Strolling the Portuguese Camino is a really good various to the favored Camino Frances, with coastal and rural surroundings resulting in Santiago. The Camino Portuguese is the second hottest Camino de Santiago route to stroll with greater than 25% of all pilgrims following this option to Santiago de Compostela yearly.
This gorgeous route passes lovely cities and villages with spectacular views of the scenic countryside and rugged shoreline of Portugal and Spain with two UNESCO World Heritage cities on the best way. Residing in Portugal we have now explored this route extensively. Right here we spotlight a few of our favourite locations to go to on the Portuguese Manner. These are all nice stops for a relaxation day throughout your pilgrimage.
Additionally, see Our Favourite Cities on the Camino Frances.
The Portuguese Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is a community of pilgrimage routes that begin somewhere else throughout Europe and end in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. There are a number of variations of the Camino Portuguese. The three hottest beginning factors and strolling distances to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela are Porto, Lisbon (630 km/391 mi), and Tui (124 km/77 mi).
Three totally different Portuguese Camino routes begin in Porto. You’ll be able to comply with the Central Route (260 km/161 mi), the Coastal Route (280 km/173 mi) hugging the Atlantic Ocean, or the Litoral Manner (280 km/173) mi that crosses from the Central to the Coastal Route. A number of of the gorgeous cities on this Camino route have lovely websites and wonderful histories and cultures to expertise. So when you will spend a while on the Camino Portugués listed below are a few of our favourite spots between the primary street and small villages to take pleasure in on these relaxation days.
Porto (Coastal and Central Routes)
Porto is a improbable metropolis and the most well-liked start line for the Portuguese Camino, it’s a excellent place to spend a few days earlier than strolling the primary day. Discover the slim twisting cobblestone streets climbing up and down the hills lined by genuine Portuguese homes with terracotta tiled roofs. Expertise life across the Duoro River by happening a ship cruise in a conventional Rabello boat. Take pleasure in jaw-dropping views of lovely medieval buildings on the shores of the Douro River from Miradouro da Vitória at sundown. Stroll within the streets of the Ribeira district with its colourful homes, riverfront views, and vibrant cafes and bars. Drink Port in Porto! Go to among the conventional Port homes and wine homes on the banks of the River Douro to pattern among the nation´s most well-known exports. Porto is one in all our favourite European cities.
Excursions and actions in Porto
If Porto is a relaxation day or you probably have a few additional days earlier than beginning the Camino stroll there are numerous glorious actions and excursions round this lovely metropolis.
Locations to Keep in Porto
Barcelos (Central Route)
Barcelos is a lovely metropolis, initially a Roman settlement that expanded so much within the fifteenth century. The well-known Portuguese rooster emblem typically seen in Portuguese memento retailers can be known as The Barcelos Rooster (Galo de Barcelos) named after a folktale a few pilgrim on his option to Santiago that walks by means of this city. There are some good websites to go to in Barcelos resembling; Ponte de Barcelos – a 14th-century bridge, the Tower of Barcelos, the church of Senhor da Cruz, and the church Matriz de Barcelos. Town is well-known for its pottery and the well-known Rooster of Barcelos could be seen in all places on the town.
Excursions and actions in Barcelos
Barcelos, Braga, and Guimarães Tour – Uncover three of northern Portugal’s historic cities on this full-day tour.
Locations to remain in Barcelos
Ponte de Lima (Central Route)
Sometimes called “most floral city of Portugal” the picturesque Ponte de Lima is the oldest city in Portugal. You’ll stroll into city on the Camino together with your fellow pilgrims on a well-known 2000-year-old medieval Roman bridge, Ponte Romano, crossing the Lima River. The city is situated comparatively near Barcelos, it’s considerably smaller and is named some of the lovely small cities in Portugal.
Ponta de Lima has some attention-grabbing sights to see; Ponte Romano (The Roman bridge over the Lima River), Outdated Chain Tower, Matriz church, the Botanical backyard Paço do Marques, and the church of Santo Antonio da Torre Velha. There are various good lodging choices within the city.
Locations to remain in Ponte de Lima
Caminha (Coastal Route)
Caminha is a small coastal city on the south financial institution of the Minho River in essentially the most northern a part of Portugal on the border with Spain. The city is situated on the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino. The gorgeous Caminha Outdated City with its cobblestone strolling streets is a pleasure to discover on foot. The Caminha foremost sq. surrounded by Gothic homes is a superb location to start out exploring this standard city.
A number of the highlights to not miss are the Renaissance fountain: Chafariz do Terreiro, and Clock Tower: Torre do Relogio. Switching from the coastal route in Caminha to the central route in Valença/Tui is a well-liked Camino route on the Portuguese Manner. Strolling this manner on the Camino Portugués you mix the gorgeous seaside surroundings of the Coastal Camino and the historic cities of the Central Route.
Valença do Minho (Central Route)
The distinctive city of Valenca is situated on the banks of the Minho River, which separates Portugal from Galicia in Spain. The spotlight of Valença is the gorgeous medieval fortress Fortaleza de Valença, with the outdated city situated behind the fortress partitions.
The spectacular fortress was constructed to guard Portugal from invading Spaniards on the opposite aspect of the River Minha. The cobblestone streets of the functioning city enclosed by 5 kilometers of defensive partitions are enjoyable to discover resulting in cathedrals, church buildings, chapels, and museums. Take a while to take a look at the spectacular partitions surrounding Valença do Minho. Within the evenings the streets are loopy busy and we had a good time buying and sitting at a neighborhood cafe individuals watching and listening to buskers play some standard music. A number of the highlights among the many slim stone-paved streets are the outdated buildings, the church buildings Igreja de Santo Estevão; Capela Militar do Bom Jesus and Igreja de Santa Maria dos Anjos, and a great deal of eating places, cafes, and memento retailers.
Locations to remain in Valença
There are various locations to remain in Valença on totally different budgets together with a public albergue.
Tui (Central Route)
On the Spanish aspect of the river Minho sits the city Tui reverse Valencia de Minho situated on the Portuguese aspect of the river. An iron bridge crossing the river, designed by Eiffel, hyperlinks the 2 cities. You’ll be able to stroll or drive between Portugal and Spain over this bridge. The city winds uphill to the spectacular hilltop cathedral with Romanesque and Gothic components.
Put together to climb some stairs exploring this lovely outdated city space. Tui is a well-liked start line for the Camino de Santiago for a lot of pilgrims strolling the final 100 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela. That is the minimal distance that have to be walked on foot by pilgrims to acquire a Compostela for strolling the Camino de Santiago and could be carried out on many alternative routes. Near the cathedral, I noticed a few personal albergues and pilgrims having fun with a pilgrim menu at totally different cafes. There’s a little vacationer prepare that runs on the street from Tui that explores each Tui and Valenca and is a improbable relaxed option to do sightseeing in each cities.
Locations to remain in Tui
Vigo (Coastal Route)
Vigo is the biggest metropolis in Galicia, Spain. The coastal metropolis has a pleasant historic heart, many seafood eating places, and bars. The gastronomy of Vigo is finest recognized for seafood, don’t miss the octopus and mussels! When you’ve got time you possibly can keep for 2 nights right here to discover town, and its seashores, and possibly go to the Cies Islands. These small islands are in all probability the most well-liked vacationer attraction in Galicia. This nationwide marine-terrestrial park is a seaside paradise with crystal-clear water. Vigo has a number of historic websites price visiting. Try Castro de Vigo (the Vigo Fort), and Plaza del a Puerto del Sol, discover the historic heart and waterfront promenade, and discover the stone market.
Locations to remain in Vigo
Pontevedra (Central and Coastal)
Pontevedra situated within the Rias Baixas area of Galecia is a pleasant metropolis with loads of eating places and bars, a lovely cathedral, and an attention-grabbing historic heart. Town has a really pedestrian-friendly historic heart with loads of attention-grabbing monuments and church buildings. Exploring the tapas bars on the cobblestone streets is a enjoyable night. Consuming seafood, notably mussels and octopus is the gastronomic spotlight town is thought for. Some websites to go to are the Gothic Santa María la Mayor Basilica, Peregrina Sq., Herrería Sq., the river Lérez, the Chains Bridge, the Burgo Bridge, the gorgeous Church of Sao Domingos, and the Sexto Edificio museum (Galician artwork). Exploring the Rias Baixas from Pontevedra is a extremely popular day journey.
Do a Guided Strolling Tour of Pontevedra to be taught extra concerning the metropolis from a neighborhood information.
Locations to remain in Pontevedra
Combarro (Non secular Variant)
The magical little fishing village, Combarro, simply exterior Pontevedra is without doubt one of the most lovely villages in Galicia. This small city is situated proper on the non secular variant of the Portuguese coastal route of the Manner of Saint James. There are not any automobiles within the historic quarter of Combarro with slim granite-paved pedestrian streets and vacationers exploring the streets on foot. Strolling within the slim historic streets lined with stone Galician homes, tiny gardens, stone crosses, and granaries, the casco histórico, or outdated city is really one thing particular. Combarro is a superb place to take pleasure in seaside eating, sitting subsequent to the ocean in a restaurant with quite a lot of seafood available right here together with clams, scallops, pulpo estila feira, and sardines. It is a lovely place to remain on the Camino. There are a number of rustic stone homes providing residences for hire.
All about Staying in Combarro on the Non secular Variant of the Camino de Santiago.
Locations to Keep in Combarro
Stunning stone homes, good amenities, glorious location
Funds Locations
Padron (Central and Coastal)
The small city, Padrón, with nice spiritual and historic significance is situated solely 22km from Santiago de Compostela. The variante espiritual joins the primary Camino right here. Padrón is finest recognized for being the origin of the pimientos de Padron (little Padron peppers), its function within the historical past of the Camino de Santiago, and because the residence of two necessary writers; poet Rosalía de Castro and Nobel Literature Prize winner, Camilo José Cela.
In accordance with the legend of St.James, two disciples arrived in Pardon (then Iria Flavia) with the physique of the apostle, from the place he was transported to the placement of Santiago de Compostela.
Some websites to not miss on the town are the church of Santiago (with the Pedron stone), the Carmo monastery and the Carmelite fountain, the home of Rosalia de Castro museum, and the Espolon Promenade. We have been impressed by the gorgeous sq. in entrance of the cathedral with two rows of platano timber framing the sq.. Gastronomically the city could be very well-known for the small, tasty, little Padron peppers. A well-known dish to expertise on the Camino de Santiago.
Places to remain in Padrón
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the Galicia area within the northwest of Spain. All of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes lead to what’s considered the burial website of the Biblical apostle St. James throughout the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela. Hundreds of pilgrims from throughout Europe stroll to Santiago the place they may get the ultimate stamp on their pilgrim passport upon profitable completion of the pilgrimage. Sitting on Plaza Obradoiro in entrance of the cathedral and seeing pilgrims arrive on the finish of this lengthy stroll is an emotional expertise. This breathtaking metropolis stuffed with lovely outdated buildings, church buildings, squares, fountains, and parks is improbable to discover on foot. Strolling on the outdated Roman roads, having fun with good meals and delightful surroundings is a improbable day within the metropolis. See our detailed information to the Finest Issues To Do in Santiago de Compostela.
Highlights of Santiago de Compostela
- The Cathedral is the primary attraction of Santiago de Compostela it’s one thing to not miss. You are able to do a guided Cathedral and Museum tour to be taught extra about its historical past.
- Attend Pilgrims Mass – Perhaps you’re very fortunate and see the Botafumeiro Ceremony, throughout this ceremony, a large silver incense burner hooked up to the ceiling is swung by 6 specifically skilled monks.
- Go to Muxia and Finisterre, many pilgrims do that lovely stroll to “the top of the world” after ending their Camino in Santiago de Compostela. – Fisterra, Muxía, Ezaro, Ría de Muros, Pontemaceira & Costa da Morte: full-day tour
- Discover this fascinating metropolis on foot is improbable in the summertime months, the vacationer workplace could be very useful and may give you a map, with a guided tour you gained´t miss the highlights of town – Historic Heart Guided Tour with Official Information
- There are a number of distinctive Spanish dishes to not miss when visiting Santiago. On a gastronomic tour with a neighborhood information you’ll get a style of what Galicia has to supply.
Locations to remain in Santiago de Compostela
Whether or not you wish to sleep on bunk beds or keep in a luxurious resort, we have now some good suggestions after strolling 9 totally different routes to Santiago de Compostela.
See our article for Finest Locations to Keep in Santiago de Compostela for Pilgrims
Funds | Santiago KM-0 |
Center value | Hospedería San Martín Pinario | This place is situated proper subsequent to the Cathedral. There are particular rooms for pilgrims at Hospedaría, these rooms are rather more primary in comparison with the usual room and value much less.
Excessive-end | Parador de Santiago – Hostal Reis Catolicos | You’ll be able to’t discover a place to remain nearer to the Cathedral and the historic heart than this resort. It’s been an necessary a part of the Camino de Santiago for hundreds of years.
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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, chargeable for all our land adventures (climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack slightly than to do a ten 000 km street journey (really any street journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.