Life is about the journey, not the destination. This is certainly true of the Camino de Santiago, with taking the time to savour new experiences, sights and tastes a must on The Way. Day Tours from the Camino are an excellent way to give your body a break while you visit cultural and historical hotspots.
Follow the Camino organises everything for you, allowing you to experience the most authentic parts of Spain and Portugal knowing that you can continue your trip afterwards. Here’s some recommendations for Day Tours from the Camino walks, with options from a range of pilgrim routes.
1) Ribeira Sacra, Rías Baixas and Finisterre
Santiago del Compostela may be where a lot of travellers end their pilgrimage – but there is more to see in its surroundings! Unwind after a long, hard road by experiencing Galician hospitality or trek on to the Finisterre Way, the place where the Romans believed the world ended.
Rías Baixas Boat Trip:
Experience traditional culture, gastronomy and local wines around Santiago, from both the land and along a leisurely river cruise.
Ribeira Sacra Tour:
Few places in Galicia remain as untouched by tourism as Ribeira Sacra and Allariz. Wonder at the region’s terraced vineyards and religious heritage.
Tour of Finisterre and Costa Da Morte:
Santiago may be the spiritual end to the Camino, but you can travel on to where the land meets the sea to enjoy breathtaking natural views.
2) The Basque Country
The Basque Coast along the Camino del Norte is a wild place full of tradition. From UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Urdaibai Biosphere to city sights in Bilbao to a unique regional culture like nowhere else, these tours have something for everyone.
Basque Coast Half Day Tour:
Discover the Oldest Transporter Bridge in the world and the village of Gernika’s Casa de Juntas and Basque Sacred Tree, to name a few stops.
Vitoria Coast Tour:
See Vitoria, the Basque capital and one of the best cities in Spain for quality of life, for a panoramic tour of the city and its beautiful coastline.
San Sebastian and Biarritz:
Your tour will take you from Biarritz in the French Basque to the naturally preserved bay of Hendaye and on to the majestic city of San Sebastián.
3) Porto
Voted Europe’s best city in 2014, Porto is also the home of Port Wine! Take a break from your Porto trip to Santiago to explore the city’s colourful old town. And that’s before you head to the surrounding regions – there is much to experience in Portugal’s beautiful north!
Half Day Walking Tour:
In this walking tour you will be able to live the daily life of the Porto citizens, as well as visiting places such as Avenida dos Aliados, Bairro da Sé and Ribeira.
Food and Wine Half Day Walking Tour:
Time will fly during this three-hour food and wine tour guiding you through the gastronomic delights found within Porto’s best tavernas.
Minho Region Tour:
The spiritual birthplace of Portugal, the Minho region is known for charming stately homes and a unique culture similar to neighbouring Galicia in its cities of Guimarães and Braga.
Douro Valley Wine And Olive Oil Tour / Wine Tour and Boat Trip:
The Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a unique place offering the right climate to grow Port Wine, one of the most beautiful demarcated beverages in the world.
4) Lisbon
Lisbon isn’t just the nation’s capital and the start of the Camino Portugues, it’s the cultural centre of life in Portugal. There are many ways to explore Lisbon, from its history to its amazing people! These tours also include seeing the famous Sintra, Cascias and Arrábida.
Food and Wine Half Day Walk:
Many say the best way to enjoy the most authentic version of Portugal is through flavour. Our guide will steer you through Lisbon’s traditional eateries and offer tips on the city’s food and drink scene.
Sintra Tour:
Just a short drive away from bustling Lisbon is the fairytale Sintra. The small town, though nestled amid cool green mountains, has played a pivotal role in the history of Lisbon and Portugal as a nation.
Arrábida Trip:
Arrábida is known for the beauty of its natural scenery. Whether lush vineyards containing the most well-known wine cellars in Portugal or towering mountains looking over the Atlantic Ocean, Arrábida is a sight to behold.
5) Fatima
One of Portugal’s most important pilgrimage destinations is Fatima, and these tours will allow you to visit the holy site and see the beautiful Basilica of Fatima and the Fatima Sanctuary. You will also be able to stop in Coimbra, one of the oldest university cities in Europe.
Lisbon to Fatima Half Day Tour:
This excursion to Fatima gives you the chance to witness the Basilica of Fatima, built in honour of the Virgin Mary. You will also have time to attend Mass and visit other related sites related to the sightings of Our Lady in the town.
Porto to Fatima:
This full-day guided tour takes travellers to Fatima, Portugal’s most important pilgrimage destination, before continuing to see the sights around the historic university city of Coimbra after lunch (including the Sé Nova Cathedra and Royal Palace).
Curious about taking your walk at a more leisurely pace and seeing what the escape of Day Tours from the Camino can offer? If you need help planning your Camino trip, contact our experts today!
