THE CAMINO COASTAL PORTUGUÉS – PORTO TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
ABOUT THE CAMINO COASTAL PORTUGUÉS
Embark on an extraordinary two-country pilgrimage along 271 kilometers (169 miles) of windswept coastline, stretching from Portugal’s stunning northern shores to the enchanting province of Galicia, Spain. Your journey begins in the vibrant city of Porto and continues northward into the mystical Celtic lands of Galicia. You will explore picturesque towns like Viana do Castelo, Vigo, Pontevedra, and Padrón before arriving in the legendary city of Santiago de Compostela.
Historically, the Camino Portugués became fashionable in the 14th century after Queen Isabel of Portugal made the pilgrimage. Today, the Coastal Camino thrives as more travelers discover its beauty, serenity, and spiritual depth. Boardwalks and serene beaches characterize the Portuguese section of the Camino while rolling hills, majestic rivers, and tranquil forests await you in Galicia.
Our pilgrims always highlight the food as central to their Camino experience. On the Camino Portugués, you get the bonus of experiencing the best cuisine that both Portugal and Spain have to offer. Enjoy Portuguese specialities, such as the sweet pasteis de natas or the fish dish, bacalhau a bras. In Spain, you can indulge in the famed Galician wines (both red and white), abundant seafood from the Atlantic, and flavorful cheeses. We choose only the best restaurants for your tour, and will be there to guide you through this enriching culinary journey.
Each day concludes in elegant accommodations, handpicked for their proximity to the Camino, charm, and quality of service. We try to use small rural farmhouses or manor houses wherever possible. These are similar to bed and breakfasts and are usually traditional houses typical of the region, full of character and run by locals.
On this tour, you will be covering 271 km/169 mi over 16 days, so we recommend a reasonable level of fitness. Having said that, we ease the load by handling all luggage transport. You simply leave your bags with your guide in the morning and we will take them to the next hotel. Our support van will also meet you at checkpoints throughout the day so you can refuel with water and snacks as well as access your day bag.
This tour is fully guided, ensuring your adventure is seamless from start to finish. We take care of every detail so all you need to do is lace up your walking shoes, let the spirit of adventure guide you, and become part of this timeless tradition. The Camino isn’t just a journey; it’s a story you’ll cherish forever.
PRICE
- Price per person sharing a double/twin room: 6200 EUR
- Price per person for a private room: 7700 EUR
TRIP FACTS
- Trip Duration: 16 days/15 nights
- Walking Distance: 271 km/169 mi
- Departure City: Porto
- 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: 5-7 hours per day
HIGHLIGHTS
- Guided city tours of Porto and Pontevedra.
- Guided tour of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
- Being a part of the Camino! You will be walking with people from all over the world all heading to the same place – one of the things that make the Coastal Camino Portugués so special.
- Walking in two countries and crossing the border by boat! The landscape, architecture, language, cuisine, and climate change as you move northwards and into Spain.
- The many monuments, chapels, churches, and cathedrals marking the way, from the magnificent 12th-century cathedral of Porto to the Misericórdia in Viana de Castelo and the Santuario de la Virgen Peregrina in Pontevedra.
- The wild Atlantic Ocean as your travel companion for much of the way with enormous white sand beaches and rocky inlets.
- Arriving at the Plaza de Obradoiro to see the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, along with the familiar faces of all the other pilgrims who have, like you, walked hundreds of miles to get there!
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
READY TO START WALKING?
- 15 nights’ accommodation
- All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 9 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)
- Guided city tours of Porto and Pontevedra
- Guided tour of the Cathedral de Santiago
- 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
- Extraneous items purchased on your behalf by your Andaspain guide
- Guide gratuity (250 EUR/person/guide is suggested)
- Additional activities not outlined in the What’s Included section
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
The Camino Portugués is well-marked and has plenty of places to rest along the way. While it is certainly not a mountainous region, Northern Portugal and Galicia are only flat right alongside the ocean, and sometimes not even then. The varied terrain includes boardwalks, sand, rocky footpaths, surfaced roads, cobblestones, and gravel roads. It is a long-distance walk so you will want to train and build up your stamina to become comfortably accustomed to covering a lot of ground each day! The distances we plan for you are the typical etapas or stages of the Camino. However, the distances are approximate and will partly depend on the location of our accommodation.