Portuguese Camino

A Journey for Body, Soul, and Palate!

Dreaming of an adventure that combines stunning scenery, rich history, and delicious food? Look no further than the Coastal Camino! I recently completed a challenging yet incredibly fulfilling 10-day trek along this alternative Portuguese Camino trail, journeying from the charming city of Porto all the way to the majestic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

This unique route hugs the picturesque coastline, leading you through delightful towns like Baiona, Vigo, and Redondela before joining the traditional pilgrim path. Imagine yourself retracing the ancient “Way of Saint James,” hiking past the shimmering Bay of Vigo, discovering historic churches, and soaking in the atmosphere of quaint villages in north-western Spain.

Beyond the spiritual significance of one of the three most important Christian pilgrimages, this journey is a feast for the senses. Prepare to be enchanted by idyllic landscapes and beautiful towns, and get ready to indulge in some of the freshest seafood imaginable, perfectly paired with local Vino. This Coastal Camino truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that nourishes your body, calms your mind, and delights your taste buds!

Day 1: Porto – Where Your Camino (and Port!) Adventure Begins!

Ola and welcome to the beautiful city of Porto, the renowned home of exquisite Port wines! Nestled along the scenic River Douro, Porto truly stands out as one of Portugal’s most romantic destinations. Prepare to be charmed by its majestic bridges and the enchanting medieval riverside district, a delightful maze of cobbled streets, historic merchants’ houses, and inviting cafes.

While you’re here, be sure to immerse yourself in the local culture. I highly recommend a relaxing river cruise along the Douro for stunning views, and of course, a quintessential Port wine tasting experience. If time allows, catching a captivating Fado show is a must for a taste of traditional Portuguese music. And, don’t forget to simply wander and enjoy everything the vibrant downtown has to offer—it’s the perfect way to kick off your Camino journey!

Day 2: Coastal Beginnings & Baiona’s Charm!

Today marks the official start of our Camino journey. After a comfortable 2-hour transfer by car/van, we arrived in Oia, a charming coastal town where you can grab a refreshing drink at a local café before lacing up your boots.

From Oia, the “Camino” officially begins! You’re now 92.29 miles (148.54 km) from Santiago de Compostela. Our walk today commenced at the historic St. Mary Oia Monastery, a fascinating site once home to warrior monks who bravely defended against Ottoman pirates.

The path today leads us along the stunning coastline to the picturesque seaside town of Baiona. Once settled, take a leisurely stroll along the bustling port and treat yourself to the incredible seafood and crisp white wine that the Rias Baixas region is famous for. Tonight, we’ll be resting our weary feet at the comfortable Hotel Bahia Baiona.

Today’s Stats:

Distance: 13 miles (21 km)
Walking Time: 5 hours 45 minutes
Total Elevation Gain: 1,076 ft
Calories Expended: Approximately 1,250!

Day 3: Coastal Trails to Vibrant Vigo!

This morning, our Camino adventure continues as the trail beautifully hugs the coastline from Baiona all the way to the bustling city of Vigo.

Prepare for a varied and engaging trek today! The terrain will be a delightful mix of paved roads, challenging rocky and root-filled paths, and finally, the soft embrace of the sand as we walk along Samil Beach. (Don’t worry, there’s a convenient promenade next to the beach if you prefer not to walk directly on the sand!)

We’ll arrive in Vigo in the late afternoon. After a refreshing stop at the beach, we took a short taxi ride to our accommodation, the Atlantico Vigo hotel, where we spent two nights – a welcome opportunity for a well-deserved rest day in this vibrant city!

Today’s Stats:

Distance: 13 miles (21 km)
Walking Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Elevation Gain: 965 ft
Calories Expended: Approximately 1,234!

Day 4: Rest & Exploration in Vigo!

Today was a much-anticipated rest day in the vibrant city of Vigo! Cradled by mountains on one side and the sparkling sea on the other, Vigo has blossomed from a humble fishing village into the most populated city in this region.

This morning, I took the opportunity to hike up to Castelo do Castro. This fantastic hilltop park is home to fascinating prehistoric stone ruins and the remains of a medieval fortress. While the fortress itself is now mostly ruins, it offers a wonderfully serene setting to stroll through the gardens and soak in the breathtaking panoramic views of the city and coastline.

In the afternoon, we ventured to the ferry terminal and hopped on a local ferry to Cangas, a charming small fishing village boasting a beautiful beach – a perfect escape!

As evening fell, it was back to exploring Vigo. We enjoyed a leisurely walk around the city before settling down for a delicious dinner at one of the many renowned seafood restaurants – a perfect end to a day of rest and discovery!

Day 5: Coastal Views to Redondela!

This morning, our Camino journey continued as we set off towards Redondela! We spent the first 45 minutes walking within the vibrant city of Vigo before the trail once again led us along the captivating coastline, offering us ever-changing perspectives of the beautiful Bay of Vigo.

As this was a shorter walking day, it was a perfect opportunity to truly take in all of our surroundings and relax deeply into the rhythm of the journey. Redondela, situated at the upper end of the Bay of Vigo, marks an important point on our pilgrimage. It’s here that we conclude our stunning coastal walk and join the original Portuguese Camino trail – a significant milestone on the path to Santiago!

Tonight, we enjoyed a stay at A Marisma Hostal, our only hostal experience on this trip.

Today’s Stats:

Distance: 10.25 miles (16.4 km)
Walking Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Calories Expended: Approximately 400!

Day 6: Coastal Farewell & Pontevedra’s Charm!

Today marked our final day along the stunning coast, and we made sure to savor every last view! On our way, we made a delightful stop in the charming fishing village of Arcade, where we indulged in a relaxed seafood lunch at Marisqueria Arcade – a true highlight.

After a delicious meal, we continued our hike for another three hours into the beautiful city of Pontevedra. We arrived by mid-afternoon, giving us ample time to explore its captivating old town, filled with impressive Romanesque churches and quaint granite squares. It was the perfect way to unwind after a rewarding day of walking.

Today’s Stats:

Distance: 13 miles (21 km)
Walking Time: 6 hours
Elevation Gain: 1,434 ft
Calories Expended: Approximately 1,183!

Day 7: Inland Paths & Healing Waters to Caldas de Reis!

Today, our Camino journey took a turn inland, leading us through beautiful chestnut groves and serene pine and eucalyptus woods on our way to Caldas de Reis.

Our first stop of the day was at the Lady Pilgrim Church in Pontevedra to collect our first stamp – a meaningful start to the day’s trek. We continued onwards, passing significant landmarks like Lombo da Maceira, featuring a statue of Saint James, and the quaint hamlet of Tivo with its historic fountain and public washing bath.

We finally arrived in Caldas de Reis, a town renowned for its hot springs and their famed healing properties. After a day of walking, we indulged in a delightful wine tasting for dinner, sampling a variety of wines from the Galician region. A definite highlight was the Treixadura Ribeiro wine, which truly stood out as the most balanced white wine – a must-try!

Today’s Stats:

Distance: 14.9 miles (23.9 km)
Elevation Gain: 958 ft
Walking Time: 6 hours
Calories Expended: Approximately 1,376!

Day 8: Hot Springs, Forests, and Onward to Padrón!

Our Day 8 on the Camino began by crossing the River Umia in Caldas de Reis, where we discovered the very hot springs that have given the town its name since Roman times – a fascinating start!

The trail today led us through beautiful forests, gradually climbing towards the charming village of Santa Marina. After a refreshing stop to take in our surroundings, we continued our journey through peaceful pine forests before arriving at tonight’s destination: the historic town of Padrón.

We settled into the comfortable Hotel Scala Padrón for the night, reflecting on another rewarding day of walking.

Today’s Stats:

Distance: 13.8 miles (22 km)
Walking Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Elevation Gain: 1,037 ft
Calories Expended: Approximately 1,266!

Day 9: The Grand Finale – Santiago de Compostela!

Today was the momentous final day of walking on our Camino, a longer journey culminating in an unforgettable arrival! Our path led us through charming small villages and past the historic sanctuary of A Escravitude.

As we pressed on towards Agro dos Monteiros, the first thrilling glimpse of the cathedral spires emerged on the horizon, a powerful motivator! We passed the evocative ruins of the castle of A Rocha Vella, feeling the history of the trail with every step.

The final leg of our pilgrimage took us through the vibrant town, leading us to the magnificent Plaza del Obradoiro and finally, to the very gates of the marvelous Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. We made it! The feeling was incredible.

Our guide swiftly helped us secure our Compostela certificate – a tangible reward for our journey – along with all the stamps we’d diligently collected along the way. We took some time to wander through the city’s historic quarter, soaking in the atmosphere, before heading out for a well-deserved celebratory dinner. It was definitely time to toast our accomplishment!

We spent our celebratory night at the Mirador de Belvis hotel.

Today’s Stats: