Do you want to do the Camino along the coast, but you don’t have many days and still want to obtain the Compostela? Then this is the ideal route for you: the Portuguese Way along the coast from Baiona.

Your journey begins in the historic town of Baiona, one of the jewels of the Galician Atlantic coast. This place was the first port to receive the announcement of the discovery of America, and this has been marking all its festivities and traditions throughout the centuries, until today, making it a unique tourist destination for the most beach-going pilgrims.

We will enter, from here, in an unparalleled journey along the Vigo estuary, one of the most impressive Galician coasts, full of the greatest “mariñeiro” spirit of the place, where the fishing villages will be the protagonists. And you know what that means, don’t you?

Indeed, on this route you will enjoy one of the greatest gastronomic offers of the sea, as well as emblematic sites where you can enjoy the aroma of salt water, such as coastal fortresses and monasteries.

This route is a little less crowded than other neighboring routes, so we will have a perfect route for a few days of disconnection and tranquility, although we will continue bumping into a lot of services, bars and restaurants, where we can enjoy the unique and exquisite coastal cuisine.

From

285€

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Map of the Route

Stages of Portuguese Way from Baiona (6 stages)

Day 1. Arrival in Baiona

If there is something even better than doing the Portuguese Way, it is doing the Portuguese Way along the coast! If you are a sea lover, we have no doubt, you have chosen the perfect way. We will begin our adventure of a little more than a week witnessing the wonderful Galician Atlantic coasts, the town of Baiona, with its curious and ancient traditions and festivities marked by being the first town to receive the announcement of the Discovery of America in Spain. We especially recommend visiting its historic center, and for the more curious, the replica of the Caravel “La Pinta”.

Day 2. Stage Baiona - Vigo (23 km)

This stage will show you beautiful examples of popular architecture and historic pazos and cruceiros, such as Mallón and Pereiro. You will also enjoy incredible beaches of fine white sand, with good weather almost all year round. The route continues towards Vigo along the well-known “Camiño do Souto” and “Camiño da Rosiña” until it reaches Nigrán. Then, the regional road will guide you all along the route until you reach Vigo, the largest city in Galicia, a dynamic and industrial city with a large fishing port surrounded by huge beaches and beautiful landscapes.

Vigo is a very dynamic city, where you can’t miss a stroll through the old town and its main streets such as Príncipe. We recommend you to go to the oyster street to enjoy the biggest gastronomic attraction of the city accompanied by a glass of Albariño from the Rías Baixas. If you have enough strength left over, you can also take a walk along Samil beach and climb O Castro mountain, the birthplace of the city.

If you are travelling leisurely, Vigo is the perfect city to add an extra night to your Portuguese Way along the coast and make a day trip to the fantastic Cíes Islands, an unspoilt paradise of white sand that is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Galicia.

Day 3. Stage Vigo - Arcade (20 km)

You will leave Vigo parallel to the coast until you reach Redondela, where it joins the inland Portuguese Way. The most spectacular part of this route are the views of the Vigo estuary, where you can contemplate the Cíes Islands, the Morrazo peninsula, the Rande Bridge, which was once the longest suspension bridge in the world, and finally, the San Simón inlet, with its beaches, wetlands and islands.

At the end of your stage, Arcade, you will have all the services for pilgrims and you will be able to taste its renowned oysters in any of the restaurants of the village.

Day 4. Stage Arcade - Pontevedra (12 km)

You will leave Arcade behind and start the stage crossing one of the most important bridges in Galicia in terms of history, Ponte Sampaio. It is a colossal stone bridge that spans the river Verdugo and where, during the War of Independence, a battle was fought that led to the withdrawal of French troops in Galicia. After crossing the bridge you will wander among villages, pazos, hórreos and cruceiros until you reach the Brea Vella da Canicouva, an evocative path of large slabs along which the Roman road XIX used to pass.

Pontevedra is for many people one of the most beautiful cities in Galicia, and no wonder. A stroll through its cobbled streets and squares will be enough to realize the special charm it hides. After Santiago de Compostela, Pontevedra is the place of the Portuguese Way along the coast with more heritage elements. You can visit, among other things, the Ruins of Santo Domingo in the Provincial Museum of Pontevedra, the Royal Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, and the symbol of the city: the church of La Peregrina.

Day 5. Stage Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis (21 km)

After crossing the river Lérez the Camino leaves Pontevedra and will take you to the Marismas de Alba observatory, a large wetland of 80 hectares that is home to hundreds of plant species and 123 species of birds. The route runs along roads where there are many crossroads and level crossings, so you should take extreme caution. Once you get to Briallos, we recommend you take a detour of half a kilometre to visit the Cascadas del Barosa, a natural site of extraordinary beauty, with a beautiful sixty-metre waterfall and fourteen mills arranged along the waterfalls.

At the end of your stage, Caldas de Reis, the water is still the protagonist as it is one of the most important thermal villages in Galicia, and we present the perfect plan to enjoy a pleasant afternoon: After a short walk through the botanical garden, sit on one of its terraces and enjoy the tranquility listening to the murmur of the river.

Day 6. Stage Caldas de Reis - Padrón (18.6 km)

After saying goodbye to the thermal village of Caldas, you will enter the valley of Bermaña following the route through its forests of centenary trees, oak groves, cornfields and cruceiros. After a gentle ascent you will reach Santa Mariña de Carracedo, a village with a church, a rectory and a granary. The road continues towards Padrón passing through deep forests with water mills and leaving behind small villages until Pontecesures. After crossing the bridge of Roman origin a few kilometres away you will find the end of the stage, Padrón,

Today’s plan is about literature. On this day we introduce you to Rosalía de Castro, one of the most illustrious Galician women in history. In his House-Museum in Padrón, you will be able to know everything about his life and work.

Besides, Padrón is a famous town for more reasons. Related to pilgrimages, it is a mythical place because legend has it that it was there that the boat carrying the remains of the apostle St. James landed. You can visit the famous Pedrón that was used to moor the boat in the church of Santiago in the village. And how could it be otherwise, no one can leave without tasting its famous peppers.

Day 7. Stage Padrón - Santiago de Compostela (24.3 km)

Last day of the pilgrim experience! As we always say the ideal is to get up early to make the most of the day in Santiago de Compostela. Today’s stage will pass super fast between nerves and excitement of the imminent arrival. The jewel of this stage is the beautiful collegiate church of Iria Flavia, which was the first cathedral in Galicia and in whose cemetery, under an olive tree, you will find the humble tomb of the famous writer Camilo José Cela. The route continues through the towns of Teo and Ames until you reach the Plaza del Obradoiro. Undoubtedly the most emotional moment of your entire Portuguese Way along the coast.

You are in Santiago! Feel happy and proud to have completed your Portuguese Way along the coast from A Guarda. Now we just need to pick up the Compostela certificate and enjoy an incredible day getting to know the Galician capital.

Day 8. End of the trip

Congratulations! You have completed your Portuguese Way along the coast from A Guarda. This last day you are in charge, you can go back home or enjoy one more day in Santiago. And how beautiful is Compostela.

Did you know that all roads end in Finisterre? If you have been left with the desire to walk and you have 5 days more, we encourage you to complete the 5 stages from Santiago to Finisterre. The most magical and spiritual route that hides real treasures such as Ponte Maceira, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain or the sunset of the Finisterre lighthouse, one of the most beautiful in the world.