The Spiritual Variant is an alternative to the traditional itinerary of the Portuguese Way. An adventure in which you will recreate the boat trip of the remains of the Apostle Santiago from Palestine to Galicia. Yes By boat! And the novelty of this route is that you can make a stage by sea. A beautiful route that crosses the waters of the Arousa estuary and ascends the Ulla river, contemplating the only fluvial maritime Way of the Cross in the world.

And as if that were not enough, on the walking route of the Spiritual Variant some of the most beautiful scenery in this part of Galicia awaits you: the monastery of A Armenteira and the so-called ‘Ruta da Pedra e da Auga’, a beautiful nature trail along the Armenteira river where you will discover countless water mills.

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Map of the Route

Stages of Portuguese Way: spiritual variant

Día 1. Llegada a Pontevedra

Welcome to Pontevedra, emblematic and historic city. For many, it is 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 this route 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 the Pilgrim. It is for all this that it becomes a perfect start to do the Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Way.

Día 2. Etapa Pontevedra - A Armenteira (23,2 km)

You will start your trip walking from the city center to Combarro along a beautiful route along the coast. You will leave Pontevedra by the bridge that connects the city with Poio and from there, you will walk towards the coast until you reach the cove of Lourido. From here, the path runs along Avenida Praia until you reach Campelo beach, where you can continue the itinerary along a path that runs along the coast until you reach A Seara. From A Seara you reach the center of Combarro by an asphalted track where the views of the sea will continue to be the protagonists. Already in Combarro, you will ascend by the Camino Vilar to the Mirador do Loureiro, which continues up to the Monastery of Santa María de Armenteira, the end of the stage.

Combarro is a small fishing village belonging to the municipality of Poio. This village has one of the most emblematic historical centers of Galicia, full of cruceiros and hórreos. Undoubtedly, you will enjoy getting lost among its streets from the Plaza de Chousa, visiting the more than 60 hórreos that this place has and tasting dishes of the wonderful local gastronomy.

Día 3. Etapa A Armenteira - Vilanova de Arousa (22,7 km)

From the Monastery of A Armenteira begins the beautiful Ruta da Pedra e da Auga, which runs parallel to the stream of Armenteira. Walking through this place of great natural beauty, you will cross the municipalities of Meis and Ribadumia until you reach Pontearnelas. The path stands out for its lush riparian vegetation, bridges, small waterfalls and a succession of old mills resting on the river bank. Later, after a succession of rural landscapes and vineyards, you will approach the Arousa estuary, arriving at the end of the stage in Vilanova de Arousa.

Vilanova de Arousa is the birthplace of Valle-Inclán. If the weather is good, you can enjoy this small fishing village bathing in one of its many beaches. As remarkable monuments include the ancestral home of Valle-Inclán, the church of Santa María de Caleiro, the pazo of Rúa Nova or the towers of Cálogo.

Día 4. Traslatio: Vilanova de Arousa - Padrón (27,7 km)

You will start directing your steps to Vilagarcía de Arousa alternating roads and coastal paths. From there begins the route of the famous and mythical Ruta de la Traslatio for which you have two options: to do it by boat or on foot.

Those who decide to do the route by sea will emulate Theodore and Anastasius, the disciples of the Apostle St. James who transferred his body from Palestine to Galicia. After taking a boat in the port of Vilanova, for an hour you will cross the Ría de Arousa and ascend the Ulla River, contemplating the only maritime-river Way of the Cross in the world formed by 17 centenary cruisers that mark this Way of St. James. The boat will leave you in Pontecesures, where the Spiritual Variant rejoins the Portuguese Way to Padrón, your last stop before Santiago de Compostela.

But if you decide to go on foot, you will walk parallel to the Ulla River, upstream. Undoubtedly, the most impressive point along the route will be Catoira with its imposing towers. Once you have reached Pontecesures, after crossing the bridge to Padrón, the spiritual variant of the Camino will be over. From here, you can continue to Santiago de Compostela by the conventional route of the Portuguese Way.

Padrón is famous, among other things, for its peppers and for having been the place where the Apostle Santiago’s boat landed when he made landfall. For this last reason, it will be mandatory to visit the famous Pedrón in the church of Santiago, which according to legend was used to moor the boat of the Apostle, to fully complete the spiritual variant. We also recommend visiting the Rosalía de Castro Museum and the collegiate church of Iria Flavia, at the exit of the village towards Santiago de Compostela.

In Padrón you can obtain the certificate of “la Pedronía”, which certifies that you have reached the end of the Spiritual Route.

Día 5. Etapa Padrón - Santiago de Compostela (24,3 km)

Last day of the pilgrimage 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 of 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 municipalities of Teo and Ames until you reach the Plaza del Obradoiro. Undoubtedly the most emotional moment of the entire Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Way.

You are in Santiago! Feel happy and proud to have completed your pilgrimage. Now you just need to pick up your Compostela certificate and enjoy an incredible day getting to know the Galician capital.

Día 6. Fin del viaje

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 feel like walking and you have 5 more days, we encourage you to complete the 5 stages that separate 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 from the lighthouse of Finisterre, one of the most beautiful in the world.

Accommodation prices

Hostels and pensions

465 €

Types of accommodation

In hotels, guesthouses and cottages in spiritual variant

In hotels, guesthouses and cottages in spiritual variant

Habitación del Hotel Alda Estación Pontevedra

Habitación del Hotel Spa La Casa Mudejar

In hotels, guesthouses and cottages in spiritual variant

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 ofPortuguese Way: spiritual variant

Services included

6 days / 5 nights accommodation

Luggage transfer during the stages

Complete documentation

Pilgrim’s Credential

On-the-road emergency telephone assistance

Travel insurance

Optional Services

Service	In hotels, guesthouses and cottages in spiritual variant
Breakfast	46€ per person
MP (Breakfast and dinner)	132€ per person
Supplement for single room	150€ per single room
Extra night	95€ (sing. room) / 150€ (doub. room)

	Breakfast
	In hotels, guesthouses and cottages in spiritual variant	46€ per person



	MP (Breakfast and dinner)
	In hotels, guesthouses and cottages in spiritual variant	132€ per person



	Supplement for single room
	In hotels, guesthouses and cottages in spiritual variant	150€ per single room



	Extra night
	In hotels, guesthouses and cottages in spiritual variant	95€ (sing. room) / 150€ (doub. room)