240 km or 150 miles is between Porto, Portugal, and Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The cultural capital of Northern Portugal is the start of an old route of the Way of St. James. The traditional trail crosses about 100 settlements, several rivers, some chains of hills, and the border between Portugal and Spain. You will experience different people and landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula. You will be overwhelmed by nature, cultural and mental experiences.
This is a guided backpack trip with light luggage. The first and last nights will be arranged in advance. On this pilgrimage, we will find our beds where our legs will guide us. From comfy to easy, very different accommodations will be used and shared. And the same about food. There will be restaurants, pilgrim menus, and self-cooking.
And there will be walking. We will start with 5 hours and 20 km per day. And after a week, this will feel like a break. Issues with feet or heavy luggage? Your guide will help!
Not sure if this is the right trip for you? Do you have the right equipment? Don’t worry. There will be online meetings for information and preparation before the journey starts. You will get as well a video and packing list.
The guided tour will start from the cathedral in Porto on a Sunday morning. This leaves enough time to visit Porto and for your individual arrival. It is okay if you join the group on Saturday or Sunday. At worst, I can arrange a meeting point on Monday morning that can quickly get to from the airport. Any later is impossible because the group will consist of exercised walkers after three days.
Your tour guide made this trip several times before. Alone and with large groups. He is experienced in defining the daily destination. And in changes and occasions that suddenly happen. His experience guarantees a safe trip where there is still much room for unexpected and spontaneous activities.
The group of this trip will be for up to 13 TripMates. This includes me and maybe an assistant if we will be more than 7. Here, only 6 TripMates may book. That is appropriate. I might add more places later.
My name is Dirk. I am 48 years old. This trip will be my 5th on the same traditional route. I did it before alone and as a guide for two groups with more than 27 young grownups and staff. And I travelled other routes of the Way of St. James in Portugal and Spain before.
I’m head of pedagogics at an institute of further education, which is as well a language school and organises trips for young people. I organised this trip for the institute before. This trip is not connected to this job.
I will organize accommodation for the first two nights and the last. All other accommodations will be decided on every day. This includes deciding where to stay. Your experienced guide knows a lot of bug public hostels and even tiny, cozy hide-a-ways. I aim even to show you the whole variety of accommodation available. Have a look at my description. I indicate the variety of possibilities.
When I walk all alone, I do it without sleeping back. I stay in tiny, family-run hostels, preferably including food. The private ones usually include fresh linen and towel
What's included?
Accommodation
At least 2 meals and a snack per day
Experienced tour guide
Packing list
Video conferences before the trip
Official pilgrims‘ pass
Bus or train trip back to Porto
If necessary, transportation of luggage
Special Price only for the next booking!
Guided trip
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Educationalist and Enthusiast of the Way of St. James — Pedagogical Director of a Further Education Institute and Language School
25 Countries
You can chat with Dirk once you reserve your spot.
Trip Itinerary
1
Porto
Day 1-2
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The cultural capital of Northern Portugal is a vivid city known for its famous liquor. Its name developed into the name of the country. It derives from a Latin word which means beautiful harbours, and it is. And besides the liquor, there is so much more to explore.
Our group will assemble here on Saturday, 30th of September. We will get acquainted and have dinner together. Dinner will be in a restaurant with typical Portuguese cuisine.
At best we all stay already at the same hotel. I will try my best. But some tripmates may want to arrive earlier, or I couldn't get additional beds if you book late. But be sure to get a bed! I aim to enjoy life in Porto and start from a nice hotel room. I will get reservations for rooms for two. A rich breakfast will be included.
On Sunday, the 1st of October, we will assemble in front of the cathedral. Here you receive your “pilgrims pass”, the so-called credential. The receptionist at the cathedral will acknowledge our start with the first stamp inside. Don’t worry. You don't have to be Christian or religious for the credential. It is necessary to get into mist hotels along the way. And it‘s fun to collect the stamps.
Well prepared, we followed the way down to the river. We follow the river to the ocean. Very different views of old and new Porto will appear. At the mouth of the river, we will have a break at the park. Then we will turn right and follow the coast along the Atlantic.
2
Matosinhos
Day 2
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Matosinhos is an industrial but even touristic suburb of Porto. A streetcar line ends here, not far from the beach. If you want to head for the beach in Porto, this is probably the closest destination.
A goodie: The tourist information offers stamps for the credential. It is placed directly at the beach where your way goes along. A Public toilet is available here.
Hint! Matisinhos is an excellent place to eat fish, especially sardines. A road full of restaurants is behind the tourist information after crossing a small park.
Along today’s 23 km hike, you will see how the settlements change from the historic old town centre to touristic beach resorts and industrial zones. It will increasingly become a rural coastline with dunes and occasionally a fishing village.
3
Angeiras
Day 2-3
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Our night stop is a small fishermen's village at the Atlantic. Playa des Angeiras is known for its camping site, which also offers small hoods. Pilgrims can rent these premises for a cheap rate if available. But you can make regular reservations as well.
We stay here for the first night in 2 or 3 reserved hoods. We will cook together and look at what we can gather for dinner in the village. In the worst case, a small shop is at the camping site.
Astonishing, we are still on the outskirts of Porto and not far from the airport. Thus, getting accommodation is hard to get during the high tourist season. This campsite in the dunes is a secret escape. Cooking together will assist in forming our hiking group.
From here, we start the next morning and walk half day along the often foggy coast in the morning.
4
Vila do Conde
Day 3
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The city of the count, that’s the meaning of the town name.
Upto Vila do Conde, we walked the Caminho Portugues da Costa, along the coast. This Way here is a relatively new track developed with the support of the European Union. Here we leave the coastal path and turn to the shorter traditional route.
The town is a food place for a lunch break or a second breakfast. Walk into the town for supermarkets and cafés before continuing along the river. Caution, you will cross the tracks of the streetcar back to Porto!
5
Rates
Day 3-4
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We will stay at the first public hostel on our trip. Run by a private club, this classical auberge for pilgrims offers clean, basic accommodation. It is just a tiny village, but you will love it at the end of your 3rd day. We will have hiked another 22 kilometres. Most tripmates will suffer today more than the day before. That’s normal. The first three days are the hardest ones. You will not walk much more today. Across the large hostel is a small supermarket and a restaurant with offers for pilgrims.
Rates are also a good place for the first washing of our clothes.
The hostel has an archive of guest books. I like to have a look when I stayed here before. From a hospitalera, I got my first green wine here. Traditionally, I will invite you for a glass. And I will tell you about the wine and what she taught me.
Next morning we will need to decide where we will hike today. Most tripmates will need a shorter distance today. Our bodies still learn how to deal with walking for several hours every day. The next stop may be the town if Barcelos, which is 16 kilometres away. The hostel of Portela de Tamel is another 8 kilometres away (and uphill). Probably this would be too much.
6
Barcelos
Day 4-5
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The vivid town is the capital of an administrative district of rural villages. It is famous for the cock, which became the symbol for Portugal. Stay here for a night. Enjoy food and drinks. Have a party ;-)
If Barcelos is too crowded, we will stay in the little suburban town of Barcelinhos. I even know a nice family run restaurant there which serves groups.
7
Portela
Day 5
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Here is nothing but an excellent auberge, just 8 km from Barcellos but shortening the distance to Ponte de Lima. Unfortunately, the last 2 kilometres are just uphill.
Portela de Tamel is a good stop for group activities. An excellent stop to relax from the hard start. Remember, the first three days are the worst. Anyway, continue walking.
If we stay here, we will need to bring food from Barcelos. Else there is a small supermarket in 2 kilometres distance.
8
Ponte de Lima
Day 5-6
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We reach the river Lima. The next town is an old Roman place with a bridge across the river Lima. A vivid, slightly touristic town. You will reach it walking a shadeful alley along the river. Stay for a coffee before crossing the bridge. The next larger town is a whole day trip away.
The hostels directly behind the bridge are nice. But maybe we continue walking a bit in the afternoon to shorten next days distance. There are tiny cosy auberges available behind Ponte de Lima.
9
Rubiães
Day 6-7
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Don't run if Rubiāes is your final destination on this day. There is nothing to see. Between Ponte de Lima and Valença, it is hard to find accommodation for groups. Here you will surely get something. But prepare for cooking or staying in a smaller private auberge where food is included.
How much we will walk depends on our physical condition and what we aim at. There is no need to hurry. But maybe we want to walk that long. Sounds strange? Well, you will be an excellent walker by now - with or without blisters. And don’t worry! Your guide knows about backpack transportation and taxis.
10
Valença
Day 7-8
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Six or seven days after starting in Porto, we will arrive at this fortification at the Spanish-Portuguese border. Full of history, this last stop is a nice place to rest. It is also an excellent place to stay with groups because most people prefer to stay in Tui, the town on the other side of the river, which is the border. Tui is only 2 kilometres away.
11
Tui
Day 8
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Welcome to Spain! Tui is crowded with Spanish pilgrims. And therefore it has many offers of accommodation of any kind. Especially before each weekend, some Spanish pilgrims start from here hiking to Santiago in three days. The distance from here is a bit more than 100 km. This is sufficient to get the Compostela document at the pilgrim's office in Santiago. It is enough to earn relief from sins in catholic belief. You need to collect your stamps from here to get relief. So why should you walk more?
Tui main square is also a good break for a late breakfast. Late? Sure, because you have “lost” an hour crowding the Spanish-Portuguese border.
12
O Porriño
Day 8
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The first town in Spain after Tui is an industrial one. A public hostel directly at the small creek is the best. Always take the longer, more beautiful path along the creek! It's cooler as well. You will see enough industry when crossing the railway track in the heart of the small town center.
If we need to stay here overnight, I will advise pizzas or boccadillos.
13
Redondela
Day 8
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This is a nice city for shopping. The local trains station is directly at the Way of St. James. I never stopped here for longer. Walk into town, have a drink or snack, look around, continue walking. That's it. After several days on the caminho, this will be enough.
14
Arcade
Day 8-9
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Arcade is our last chance to swim in the Atlantic ocean. A reason to stop here is the famous fjord of Vigo. A hint for the start into the morning: the local bakery is directly at the way towards Pontevedra. For dinner, have a look at the local chippy.
I don’t mention the daily distance anymore. If we made it to Spain in 6 to 7 days, we will be able to walk at least 25 kilometres everyday by now. We can be sure to arrive in Santiago. Walking more or less will determine how much time we will have to spend in Santiago, at the Gallician coast or in Porto on the way back home.
15
Pontevedra
Day 9
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Known for its rich Galician culture, Pontevedra is a city of more than regional influence. Stay at least an hour. Enjoy the street musicians and a coffee before leaving through the old town. Visit the pilgrims' cathedral in the form of a Jacobs mussle.
There is more to do here. But walking this route before many times, I know that our minds will be keen on walking now.
16
Briallos
Day 9-10
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There is nothing but an “Albergue”. It is a former elementary school. But there is space. In the summertime, there's a bar and pizzas available. In the short distance is a tiny shop. For a supermarket, you must take a cab to the next town.
This hideaway is an excellent alternative to the more crowded towns ahead. Anyway, we might need to get food from a supermarket next town.
17
Caldas de Reis
Day 10
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An excellent place to stay for one night and have dinner out. You will surely find a pretty place. Look a bit further away from the Way of St. James, down at the old town. It's worth it. The town has lots of supermarkets besides the bakery next to the church. Bakery? Yes. Have a breakfast break. If you arrive early on the morning, you will here parrots in the palm trees.
18
Valga
Day 10
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Nothing but an auberge and a close-by pub. No supermarket. Bring your own food. Another former elementary school turned into a pilgrims' auberge. Nice, clean, large rooms with a lot of beds. Enjoy a nearby pub where you can sit outside below grape wine.
Anyway, at this part of our journey, we will enjoy nature.
19
Pontecesures
Day 10-11
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Industrial heritgage? Maybe with a view on the local industry steaming. Another former elementary school with lots of beds for large groups. A kitchen without any utensils. Don't care and relax. Your are close to your final destination.
20
Padrón
Day 11
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The town is named after a stone, a former altar. The Old Romands already used this stone at the river. Later it was moved into the cathedral. The town is a religious stronghold for the worship of the Christian apostle of St. James. A reason why pilgrims visited the church after arriving at Santiago.
21
O Milladoiro
Day 11-12
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A luxury hostel 7 km away from Santiago. You could reach Santiago within two more hours. Do you need this? After more than ten days of walking, you will know how much you can walk daily. Relax and prepare for arrival at noon the next day.
I never arrived in Santiago in the afternoon or evening. My final walk to Santiago was always relaxed and after a shower.
22
Santiago de Compostela
Day 12-13
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The final destination of the Way of St. James. A vivid city. Stay here for longer but no longer than three days. Do you have more time? Go for a trip to Fisterra. Visit a service in the Cathedral. Besides a daily mess, there will be services held in many different languages.
Arriving at the cathedral after a long and hard journey, you will experience a shower of emotions. This is a place to see men cry. Priceless.
It is possible to use the nearby airport SCQ. I will prepare to spend left over days in Porto.
23
Porto
Day 13-14
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Most likely, we will return to Porto by bus. But there is a train trip available too. It affords to change at Vigo. And you will need two different trains ticket to get back to Porto. The bus trip seems to be favourable. Amazing how many places you will recognise from the bus on the highway. You will see bridges you crossed before.
After doing the Caminho, you will now have time to relax. You may want to my souvenirs now. You don't need to carry them on your back anymore.
Arriving and return via Porto's airport is easier to organise than so-called fork flights.
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Hostel & Bed & Breakfast & Other & Camping & Hotel & Apartments
14 days
trip
Porto, Matosinhos & 21 more
Transportation
Trekking
What's excluded?
International flights
Accommodation in Porto before Sep 30th
Liquor
Hiking material, backpack, shoes
Travel health insurance
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