OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
The Portuguese Camino de Santiago (or the Portuguese Way of St James) is one of the main pilgrim routes to Santiago – one of the most beautiful, but without the crowds. Walk from one world heritage site to another from Porto (the birthplace of port wine) to the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela via some of the most scenic parts of Portugal. The hike begins at the coast and then heads inland through forest via gorgeous countryside trails. You’ll pass vineyards, farms and some of Portugal’s most important historic sites on the ‘Way’.
On the Way discover the true Portugal, a country of small dimensions yet of great triumphs. Marvel at the magnificent history of this place and revel in the mouth-watering food and exquisite wines of this part of the world. This is a true Camino adventure with an Iberian adventure bolted on!
We’ve carefully chosen hotels, charming country houses, sometimes with historic significance, to enable you to get right up close to the history, the culture and all the culinary delights of northern Portugal.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Walk the Camino without the massive crowds
- 13 nights in 2 to 3-star accommodations that capture the spirit of the region (an upgrade to 4-star accommodation is available)
- Information session with one of our people on the ground and 24/7 support in case of an emergency
- Pilgrim kit: passport (credentials) and shell (Viera)
- Walk 230 km on the Portuguese Way of St James pack free
AT A GLANCE
TRIP LENGTH
14 DAYS
WALK GRADE
Moderate
PRICE FROM
$ 1050
per person twin/double shareSINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 395
per personITINERARY
DAY one
PORTO
You will be met at your hotel by one of our representatives on the ground to both welcome you and provide a full briefing and any extra documentation you might need. If you arrive early there will be time to explore world heritage Porto including the Ribeira area, the Bolsa Palace, the beach or simply walk and explore this marvellous merchant city at your own leisure.
Accommodation: Porto, 3-star hotel
DAY two
MOSTEIRÓ TO ARCOS
To start the walk you’ll be transferred to Mosteiró, missing the less attractive urban segment of this section to begin your first stage of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. By doing this you avoid the busy roads and the first stage is reduced to 17 km, instead of almost 35 km. Walk via Vilarinho and cross the medieval bridge over the Ave before reaching the village of Arcos where today’s walking finishes.
Accommodation: Arcos, a 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate / 17 km or 10.5 miles / 5 to 6 hrs
DAY three
ARCOS TO BARCELOS
You walk out of your accommodation in Arcos on the Camino towards the ancient village of Rates and its imposing Romanesque church. Traverse through the villages of Courel and Pedra Furada via rural tracks, with our final goal the culturally attractive town of Barcelos, the end of this stage. Barcelos has a strong cultural identity and is jam-packed with historic buildings, including churches, forts, bridges and the ruins of Dukes of Braganza Palace plus much more.
Accommodation: Barcelos, 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate / 20 km or 12.5 miles / 5.5 to 6.5 hrs
DAY four
BARCELOS TO QUINTIÃES
Walking out of Barcelos, you first travel along the Camino through a rural area that still uses the small scale farming practices that have existed for eons. There’s a good chance you’ll meet some villagers along the way. The track makes its way through the small villages of Tamil and Aboim past old windmills and other relics of yesterday towards the River Neiva. Your final resting place for tonight is in the village of Quintiães.
Accommodation: Quintiães, 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate / 16 km or 10 miles / 5 to 6 hrs
DAY five
QUINTIÃES TOPONTE DE LIMA
We start the day by crossing the River Neiva on a medieval bridge that leads to the tiny village of Balugães. The Camino way follows more gorgeous rural paths today via magnificent countryside to the spectacular entrance into the stunning town of Ponte de Lima. We have made sure that you have time to explore the historical centre, the gardens, take a stroll or sit by the river. Admiring the river and the Roman bridge over the river at night is a real highlight. In the evening you can choose from a range of restaurants in Ponte de Lima where you can try traditional dishes like the local polvo à lagareiro (a baked octopus style dish) or bacalhau assado com broa (baked cod with cornbread) and a fine Loureiro white wine.
Accommodation: Ponte de Lima, a 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate / 17 km or 10.5 miles / 5 to 6 hours
DAY six
PONTE DE LIMA TO COSSOURADO
Walking out of your accommodation each day makes for a real inn to inn experience. As you leave the medieval town of Ponte de Lima we quickly return to nature. Today’s walk includes the climb to Labruja mountain. The 2 km walk uphill is the most demanding of the whole Portuguese Way of St James, however, the magnificent views are well worth the effort. There is a small detour worth taking today to Rubias and the 12th Century Romanesque church. Tonight you rest in Cossourado.
Accommodation: Cossourado, a 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 7 to 8 hours
DAY seven
COSSOURADO TO VALENCA
The Camino de Portuguese starts today by leaving the valley of the River Coura and climbing gently to Sao Bento da Porta Aberta, one of the most popular pilgrimage places in Portugal. The walk then finds its way through Fontoura, open fields and brushwood, until you reach the ancient fortress town of Valença. Tonight you can dine across the river in one of Tui’s many excellent restaurants.
Accommodation: Valença, a 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate / 14 km or 8.7 miles / 4 to 5 hours
DAY eight
VALENÇA TO PORRINO
Before you leave Valenca and Tui, make sure you visit the famous Gothic cathedral. The path from Tui follows the Louro valley via a forest track, crossing a very old stone slab bridge to a wetland area where there’s an abundance of birdlife. Today’s walk ends in the city of Porrino in Spain, noteworthy for its magnificent Gothic town hall building at its centre.
Accommodation: Porrino, a 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate / 19 km or 11.8 miles / 5.5 to 6.5 hours
DAY nine
PORRINO TO ARCADE
From Porrino the walk makes its way through the forest of Chan das Pipas. As you leave the forest you’ll pass Redondela, where the central route and the coastal route merge. You walk into the town of Arcade in Spain, a small village that is renowned for its oysters and interestingly as a site of a very important battle in the Napoleonic wars.
Accommodation: Arcade, 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 6 to 7 hours
DAY ten
ARCADE TO PONTEVEDRA
From your accommodation in Arcade, we traverse what is one of the most beautiful sections of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Today’s section is one of the shortest. Pontevedra is a city in northwest Spain and is known for its well-preserved old town. Namely, the Gothic Santa María la Mayor Basilica, the Ruínas de San Domingos (the remains of a 14th-century convent), and the nearby Sexto Edificio museum showcasing Galician art. In the evening be like the Spanish and wander from one tapas bar to another.
Accommodation: Pontevedra, a 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Easy to moderate/ 13 km or 8 miles / 3 to 4 hours
DAY eleven
PONTEVEDRA TO CALDAS DE REIS
Explore more of Pontevedra as you walk out of town into the pleasant countryside. This stage to Caldas de Reis is fairly long but fairly flat so it is not that hard. A real highlight is soaking your feet in Caldas de Reis’ thermal springs, a great way to finish the day’s walking.
Accommodation: Caldas de Reis, a 2-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 6 to 7 hours
DAY twelve
CALDAS DE REIS TO PADRON
With only one more day after today, you’re nearly there! This section exits Caldas de Reis and takes you on a soft climb to the charming woodlands of Valga. There are lots of historical buildings along the way including many churches and stone crosses. Our final resting place for today is Padrón in Galicia. The town merges with the ancient and famous town of Iria Flavia a centre for religion, trade and Roman and Viking invasions of all things.
Accommodation: Padrón, a 2-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 18 km or 11.2 miles / 5 to 6 hours
DAY thirteen
PADRON TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Your final stage. You will walk mostly through rural settings. This last stage is one of the toughest but your goal is in sight. Enter in the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela and enjoy the end of your journey at the cathedral. Celebrate your fantastic achievement. Savour all the culinary delights of Spain and your last meal on the Camino in the company of pilgrims that have travelled here from all parts of Spain and Europe.
Accommodation: Santiago de Compostela, a 3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 23 km or 14.3 miles / 6 to 7 hours
DAY fourteen
LEAVE SANTIAGO
After breakfast, prepare for your onward journey. If you have time, explore the old city of Santiago de Compostela before you leave or why not add a day and relax and soak up the atmosphere of this magnificent town.
Meals: Breakfast
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Walk the Portuguese Camino de Santiago (way of St James)from Porto all the way to Santiago de Compostela
- 13 night’s accommodation in 2 to 3 star character filled hotels (an upgrade to 4 star and better accommodation is available.)
- Breakfast on every day of the walk
- On the ground support from local representatives
- Our comprehensive set of notes, detailed walking itineraries, integrated maps and insider tips (where to get the best tapas plus a lot more)
- Total walking distance of 230km, a real challenge
- All transport on and off the track including luggage transfers
- Take advantage of nearly 30 years experience in organising self-guided walking holidays
ACCOMMODATION & DINING
Comfort is always a priority; at the end of each day there’s a hot shower, comfortable bed, an en suite and plenty of quiet. We know that a comfortable night’s sleep ensures you’ll wake refreshed and primed, ready for the next day’s walking after a full breakfast. All the 2-3-star accommodations have been handpicked to reflect the character and history of the region.
On the upgraded, luxury version of this walk, the accommodations are all 4 stars or better. Even though the accommodations are much more luxurious they still reflect the culture of the region. In addition, you can still expect a warm country welcome each day and all the hospitality typical of being in a country in Portugal.
It’s not by chance that when walkers visit Portugal, they almost immediately fall in love with the food and wine here. In Portugal, all the dishes, recipes and ingredients have a story to tell. This is a world you’ll get to experience both on foot but also with your knife and fork. The Camino travels through many towns that are renowned for excellent authentic traditional food. In the North, it is worth frequenting Spanish Tapas bars to experience the wide range of local delicacies available ‘all at once.
Both Portugal and Spain have very old and sophisticated wine industries, some of the wines you’ll find on this walk you won’t find anywhere else. However, alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).
GENERAL INFO
AVAILABILITY
This trip is available from 1st March to the 1st November.
WALKING
This track is well-graded and without a great deal of incline or decline. Walks on average about 19 km a day. There’s always time to walk and explore further if you’re up to it or to relax and simply enjoy the towns/villages each evening.
GETTING THERE AND AWAY
Travelling to the Start of the walk
You will need to get yourself to and from the start and end of your walk. i.e. you will need to organise your travel to the start of the walk in Porto. To make it easy we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel.
Porto Airport, (Airport Francisco Sá Carneiro), Maia (+351) 229 432 400 is about 11 km from the city centre. There are regular flights from and to almost all major European cities. There is an airport bus available from outside the terminal which takes you to the city centre. The Metro line connects the Airport to the city centre, offering a fast and comfortable ride into the heart of the city.
BUSES: This is information for those who may be catching a bus and/or starting their walk further along the track:
PORTO – PONTE DE LIMA: Rede Expressos (www.rede-expressos.pt) coaches from Porto transit station (Campo 24 de Agosto, 125, 4300-096 Porto, Tel: +351 707 223 344) depart daily to Ponte de Lima.
PORTO – VALENÇA: Rede Expressos (www.rede-expressos.pt) coaches from Porto transit station (Campo 24 de Agosto, 125, 4300-096 Porto, Tel: +351 707 223 344) depart daily to Valença. Tickets can be purchased from the train station or on-line on the English language pages of the railway’s company’s website http://www.rede-expressos.pt/default.aspx no more than 14 days before your travel date. Tickets cannot be bought on the coach.
PORTO – VALENÇA: AUTNA (www.autna.com) coaches from Porto Airport transit station (Bus stop of Galicia Bus on the Airport arrivals) depart daily to Valença (Single fare is between €9.00 and €12.00)
TRAINS: There are several trains to and from Porto (Train station of São Bento or Train station of Campanhã). Trains also transit daily to Valença. The metro lines link the airport to both train stations. Tickets can be purchased from the train station or on-line on the English language pages of the railway’s company’s website https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en no more than 28 days before the travel date. Tickets cannot be bought on the train.
Our transport partners on the ground can also provide private transfers on all routes. Do not hesitate to contact us if you’d like more information.
Travelling from the End of the walk
The walk finishes in Santiago de Compostella
By plane: There is an airport in Santiago de Compostella where you can catch flights.
WEATHER
March through to October is usually warmer, with long sunny days, perfect for walking.
See Holiday Weather.com for information about average temperatures and rainfall at different times of the year.
INSURANCE
We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.
For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.
We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office. See the FAQ section for more information.
INFORMATION PACK
For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.
CONTACT
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, or email us at info@stroll.com
MAP
DEPARTURE DATES
- DATESAVAILABILITYPRICESingle OccupancyDetails
- 1 Mar 2023 - 31 Oct 2023AVAILABLEfrom
$ 1050
SINGLE OCCUPANCY$ 395Excluding High Season
- 1 Jul 2023 - 30 Sep 2023AVAILABLEfrom
$ 1110
SINGLE OCCUPANCY$ 450High Season
- 1 Mar 2024 - 31 Oct 2024AVAILABLEfrom
$ 1190
SINGLE OCCUPANCY$ 505Excluding High Season
- 15 Mar 2024 - 31 Oct 2024AVAILABLEfrom
$ 1755
SINGLE OCCUPANCY$ 10204 Star Hotels or better
- 1 Jul 2024 - 30 Sep 2024AVAILABLEfrom
$ 1190
SINGLE OCCUPANCY$ 505High Season
AT A GLANCE
14 DAYS
oderate
$ 1050
per person twin/double share
$ 395
per person
TRIP LENGTH
14 DAYS
WALK GRADE
oderate PRICE FROM
$ 1050
per person twin/double shareSINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 395
per person
Overview
The Portuguese Camino de Santiago (or the Portuguese Way of St James) is one of the main pilgrim routes to Santiago – one of the most beautiful, but without the crowds. Walk from one world heritage site to another from Porto (the birthplace of port wine) to the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela via some of the most scenic parts of Portugal. The hike begins at the coast and then heads inland through forest via gorgeous countryside trails. You’ll pass vineyards, farms and some of Portugal’s most important historic sites on the ‘Way’.
On the Way discover the true Portugal, a country of small dimensions yet of great triumphs. Marvel at the magnificent history of this place and revel in the mouth-watering food and exquisite wines of this part of the world. This is a true Camino adventure with an Iberian adventure bolted on!
We’ve carefully chosen hotels, charming country houses, sometimes with historic significance, to enable you to get right up close to the history, the culture and all the culinary delights of northern Portugal.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Walk the Camino without the massive crowds
- 13 nights in 2 to 3-star accommodations that capture the spirit of the region (an upgrade to 4-star accommodation is available)
- Information session with one of our people on the ground and 24/7 support in case of an emergency
- Pilgrim kit: passport (credentials) and shell (Viera)
- Walk 230 km on the Portuguese Way of St James pack free
Itinerary
DAY one
PORTO
You will be met at your hotel by one of our representatives on the ground to both welcome you and provide a full briefing and any extra documentation you might need. If you arrive early there will be time to explore world heritage Porto including the Ribeira area, the Bolsa Palace, the beach or simply walk and explore this marvellous merchant city at your own leisure.
Accommodation: Porto, 3-star hotel
DAY two
MOSTEIRÓ TO ARCOS
To start the walk you’ll be transferred to Mosteiró, missing the less attractive urban segment of this section to begin your first stage of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. By doing this you avoid the busy roads and the first stage is reduced to 17 km, instead of almost 35 km. Walk via Vilarinho and cross the medieval bridge over the Ave before reaching the village of Arcos where today’s walking finishes.
Accommodation: Arcos, a 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate / 17 km or 10.5 miles / 5 to 6 hrs
DAY three
ARCOS TO BARCELOS
You walk out of your accommodation in Arcos on the Camino towards the ancient village of Rates and its imposing Romanesque church. Traverse through the villages of Courel and Pedra Furada via rural tracks, with our final goal the culturally attractive town of Barcelos, the end of this stage. Barcelos has a strong cultural identity and is jam-packed with historic buildings, including churches, forts, bridges and the ruins of Dukes of Braganza Palace plus much more.
Accommodation: Barcelos, 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate / 20 km or 12.5 miles / 5.5 to 6.5 hrs
DAY four
BARCELOS TO QUINTIÃES
Walking out of Barcelos, you first travel along the Camino through a rural area that still uses the small scale farming practices that have existed for eons. There’s a good chance you’ll meet some villagers along the way. The track makes its way through the small villages of Tamil and Aboim past old windmills and other relics of yesterday towards the River Neiva. Your final resting place for tonight is in the village of Quintiães.
Accommodation: Quintiães, 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate / 16 km or 10 miles / 5 to 6 hrs
DAY five
QUINTIÃES TOPONTE DE LIMA
We start the day by crossing the River Neiva on a medieval bridge that leads to the tiny village of Balugães. The Camino way follows more gorgeous rural paths today via magnificent countryside to the spectacular entrance into the stunning town of Ponte de Lima. We have made sure that you have time to explore the historical centre, the gardens, take a stroll or sit by the river. Admiring the river and the Roman bridge over the river at night is a real highlight. In the evening you can choose from a range of restaurants in Ponte de Lima where you can try traditional dishes like the local polvo à lagareiro (a baked octopus style dish) or bacalhau assado com broa (baked cod with cornbread) and a fine Loureiro white wine.
Accommodation: Ponte de Lima, a 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate / 17 km or 10.5 miles / 5 to 6 hours
DAY six
PONTE DE LIMA TO COSSOURADO
Walking out of your accommodation each day makes for a real inn to inn experience. As you leave the medieval town of Ponte de Lima we quickly return to nature. Today’s walk includes the climb to Labruja mountain. The 2 km walk uphill is the most demanding of the whole Portuguese Way of St James, however, the magnificent views are well worth the effort. There is a small detour worth taking today to Rubias and the 12th Century Romanesque church. Tonight you rest in Cossourado.
Accommodation: Cossourado, a 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 7 to 8 hours
DAY seven
COSSOURADO TO VALENCA
The Camino de Portuguese starts today by leaving the valley of the River Coura and climbing gently to Sao Bento da Porta Aberta, one of the most popular pilgrimage places in Portugal. The walk then finds its way through Fontoura, open fields and brushwood, until you reach the ancient fortress town of Valença. Tonight you can dine across the river in one of Tui’s many excellent restaurants.
Accommodation: Valença, a 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate / 14 km or 8.7 miles / 4 to 5 hours
DAY eight
VALENÇA TO PORRINO
Before you leave Valenca and Tui, make sure you visit the famous Gothic cathedral. The path from Tui follows the Louro valley via a forest track, crossing a very old stone slab bridge to a wetland area where there’s an abundance of birdlife. Today’s walk ends in the city of Porrino in Spain, noteworthy for its magnificent Gothic town hall building at its centre.
Accommodation: Porrino, a 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate / 19 km or 11.8 miles / 5.5 to 6.5 hours
DAY nine
PORRINO TO ARCADE
From Porrino the walk makes its way through the forest of Chan das Pipas. As you leave the forest you’ll pass Redondela, where the central route and the coastal route merge. You walk into the town of Arcade in Spain, a small village that is renowned for its oysters and interestingly as a site of a very important battle in the Napoleonic wars.
Accommodation: Arcade, 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 6 to 7 hours
DAY ten
ARCADE TO PONTEVEDRA
From your accommodation in Arcade, we traverse what is one of the most beautiful sections of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Today’s section is one of the shortest. Pontevedra is a city in northwest Spain and is known for its well-preserved old town. Namely, the Gothic Santa María la Mayor Basilica, the Ruínas de San Domingos (the remains of a 14th-century convent), and the nearby Sexto Edificio museum showcasing Galician art. In the evening be like the Spanish and wander from one tapas bar to another.
Accommodation: Pontevedra, a 2-3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Easy to moderate/ 13 km or 8 miles / 3 to 4 hours
DAY eleven
PONTEVEDRA TO CALDAS DE REIS
Explore more of Pontevedra as you walk out of town into the pleasant countryside. This stage to Caldas de Reis is fairly long but fairly flat so it is not that hard. A real highlight is soaking your feet in Caldas de Reis’ thermal springs, a great way to finish the day’s walking.
Accommodation: Caldas de Reis, a 2-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 6 to 7 hours
DAY twelve
CALDAS DE REIS TO PADRON
With only one more day after today, you’re nearly there! This section exits Caldas de Reis and takes you on a soft climb to the charming woodlands of Valga. There are lots of historical buildings along the way including many churches and stone crosses. Our final resting place for today is Padrón in Galicia. The town merges with the ancient and famous town of Iria Flavia a centre for religion, trade and Roman and Viking invasions of all things.
Accommodation: Padrón, a 2-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 18 km or 11.2 miles / 5 to 6 hours
DAY thirteen
PADRON TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Your final stage. You will walk mostly through rural settings. This last stage is one of the toughest but your goal is in sight. Enter in the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela and enjoy the end of your journey at the cathedral. Celebrate your fantastic achievement. Savour all the culinary delights of Spain and your last meal on the Camino in the company of pilgrims that have travelled here from all parts of Spain and Europe.
Accommodation: Santiago de Compostela, a 3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 23 km or 14.3 miles / 6 to 7 hours
DAY fourteen
LEAVE SANTIAGO
After breakfast, prepare for your onward journey. If you have time, explore the old city of Santiago de Compostela before you leave or why not add a day and relax and soak up the atmosphere of this magnificent town.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s Included
- Walk the Portuguese Camino de Santiago (way of St James)from Porto all the way to Santiago de Compostela
- 13 night’s accommodation in 2 to 3 star character filled hotels (an upgrade to 4 star and better accommodation is available.)
- Breakfast on every day of the walk
- On the ground support from local representatives
- Our comprehensive set of notes, detailed walking itineraries, integrated maps and insider tips (where to get the best tapas plus a lot more)
- Total walking distance of 230km, a real challenge
- All transport on and off the track including luggage transfers
- Take advantage of nearly 30 years experience in organising self-guided walking holidays
Accommodation & Dining
Comfort is always a priority; at the end of each day there’s a hot shower, comfortable bed, an en suite and plenty of quiet. We know that a comfortable night’s sleep ensures you’ll wake refreshed and primed, ready for the next day’s walking after a full breakfast. All the 2-3-star accommodations have been handpicked to reflect the character and history of the region.
On the upgraded, luxury version of this walk, the accommodations are all 4 stars or better. Even though the accommodations are much more luxurious they still reflect the culture of the region. In addition, you can still expect a warm country welcome each day and all the hospitality typical of being in a country in Portugal.
It’s not by chance that when walkers visit Portugal, they almost immediately fall in love with the food and wine here. In Portugal, all the dishes, recipes and ingredients have a story to tell. This is a world you’ll get to experience both on foot but also with your knife and fork. The Camino travels through many towns that are renowned for excellent authentic traditional food. In the North, it is worth frequenting Spanish Tapas bars to experience the wide range of local delicacies available ‘all at once.
Both Portugal and Spain have very old and sophisticated wine industries, some of the wines you’ll find on this walk you won’t find anywhere else. However, alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).
General Info
AVAILABILITY
This trip is available from 1st March to the 1st November.
WALKING
This track is well-graded and without a great deal of incline or decline. Walks on average about 19 km a day. There’s always time to walk and explore further if you’re up to it or to relax and simply enjoy the towns/villages each evening.
GETTING THERE AND AWAY
Travelling to the Start of the walk
You will need to get yourself to and from the start and end of your walk. i.e. you will need to organise your travel to the start of the walk in Porto. To make it easy we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel.
Porto Airport, (Airport Francisco Sá Carneiro), Maia (+351) 229 432 400 is about 11 km from the city centre. There are regular flights from and to almost all major European cities. There is an airport bus available from outside the terminal which takes you to the city centre. The Metro line connects the Airport to the city centre, offering a fast and comfortable ride into the heart of the city.
BUSES: This is information for those who may be catching a bus and/or starting their walk further along the track:
PORTO – PONTE DE LIMA: Rede Expressos (www.rede-expressos.pt) coaches from Porto transit station (Campo 24 de Agosto, 125, 4300-096 Porto, Tel: +351 707 223 344) depart daily to Ponte de Lima.
PORTO – VALENÇA: Rede Expressos (www.rede-expressos.pt) coaches from Porto transit station (Campo 24 de Agosto, 125, 4300-096 Porto, Tel: +351 707 223 344) depart daily to Valença. Tickets can be purchased from the train station or on-line on the English language pages of the railway’s company’s website http://www.rede-expressos.pt/default.aspx no more than 14 days before your travel date. Tickets cannot be bought on the coach.
PORTO – VALENÇA: AUTNA (www.autna.com) coaches from Porto Airport transit station (Bus stop of Galicia Bus on the Airport arrivals) depart daily to Valença (Single fare is between €9.00 and €12.00)
TRAINS: There are several trains to and from Porto (Train station of São Bento or Train station of Campanhã). Trains also transit daily to Valença. The metro lines link the airport to both train stations. Tickets can be purchased from the train station or on-line on the English language pages of the railway’s company’s website https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en no more than 28 days before the travel date. Tickets cannot be bought on the train.
Our transport partners on the ground can also provide private transfers on all routes. Do not hesitate to contact us if you’d like more information.
Travelling from the End of the walk
The walk finishes in Santiago de Compostella
By plane: There is an airport in Santiago de Compostella where you can catch flights.
WEATHER
March through to October is usually warmer, with long sunny days, perfect for walking.
See Holiday Weather.com for information about average temperatures and rainfall at different times of the year.
INSURANCE
We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.
For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.
We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office. See the FAQ section for more information.
INFORMATION PACK
For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.
CONTACT
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, or email us at info@stroll.com
Departure Dates
- DATESAVAILABILITYPRICESingle OccupancyDETAILS
- 1 Mar 2023 - 31 Oct 2023AVAILABLEfrom $ 1050SINGLE OCCUPANCY$ 395
- 1 Jul 2023 - 30 Sep 2023AVAILABLEfrom $ 1110SINGLE OCCUPANCY$ 450
- 1 Mar 2024 - 31 Oct 2024AVAILABLEfrom $ 1190SINGLE OCCUPANCY$ 505
- 15 Mar 2024 - 31 Oct 2024AVAILABLEfrom $ 1755SINGLE OCCUPANCY$ 1020
- 1 Jul 2024 - 30 Sep 2024AVAILABLEfrom $ 1190SINGLE OCCUPANCY$ 505
ENQUIRE NOW
If you’re looking for further information on any of our walking holidays please fill out the enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.