Camino de Santiago Coastal Route from Porto

The stages that make up the section of the Camino de Santiago  from Porto to Baiona are the first ones on the Camino Portugues Coastal Route. It is an ideal route for all those who want to enjoy a route by the sea and discover the excellent gastronomy in the north of Portugal.

It is a route of extreme simplicity, since it is mainly flat and much of it is made along wooden boardwalks, surrounded by the sandy landscape of the Portuguese Atlantic coast.

The route departs from the colourful city of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and crosses picturesque seaside and inland towns. The journey ends in Baiona, famous for being the port to which the Pinta caravel arrived, in 1493.

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    ITINERARY
    Day 1
    Arrival in Porto
    On the day of your arrival in the so-called “City of Bridges” you will not have time to get bored, Porto awaits you with many places to visit. Some of the most emblematic sites are the Luís I Bridge, the de la Sé Cathedral and the colourful Douro shore area with its lively atmosphere.
    The city also stands out for its wide range of museums and for being the cradle of the famous Porto wine. However, to discover Porto in depth, you will need an additional day in the city, so if you want to add an extra night to your trip do not hesitate to contact us.

    Accommodation: Overnight in Porto.

    Day 2
    From Oporto to Povoa de Varzim
    On your first day of walking, although you could walk away from Porto, we recommend taking the metro to Matosinhos (Mercado stop, Blue Line), so you will avoid the tedious exit from the city and start walking in front of beautiful beaches.
    Along the coast, over wooden boardwalks and a bike path, you will cross the promenade of various fishing villages, such as Labruge, Mindelo or Vila do Conde. The stage concludes in Povoa de Varzim, where you can enjoy an afternoon on the beach.

    Distance: 27 kilometres.

    Accommodation: Overnight in Povoa de Varzim.

    Day 3
    From Povoa de Varzim to Esposende
    On the second day of walking you will enjoy a very varied day. First, you will continue along the coast, where you can observe small mounds of dark algae that locals use to fertilise crops.

    Then you will head inland, to reach the village of Fao, on the banks of the River Cavado. The stage concludes in Esposende, where you will have the opportunity to visit the Chapel of Senhor dos Mareantes and the pools of Foz do Cavado, located on the promenade of the town.

    Distance: 22 kilometres.

    Accommodation: Overnight in Esposende.

    Day 4
    From Esposende to Viana do Castelo
    A totally different day awaits you today. The stage runs entirely through the interior; you will walk surrounded by one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Camino Portugues: the natural environment of the River Neiva.

    On the tour you will have the opportunity to visit the historic village of Castelo do Neiva, where you will find the first church dedicated to Santiago the Apostle, after the Cathedral of Compostela. The tour ends in the beautiful town of Viana do Castelo.

    Distancia: 24 kilometres.

    Accommodation: Overnight in Viana.

    Day 5
    From Viana do Castelo to Ancora
    This stage can be completed inland, following the traditional path, or bordering the coast. Both tours will take you to Ancora.

    Once you reach the end of the stage, if you have any energy left, we recommend climbing the Monte del Calvario. From there you can enjoy an excellent panorama of Vila Praia de Ancora, surrounded by the Atlantic and the Serra de Arga.

    Distance: 19 kilometres.

    Accommodation: Overnight in Ancora.

    Day 6
    From Ancora to A Guarda
    This is one of the favourite days of all pilgrims who do this route. The ferry crossing of the River Mino, from Caminha (in Portugal) to Pasaxe (in Galicia, Spain), is a very special moment.

    We recommend that you arrive in Caminha in sufficient time, before you leave on the boat, so that you can visit the beautiful old town. The stage ends in A Guarda, a colourful fishing village with an interesting fishing port.

    The visit to the Roman castro of Monte de Santa Tegra is more than recommended, as it is one of the most important in northern Spain. But you should know that your visit will involve a physical over-effort, since it is a route of 7 kilometers, with some considerable slopes.

    Distance: 13 kilometres.

    Accommodation: Overnight in A Guarda.

    Day 7
    From A Guarda to Baiona
    On the last stage of your journey you will cross the Ruta de las Cetarias, where you can visit the nurseries that were used in the past to keep seafood alive. A rugged route in which you can feel the strength and personality of the Galician sea.

    You can also visit interesting places, such as the Monastery of Santa Maria de Oia, or enjoy excellent viewpoints, such as Cape Silleiro. The stage concludes in Baiona, a town with great gastronomic wealth and huge tourist interest.

    Distance: 30 kilometres.

    Accommodation: Overnight in Baiona.

    Day 8
    Baiona
    The arrival of the Pinta caravel in the port of Baiona, in 1493, has made this town a place of great tourist interest. Therefore, as an unmissable place, we recommend visiting the Museo de la Carabela Pinta, located on the pier.

    In addition, in the town, you can enjoy a charming town centre, full of narrow cobblestoned streets, where you will find a wide range of places to enjoy the gastronomy of the region.

    If you want to add an extra night in Baiona or add to your trip some additional stages on the stretch that joins Baiona and Santiago de Compostela, do not hesitate to consult us.

    ACCOMMODATION

    Selection of hotels and cottages

    Our partner travel agencies only works with accommodation that have private bathrooms and that guarantee maximum comfort and convenience to those pilgrims who book with us.

    Since reservations are subject to availability, the name of the hotels and cottages you will stay in will be provided to you 1 month before you start your pilgrimage.

    Booking single rooms

    You can book your stay on the Camino de Santiago by staying in single rooms, which also include a private bathroom. Single rooms are subject to an additional charge for the selected route.

    Accommodation in single rooms is subject to availability in hotels and cottages as it is a highly sought-after service. Reservations must be made in advance.

    Commitment to quality

    To ensure the quality standards of the accommodation with which we collaborate, our partner travel agencies teams travels to each of them to check that their facilities and services, as well as the quality of their attention, are excellent. Only in this way, can we guarantee you the best rest and an unforgettable stay while you are on the Camino de Santiago.

    In addition, if due to the low capacity of some of the hotels or cottages with which we collaborate, there is no availability, we guarantee that they will offer you other accommodation of the same range or even of superior quality.

    Accommodation partners

    All hotels and cottages have been selected with the utmost care, to guarantee your rest and comfort on all stages of the Camino de Santiago

    SERVICES
    INCLUDED SERVICES
    • Staying in hotels and cottages.
    • Accommodation with a private bathroom in your room.
    • Detailed itinerary of the reserved route.
    • Selected meal plan.
    • Baggage transfer between stages.
    • Personal assistance 24/7, by phone, throughout the trip.
    • Emergency assistance car available
    • Information dossier for the Camino de Santiago from Porto.
    • Taxes included.
    OPTIONAL SERVICES
    • Booking of single rooms at an additional cost.
    • Picnics to go (includes sandwich, drink and dessert).
    • Additional nights (breakfast included).
    • Transfers according to your needs.
    • Assistance insurance during the tour.
    • Travel cancellation insurance.
    TESTIMONIALS
    Excellent and well organised walking
    We walked from Lugo to Santiago. All of the accommodation was very good, good meals and drink. All in all a very good holiday and walking experience. We’ve already booked to do another walk next year as they make it so easy to do.
    Well done!
    They arranged all accommodation and transport of luggage flawlessly. Not a single glitch was experienced. Well done!
    Camino Trail
    Amazing experience and I was very satisfied. I would highly recommend booking with this company as they were organized, helpful and I never had to worry about anything other than enjoy hiking the Camino.
    They really are excellent!
    The tour was really superb! We were impressed with all aspects of communications both during the booking and planning stage as well as during the trip. Transfers were flawless and the standard of accomodation excellent! Highly recommend… And will surely use them again!
    Fabulous experience
    Fabulous experience. Walks in Spain were a very good company to travel with. Highly recommend them. Accommodation was very good and food excellent.