic country lanes, lush forests, picturesque coasts, and historic towns of both Portugal and Spain. You will eat the best food that these countries have to offer and wake up feeling fully refreshed in charming traditional hotels and manor homes.
Where the Camino Portugués goes
Our adventure begins in Porto, one of Portugal’s most renowned cities. There, you’ll meet your Andaspain guide(s) and fellow pilgrims before traveling to Ponte de Lima, where we start our walk. Over the next few days, we will enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of Portugal with dishes such as the sweet pasteis de natas and the fish dish, bachalhau a bras.
After crossing into Spain over the international bridge of the Río Minho, we will finish our walk in the verdant oasis of Galicia. Here, you can indulge in the famed Galician wines (both red and white), abundant seafood from the Atlantic, and flavorful cheeses. Our pilgrims always highlight the food as central to their experience of The Camino. We choose only the best restaurants for your tour, and when it’s time for you to explore the cuisine on your own, we will give you recommendations and assistance in ordering.
Where you will sleep
Besides the food, our pilgrims love our accommodations. Every hotel, converted monastery, parador, and manor house is meticulously chosen for its proximity to the Camino and its charm. Whenever possible, we opt for accommodation that perfectly embodies the best that the region has to offer in traditional food, service, & architecture. You can always count on a peaceful and comfortable night’s sleep on any Andaspain tour.
Receiving the Compostela
You will complete your tour in the Plaza de Obradoiro and present yourself in the Pilgrim’s Office to receive a Compostela certificate issued by the Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela. This coveted certificate attests to the completion of the pilgrimage and is available to all who cover at least the last 100 km of any Camino de Santiago route. Finally, you will end your journey with a tour of the famed Cathedral of Santiago and a celebratory good-bye dinner.
What your tour includes
The Camino Portugués is a fully supported walking tour of the Camino de Santiago. From Porto to Santiago de Compostela, we handle all luggage and transportation. When you leave your bags with your guide in the morning, rest assured they will be waiting for you in your next hotel room at the end of the day.
Each tour also features a support vehicle, which will meet you at various checkpoints throughout the day to provide you with water, delicious energizing snacks, and access to other essentials that you can store in a day bag.
Last but not least, your Andaspain guide(s) will be there with you every step of the way. All of our guides are passionate Camino experts, fully bilingual, and ready to make your experience truly one to remember.
The Camino Portugués is a one-of-a-kind variant of the Camino de Santiago and we can’t wait to share this amazing route with you.
Day 1: Shuttle from Porto to Ponte de Lima
Distance: shuttle 85 km / 53 mi
Tour Start
We will all meet in Porto’s city center. From here, we drive an hour and a half to Ponte de Lima and check in to our accommodation. Once you get settled, we will have a welcome meeting to learn about the Camino, get to know your fellow group members and have the opportunity to ask any questions.
Overnight: Ponte de Lima
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Walk from Ponte de Lima to Rubiães
Distance: 18.6 km / 11.6 mi
Your first walking day is one of the more challenging, but beautiful days. Through stunning waterfalls and luscious forests we climb to our highest point of the day, La Bruja (Witch Mountain). We then finish in the town of Rubiães, where we shuttle back to our hotel.
Overnight: Ponte de Lima
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Walk from Rubiães to Tui
Distance: 19 km / 11.8 mi
Your legs will get a break from yesterday’s workout as you stroll along ancient Roman roads framed by cork trees. The day concludes with the excitement of crossing over the international bridge between Portugal and Spain. From there, we will walk to our hotel in Tui.
Overnight: Tui
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Walk from Tui to O Porriño
Distance: 19.8 km / 12.3 mi
Today is a short and easy walk through beautiful greenery as we weave our way along the river Louro. We arrive in O Porriño, an important industrial town known for its production of granite. From here, we shuttle back to our hotel in Tui.
Overnight: Tui
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Walk from O Porriño to Cesantes
Distance: 19.2 km / 12 mi
Today, you will pass through eucalyptus forests and historical towns before reaching our destination of Cesantes. From here, we shuttle ahead to Pontevedra, where we stay for the night.
Overnight: Pontevedra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Walk from Cesantes to Pontevedra
Distance: 17 km / 10.6 mi
Today, we weave our way through forest paths, over bridges, and across charming plazas before reaching the city of Pontevedra. Here, we will walk right up to our hotel.
Overnight: Pontevedra
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Walk from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis
Distance: 22 km / 13.8 mi
Today, we take you slightly off the Camino to visit the beautiful waterfalls inside the Río Barosa Nature Park. We finish our walk in the small town of Caldas de Reis, where you can revive your tired feat in the curative waters of the famous hot springs.
Overnight: Caldas de Reis
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Walk from Caldas de Reis to Esclavitud
Distance: 25.5 km / 15.8 mi
Today, we make a special stop in Padrón, the town where Saint James started his ministry and where legend says that his remains arrived in a boat from Jerusalem. We will make sure you get to taste the local pulpo, or octopus, and the famous Padrón peppers, along with many other local delights. We finish our walking day in Esclavitud and return to our casa rural in Caldas de Reis.
Overnight: Caldas de Reis
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Walk from Esclavitud to Santiago de Compostela
Distance: 19.2 km / 12 mi
Today marks the end of your pilgrimage! Congratulations! This afternoon, you will arrive at km 0 in the famous Plaza del Obradoiro. While you check in to the hotel, your guide will head to the pilgrim’s office to get your Compostela certificate. Tonight, you can choose to attend the Pilgrim’s Mass before a celebratory dinner at our favorite restaurant in old town Santiago.
Overnight: Santiago de Compostela
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Tour End
Distance: Tour End
Tour End
This morning, we will head to the most famous destination in Santiago and take a private guided tour of the Cathedral and surrounding area. This tour runs approx. 1-2 hours.
Finally, it’s time to say good-bye to our Camino family. We hope that you walk away with a great sense of accomplishment, new lifelong friendships, and many treasured memories. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for experiencing this magical journey with us at Andaspain and we look forward to seeing you back on the Camino someday.
Extra nights on request.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included on your tour
- 9 nights’ accommodation
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners, including wine and other drinks (While we guarantee the number of meals provided, the schedule outlined in the daily itinerary is subject to change based on restaurant availability, weather, and other factors)
- Pick up in Porto center and transfer to Ponte de Lima
- Guided private tour of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela
- Water and snacks along the way
- Luggage transport (limited to one 23 kg / 50 lb piece of luggage per person)
- English and Spanish speaking guide(s)
- The Pilgrim’s Credencial, or Pilgrim’s Passport, and scallop shell
- Camino Portugués Guide Book
What’s not included
- Travel to the start of your tour or from its end
- Meals and drinks not included in your tour
- Extra items purchased on your behalf by your Andaspain guide
- Guide gratuity (160 EUR/person/guide is suggested)
- Additional activities not outlined in the What’s Included section
Highlights of the Camino Portugués
- Discover the vibrant cities and quaint towns of Portugal and Spain.
- Rejuvenate in the hot thermal spring of Caldas de Reis.
- Bask in the breathtaking beauty of the waterfalls in Río Barosa Nature Park.
- Forge lasting relationships with fellow pilgrims from around the world as you walk this unique route of the Camino de Santiago.
- Visit Padrón, the town where Saint James started his ministry in the Iberian Peninsula.
- Learn the legend of his remains, which are alleged to have arrived in a boat from Jerusalem.
- Celebrate your pilgrimage at your destination, the Plaza de Obradoiro, and receive your Compostela certificate.
- Take a private tour of the Cathedral of Santiago and lose yourself in its captivating history, art, and architecture.
Facts about your tour
- Trip Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
- Walking Distance: 155 km / 96 mi
- Meeting Point: Porto
- Departure City: Ponte de Lima
- Arrival City: Santiago de Compostela
- Tour Availability: Guided group tour with fixed trip dates
- Accommodation: Excellent hotels, casas rurales, pazos and manor houses
- Transportation: Van or bus (depending on group size)
- Language: English
- Guides: English, Portuguese and Spanish-speaking Camino experts
- Walking Hours: 6-8 hours per day
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Compostela?
After walking at least the Last 100 Kilometers of the Camino de Santiago, walkers can apply for a Compostela certificate issued by the Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela at the Pilgrim’s Office.
Can I add extra nights to my trip?
It is certainly possible for you to reserve additional nights in hotels before and after your trip. If you are traveling at a busy time of year or to popular destinations (such as Santiago de Compostela), it’s best to reserve beforehand. We can help if you need advice or assistance booking a room – just let us know.
How flexible is the itinerary?
We want to ensure that you have the best experience possible. For this reason, some of the activities outlined on the itinerary are weather dependent. If weather interferes with our original plan (a picnic lunch, for example), we will do another comparable activity, such as eat lunch together at a restaurant. If you would like to expand the itinerary with additional activities, please get in touch with us and we will see if it is possible to do while on your guided group trip. For completely customizable itineraries, we offer both private guided tours and self-guided tours.
How difficult is The Camino Portugués?
This part of the Camino is very well marked and follows mainly forest trails, paths between villages and some secondary roads. While this section of Portugal and Spain is not a mountainous region, it has its fair share of hills. You will be walking up and down a lot, so a reasonable level of fitness is necessary. The distances we plan for you are the same as the typical stages of the Camino.
What is the weather like in Galicia?
The north of Portugal and Spain does not experience the scorching temperatures typical of the central and southern region. This area has an oceanic climate with mild temperatures and regular rainfall.
Who are our guides?
Before becoming guides, everyone at Andaspain was a pilgrim. In fact, most of us spent a few years on the Camino before setting out to help others do the same. We consider the Camino de Santiago a life-changing experience, and our aim is to share it with you. All our guided walking tours are led by qualified and bilingual guides.
I would prefer to walk less each day, what can I do?
All of our guided tours include van support so if you ever feel too tired to walk, you can shuttle ahead to the lunch spot or your hotel. However, if you would prefer a tour at a different pace, we would be happy to customize a self-guided or private group tour for you.
What is the typical size of the guided group tours?
Our guided group tours are available from 6-15 participants and the number of guides we allocate per tour depends on the group size. We strive to have one guide per every 7-8 participants.
Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk and Release
This document contains a complete release of liability. Read it carefully before agreeing below.
The undersigned understands and agrees that the travel to foreign countries including remote and underdeveloped areas and related activities that I have chosen to take and engage in with Andaspain LLC and its affiliates are potentially hazardous and dangerous activities and carry a significant risk of serious personal injury, death, or property damage. I also know that there are natural, mechanical and environmental conditions and risks which independently or in combination with my activities may cause property damage or severe or even fatal injuries to me or others.
In consideration of Andaspain LLC and affiliates agreeing to permit me to participate in the travel, hiking, sightseeing, walking and related activities and other good and valuable consideration, I agree that I am responsible for: (a) my safety while participating in activities undertaken with Andaspain LLC and its employees, and (b) providing, utilizing, and maintaining all equipment necessary for the safe enjoyment of my participation in such events and specifically acknowledge that the following persons or entities including Andaspain LLC, or its employees, agents, representatives and subcontractors or affiliates are not responsible for my safety.
By agreeing to this Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risk I acknowledge that I understand that any and all risk is expressly assumed by me, and all claims are expressly waived in advance. Additionally I understand completely and fully the terms and conditions and agree to be bound by them.
Andaspain LLC strongly encourages participants to purchase travel insurance including trip cancellation coverage.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
If you have to cancel your trip, we require the cancellation in writing. We will calculate the refund, where due, based on the day we receive your written cancellation.
The following charges will apply.
Cancellations received 121 or more days prior to trip start date: 10% of trip price
Cancellations received 120 – 91 days prior to trip start date: 15% of trip price
Cancellations received 90 – 61 days prior to trip start date: 50% of trip price
Cancellations received 60 days or less prior to trip start date: 100% of trip Price
Andaspain LLC reserves the right to cancel any of our trips due to insufficient participants – our minimum number of participants is four.
If Andaspain LLC has to cancel a trip for any reason, including insufficient number of participants, the full amount you paid to us will be refunded to you.