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

The town of Tui contemplates its reflection on the calm waters of the river Miño. A border town chosen by thousands of pilgrims to begin their adventure on the Portuguese Way and reach Santiago de Compostela.

If you decide to become a pilgrim on this route you will walk through small rural villages surrounded by vineyards and fields. Halfway you will find an encouraging travel companion, the Atlantic Ocean, which will guide you for much of the route, giving you amazing views of the estuaries of Vigo and Pontevedra. An ocean that will leave you to give way to beautiful medieval bridges, chapels and thermal villas.

The Portuguese Way from Tui is also a journey for the senses; you will discover landmarks of Galician gastronomy. Impossible to resist the famous Arcade oysters, a portion of mussels washed down with an unmistakable Albariño wine or to discover if the real Padrón peppers are hot… or not.

 

Precio
From
235€

Private hostels

235 €

Hostels and pensions

485 €

Hotels

580 €
(0 customer reviews)

Map of the Camino

2-camino-portugues-tui-5-etapas-map

Stages of the Portuguese Way from Tui (5 stages)

 

If you like multicultural places, you’ve just come to the perfect place. Tui is a border town with Portugal, from which it is only separated by the river Miño. In fact, Tui forms a Eurocity with Valença do Minho. Moreover, it is an amalgam of people because here pilgrims who, like you, begin the adventure, come together with the pilgrims who come walking from Portugal. Perfect for meeting people, listening, sharing experiences and preparing for the adventure you are about to start.

Let’s go for the first day as pilgrims! We say goodbye to Tui through the natural area of As Gándaras and Louro river in the parish of Ribadelouro. We recommend you to do this section of the route to O Porriño by the natural route of Louro, as the other option runs through an industrial estate. After crossing the municipality of O Porriño, you will face the hardest climb of the day that leads to the chapel of Santiaguiño in Mos.

Redondela is a place of ancient population, surrounded by places full of thousands of experiences and important historical events such as the island of San Simon, which you should visit if you have the opportunity. Also, if you are lucky and the weather is good, you can enjoy a peaceful day at Cesantes Beach.

The stage begins entering Arcade through the parish of Cesantes, through its beautiful Camiño Real. After passing through Arcade, you will cross one of the most historically important bridges in Galicia, 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 on the Portuguese Route from Tui with the largest number of 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 all your French Way from Tui.

You are in Santiago! Feel happy and proud to have completed your Portuguese Way from Tui. 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 from Tui. 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 from Tui (5 stages), Accommodation prices

Private hostels

235 €

Hostels and pensions

485 €

Hotels

580 €

Types of accommodations

Details of the Portuguese Way from Tui (5 stages)

Services included

7 days / 6 nights accommodation7 days / 6 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 hostels and pensions from TuiIn private hostels from TuiIn hotels and superior accommodation from Tui
BreakfastBreakfast60€ per personNot available83€ per person
MP (Breakfast and dinner)MP (Breakfast and dinner)171€ per personNot available193€ per person
Supplement for single roomSupplement for single room135€ per single roomNot available275€ per single room
Extra night in Santiago de CompostelaExtra night in Santiago de Compostela95€ (sing. room) / 150€ (doub. room)28€ per person120€ (sing. room) / 185€ (doub. room)
Transfer from Santiago to TuiTransfer from Santiago to Tui195€ (4-seater vehicle) 195€ (4-seater vehicle) 195€ (4-seater vehicle)
Transfer from Vigo to TuiTransfer from Vigo to Tui85€ (4-seater vehicle) 85€ (4-seater vehicle)85€ (4-seater vehicle)
Breakfast Breakfast
In hostels and pensions from Tui 60€ per person
In private hostels from Tui Not available
In hotels and superior accommodation from Tui 83€ per person
MP (Breakfast and dinner) MP (Breakfast and dinner)
In hostels and pensions from Tui 171€ per person
In private hostels from Tui Not available
In hotels and superior accommodation from Tui 193€ per person
Supplement for single room Supplement for single room
In hostels and pensions from Tui 135€ per single room
In private hostels from Tui Not available
In hotels and superior accommodation from Tui 275€ per single room
Extra night in Santiago de Compostela Extra night in Santiago de Compostela
In hostels and pensions from Tui 95€ (sing. room) / 150€ (doub. room)
In private hostels from Tui 28€ per person
In hotels and superior accommodation from Tui 120€ (sing. room) / 185€ (doub. room)
Transfer from Santiago to Tui Transfer from Santiago to Tui
In hostels and pensions from Tui 195€ (4-seater vehicle)
In private hostels from Tui 195€ (4-seater vehicle)
In hotels and superior accommodation from Tui 195€ (4-seater vehicle)
Transfer from Vigo to Tui Transfer from Vigo to Tui
In hostels and pensions from Tui 85€ (4-seater vehicle)
In private hostels from Tui 85€ (4-seater vehicle)
In hotels and superior accommodation from Tui 85€ (4-seater vehicle)

Photos

Frequently Asked Questions

You can choose any day, although we recommend checking availability during peak season (Easter and summer, with high demand) and low season (winter, due to closed accommodations).
  • Through our website, in an online manner.
  • Sending an e-mail to info@viajescaminodesantiago.com.
Yes, please check our cancellation and modification policies before booking in our General Booking Conditions.
You don't need to be an athlete to do the Camino de Santiago, but we recommend getting used to walking and training in the weeks prior with walks and mentally preparing yourself.
In all the routes and stages of the Camino de Santiago there is a lot of beauty, nature and heritage. Of course, all this, between dozens of kilometers, with sections and stages that are easier to travel and others that are more complicated. The latter are characterized, above all, by having large slopes and, sometimes, accumulating many kilometers of ascent. Below we want to inform you of the most commented stages and climbs due to their physical demands on the Portuguese Way. Some of them, for many, are part of the hardest stages of the Camino de Santiago.
  • Codesal – Alto da Portela Grande de Labruja
If the Portuguese Way is quite flat and accessible for any pilgrim, it is not exempt from some climbs. In Portugal, on stage number 20 between Ponte de Lima and Rubiães, walkers face the Alto de A Portela Grande in Labruja. In 4.2 km of distance you climb about 300 m between forests and beautiful landscapes in a short stage but with a demanding challenge.
  • Barcelos - Ponte de Lima
This is one of the longest stages (34.5 km) of the Camino Portugues and without a doubt one of the hardest. The section between Barcelos and Ponte de Lima is famous for its length and steep slopes, especially near Portela. The unevenness and length of the stage make this journey a real challenge, even for the most experienced pilgrims.
Some stages of the Portuguese Way stand out for their natural beauty, historical richness and cultural significance. Below, I present a selection of the most beautiful stages of the Portuguese Way:
  • Valença do Minho - Tui
Although this stage can be considered part of the border between Portugal and Spain, it offers spectacular views along the Miño River. Valença do Minho, with its impressive fortress, is a place of great beauty and historical value. Crossing the International Bridge to Tui is an experience that many pilgrims describe as magical.
  • Tui - O Porriño
This stage marks the entrance to Galicia from Portugal, crossing the Tui International Bridge. Here, the Camino takes you through lush forests and quiet country lanes. The city of Tui, with its cathedral fortress, offers spectacular panoramic views of the Miño River and is a perfect place to start this beautiful stage.
  • Redondela - Pontevedra
This stage takes you through lush eucalyptus forests and green fields, offering a charming contrast to the small villages you will find along the way. In addition, Pontevedra is one of the most beautiful cities in Galicia, with a well-preserved historic center and a vibrant cultural life.
  • Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis
One of the most beautiful stages of the Portuguese Way, this section combines the best of Galician nature. You will pass ancient stone bridges, green valleys and crystal clear rivers. Furthermore, upon arrival in Caldas de Reis you are rewarded with its natural hot springs, perfect for relaxing your muscles after a day of walking.
  • Caldas de Reis - Padrón
Known for its tranquility and natural beauty, this stage takes you through the greenest landscapes of the Portuguese Way. The journey between Caldas de Reis and Padrón is a delight for the senses, with numerous streams and old mills that line the road. Padrón is famous for being the place where, according to tradition, the boat that transported the remains of the Apostle Santiago arrived.
Among all of them, choosing the most beautiful stage can be subjective and very personal, since it depends on the tastes and preferences of each pilgrim. However, one of the most valued stages and that is frequently highlighted for its natural, scenic and historical beauty is the one that goes from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis. Among the reasons why it is considered the most beautiful, we highlight:
  • Natural Landscapes: This stage crosses lush Galician forests, trails surrounded by vineyards and agricultural fields. The tranquility and greenery of the surroundings provide a comforting experience deeply connected to nature.
  • Medieval Rivers and Bridges: Along the way, pilgrims cross crystalline rivers on ancient stone bridges, such as the famous Lérez River Bridge, which adds a historical and picturesque touch to the journey.
  • Galician Villages: The route passes through small villages that preserve the traditional Galician essence, where pilgrims can enjoy the local hospitality and the rich gastronomy of the region.
  • Hot Springs in Caldas de Reis: The stage ends in Caldas de Reis, known for its natural hot springs, which have attracted visitors since Roman times. It is the perfect place to relax after a day of walking.
The Camino de Santiago in Tui usually begins from the first accommodation. However, you can also start in the historic center of the town, where the Cathedral of Santa María de Tui is located.
Depending on the route and starting location you choose, you will have different options. Often, it will be a combination of plane, bus, train, or even taxi. Of course, you can also arrive in your own car. Here are the most popular starting points:
On the Portuguese Way from Tui, you’ll find a variety of remarkable sites and monuments. Among many others, here are some highlights:
  • Cathedral of Santa María de Tui
  • Church and stone cross of San Bartolomé de Rebordáns
  • O Porriño Town Hall
  • Pazo de Mos (Mos Manor House)
  • Roman milestone in Vilar
  • Pontesampaio Bridge
  • Tomeza River Trail
  • Church of La Peregrina in Pontevedra
  • Casa de la Misericordia in Santa María de Alba
  • Barosa Waterfall
  • Thermal spring of As Burgas in Caldas de Reis
  • Church of Santa Mariña de Carracedo
  • Church of Santiago in Padrón
View all tours

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Show reviews in all languages (18)

Be the first to review “Portuguese Way from Tui (5 stages)”

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