- Overview
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Walking: 155 km / 96,3 miles
Itineraries
Day 1
PORTO
Our Portuguese Camino tour starts in the lively city of Porto in Portugal, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO, with its magnificent historic buildings and bridges over the navigable Douro river and Port wine cellars on its banks, streets full of shops, restaurants and bars with a pleasant atmosphere. We meet at our hotel to enjoy a welcome meeting. After reviewing the tour logistics we stroll through the main places of the old city, among them, the 12th century Cathedral, the Sé, with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque elements. After having our Pilgrim Passports stamped at the Cathedral we wind our way down to the port for a relaxing one-hour cruise upon the Douro river. Our day will end with a welcome group dinner in a restaurant located at the riverfront and a toast with Porto wine, of course!!
- Walking: No long distance
- Accommodation: Porto /D/
Day 2
PORTO- VILARINHO-SAO PEDRO DE RATES
In the morning we transfer to the village of Vilarinho, where we commence our Camino walk. With our gear on, we wish each other ´Bon Caminho´, the greeting among pilgrims. Today we cross the first of many medieval
bridges that we encounter on our journey, we walk via country lanes and hamlets to the tiny Arcos with its attractive church and blue tiled façade. Our destination is the small town of Sao Pedro de Rates where there is time to visit the parish church built on the 11th Century. We stay the night at the neighboring Vila do Conde, a seaside town with narrow cobbled alleyways, a well preserved fishing quarter and a museum of hand-made lace.
- Walking: 11,5 km / 7,5 miles
- Accommodation: Vila do Conde /B/D
Day 3
SARRIA-PORTOMARÍN
After transferring back to Sao Pedro de Rates, we walk via sheltered woodland paths and vineyards to Pedra Furada. In the afternoon we walk on through eucalyptus forests to the charming town of Barcelos, known today as the home of the legendary cockerel that has become a national symbol and as host of one of the liveliest markets in Portugal. After setting in our hotel there is time to wander the delightful streets and visit the open-air archaeological museum.
- Walking: 18 km / 11,2 miles
- Accommodation: Barcelos /B/D
Day 4
BARCELOS-PONTE DE LIMA
After visiting the famous weekly market, our Camino takes us through the Neiva and Lima valleys to Ponte de Lima. This is one of the most beautiful stages of the Camino with forests tracks and vineyards, an area of intense wine activity. Ponte de Lima is the capital of the Portuguese Vinho Verde, green wine, also is one of the cities with more character and charm of Northern Portugal. It has a long history that is reflected in its old houses and impressive religious buildings. A picturesque medieval town with narrow cobbled streets and a historic bridge with 16 arches, four of which are of original Roman construction. Arriving on foot along the shady tree-lined path beside the river is memorable. Before dinner there is time to explore its ancient streetcape and of course, taste the famous Vinho Verde!!
- Walking: 23 km / 14,5 miles
- Accommodation: Ponte de Lima /B/D
Day 5
PONTE DE LIMA – RUBIAES
This is also one of the most interesting and beautiful stages of the Portuguese Camino. Today we face the Alto da Portela Grande de Labruja, so feared by medieval pilgrims and the most important ascent of the Portuguese Camino, we gained 315 meters of altitude in 4.2 kilometers, in a forested, pleasant route without difficulties. We pass through the small town of Rubiaes with its beautiful Romanesque church to reach the accommodation at the end of our stage.
- Walking: 21,8 km / 13,6 miles
- Accommodation: Rubiaes area /B/D
Day 6
RUBIAES –TUI
Today our Camino heads with an easy climb to Alto Sao Bento da Porta Aberta with its sanctuary and breathtaking views over the Minho Valley. The next section is mainly downhill through natural trails, riverbeds and quiet rural roads, through eucalyptus, oak and pine forests. We enter Valença do Minho through the gate of its magnificent military fortress discovering its lively main streets with restaurants and bars. Last chance to try ´Bacalhau à bras´ the famous Portuguese cod fish specialty!! We cross the international bridge over the river Minho or Miño in Spain, the natural border between Portugal and Spain, which connects Valença with Tui and advance one hour our watches to adjust them to Spanish time. Tui has a high cultural interest with its 12th century Romanesque cathedral, reminiscent of a fortress; the convent and church of the Saint Claire nuns, and the granite buildings that dot its streets.
- Walking: 16 km /10 miles
- Accommodation: Tui /B/D
Day 7
TUI- A GUARDA-SANTA TEGRA -OIA-BAIONA-PONTEVEDRA
Today we take a break from long distance walking. After breakfast we travel to A Guarda located on the Coastal Camino route. High above this pretty harbour town we visit the remains of a 1st Century B.C. Celtic settlement. We then follow the Atlantic coastline to tiny Oia with its magnificently situated Cistercian monastery before arriving in the historic seaside town of Baiona. It was here that news of the discovery of the Americas first reached Europe when one of Columbus´ships, the Pinta, docked here for repair. There is time to explore the spectacular seaside fortress before lunch.
- Walking: No long distance walking
- Accommodation: Pontevedra /B/L/D
Day 8
PONTEVEDRA-CALDAS DE REIS
After breakfast we follow the Camino across the Ponte do Burgo beside the remains of an original Roman bridge. The pathway meanders via the peaceful hamlets of San Amaro, A Portela and Briallo to Tivo. It is worth the detour of 400 meters to visit the Cascades of the Barosa River, within the Ría Barosa Natural Park; there is a set of mills (muiños in Galician), some rehabilitated. Further on, we reach the town of Caldas de Reis, where the Bermaña and Umia rivers converge. The town is known for its hot springs spas; there are two hotel-resorts and a small public hot spring (Fonte das Burgas). We have the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved massage or bath in our hotel-spa or simply relax by the river and partake in a selection of local tapas and Galician white wine.
- Walking: 21 km / 13 miles
- Accommodation: Caldas de Reis /B/D
Day 9
CALDAS DE REIS – PADRÓN
This morning we follow the Camino via woodlands and country roads beside the river Valga to San Miguel de Valga. We walk enjoying the ever-changing rural landscape to Padrón. Inside its church of Santiago, under the altar, we can see the Pedrón, a block of granite in which, according to legend, it moored the boat that moved the body of the Apostle Santiago. Also according to legend, before it was a Roman ´ara´ dedicated to Neptune god. In Padrón we can sample the famous ´pementos de Padrón´, some are spicy and others are not, and also we have the opportunity to visit the house of Rosalía de Castro, the famous and so dear Galician poet.
- Walking: 18 km / 11,2 km
- Walking: Padrón /B/D
Day 10
PADRÓN – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Our last stage!! The joy of arriving in Santiago will make us overcome the last kilometers.
Leaving Padrón we cross the river Sar to reach Iria Flavia; we pass in front of the Baroque monastery and the holy fountain in Escravitude. As we approach the city we walk on asphalt and urbanized areas but the magnificent Obradoiro square with the gorgeous Cathedral and its Portico de la Gloria awaits us!! Once we reach the square will be the moment to say a well-deserved: Congratulations, well done!!
After checking in our hotel we have time to relax or wander the city. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell dinner in a typical Galician restaurant.
- Walking: 25 km / 15,5 miles or 12 km / 7,5 miles
- Accommodation: Santiago /B/D
Day 11
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Santiago is a magical city, with a very special soul. ´Compostela´ means ´field of stars” in latin language. After breakfast, the guided tour of this magnificent and surprising city, World Heritage Site by UNESCO, begins.
Walking through the charming squares and streets of its historic center we discover its amazing history, the main monuments and sandstone or granite buildings, among them the magnificent Cathedral; the original food market, second most visited place in Santiago; beautiful hidden corners, churches and even an enclosed convent where we can buy pastries made by the nuns. Santiago de Compostela is a lively city with streets full of shops, bars and restaurants surrounded by a pleasant and special atmosphere that will captivate you!
- Walking: No long distance walking
- Services: Breakfast and guided tour in Santiago
- Two bilingual guides
- Charming and comfortable accommodations (2/4 stars)
- All breakfasts and dinners
- Support vehicle along the Camino
- Daily transportation of your luggage
- Daily information about the stage to walk
- Guided tour in Santiago de Compostela
- Airfare to and from Spain and luggage surplus charges
- Visa fees, airport taxes and departure fees.
- Transport to tour starting point and onward from tour ending point
- Personal car rental
- Medical expenses
- Laundry service expenses.
- Any kind of tips
- Phone calls and/or faxes expenses
- Personal bar bills, or items consumed via room service or from hotel minibar refrigerators.
- Entrance charges for any museums or other organized activities which are not specified as included costs in tour itinerary
- Any charges in excess of those covered by the prepaid packages.
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