Coimbra has always played an important role in the history of Portugal and relics of the ancient times can still be seen in this lively city today. Indeed, being the former capital, Coimbra is not only home to a 13th Century university, but its cathedral is one of the best preserved gothic buildings in Portugal. As a university city, Coimbra has everything to entertain visitors, and it is also a great place to taste local wines produced in the area!

Today is mainly a flat walk alternating between urban areas and river valleys. The only difficulty might be the gentle climb 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 very little of the original remains). We end the day in Mealhada, a famous wine-growing area.

Leaving Mealhada, we continue to walk through pleasant vineyards with no particular difficulty, with most of the day spent 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.

This short stage presents no difficulty, the high point of the day being our final destination in Albergaria A Velha. 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 the Rio Marnel.

We start this day walking along a lovely forest road 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 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 220 metres atop Sao Joao da Madeira.

Leaving Sao Joao da Madeira, we pass through Arrifana and 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, feel the fresh breeze of the Atlantic coast as we get closer to the famous Port wine capital city. We approach Vila Nova de Gaia, the city facing Porto, on the other side of Rio Duero before finally entering Porto via the majestic Puente D. Luiz I.

After breakfast, we bid you farewell. There is so much to see and do in Porto, where do you even begin? From marvelling at wondrous bridges that span the Douro river and the city’s notable monuments, to exploring the port cellars and many cafes that line the riverbanks, Porto is a World Heritage City for a good reason. While here, you can also do a number of exciting day trips to the surrounding regions in the north of Portugal.