Portuguese Camino Coastal Route

Included in Cost:

7 nights accommodation:
Breakfast each morning.
Full time English Speaking Guide.
Transport during tour / Airport transfers.
Luggage Forwarded – 15Kg
Pilgrim Kit: Credencial (passport) and Vieira (shell)

We have Postponed this trip to 2022.
Cost: €875pps. Members: €825 SS: €185
Deposit of just 10% required when booking.
Duration: 8 Days, 7 nights / 6 walking days
Tour Type: Guided
Nº of people: Max 16 people
Difficulty: Moderate
Total walking distance: 100km

Tour Description

The Portuguese Camino Coastal Route from Baiona to Santiago de Compostela.

8 Day Guided Walking Holiday on The Portuguese Coastal Camino : Final 100Km

Dates 2021: Sept 12th – 19th
Cost: €875pps. Members: €825 SS: €185
Deposit of 10% required at the time of booking.

7 nights accommodation:
Breakfast each morning.
Full time English Speaking Guide.
Transport during tour / Airport transfers.
Luggage Forwarded.
Pilgrim Kit: Credencial (passport) and Vieira (shell).

Note: Flights are not included in cost.
Recommended flights
Sept 12th Ryan Air: 14:10 – 16:35 FR7072

Return Flights:
Sept 19th Aer Lingus: 17:10 – 18:20 EI743

The Camino De Santiago is the ancient Pilgrimage trail of St James with its source in many countries and ending up at the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain.

On this section we will be following the Portuguese coastal route starting from Baiona, Galicia in North West of Spain.

Baiona is one of the most attractive and important coastal towns in Galicia. Its protected bays offer beaches with character and safe harbour in its fishing port. There’s no shortage of fresh seafood in the town’s many tapas bars and restaurants so tuck in!

Before leaving Baiona to begin your Camino, take some time to explore its medieval streets and churches as well as the Monterreal fortress on the peninsular. Then follow the Camino da Costa through countryside, forest and villages to the city of Vigo, looking out for views of the Cies islands in the Ria de Vigo estuary.

Your route merges with the Central Camino de Santiago in Redondela, taking you through more delightful Galician countryside with stops in historical Pontevedra, the spa town of Caldas de Reis and Padrón, a town that’s strongly linked to the legend of St. James, before the ultimate destination of Santiago de Compostela and its magnificent cathedral.

Welcome Briefing:

Your guide and our partners in Portugal will meet you on the day before you start walking to give you a full briefing and personally hand deliver your Camino Welcome Pack. This pack contains all the materials you’ll need as a pilgrim: Your Credencial (Pilgrim Passport), a scallop shell with the symbol of St. James, a roadbook with route descriptions and tips plus a few other goodies for the trail! The member of our staff will be delighted to answer any questions that you have before starting your journey to Santiago de Compostela.

Itinerary

8 days on the Portuguese Camino Coastal Route (Guided)

Day 1: Arrival to Baiona

Take some time to refresh, briefing about the next few days walks, receive your Camino kit and have some dinner.

Accommodation: 3 stars hotel

Day 2: Walk from Baiona to Vigo (25.5km / 15.8 miles)

As you pass through the outskirts of Baiona, you’ll encounter a few historical monuments and have views of the coast before you head inland through the countryside. Walk through villages and forest and then a stretch of busy road in Coruche before re-entering rural territory on the approach to Vigo. Cut through Castrelos Park to avoid the urban jungle and reach your hotel.

Accommodation: 3*** hotel, Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Walk from Vigo to Arcade (22km / 13.5 miles)

Walk along Vigo’s bustling shopping street and out of the city. You’ll follow the same road, at times tarmac, at others unpaved, through a row of peaceful villages spread across the hills with views of the Ria de Vigo. The next few kilometres are spent in a leafy forest before heading downhill to Redondela, famous for its two viaducts. The final stretch takes you out of Redondela and up through another forest before you reach Arcade, where you can sample their famous oysters.

Accommodation: 2** hotel, Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Walk from Arcade to Pontevedra (13km / 8 miles)

Today’s walk is short and one of the most attractive on the Camino. Cross the ancient Ponte Sampaio to leave Arcade and follow a well-worn stone path past small fields and uphill into a forest. Use our scenic detour to approach Pontevedra via a riverside path in the shade of trees rather than the main road. Once settled, take your pick from an array of atmospheric squares to relax in.

Accommodation: 3 stars hotel, Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Walk from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis (22km / 13.6 miles)

Get a glimpse of Pontevedra’s Roman heritage as you leave the city to follow the railway line north through the valley and patches of forest. After the village of San Amaro, continue through the countryside, decorated with tall grape vines, to the tiny village of Tivo. From here, it’s a mere two kilometres before you get to enjoy the warm thermal springs in Caldas de Reis.

Accommodation: 2** hotel. Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Walk from Caldas de Reis to Padron (19km / 11.5 miles)

Shortly after leaving the medieval spa town behind, you’ll walk through the pretty Bermaña valley to reach Santa Mariña church. Once you reach Cortiñas, its downhill almost all the way, through the Valga woods and over the Ulla River to the intriguing town of Padrón where you’ll find many references to the legend of St. James.

Accommodation: 4**** hotel, Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Walk from Padron to Santiago (25km / 15.5 miles)

There are inevitably several periods of road walking today but these are interspersed with stretches of peaceful woodland. Of note is the Romanesque church of Santa Mária de Iria and the Marian shrine at A Escravitude. Ancient oak trees and a remarkable stone cross add to the charm of Parada de Francos. Follow Rua Franco all the way to Praza do Obradoiro to reach the awe-inspiring cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Accommodation: 3 stars hotel, Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Departure and transfer to the airport

We say goodbye to the Portuguese Camino Coastal Route and Transfer back to the Airport after breakfast.

What to Bring

What to bring along for the Portuguese Camino Coastal Route.

Essentials in your walking Day Pack:

Water, snack, sun hat, sun cream, sun glasses, rain-gear.
blister plasters for you feet, lip balm. small first aid.

A typical walking day pack is approx 25L – No heavier than 8Kg.

Strong walking shoes or boots are necessary.
Walking trousers /shorts, not jeans
Polyester T-shirts, not cotton
Good walking socks.
Mostly, one good water bottle is fine, you can refill along the way.
It can rain heavily, so have good waterproofs.
Don’t forget your earplugs.
Small torch.

Note: In most areas you can wash clothes, so there is no need to take too many extra clothes.

Personal Medical Equipment

Suntan lotion
Antiseptic cream
Lip balm
Cloth tape for blisters (also good to use before the blister forms, for prevention)
Band-aids, again primarily for blisters
Sterile gauze bandages for emergencies

Very Important:

Check Your Passport is in date and you have adequate Travel Insurance.

FAQ

Accommodations:

A combination of 2 and 3 star hotels located on the Camino. All rooms have their own bathrooms. We’ve chosen these accommodations for their hospitality, comfort, and location. *Keep in mind that as you will be walking through rural countryside, 3 star hotels are not always available at every stop.

Meals on This Tour:

All breakfasts are included with your accommodation. We have arranged that you will be provided with more than the standard Spanish breakfast of coffee & toast. Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions and we can ask our hotels to accommodate for those as well!

Luggage transport:

We will arrange for the transfer of 1 suitcase / piece of luggage (15 kg) per person between your hotels on your walk along the Camino. If you require more than 1 bag, please contact us for details.