The Camino Portugues is 227km long in total. Each section of the route starts in a different city and where you start will depend on how far you want to walk. The Camino Portugues start points all have their own unique character in the context of the Camino de Santiago routes.
Whichever city or town you decide to start your Camino in, your first step will be finding the trail. In some bigger cities, it can be difficult to know where to look! We have outlined how to find the starting point of the Camino for each of the main sections of the Portuguese Way.
Section 1: Lisbon
The first section of the Camino Portugues starts in Lisbon.
The first Camino waymark when you are walking the full Portuguese Way is at the Lisbon Cathedral. You can take a commuter train here and will find a mark to the right of the cathedral steps down into Rua São João da Praça. Lisbon Cathedral is Roman Catholic and a mix of multiple architectural styles.
You will find plenty of restaurants and cafes around the city, as well as other amazing cultural sights. Don’t forget to visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, architectural buildings, squares, and beautiful museums of Lisbon.
Section 2: Santarém
Section two starts in Santarém. Santarém is around 72km north of Lisbon.
There is a frequent train between Lisbon and Santarém. Right in the centre of this lovely town you will find the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the first Camino marker if this is where you are beginning your Camino Portugues.
This Jesuit church was built on the site of the royal palace of the Alcazaba Nova and has been abandoned since the time of King John II.
You will find many other churches, pubs and shopping centres around Santarém. There is also a restaurant called Dois Petiscos right next to the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, so if you get a little hungry you know where to go.
There is also an alternative waymarked route around town where you can see a lot of other beautiful monuments.
Section 3: Coimbra
Section three of Portuguese Way starts in Coimbra.
Coimbra is an ancient and historic city. The main historic and tourist sites are located in the city centre and they are either exactly on the waymarked Camino or a short distance from it.
The Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha is the first location you should visit in Coimbra while on the Camino Portugues.
The monastery was built in the 14th century on the left bank of the Modego River. It has been abandoned in the 17th century due to frequent floods, but it has been renovated and is now open to the public.
Section 4: Porto
Section four of the Camino Portuguese starts in Porto, whether you are taking the inland or the coastal route.
If you are starting your Camino in Porto, make sure to visit Cathedral Sé. Cathedral Sé is a start point for many Camino de Santiago routes. It is one of the oldest monuments in the city and is more in the architectural gothic style. This cathedral was built at the highest point in the city of Porto and it is the most important religious site.
Near the Cathedral of Porto, you can find Bolsa Palace, a 19th-century landmark building with rooms for private events, a restaurant and guided tours.
From Porto, you can decide if you want to walk the coastal or inland route. Both start from the Cathedral and it depends on you which route suits you the best.
As with any large busy city, you have to have your wits about you to isolate Camino waymarks from the many road signs and other types of signage you will encounter. Combining this with walking on hard pavements, it can make for a tough walk out of the city.
We advise our clients on how they can get out of the city to a nicer place to start walking from using public transport. Skipping the outskirts of the city like this will take all of the stress out of your day’s walk!
Section 5: Tui
If you are walking the inland route rather than on the coast, section five of the Camino Portuguese starts in the city of Tui.
The first official markers in Spain on the inland route are located down the Rio Minho river. The Camino starting point is Tui Parador. The Parador is a hotel with beautiful stone architecture.
If you take the left route, you will get to the Tui Cathedral. A late-Romanesque and Gothic-style Roman Catholic church.
If you take the right route, you will get to the marina.
There are also a lot of cafes and museums around Tui to make your Camino experience even better!
The Camino Portuguese Coastal Route – Via Oia
Section two of the Camino Portuguese Coastal route to the city of Santiago de Compostela starts in Oia.
The coastal variant of the Portuguese Way starts in Porto and runs to Oia, then through Vigo and on to Santiago de Compostela.
You can get a train from Porto to Oia if you are only walking this last section, and you will start your Camino on the royal Monastery of Oia.
Monastery of Oia or Monastery of Santa María de Oia was built in the mid-12th century. It has Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture. The monastery serves as a parish church now and you will find a Camino waymark nearby.
Walk the Camino yourself
There are many great places to start your Camino de Santiago. If you want to start on the Camino Portuguese or any other route, Follow the Camino will help you plan your next holiday adventure! We are a leading Camino tour provider that offers many manageable walks and cycle trips on the Camino that are available to anyone.
Get a free quote for your Camino journey. If you dream of a new walking holiday experience, get in touch with us and we will make your wish come true!
