Portuguese Camino Highlights Walk
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an unforgettable 9-day journey through the charming towns and picturesque landscapes of Portugal and Spain. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of cultural immersion, historical exploration, and scenic walks. Starting from the vibrant city of Porto, you'll traverse the Atlantic coastline, explore medieval cities, and follow the footsteps of pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. Along the way, you'll discover the rich history and traditions of these regions, sample local delicacies, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals. With comfortable accommodations and a meticulously planned itinerary, this tour promises an enriching and memorable experience.
Included
All breakfasts are included. A typical breakfast in Portugal and Spain might consist of coffee with milk, toast with ham, olive oil, tomatoes, cheese and butter and jam. Bakery items, fruit and juice are also popular. During this trip, expect different variations of breakfast at our chosen hotels, but they will all include at least some of the standard breakfast items popular in Portugal and Spain.
Northern Spain produces a wide range of delicious food, from fish and seafood to quality meat, vegetables and fruit. Your leader will recommend good places to eat. Sometimes it will be tapas, sharing raciones (literally portions) as a group, and sometimes you can choose from the menu.
On the Portuguese Camino, restaurants and bars offer set menus, which usually include a choice of five starters, five mains and dessert, coffee and drink for about €12-€15. You can also try pulpo a la feira, a delicacy in Galicia, which is sliced octopus with paprika, olive oil and sea salt. Sometimes it is also served with grelos (sliced boiled potatoes).
Mealtimes in Portugal and Spain are later than in many other countries; dinner is usually taken between 8pm and 9.30pm.
Please note, meat and fish are staples in Portugal and Spain. Vegetarians can be catered for, as can other dietary requirements, although there may not be the same choice or variety as you have at home. Please advise us upon booking.
Transfers to and from the airport will be by private vehicle (normally minibus).
You will spend seven nights in two-to-four-star standard hotels and one night in a casa rural, each chosen for their comfort and location. All rooms feature private bathrooms and most offer free wifi. A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplement on request.
Examples of hotels used:
Porto: Legendary Porto Hotel
Viana do Castelo: Hotel Mela Alvim
Valenca: Hotel Lara
Pontevedra: Hotel Galicia Palace
Poio: Louxo La Taja
Vilanova de Arousa: Hotel Dinajan
Padron: A Casa Antigua do Monte (Casa Rural)
Santiago: Hotel Gelmirez (Hotel Compostela for 8 June departure)
Tour leader
All activities stated as included.
Destinations
Pontevedra
Porto
Matosinhos
Santiago de Compostela
Viana do Castelo
Vila do CondeMap
Attractions
Praia fluvial de Ponte Caldelas
Santuario de Nuestra Señora de O Corpiño
Praia da Arda
Praia das CaxinasDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Porto
- Porto - Arrival day
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Upon your arrival in Porto, your tour leader will guide you through a brief orientation of the city's historic center. Depending on your arrival time, you may want to consider arriving a day earlier to fully explore the city. Your accommodation for the night will be at the Legendary Porto Hotel (or similar).
Day 2 – Day 2: Matosinhos to Viana de Castelo
- Matosinhos
- Vila do Conde
- Viana do Castelo
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- Praia das Caxinas
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After breakfast, we'll transfer to the fishing town of Matosinhos and begin our walk along the Litoral Camino, a picturesque trail that follows the Atlantic coastline. After a lunch break, we'll continue our journey to the coastal town of Vila do Conde and then transfer to the medieval city of Viana de Castelo. Here, we'll explore the city's historic center, cathedral, and old port. Our accommodation for the night will be at the Hotel Melo Alvim (or similar).
Day 3 – Day 3: Viana de Castelo to Valenca
- Valença
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- Praia da Arda
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We'll start the day with a scenic walk from our hotel, passing through quaint Portuguese villages and enjoying stunning sea and mountain views. Our journey will take us to the seaside resort of Vila Praia de Ancora and the fortified town of Caminha. After some free time to explore, we'll transfer to the walled city of Valenca, known for its linen, towels, and handcrafted souvenirs. Our accommodation for the night will be at the Hotel Lara (or similar).
Day 4 – Day 4: Valenca to Pontevedra
- Valença
- Pontevedra
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After breakfast, we'll cross the Ponte Rodo bridge into Spain and explore the border town of Tui, home to a magnificent Romanesque-Gothic cathedral. Our journey will then take us to the town of O Porriño, known for its pink granite. After a scenic walk along the Louro river, we'll transfer to Pontevedra and enjoy some free time to explore the old center. Our accommodation for the night will be at the Hotel Galicia Palace (or similar).
Day 5 – Day 5: Pontevedra to Armenteira
- Pontevedra
- Sanxenxo
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- Praia fluvial de Ponte Caldelas
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Today, we'll embark on a special detour along the Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Camino, considered by many to be the original path of Saint James. Our walk will take us through the picturesque landscapes of O Salnés, the village of Poio, and the fishing village of Combarro. We'll end the day in Armenteira, home to a fully functioning 12th-century monastery. Our accommodation for the night will be at the Hotel Louxo La Toja (or similar).
Day 6 – Day 6: Armenteira to Hotel Dinajan
- Vilagarcía de Arousa
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After breakfast, we'll transfer back to Armenteira and embark on one of the most beautiful stages of the Camino, the Stone and Water Route. This scenic trail takes us through lush forests, past ancient mills and gushing waterfalls. In the afternoon, we'll walk alongside the River Umia, passing vineyards and fields, and finish by the sea. Our accommodation for the night will be at the Hotel Dinajan (or similar), within walking distance of a beach.
Day 7 – Day 7: Vilanueva de Arousa to Pontecesures
Day 7: Vilanueva de Arousa to Pontecesures
We'll start the day with a short walk to the harbor in Vilanueva de Arousa, where we'll board a boat for the Translatio, one of the only water-based pilgrimage trails in the world. After reaching the town of Pontecesures, we'll walk the final stretch of the day, passing statues of Padron's most famous residents. Our accommodation for the night will be at the Casa Rural - Casa Antiga do Monte (or similar).
Day 8 – Day 8: Pontecesures to Santiago de Compostela
- Santiago de Compostela
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- Santuario de Nuestra Señora de O Corpiño
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On our last day of walking, we'll pass through typical Galician villages and woodland before arriving in Santiago de Compostela. We'll visit the cathedral where Saint James is said to have been buried and enjoy a walking tour of the town. In the evening, we'll have our farewell group dinner in a restaurant in Santiago's center. Our accommodation for the night will be at the Hotel Gelmirez (or similar).
Day 9 – Day 9: Departure from Santiago de Compostela
- Santiago de Compostela - Departure day
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The trip ends after breakfast. Say goodbye to the group and start your return journey home. If you're still eager for more exploration, consider booking additional nights in our Santiago de Compostela or Porto hotels.
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