Portuguese Way along the coast from Porto to Santiago

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I have to carry my luggage during each stage?

  Not if your trip has luggage transport: it is included in group trips, trips with a dog and VIP trips, and on all other trips you can add it as an optional service when booking. We take care of transporting your luggage from stage to stage. You only need to carry what's necessary for walking during each stage, making your journey much more enjoyable.

• How difficult is the Portuguese coastal route?

  The Portuguese coastal route, or the Portuguese Coastal Way, with 13 stages and 271 kilometers from Porto, is not considered very difficult. Its first section, practically the entire north of Portugal, is very flat, as it runs along the footbridges of the Ecovia Litoral Norte. In Galicia the relief is a little bumpy, but it does not present large unevenness.

• What to see on the Portuguese Coastal Way?

  The Portuguese Coastal Way offers a unique experience for pilgrims, with a combination of stunning natural landscapes and charming coastal towns. Throughout its 271 kilometers, from Porto to Santiago de Compostela, you will find a wide variety of places that will make your pilgrimage unforgettable.

  • Oporto: Starting point of the route, Porto is a vibrant city famous for its architecture, its UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town, and, of course, its Port wine cellars.
  • Vila do Conde: This charming coastal town is known for its fishing port and beaches. You can also visit the Vila do Conde aqueduct and the Santa Clara Convent.
  • Viana do Castelo: Considered one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal, Viana do Castelo stands out for its imposing Basilica of Santa Luzia, from which you can enjoy spectacular views of the Atlantic coast.
  • Caminha: Located at the mouth of the Miño River, this picturesque town offers incomparable natural beauty. From here, you will cross into Galicia, entering Spain.
  • Baiona: In Galicia, Baiona is a popular destination among pilgrims for its history and beauty. Here you can visit the Monterreal Fortress and enjoy the views of the Cíes Islands.
  • Vigo: The largest city in Galicia on the route, Vigo is famous for its port and lively urban atmosphere. If you have time, you can explore the Atlantic Islands National Park, a natural paradise just a few kilometers from the coast.
  • Pontevedra: This city is famous for its well-preserved old town and the Church of the Pilgrim Virgin, one of the symbols of the Camino de Santiago.
  • Caldas de Reis: Famous for its hot springs, Caldas de Reis is an ideal stop to relax in the middle of the pilgrimage. In addition, it offers a charming old town and the Umia River that runs through the city.
  • Padrón: Known for its connection to the legend of the translation of the body of the Apostle Santiago. Padrón is famous for its peppers and its historic Roman bridge, as well as the church of Santiago de Padrón.
  • Santiago de Compostela: The goal of all paths, with its majestic Cathedral of Santiago, is the place where your pilgrimage ends and you can obtain the Compostela.

  And of course, lots of beach!

• I need to cancel my reservation.

  You can cancel your trip free of charge up to 15 days before the start date, with no need to give any explanation.

  • 15 days or more in advance → refund of 100 % of the amount paid, with no penalty. The refund is processed within a maximum of 7 days.
  • Less than 15 days → Between 15 and 8 days before: 50 % of the total amount. 7 days or less → 100 % of the total amount.
  • No-show → no right to a refund.

  If you have taken out the Cancellation Insurance, you must inform us regardless of how many days' notice you give, but you have to handle the refund process with the insurer yourself.

  Transfer of the booking: if you cannot travel, you can transfer it to another person at no cost; we only need you to let us know far enough in advance for us to arrange it. In that case, payments are settled directly between clients.

  The client is responsible for any additional cost arising from the cancellation.

  ⚠️ IMPORTANT: every cancellation must be notified by email: info@viajescaminodesantiago.com (cancellations are not processed by phone).

  👉 More info: Booking conditions.

• Does the Portuguese Coastal Way from Porto qualify you for the Compostela?

  Yes. The complete Porto-to-Santiago coastal route covers about 271 km, well above the minimum of 100 km on foot that the Pilgrim's Office requires to obtain the Compostela.

• How many days do you need from Porto to Santiago along the coast?

  The complete Portuguese Coastal Way, from Porto to Santiago, is 271 km split into 13 stages through Viana do Castelo, Caminha, A Guarda, Baiona and Vigo to the Obradoiro. Counting the day you arrive in Porto, the trip lasts 15 days with 14 nights of accommodation.

• What to see in Porto on arrival day?

  Ideally, arrive in the morning, drop your things at the accommodation and head out to explore. Start on Avenida dos Aliados, walk through Praça da Liberdade to the Lello Bookshop and climb the Clérigos Tower right next to it. Then go down to the Ribeira past São Bento station and the Cathedral, where you'll set off on the Camino the next day.

• Can I do the Portuguese Coastal Way in two trips?

  Yes, and many people do it that way when they don't have two weeks in a row. The route splits naturally at the Miño: one year you walk from Porto to A Guarda (120 km, 5 stages through Portugal) and another year the Camino from A Guarda to Santiago (151 km, 8 stages). Bear in mind that the Compostela comes from the section ending in Santiago: Porto to A Guarda on its own doesn't qualify. The credential you stamp the first year is valid to carry on.

• Can I keep walking from Santiago to Finisterre?

  If you want more, yes. The Camino to Finisterre starts in Santiago itself and passes through Ponte Maceira, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, on its way to the Finisterre lighthouse and one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. After 271 km along the Atlantic, finishing by the sea again makes a lot of sense. We offer trips to Finisterre from Santiago: ask us if you'd like to combine them.

• Can you skip the walk out of Porto on the first stage, which is 37 km?

  Yes, and it's very common. The first stage, from Porto to Póvoa de Varzim, is the longest of the whole trip, and getting out of the city is tedious. Many pilgrims on the Portuguese Coastal Way take the metro to Matosinhos and start walking from there, straight onto the seaside boardwalks. That shortens the day and you reach Póvoa with more energy.

• Are there short stages to rest on such a long Camino?

  Yes, and it's worth making the most of them. Oia–Baiona is 14 km right by the sea and Arcade–Pontevedra just 12 km, so on those days you arrive early and have the afternoon free: in Baiona to climb up to the Monterreal fortress, and in Pontevedra to wander its old town, for many the prettiest in Galicia. On a 13-stage trip, these short days really help your legs recover.