Traversing the length of Portugal up from Lisbon this route is quiet and predominantly on roads.
The Camino Portugues is a pilgrimage from Lisbon in Portugal that heads north through Portugal to cross the border into Spain to Santiago de Compostela and the tomb of St James. Passing through famous Portuguese towns and cities such as Santarem, Tomar, Coimbra and Porto, you have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the varied cultures of Portugal. The walk will take you along ancient paths, running through woodlands, villages, farmlands, olive groves, vineyards and historic towns.
FREE This trip createstonne(s) of CO2, we offset it for free
Highlights
Vibrant Cities
The Camino Portugues is a quite route for pilgrims to walk, however it passes through some of the most vibrant cities of Portugal. First up is Lisbon, the beginning of the Camino Portugues and also the capital of Portugal. Take in the pastel coloured buildings of the old town, ride the iconic yellow tram, relax down on the waterfront with the Rio Tejo slowly moving by and be sure to sample a Pastel de Belém. Moving northwards you then come to the university city of Coimbra. Here you will find one of the oldest universities in Europe nestled amongst historical buildings overlooking the Rio Mondego. The student population keep the city feeling young but you can also get a real feel for the traditional with a rendition of Fado music in one of the many small bars. Finally moving back out to the coastline and the banks of the Douro River you have the city of Porto. Wander the streets and admire the historical buildings, cross the river and sample the Port wine or just relax in one of the quirky cafes.
Portugues Architecture
Along the Camino Portuguese you will encounter many different styles of architecture. The Age of Discovery for Portugal has left a legacy of fine architecture. Influences of the countries and cultures discovered by Portugal can be seen in the many palaces and religious buildings that where built at that time, such as the Manueline style; Sé Catedral in Lisbon. This is not the only influence on architecture in Portugal you will find influences from earlier periods such the Moorish time, Roman and even Celtic period.
Lisbon to Santiago De Compostela
Camino Portugues
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Itinerary
Day 1
LISBON (Arrival)
Located on the Atlantic Ocean coast and on the banks of River Tejo, the westernmost capital city of Europe is a great place to visit and relax. It has both historical interest and the seaside buzz. Visitors can visit UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Jeronimo Monastery and Belem Tower amongst other interesting architectural buildings and squares. There are so many things to see and do in Lisbon that visitors have access to a wide array of different experiences.
Day 2 40.32km
LISBON
to
VILA FRANCA DE XIRA
We recommend to spend the extra time in Lisbon today to explore this wonderful city and then at your leisure take the train to Vilafranca de Xira, home of a famous bullfighting festival, to spend the night and start your Camino walk from here the following day.
Day 3 19.41km
VILA FRANCA DE XIRA
to
AZAMBUJA
Leaving Vila Franca de Xira, we continue our way through a region of where bullfighting and horse breeding are part of the daily life. The Camino continues parallel to the Tejo River before heading inland towards the pleasant town of Azambuja.
Day 4 33.08km
AZAMBUJA
to
SANTAREM
This last walking day brings us to the highest point of this section, at a mere 110 metres high, in Santarem, which is also the final stop over of our first stretch of the Portuguese Way. This is a very enjoyable walk as half of the day is spent through crop fields, fruit groves and vineyards.
Day 5 33.66km
SANTAREM
to
GOLEGA
Leaving Santarem, we soon find ourselves walking along quiet country lanes as today the Camino heads North East, mostly following Rio Tejo. It passes through very few yet charming villages, a land of campinos (cattle herders), horses and bulls (as the region is famous for bullfighting). This is a long walking day but the flat terrain makes it easy enough to complete.
Day 6 30.29km
GOLEGA
to
TOMAR
We start this day heading towards one of the country’s nicest manor house, Finca da Cardiga. Then we continue through the quiet hilly countryside, passing through a few scattered villages. The day finishes on Praza de la Republica in Tomar, in the heart of the old city.
Day 7 32.28km
TOMAR
to
ALVAIAZERE
Today announces a change of terrain as we go up and down along several wooded valleys, Roman roads, and farm tracks. This day is often seen as challenging but it is also one of the most rewarding of this section.
Day 8 12.73km
ALVAIAZERE
to
ANSIAO
Leaving Alvaiazere, we start with a steep climb up followed by a steady descent. The Camino continues up and down through crop fields and olive groves and along the medieval route that brings us to Ansiao.
Day 9 30.47km
ANSIAO
to
CONDEIXA A NOVA
We leave Ansiao crossing a 17th century bridge Ponte da Cal and heading towards Netos. Then the landscape alternates between pine and eucalyptus woods, olive groves and small towns. We finally make our way to Condeixa a Nova.
Day 10 17.11km
CONDEIXA A NOVA
to
COIMBRA
The first half of the day runs through the countryside with lovely vineyards, olive groves and woodlands. As we approach the University City of Coimbra, the area becomes more populated and the last climb up of this section is towards alto de Cruz de Mourocos (Alt. 190m) overlooking Coimbra and the Rio Mondego valley. Coimbra is a bustling, lively city, home of one of the oldest university in Europe!
Day 11 22.86km
COIMBRA
to
MEALHADA
Today is mainly a flat walk alternating between urban areas and river valleys. The only difficulty of the day might be the gentle climb up when leaving Coimbra and the Rio Mondego valley, up to Cioga do Monte. On this stage, the Camino mostly follows an ancient Roman road even though nowadays very little of the original remains. We end the day in Mealhada, in a famous wine-growing area.
Day 12 25.19km
MEALHADA
to
AGUEDA
Leaving Mealhada, we continue to walk through pleasant vineyards with no particular difficulty, even though we spend most of the day on asphalt. On the way, the route runs through Avelas de Caminho, a city historically linked to the Camino. We finally reach Agueda, a town built on the banks of the Certima River.
Day 13 15.91km
AGUEDA
to
ALBERGARIA A VELHA
This easy short stage presents no difficulty, the highest point of the day being our final destination in Albergaria A Velha. The most attractive part of the day runs through peaceful pine and eucalyptus woods, a leg of the Camino that follows the original Via Romana XVI, with a beautiful stone bridge crossing over Rio Marnel.
Day 14 29.07km
ALBERGARIA A VELHA
to
SAO JOAO DE MADEIRA
We start this day walking along a lovely forest road through pine and eucalyptus woods and then the area becomes more urbanised as the Camino progresses further towards the North of the Beira coast and Porto. We also cross the charming town of Oliveira de Azemeis with its small yet pretty historical centre and Matriz de Sao Miguel church. The terrain also becomes more undulating and there is a bit of up and down across small hills, the highest point of the day culminating at a mere 220m in Sao Joao da Madeira.
Day 15 34.08km
SAO JOAO DE MADEIRA
to
PORTO
Leaving Sao Joao da Madeira, we pass through Arrifana and go past its blue church. Soon we find ourselves walking on the well-preserved original cobbled Roman road. We then continue downhill towards the 13th century Monastery Mosteiro de Grijo. Heading towards Porto, feeling the fresh breeze of the Atlantic coast as we get closer to the famous Port wine capital city. Today again, we will walk on an original Via Romana section in Perosinho before heading to Vila Nova de Gaia, the city facing Porto, on the other side of Rio Duero. Finally, we enter Porto via the majestic Puente D. Luiz I before reaching the city’s UNESCO World Heritage old town.
Day 16 22.55km
PORTO
to
FAJOZES
The terrain leaving Porto is generally flat and makes the first day of walking a gentle one. There are numerous ancient churches along the Camino and nearby, such as the 12th Century monastery, Mosteiro Leca do Balio, built on the exact spot a Roman temple dedicated to the god Jupiter once stood.
Day 17 11.9km
FAJOZES
to
ARCOS
From Fajolez the Camino starts heading northeast, gradually moving away from the coastline. A little bit outside Fajolez the route crosses an incredible medieval bridge, Dom Zameiro. The first woodlands of this section also appear here, with pine and eucalyptus trees providing shade from the sun.
Day 18 20.56km
ARCOS
to
BARCELOS
Day 4 is a relatively short walk asthe path leaves Arcos to reach the lively market town of Barcelos. Gently undulated woodland and charming villages alternate along the route, and there’s the option to visit the Chapel of Santa de Franqueira, which provides panoramic views from the top of the hill. Further on, you cross another well-preserved medieval bridge and soon arrive in the main square at Barcelos, complete with Renaissance fountain and one of the largest markets in Europe.
Day 19 33.52km
BARCELOS
to
PONTE DE LIMA
As we leave Barcelos, we start to feel Galicia approaching. The landscape begins to change, becoming both hillier and greener, offering good views all day long. This day is probably the hardest section of this route as there aren’t so many towns or villages along to stop at, and there are a few steep parts, but it’s worth it for the scenery alone.
Day 20 37.44km
PONTE DE LIMA
to
TUI
Leaving Ponte de Lima you will be caught by the beautiful scenery on your way to Tui. Passing through vineyards and forest paths, today is a resting day for the soul. Arriving in the Tui port, take a glass of wine and some seafood!
Day 21 16.99km
TUI
to
O PORRINO
From the long-standing port of Tui, the Camino winds its way up to the old town, following the so-called Camino da Barca. Then, through the Tunel das Monxas, the Camino enters a very steep section and leads to the historic bridge of San Telmo. From there, travelling over a less abrupt terrain, we come to the town of O Porrino.
Day 22 24.43km
O PORRINO
to
ARCADE
The terrain becomes easier as we cross the Louro Valley. Keeping the valley to the east, after a gentle climb you arrive at the chapel of Santiaguino de Antas – a pleasant place to take a rest. We now enter a wide expanse of woodland. Surrounded by pine trees, the Camino starts its descent through the hamlet of Setefontes and arrives in Arcade.
Day 23 11.55km
ARCADE
to
PONTEVEDRA
From here you will cross a Romanesque bridge which is where Napoleon was defeated by the Spanish during the War of Independence. Arriving into Pontevedra you will head through the narrow streets before reaching the 13th Century church of Santa Maria. Of interest to pilgrims is also the Capela da Peregrina which although it appears round is actually in the shape of a scallop.
Day 24 21.16km
PONTEVEDRA
to
CALDAS DE REIS
Passing chestnut groves, the Camino leaves Pontevedra and runs parallel to the railway for a while. After passing through the hamlet of Ponte Cabras, we encounter the rectory of Santa Maria de Alba, tucked away among pine and eucalyptus trees. Emerging from the dense woods of Lombo da Maceira, you’ll see a statue of Saint James the pilgrim, his staff pointing the way to proceed. The lovely village of Tibo, with its fountain, public washing place and stone cross, brings us to Caldas do Rei.
Day 25 18.7km
CALDAS DE REIS
to
PADRON
Exiting the town, we take a bridge over the River Umia that leads us to a fountain of hot spring water that has lent the town its name since Roman times. Entering the woods once more, the Camino make its way gently uphill to the hamlet of Santa Marina. Going downhill, we cross the river Fontenlo. Finally, following a Camino lined with pine trees, we catch up again with the river as we arrive in Padron. Padron is famous for being the first land sighted by the ship bearing the body of St James.
Day 26 24.73km
PADRON
to
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
The Camino passes through many small villages and hamlets before arriving at the Baroque sanctuary of A Esclavitude. On a hilltop to the left stands the mysterious, abandoned ruins of the hillfort Castro Lupario.A few kilometres later, we come to the oldest wayside crosses in Galicia. As we near Agro dos Monteiros, it’s now possible to see the spires of the cathedral in Santiago. Finally, the Camino passes by the ruins of a castle known as A Rocha Vella, before entering the city of the Apostle.
Day 27
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
After breakfast, we bid you farewell. If you wish to stay in the area, we recommend that you: – Take your time and visit the magnificent historic centre – Continue with us along the wild “Camino Fisterra” (Finisterre Way), and stay overnight at the 2* hotel in the light house! – or take a bus to Fisterra. (Bus to fisterra: 9am, 10am, bus back in Santiago 16:45 & 19:00. takes 3hours) – Visit the unspoilt sandy coves and beaches of the west coast. With very few tourists, you are guaranteed a very special experience.
How to Get There
How to Get There
Getting to Lisbon city centre, Portugal
It is best to fly to Lisbon. Virtually every company flies to Lisbon. More info.
Fly into Lisbon
From Lisbon Airport several urban bus routes can bring you to the city centre. There are also shuttle buses.
Getting home from Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Fly from Santiago de Compostela
Shuttle buses from Santiago city centre to the airport (20mins).
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