Finest Cities to Go to on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago

Strolling the Portuguese Camino is a really good different 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 method to Santiago de Compostela yearly. 

This beautiful 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 way in which. Dwelling in Portugal we have now 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 in other places 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 beautiful cities on this Camino route have lovely websites and wonderful histories and cultures to expertise. So when you will spend a while on the Camino Portugués listed below are a few of our favourite spots between the principle street and small villages to take pleasure in on these relaxation days. 

Porto (Coastal and Central Routes)

Porto is a implausible metropolis and the most well-liked start line for the Portuguese Camino, it’s a good spot to spend a few days earlier than strolling the primary day. Discover the slim 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 conventional Rabello boat. Get pleasure from jaw-dropping views of gorgeous 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 if in case you have a few further days earlier than beginning the Camino stroll there are a lot of glorious actions and excursions round this lovely metropolis.

Locations to Keep in Porto

Barcelos (Central Route)

Barcelos is a phenomenal 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 retailers can be known as The Barcelos Rooster (Galo de Barcelos) named after a folktale a few pilgrim on his method to Santiago that walks via this city. There are some good websites to go to in Barcelos comparable to; Ponte de Barcelos – a 14th-century bridge, the Tower of Barcelos, the church of Senhor da Cruz, and the church Matriz de Barcelos. Town is well-known for its pottery and the well-known Rooster of Barcelos will 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

Ponta de Lima (Central Route)

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

Ponta de Lima has some fascinating sights to see; Ponte Romano (The Roman bridge over the Lima River), Previous Chain Tower, Matriz church, the Botanical backyard Paço do Marques, and the church of Santo Antonio da Torre Velha. There are lots of 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 positioned on the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino. The beautiful Caminha Previous City with its cobblestone strolling streets is a pleasure to discover on foot. The Caminha primary sq. surrounded by Gothic homes is a good location to start out exploring this common city.

A number 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 gorgeous 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 positioned on the banks of the Minho River, which separates Portugal from Galicia in Spain. The spotlight of Valença is the gorgeous medieval fortress Fortaleza de Valença, with the previous city positioned behind the fortress partitions.

The spectacular fortress was constructed to guard Portugal from invading Spaniards on the opposite aspect 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 have 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 a neighborhood cafe folks watching and listening to buskers play some common music. A number of the highlights among the many slim 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 retailers.

Locations to remain in Valença 

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

Tui (Central Route)

On the Spanish aspect of the river Minho sits the city Tui reverse Valencia de Minho positioned on the Portuguese aspect 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 parts.

Put together to climb some stairs exploring this lovely previous city space. Tui is a well-liked start line 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 should be walked on foot by pilgrims to acquire a Compostela for strolling the Camino de Santiago and will be finished on many various 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 prepare that runs on the street from Tui that explores each Tui and Valenca and is a implausible relaxed method to do sightseeing in each cities.

Locations to remain in Tui

Vigo (Coastal Route)

Vigo is the most important metropolis in Galicia, Spain, and is the capital of the province of Pontevedra. The coastal metropolis has a pleasant historic middle, many seafood eating places, and bars. The gastronomy of Vigo is greatest 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 the town, and its seashores, and possibly go to the Cies Islands. These small islands are in all probability the most well-liked vacationer attraction in Galicia. This nationwide marine-terrestrial park is a seaside paradise with crystal-clear water. Vigo has a number of historic websites value visiting. Try Castro de Vigo (the Vigo Fort), and Plaza del a Puerto del Sol, discover the historic middle and waterfront promenade, and discover the stone market. 

Locations to remain in Vigo

Pontevedra (Central and Coastal)

Pontevedra positioned within the Rias Baixas area of Galecia is a pleasant metropolis with loads of eating places and bars, a phenomenal cathedral, and an fascinating historic middle. Town has a really pedestrian-friendly historic middle with loads of fascinating 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 the town is understood 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 gorgeous 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 study extra in regards to the metropolis from a neighborhood information.

Locations to remain in Pontevedra

Combarro (Non secular Variant)

The magical little fishing village, Combarro, simply exterior Pontevedra is likely one of the most lovely villages in Galicia. This small city is positioned proper on the religious variant of the Portuguese coastal route of the Manner of Saint James. There aren’t any automobiles within the historic quarter of Combarro with slim granite-paved pedestrian streets and vacationers exploring the streets on foot.  Strolling within the slim historic streets lined with stone Galician homes, tiny gardens, stone crosses, and granaries, the casco histórico, or previous city is actually one thing particular. Combarro is a good place to take pleasure in 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. This can be a lovely place to remain on the Camino. There are a number of rustic stone homes providing residences for lease.

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

Locations to Keep in Combarro

Lovely stone homes, good amenities, glorious location 

Funds Locations

Padron (Central and Coastal)

The small city, Padrón, with nice non secular and historic significance is positioned solely 22km from Santiago de Compostela. The variante espiritual joins the principle Camino right here. Padrón is greatest 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 residence of two essential writers; poet Rosalía de Castro and Nobel Literature Prize winner, Camilo José Cela. 

In keeping with 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 have been impressed by the gorgeous sq. in entrance of the cathedral with two rows of platano timber 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 inside the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela. 1000’s of pilgrims from throughout Europe stroll to Santiago the place they are going to 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 implausible to discover on foot. Strolling on the previous Roman roads, having fun with good meals and exquisite surroundings is a implausible 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 principle attraction of Santiago de Compostela it’s one thing to not miss. You are able to do a guided Cathedral and Museum tour to study 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 connected to the ceiling is swung by 6 specifically educated monks.
• Go to Muxia and Finisterre, many pilgrims do that lovely stroll to “the tip 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 implausible in the summertime months, the vacationer workplace could be very useful and can provide you a map, with a guided tour you received´t miss the highlights of the 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 a neighborhood information you’re going to get a style of what Galicia has to supply. 

Locations to remain in Santiago de Compostela

Whether or not you need to sleep on bunk beds or keep in a luxurious resort, we have now some good ideas 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 positioned proper subsequent to the Cathedral. There are particular rooms for pilgrims at Hospedaría, these rooms are way 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 middle than this resort. It’s been an essential a part of the Camino de Santiago for hundreds of years.

The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, accountable 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 somewhat than to do a ten 000 km street journey (truly any street 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.