Maps
Stages
Map
Map
Accommodation
Accommodation
Details
Details
Photos
Photos
FAQ
FAQ

Attention: Route not available for walking between November 1 and January 15, 2025

Discover the Portuguese Coastal Way from A Guarda, where the sea keeps you company. This Camino de Santiago route is a feast for the eyes, offering panoramic ocean views, fascinating archaeological sites, and picturesque villages.

Begin your journey in A Guarda, nestled at the meeting point of the ocean and the Miño river. Don’t miss the renowned archaeological site on Monte Santa Tegra, a must-see for history buffs and those after breathtaking vistas.

The trail takes you along the Atlantic’s edge, leading through quaint fishing villages adorned with historical monasteries and fortresses. It’s a blend of stunning scenery and rich history, creating a unique vibe.

Known as a quieter alternative on the Camino, this route is ideal for seekers of tranquility and beauty. Dive into the peacefulness and charm of the Portuguese Coastal Way along the coast, a serene path awaiting your footsteps.

Precio
From
350€
(0 customer reviews)

Map of the Camino

camino-portugués-costa-a-guarda-map

Stages of the Portuguese Way along the coast from A Guarda

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. If you start your journey in A Guarda and you have time, we recommend that you take a ferry ride to neighbouring Caminha, as well as visiting A Guarda. It is a luxury to be able to sail along the majestic mouth of the Miño river. There are three things you can’t miss in the fishing village of Guardesa: climbing the Santa Tecla hill and visiting the spectacular castro, strolling around the port appreciating its typical seafaring architecture, and tasting a good fish or seafood dish.

Today is your first day as a pilgrim with an exciting journey. You will head towards Oia following the coastline, with the Atlantic always open to your left. The route is flat and not very complicated, but even so there are some steep sections where you will have to be extremely careful. The effort of the hike will be rewarded along the way thanks to the pleasant sea breeze that will push your steps, and the breathtaking views of this rocky coastline.

Oia is the classic small town with a deep-rooted and lively seafaring tradition. It preserves a beautiful historic centre, with typical buildings and emblazoned houses, in a perfect state of preservation. If you are lucky and there is low tide, you will be able to see the gamboa, an ancient construction that the monks of the imposing monastery of Santa Maria used for fishing.

You will say goodbye to the fishing village of Oia walking at the foot of the cliffs that border the lighthouse of Cabo Silleiro, the main point of orientation of the ships that sail the waters in this area. After stopping to contemplate the landscape and the immensity of the ocean, you will ascend along the royal path to Baiona; a town that maintains all the splendour of its historical past and which was the first port in Europe to receive the news of the discovery of America, with the arrival of the caravel La Pinta in its waters.

Baiona is a magical and perfect place to make a stop on the way, as well as being one of the most beautiful coastal towns of Galicia, has emblematic monuments such as the Fortress of Monterreal, the replica of the Caravela Pinta or the Virgin of the Rock, not to mention its beaches, located just steps from the route of the road make a dip is irresistible for pilgrims.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Portuguese Way along the coast from A Guarda, Accommodation prices

Types of accommodations

Habitación del Hotel Vila da Guarda
Habitación matrimonial del Sercotel Tres Luces
Habitación de Hostal
Habitación del Hotel Duarte

In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from A Guarda to Santiago

Due to the fact that some towns along this route have little variety of accommodation, we have selected the best establishments available for you to have an incredible experience on your Camino de Santiago. You will combine the rest in small and cosy pensions with rural houses and lodgings of superior category, always looking for the best quality and location.

Details of the Portuguese Way along the coast from A Guarda

Services included

10 days / 9 nights accommodation10 days / 9 nights accommodation
Luggage transfer during the stagesLuggage transfer during the stages
Complete documentationComplete documentation
Pilgrim’s CredentialPilgrim’s Credential
On-the-road emergency telephone assistanceOn-the-road emergency telephone assistance
Travel insuranceTravel insurance

Optional Services

ServiceIn hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from A Guarda to Santiago
BreakfastBreakfast110€ per person
MP (Breakfast and dinner)MP (Breakfast and dinner)270€ per person
Supplement for single roomSupplement for single room295€ per single room
Extra night in Santiago de CompostelaExtra night in Santiago de Compostela120€ (sing. room) / 150€ (doub. room)
Breakfast Breakfast
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from A Guarda to Santiago 110€ per person
MP (Breakfast and dinner) MP (Breakfast and dinner)
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from A Guarda to Santiago 270€ per person
Supplement for single room Supplement for single room
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from A Guarda to Santiago 295€ per single room
Extra night in Santiago de Compostela Extra night in Santiago de Compostela
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from A Guarda to Santiago 120€ (sing. room) / 150€ (doub. room)

Photos

barco etapa a guarda baiona camino portugues por la costa
horreo stage a guarda baiona portuguese way by the coast
park stage baiona vigo portuguese way along the coast
street stage street pontevedra caldas de reis portuguese road
stage square caldas de reis padron portuguese route
Views of the Cathedral of Santiago

Frequently Asked Questions

In this modality you will do the Camino de Santiago at your own pace and you will only have to worry about choosing the route you like the most, the type of accommodation and your departure date. If you choose this option you will travel alone or with the people that appear in your reservation, and you will have all the services included so that you only have to worry about walking and enjoying the experience.

The Camino de Santiago on your own includes the following services

  • Accommodation
  • Luggage transport
  • Dossier with information about the stages
  • Pilgrim's credential
  • On-the-road helpline
  • Travel insurance

In addition, you can customize your trip by adding the following optional services

  • Breakfast or half board
  • Private transfers to the start of the stage from Santiago de Compostela or from the airport.
  • Extra night at the beginning or end of the stage

Yes, you will have total freedom to choose your departure date. However, if you want to do your Camino de Santiago in the months of December, January and February, we recommend that you check availability before making your reservation. At this time of year most accommodation is closed and many services may not be available.

In your travel documents, you will find the names of the accommodations assigned to you, as well as their contact telephone number and location.   As a general rule, all accommodation are located in the centre of the different towns along the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago de Compostela, without the need to deviate too far from the route. But sometimes, due to lack of availability, it is possible that some accommodation may be a little far from the village or even in neighbouring towns.   For all the accommodations that are at a considerable distance from the route of the Camino, we will provide you with a free taxi service that you can use to get to your accommodation and return to the Camino the next morning.   In any case, these are exceptions that we will inform you at the time of booking.

Luggage transport service by default is included in all our trips and it is not necessary to request it. You can enjoy the Camino de Santiago without the burden of carrying your luggage on your back, knowing that your suitcase will be waiting for you at your next accommodation upon your arrival. Along with your credential, you'll also receive stickers. Cover these stickers with the requested information and stick them in a visible place on your suitcase. Upon arrival at your accommodation, we suggest asking at the reception where you can leave your luggage. You'll need to leave your luggage at the designated spot early in the morning for our carrier to pick it up. This ensures that when you arrive at your next accommodation, your luggage will already be waiting for you.

We have a taxi service that you can hire whenever you need it. You can hire it, for example, to go from the airport to the start of your Camino, or to go from Santiago to your starting point to pick up your car once you finish the stage.

It is the guarantee that you can enjoy your Camino in a safe way. In our trips you already have an insurance included with your trip to be protected during the Camino de Santiago. We will send you the insurance policy along with all the documentation of your trip, so you will have everything you need to enjoy the Camino with peace of mind. Walk without worries!

The basic travel insurance included in our packages offers extensive coverage against unforeseen events, ensuring you'll receive guaranteed medical assistance and numerous benefits. You can review the specifics in the General Conditions of Travel Insurance.

In your travel documents, you'll find an emergency telephone number where we're accessible while you're on the road. This ensures you'll journey with peace of mind, knowin our team members will assist you with any problems, incidents, or questions you encounter along your Camino de Santiago.

To make a reservation, you can follow these steps:
  • Through our website: Select the route you want and follow the steps indicated in the form. Provide your personal information and that of your companions, choose the type of accommodation, room distribution, meals, transfers, bike rental, etc.
  • By email: If you prefer to make the reservation by email or need a personalized trip, you can send us an email to [email protected]. We will provide you with the necessary information to complete the reservation via email.
IMPORTANT: If the routes or services on the website do not meet your specific needs, you can request a personalized quote tailored to what you are looking for by sending an email to [email protected]. If you have any questions or issues when making your reservation, please contact us at (0034) 981 96 68 46, and we will be happy to assist you.
View all tours

Otros Viajes que te Podrían Interesar

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Show reviews in all languages (4)

Be the first to review “Portuguese Way along the coast from A Guarda”

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have you still not found the Camino you are looking for?

or how would you like to do it?