Camino Portugues: Towards Santiago From Portugal

There are several Caminos (roads) which, in this case, do not lead to Rome but to Santiago de Compostela. Names you may come across besides Camino Portugués are Camino, Camino de Santiago, St James' Way or Pilgrims' Way. All names refer to the long-distance walk to Santiago de Compostela; starting points of the route are located in many places in Europe. The Camino Portugués is part of the overall route and is itself made up of several variants, which we will explain in more detail later.

The Camino Portugués has several variations, which you can follow all or part of depending on your starting point.

Camino Central

The Camino Central is the complete route from Lisbon to Santiago and is 621 kilometres long. Along the way, you regularly walk along old Roman roads, which were already walked by medieval pilgrims. The route includes Porto and Tui, popular starting places to walk part of the Camino Portugués. Many pilgrims start in Tui, because starting here means you cover more than the required 100 kilometres for a compostela.

Camino da Costa

This version of the Camino Portugués starts in Porto and is the 'younger' route, with a length of about 250 kilometres. As the name suggests, this route largely takes you along the Portuguese and Spanish coast. Arriving at the Spanish border, you can cross the Minho river by boat and continue walking towards Vigo. Another option is to follow the river and resume the Camino Central route in Valença. Both Vigo and Valença are popular starting places for part of the Camino Portugués, as starting in either of these places means you cover more than the required 100 kilometres for a compostela.

Variante Espiritual

The spiritual route is a beautiful part of the route on the last section of the Camino Portugués. The Variante Espiritual starts in Pontevedra, where the route splits from the Camino Central. The three stages take you along the coast and through nature; you can also cover part of the route by boat. In Padrón, the Variante Espiritual rejoins the Camino Central.

The Camino Portugués is a route with many points of interest, such as walking along ancient Roman roads and passing medieval bridges. The Camino Portugués has been around for centuries; in the 12th century, the parents of the first Portuguese king traveled the route. In the centuries that followed, the journey was completed by a doctor and a priest, among others; their detailed travel logs are recognizable to this day. Besides Roman and medieval remains, you'll also encounter World Heritage Sites during the Camino Portugués, including the Templar Castle in Tomar and the university buildings of Coimbra. In addition, the inner cities of Porto and Santiago are World Heritage Sites.

Throughout the Camino Portugués, you will also encounter (Roman) mosaics, Moorish influences on culture and cuisine and, of course, the elongated paths, where you can let your mind wander while enjoying the scenery.

The Camino Portugués is not technically difficult and is easy to walk. You do not have to be an athlete to have an enjoyable trek, but it is important that you prepare yourself well for the fact that you will be walking a good number of hours every day. In the weeks before the trek, try to walk a few hours a day and try to wear the same shoes as during the trek so that you don't get blisters or hurt your feet. Another good idea is to walk with a backpack on your shoulders so that your back can get used to the weight.

While walking the Camino Portugués, it is useful to have a so-called Pilgrim's Passport (credencial). This document gives you access to many accommodation addresses for pilgrims, you also need a credencial to claim your certificate (compostela), for which you must have travelled at least 100 kilometres.

The Pilgrim Passport gives the traveller pilgrim status. It contains the walker's personal details, space for stamps and useful information about the route, including maps. You can get the pilgrim passport from one of the many Pilgrim Societies, hotels, churches or in one of the Brotherhoods of the Apostle James.

The passport is full of empty boxes, into which various stamps must be placed to prove that you have travelled through the various places on the route. These stamps can be obtained at hostels, pilgrim associations, parishes and also at the post office in each town. To prove that you have covered the required 100 kilometres for a certificate, you need to collect at least two stamps per day in the passport.

In Santiago, on presentation of your Pilgrim Passport, you can collect your certificate. Your name will be translated into Latin for this purpose, making it a special souvenir.

In the towns you pass along the Camino Portugués, there are plenty of places to stay. There is something for every budget and desire, from dormitory rooms to four-star hotels. We gladly explain the most common places to stay below.

Albergues

These 'hostels' cater to pilgrims and offer simple accommodation, at a low price. You usually spend the night in dormitories, smaller or private albergues sometimes offer private rooms. Bathrooms almost always have to be shared with other guests, nor is self-catering in an albergue always possible.

Hotels

Along the Camino Portugués you will also find hotels, hostels and guesthouses. Here you will mostly (not in all hostels and guesthouses) have a private room with private bathroom. Some accommodation also has its own restaurant to grab a bite to eat in the evening.

Pensão, residencial and quinta

With these types of accommodation, you stay in private rooms of, for instance, a large house or flat. The bathroom often has to be shared with other guests A quinta is a country house, similar to a bed & breakfast.

Pousada and parador

If you want to stay chic during your Camino Portugués, you can stay in these accommodations. These are restored castles, monasteries and palaces where you can stay very comfortably.

You will not be lacking anything culinary during the Camino Portugués, you can enjoy delicious Portuguese and Spanish specialities along the way. Pastel de nata, caldo verde, fish dishes, seafood, tapas, empanadas...The possibilities are endless!

Depending on where you stay, breakfast is (limited) included. No need to start the day on an empty stomach. All towns have bars and cafés where you can have breakfast, often with sweets like pastel de nata or churros. On the way there is plenty of choice to eat something, which is why many pilgrims choose not to bring much to eat during the day, a 'menu do dia' is easily found if you get hungry.

In the evening, after your walking day, you can eat in one of the many restaurants, a daily snack or menu with local specialities can always be found. Depending on your accommodation address, there may be a communal kitchen available where you can prepare your own dinner.

The Camino Portugués has several places to start, all of which can be reached by plane, bus or train. Lisbon, Porto and Tui are the most well-known places to start, Bookatrekking.com starts its package in Tui.

Plane

Lisbon

Lisbon airport serves many international destinations, from the airport the city centre can be reached easily by metro, bus or taxi. The Camino Portugués starts at the cathedral in the city centre.

Porto's airport is located near the city, after arrival you can easily travel on to the city centre by metro, bus or taxi. At the cathedral in the city centre, you can start the Camino.

Tui

Vigo-Peinador airport is located near Tui, from the airport you travel on to Tui by taxi and train or by bus.

Train

Lisbon

If you travel to Lisbon by train from Porto or abroad, you will arrive at Santa Apolónia or Parque das Nações station. By metro, you can continue on to the city centre to start your Camino.

Porto

In Porto, arrive by train at Campanhã station, where both domestic and international trains stop. By metro, you will travel on to the city centre of Porto, to start your Camino Portugués.

Tui

Tui train station is close to the city centre and can be reached with a change in Vigo or Valença. The city centre and the start of the Camino are easily accessible.

Bus

Both Lisbon, Porto and Tui can be easily reached by bus. Several international parties offer bus tickets to the three places. The national Spanish company also runs back and forth between Lisbon, Porto and Tui.

Departure from Santiago

From Santiago, you can go in different directions. By plane, train or bus, you can travel home or another destination. The airport is easily accessible from Santiago city centre and flies to many European destinations.

You can carry your own luggage during the day, but you don't have to. There are several companies that will take your luggage to your next overnight address every day at a small cost. Your bag should weigh a maximum of 15 or 20 kilos and you drop it off at the lobby each morning. While you are enjoying your hiking day, your luggage will be transported to the next location and will be ready when you arrive in the afternoon. Convenient, right?

The Camino Portugués is well marked, with yellow arrows and shell symbols to guide pilgrims during the stages.