Finest Cities to Go to on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago

Strolling the Portuguese Camino is a really good various to the favored Camino Frances, with coastal and rural surroundings resulting in Santiago. The Camino Portuguese is the second hottest Camino de Santiago route to stroll with greater than 25% of all pilgrims following this option to Santiago de Compostela yearly. 

This gorgeous route passes lovely cities and villages with spectacular views of the scenic countryside and rugged shoreline of Portugal and Spain with two UNESCO World Heritage cities on the best way. Residing in Portugal now we have explored this route extensively. Right here we spotlight a few of our favourite locations to go to on the Portuguese Manner. These are all nice stops for a relaxation day throughout your pilgrimage. 

The Portuguese Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago is a community of pilgrimage routes that begin elsewhere throughout Europe and end in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. There are a number of variations of the Camino Portuguese. The three hottest beginning factors and strolling distances to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela are Porto, Lisbon (630 km/391 mi), and Tui (124 km/77 mi). There are three completely different Camino routes beginning in Porto. You possibly can comply with the Central Route (260 km/161 mi), the Coastal Route (280 km/173 mi) hugging the Atlantic Ocean, or the Litoral Manner (280 km/173) mi that crosses from the Central to the Coastal Route. A number of of the gorgeous cities on this Camino route have lovely websites and wonderful histories and cultures to expertise. So when you’re going to spend a while on the Camino Portugués listed here are a few of our favourite spots between the primary highway and small villages to get pleasure from on these relaxation days. 

Porto (Coastal and Central Routes)

Porto is a unbelievable metropolis and the preferred place to begin for the Portuguese Camino, it’s a excellent spot to spend a few days earlier than strolling the primary day. Discover the slender twisting cobblestone streets climbing up and down the hills lined by genuine Portuguese homes with terracotta tiled roofs. Expertise life across the Duoro River by happening a ship cruise in a standard Rabello boat. Take pleasure in jaw-dropping views of lovely medieval buildings on the shores of the Douro River from Miradouro da Vitória at sundown. Stroll within the streets of the Ribeira district with its colourful homes, riverfront views, and vibrant cafes and bars. Drink Port in Porto! Go to a number of the conventional Port homes and wine homes on the banks of the River Douro to pattern a number of the nation´s most well-known exports. Porto is certainly one of our favourite European cities.  

Excursions and actions in Porto

If Porto is a relaxation day or when you have a few additional days earlier than beginning the Camino stroll there are numerous glorious actions and excursions round this lovely metropolis.

Locations to Keep in Porto

Barcelos (Central Route)

Barcelos is a lovely metropolis, initially a Roman settlement that expanded quite a bit within the fifteenth century. The well-known Portuguese rooster emblem usually seen in Portuguese memento outlets can also be known as The Barcelos Rooster (Galo de Barcelos) named after a folktale a couple of pilgrim on his option to Santiago that walks by means of this city. There are some good websites to go to in Barcelos reminiscent of; Ponte de Barcelos – a 14th-century bridge, the Tower of Barcelos, the church of Senhor da Cruz, and the church Matriz de Barcelos. The town is well-known for its pottery and the well-known Rooster of Barcelos may be seen all over the place on the town.

Excursions and actions in Barcelos

Barcelos, Braga, and Guimarães Tour – Uncover three of northern Portugal’s historic cities on this full-day tour.

Locations to remain in Barcelos

Ponte de Lima (Central Route)

Also known as  “most floral city of Portugal” the picturesque Ponte de Lima is the oldest city in Portugal. You’ll stroll into city on the Camino along with your fellow pilgrims on a well-known 2000-year-old medieval Roman bridge, Ponte Romano, crossing the Lima River. The city is situated comparatively near Barcelos, it’s considerably smaller and is named probably the most lovely small cities in Portugal.

Ponta de Lima has some attention-grabbing sights to see; Ponte Romano (The Roman bridge over the Lima River), Outdated Chain Tower, Matriz church, the Botanical backyard Paço do Marques, and the church of Santo Antonio da Torre Velha. There are numerous good lodging choices within the city.

Locations to remain in Ponte de Lima

Caminha (Coastal Route)

Caminha is a small coastal city on the south financial institution of the Minho River in essentially the most northern a part of Portugal on the border with Spain. The city is situated on the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino. The gorgeous Caminha Outdated City with its cobblestone strolling streets is a pleasure to discover on foot. The Caminha major sq. surrounded by Gothic homes is a good location to start out exploring this in style city.

A few of the highlights to not miss are the Renaissance fountain: Chafariz do Terreiro, and Clock Tower: Torre do Relogio. Switching from the coastal route in Caminha to the central route in Valença/Tui is a well-liked Camino route on the Portuguese Manner. Strolling this fashion on the Camino Portugués you mix the attractive seaside surroundings of the Coastal Camino and the historic cities of the Central Route. 

Valença do Minho (Central Route)

The distinctive city of Valenca is situated on the banks of the Minho River, which separates Portugal from Galicia in Spain. The spotlight of Valença is the attractive medieval fortress Fortaleza de Valença, with the previous city situated behind the fortress partitions.

The spectacular fortress was constructed to guard Portugal from invading Spaniards on the opposite facet of the River Minha. The cobblestone streets of the functioning city enclosed by  5 kilometers of defensive partitions are enjoyable to discover resulting in cathedrals, church buildings, chapels, and museums. Take a while to take a look at the spectacular partitions surrounding Valença do Minho. Within the evenings the streets are loopy busy and we had a good time procuring and sitting at an area cafe folks watching and listening to buskers play some in style music. A few of the highlights among the many slender stone-paved streets are the previous buildings, the church buildings Igreja de Santo Estevão; Capela Militar do Bom Jesus and Igreja de Santa Maria dos Anjos, and a great deal of eating places, cafes, and memento outlets.

Locations to remain in Valença 

There are numerous locations to remain in Valença on completely different budgets together with a public albergue.

Tui (Central Route)

On the Spanish facet of the river Minho sits the city Tui reverse Valencia de Minho situated on the Portuguese facet of the river. An iron bridge crossing the river, designed by Eiffel, hyperlinks the 2 cities. You possibly can stroll or drive between Portugal and Spain over this bridge. The city winds uphill to the spectacular hilltop cathedral with Romanesque and Gothic components.

Put together to climb some stairs exploring this lovely previous city space. Tui is a well-liked place to begin for the Camino de Santiago for a lot of pilgrims strolling the final 100 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela. That is the minimal distance that have to be walked on foot by pilgrims to acquire a Compostela for strolling the Camino de Santiago and may be finished on many alternative routes. Near the cathedral, I noticed a few non-public albergues and pilgrims having fun with a pilgrim menu at completely different cafes. There’s a little vacationer practice that runs on the highway from Tui that explores each Tui and Valenca and is a unbelievable relaxed option to do sightseeing in each cities.

Locations to remain in Tui

Vigo (Coastal Route)

Vigo is the biggest metropolis in Galicia, Spain. The coastal metropolis has a pleasant historic heart, many seafood eating places, and bars. The gastronomy of Vigo is finest recognized for seafood, don’t miss the octopus and mussels! In case you have time you possibly can keep for 2 nights right here to discover town, and its seashores, and possibly go to the Cies Islands. These small islands are most likely the preferred vacationer attraction in Galicia. This nationwide marine-terrestrial park is a seashore paradise with crystal-clear water. Vigo has a number of historic websites price visiting. Take a look at Castro de Vigo (the Vigo Fort), and Plaza del a Puerto del Sol, discover the historic heart and waterfront promenade, and discover the stone market. 

Locations to remain in Vigo

Pontevedra (Central and Coastal)

Pontevedra situated within the Rias Baixas area of Galecia is a pleasant metropolis with loads of eating places and bars, a lovely cathedral, and an attention-grabbing historic heart. The town has a really pedestrian-friendly historic heart with loads of attention-grabbing monuments and church buildings. Exploring the tapas bars on the cobblestone streets is a enjoyable night. Consuming seafood, notably mussels and octopus is the gastronomic spotlight town is thought for. Some websites to go to are the Gothic Santa María la Mayor Basilica, Peregrina Sq., Herrería Sq., the river Lérez, the Chains Bridge, the Burgo Bridge, the attractive Church of Sao Domingos, and the Sexto Edificio museum (Galician artwork). Exploring the Rias Baixas from Pontevedra is a highly regarded day journey. 

Do a Guided Strolling Tour of Pontevedra to be taught extra in regards to the metropolis from an area information.

Locations to remain in Pontevedra

Combarro (Religious Variant)

The magical little fishing village, Combarro, simply outdoors Pontevedra is among the most lovely villages in Galicia. This small city is situated proper on the religious variant of the Portuguese coastal route of the Manner of Saint James. There are not any automobiles within the historic quarter of Combarro with slender granite-paved pedestrian streets and vacationers exploring the streets on foot.  Strolling within the slender historic streets lined with stone Galician homes, tiny gardens, stone crosses, and granaries, the casco histórico, or previous city is really one thing particular. Combarro is a good place to get pleasure from seaside eating, sitting subsequent to the ocean in a restaurant with a wide range of seafood available right here together with clams, scallops, pulpo estila feira, and sardines. It is a lovely place to remain on the Camino. There are a number of rustic stone homes providing residences for hire.

All about Staying in Combarro on the Religious Variant of the Camino de Santiago. 

Locations to Keep in Combarro

Stunning stone homes, good amenities, glorious location 

Funds Locations

Padron (Central and Coastal)

The small city, Padrón, with nice non secular and historic significance is situated solely 22km from Santiago de Compostela. The variante espiritual joins the primary Camino right here. Padrón is finest recognized for being the origin of the pimientos de Padron (little Padron peppers), its function within the historical past of the Camino de Santiago, and because the house of two vital writers; poet Rosalía de Castro and Nobel Literature Prize winner, Camilo José Cela. 

Based on the legend of St.James, two disciples arrived in Pardon (then Iria Flavia) with the physique of the apostle, from the place he was transported to the situation of Santiago de Compostela.

Some websites to not miss on the town are the church of Santiago (with the Pedron stone), the Carmo monastery and the Carmelite fountain, the home of Rosalia de Castro museum, and the Espolon Promenade. We had been impressed by the attractive sq. in entrance of the cathedral with two rows of platano bushes framing the sq.. Gastronomically the city could be very well-known for the small, tasty, little Padron peppers. A well-known dish to expertise on the Camino de Santiago. 

Places to remain in Padrón

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the Galicia area within the northwest of Spain. All of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes lead to what’s considered the burial website of the Biblical apostle St. James throughout the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela. Hundreds of pilgrims from throughout Europe stroll to Santiago the place they may get the ultimate stamp on their pilgrim passport upon profitable completion of the pilgrimage. Sitting on Plaza Obradoiro in entrance of the cathedral and seeing pilgrims arrive on the finish of this lengthy stroll is an emotional expertise. This breathtaking metropolis stuffed with lovely previous buildings, church buildings, squares, fountains, and parks is unbelievable to discover on foot. Strolling on the previous Roman roads, having fun with good meals and delightful surroundings is a unbelievable day within the metropolis. See our detailed information to the Finest Issues To Do in Santiago de Compostela. 

Highlights of Santiago de Compostela

• The Cathedral is the primary attraction of Santiago de Compostela it’s one thing to not miss. You are able to do a guided Cathedral and Museum tour to be taught extra about its historical past.
• Attend Pilgrims Mass –  Perhaps you might be very fortunate and see the Botafumeiro Ceremony, throughout this ceremony, an enormous silver incense burner hooked up to the ceiling is swung by 6 specifically skilled monks.
• Go to Muxia and Finisterre, many pilgrims do that lovely stroll to “the top of the world” after ending their Camino in Santiago de Compostela. – Fisterra, Muxía, Ezaro, Ría de Muros, Pontemaceira & Costa da Morte: full-day tour
• Discover this fascinating metropolis on foot is unbelievable in the summertime months, the vacationer workplace could be very useful and may give you a map, with a guided tour you received´t miss the highlights of town – Historic Middle Guided Tour with Official Information
• There are a number of distinctive Spanish dishes to not miss when visiting Santiago. On a gastronomic tour with an area information you’ll get a style of what Galicia has to supply. 

Locations to remain in Santiago de Compostela

Whether or not you wish to sleep on bunk beds or keep in a luxurious resort, now we have some good suggestions after strolling 9 completely different routes to Santiago de Compostela. 

See our article for Finest Locations to Keep in Santiago de Compostela for Pilgrims 

Funds | Santiago KM-0 |

Center worth | Hospedería San Martín Pinario | This place is situated proper subsequent to the Cathedral. There are particular rooms for pilgrims at Hospedaría, these rooms are rather more primary in comparison with the usual room and value much less. 

Excessive-end | Parador de Santiago – Hostal Reis Catolicos | You possibly can’t discover a place to remain nearer to the Cathedral and the historic heart than this resort. It’s been an vital a part of the Camino de Santiago for hundreds of years.

The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, chargeable for all our land adventures (mountain climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack fairly than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (truly any highway journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.