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View of Porto's coast

Portuguese Way of St. James, Porto – Santiago de Compostela

From Porto to Santiago de Compostela

New tour
15 Days / 14 Nights
Walking
View of Porto's coast

Countless people pilgrimage along the Way of St. James, which not only offers a spiritual experience but also boasts stunning landscapes, a wealth of history, and a tapestry of cultures. Particularly impressive is the final stretch along the Portuguese coast, to which Eurohike has dedicated a 15-day hiking tour culminating in the renowned Santiago de Compostela. Your journey commences in the picturesque city of Porto, where indulging in the renowned Port wine is an essential experience not to be missed.

The initial stages towards Vila do Conde and Esposende are lined with beautiful beaches and charming fishing villages. In the following days, you'll explore the inland areas, such as marching across the Eiffel Bridge towards Viana do Castelo or taking in the view of the Lima Valley. Returning to the coast on day 6, your destination is the Spanish town of A Guarda, where various seafood restaurants in the center welcome you to stop for a bite to eat.

The following days are slightly more challenging, especially when you ascend the mountains on the way to Baiona and traverse fragrant forests along the Camino. In Arcade, indulge in fresh oysters, and in Pontevedra, savor traditional tapas. Passing through Caldas de Reis and Padrón, you eventually reach Santiago de Compostela, where the special atmosphere captivates you..

  • Delicious cuisine in the picturesque fishing villages: After all the activity, be sure not to miss out on the fine cuisine of Portugal and Spain. Whether it's Port wine, tapas, or fresh fish with a view of the sea, relaxation on this journey also comes through the palate.
  • Recharge your energy along the Way of St. James: The burial site of Saint James, the patron saint of pilgrims, has transformed into a central destination along Christian pilgrimage routes. Each year, thousands embark on journeys toward Santiago de Compostela, traversing a network of trails that spans across all of Europe. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere, rediscover your inner self, rejuvenate your energy, and leave the routine of everyday life behind!
  • The medieval center of Santiago de Compostela: The historic center of your destination is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Starting at Plaza del Obradoiro, where the Cathedral and the Raxoi Palace are located, is highly recommended. From here, you can explore a multitude of attractions in the vicinity, including contemporary art and Galician architecture.

The route along the Way of St. James is predominantly flat, slightly hilly at best. You'll typically cover between 13 and 25 kilometers per day, totaling around 260 kilometers by the end of your journey. Along the way, you'll be treated to countless impressions, whether in the picturesque countryside, tranquil villages or lively towns. For this tour, we will provide you with a pilgrim kit as well as travel documents.

Explore the hiking paradise of Portugal on our website, from the Algarve to the flower island of Madeira. We also have information and useful tips for hiking along the Way of St. James, whether in Austria, Germany, Spain, or Portugal.

Itinerary at a glance

On your walking tour you will experience an impressive variety of coastal landscapes with breathtaking views, historic towns such as Viana do Castelo and Pontevadra, rural villages and culinary experiences. At the end of the tour, the famous Cathedral of Santiago, which houses the tomb of the Apostle James, awaits you.

Day
01
Arrival in Porto

A transfer takes you directly to Matosinhos, your starting point for the Portuguese Way of St James. Your journey begins on picturesque coasts where you walk past endless sandy beaches, nature reserves and fishing villages before reaching the historic coastal town of Vila do Conde.

Most of the day you will walk along the coast, where colorful flowers and sand dunes align with your path. The route then takes an enchanting turn, leading you inland. Here you will immerse yourself in fairytale forests and charming villages that adorn the path to Esposende.

Your path takes you over the imposing Eiffel Bridge and soon you enter Viana do Castelo - a city that stands out for both its historical and modern architecture. From here, breathtaking panoramas over the enchanting Lima Valley open up to enchant your senses.

Immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of the inland and enjoy magnificent views of the coastline. Your way will finally lead you to the idyllic seaside resort of Vila Praia de Âncora, where peace and relaxation await you.

The coastal path stretches from Âncora to Moledo and continues its journey to reach the charming town of Caminha. Along the way, you can stroll through a picturesque pine forest by the beach before taking a ferry across the Minho River to the peaceful fishing village of A Guarda, Spain. There, you can enjoy a real treat in the form of fresh seafood, an experience you should not miss.

Immerse yourself in the lively city centre and then follow the Camino, which takes you far out to the rugged coastal cliffs. Breathtaking coastal paths, mysterious forest trails and scenic roads await you on your way. Eventually you will reach the idyllic beach village of Oia, whose backdrop is dominated by an impressive 12th century monastery. Here, history and nature merge to create an unforgettable journey.

Your hike first takes you past picturesque fields and charming villages along the coast. But soon you will witness a fascinating transformation as the landscape changes and you cross the majestic mountains. This is where your hiking dream comes true and the spirit of adventure in you awakens.

Leave Baiona and embark on a rural adventure. On your way, you'll cross a scenic backdrop of lush woodland. The Camino takes you through the enchanting Castrelos Park, while you leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and lose yourself in the middle of nature. A true highlight of your journey.

Leaving the busy main shopping street of Vigo behind, your path leads you purposefully to Redondela. Soon after, you'll descend to Arcade, a charming riverside town known for its oysters.

You will walk along old stone paths accompanied by the chirping of birds and surrounded by green meadows in the direction of Pontevedra. Once there, a journey of discovery awaits you through the historic city center, where you can discover idyllic squares and tempting tapas bars.

Today's hike to Caldas de Reis takes you to the riverside resort of Caldas de Reis through a charming landscape and a stretch of forest. When you reach the main square, you can bathe your tired feet in the thermal spring.

The day begins with an easy climb through a series of small villages and the forest of Valga. Several impressive churches and stone crosses mark the route to Padrón, the riverside town where St. James' body is said to have been buried by his faithful followers.

The last stage of the Camino is mostly in the countryside with a beautiful forest area. Only the last kilometres run in busy urban areas. As soon as you enter the old narrow streets of the medieval centre of Santiago, the atmosphere changes as you approach the cathedral square. A successful conclusion to your walking tour.

Day
15
Departure or extension

Route information

Walking

You walk on good pilgrimage and forest paths along the coast of Portugal and through the green landscape of Galicia. For the daily walking times up to max. 7 hours and the gentle ascents and descents through the hills, some stamina and a good basic condition are sufficient.

Prices & Dates

Category: 2**- and 3***-hotels, 1x 4****-hotel

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer (1 piece of luggage per person, max. 15 kg)
  • 1 transfer Porto – Matosinhos
  • Carefully elaborated route description (English)
  • 1 pilgrim Kit: Pilgrim Passport and Shell
  • GPS-Data
  • Service hotline

Optional

  • For half board dinner excl. drinks
  • Transfer from Porto airport to the city centre (or vice versa), cost per trip EUR 55 (max. 3 persons) or EUR 95 (4-7 persons), reservation required, payable in advance.
  • Transfer from Santiago city centre to the airport, cost per trip EUR 69 (max. 3 persons) or EUR 95 (4-7 persons), reservation required, payable in advance.
  • Transfer from Santiago to Porto, cost per trip EUR 409 (max. 3 persons) or EUR 459 (4-7 persons), reservation required, payable in advance.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Airport Porto
  • Parking: paid parking close to the hotel, no pre-booking.
  • Return journey by bus from Santiago de Compostela to Santiago airport in approx. 30 minutes or to Porto airport in approx. 4 hours. (www.alsa.com).

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price.
  • Further important information in accordance with the Package Travel Act can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.
Christina Hofer

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Christina Hofer
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