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Variante Espiritual Tui and Guided Boat Journey

Stage 1 of 1

156.4km

9 days

Comfort

Popular time

june

Starting from

902

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Overall

Distance:

11.6 min | 22.3km average | 35.2 max

Ascent:

238.1 min |430.5m average | 746.9 max

Cardio:

2   3   4

Follow the Camino Preview Map Trip 1056

The Variante Espiritual de Camino de Santiago from Tui is an alternative route for pilgrims embarking on the renowned Camino de Santiago. It starts in the town of Tui, located in the Galicia region of Spain, near the border with Portugal. Unlike the traditional Camino Portuguese route that passes through Pontevedra, the Spiritual Variant diverges, offering a more spiritually enriching journey.

Throughout the journey, pilgrims will encounter picturesque villages, historic churches, and peaceful rural settings. The route follows ancient paths used for centuries by devout pilgrims seeking spiritual enlightenment.

The Variante Espiritual de Camino de Santiago from Tui offers a deeply fulfilling pilgrimage experience for those seeking a more profound spiritual connection while walking the path of countless pilgrims who have journeyed before them.

The route’s origins stem from the execution of the Apostle James in the year 44 AD. Following his death, a group of Spanish disciples clandestinely placed his body in a boat made of stone and, guided by angels, sailed to the mouth of the Ulla River and landed at Iria Flavia (present-day Padrón). From there, the disciples carried the body of the Apostle James to the site of what is now Santiago del Compostela.

Spiritual Atmosphere

Spiritual Atmosphere

The route is characterised by its tranquillity, lush landscapes, and strong spiritual atmosphere. Pilgrims who choose this path often seek a deeper connection to their inner selves, spirituality, and a more reflective experience. It is ideal for those who prefer a less crowded pilgrimage, allowing them to connect with nature and find serenity along the way.

Pontecesures

Pontecesures

At Vilanova de Arousa, pilgrims will cross the River Ulla in a ferry to reach the city of Pontecesures. From there, this route links back to the traditional Camino Portuguese as pilgrims walk on to Padron for the night before continuing their journey to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Seafood

Fresh Local Seafood

The quality of the seafood from this region is well-known worldwide. So why not take the opportunity to sample some of the local delicacies such as the Vieira (known as the pilgrim’s shell), Pulpo, Oysters, Langostinos and rock crab? All of which can be nicely washed down with a glass of the local Albarino wine!

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TUI

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Starting from € 902
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Services

Included in this package

Bed & Breakfast

Specially Hand-Picked Accommodation

Our Holiday or Pilgrim Pack

24/7 On-Call Support

Virtual Face-to-Face Pre-Departure Briefing

Add-On

Premium Accommodation

Airport Pick-Up

Additional Nights

Dinners

Luggage Transfers from Hotel to Hotel

Day Tours to Local Sites of Interest

Not included: Flights/trains, Insurance, Drinks/Lunch

Itinerary

Day

1

km

TUI

You’ll be booked into a hotel in the heart of Tui. Take a walk through the town’s picturesque streets, and as you approach the Plaza de San Fernando the silhouette of the west-facing facade of the 12th Century cathedral will provide you with a lasting memory.

Day

2

17.1 km

TUI 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 us to the historic bridge of San Telmo. From there, travelling over less strenuous terrain, we come to the town of O Porrino.

Day

3

23.2 km

O PORRINO ARCADE

The terrain becomes easier to navigate 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 Sete Fontes and arrives in Arcade.

Day

4

11.6 km

ARCADE PONTEVEDRA

From here you will cross a Romanesque bridge 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 shell.

Day

5

20.7 km

PONTEVEDRA ARMENTEIRA

One of the highlights along this stretch is the town of Combarro, renowned for its unique Galician architecture and the presence of ‘horreos’ (traditional granaries). Exploring the narrow cobblestone streets and admiring the horreos against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean offers pilgrims a taste of the local culture and heritage.

Approaching Armenteira, the landscape opens up to reveal breathtaking vistas of vineyards and olive groves. Armenteira itself is a tranquil village, featuring the impressive Armenteira Monastery. The monastery offers a sense of spiritual refuge and has played a significant role in the region’s religious and cultural heritage.

Day

6

23.8 km

ARMENTEIRA VILANOVA DE AROUSA

From the peaceful village of Armenteira, the path leads through vineyards and verdant landscapes, creating a picturesque setting for walkers to enjoy. Continuing on, the path eventually approaches the coastline of the Ria de Arousa, one of Galicia’s stunning coastal inlets.

As the journey progresses, walkers will reach the town of Vilanova de Arousa, a coastal town known for its maritime. Pilgrims can experience the town’s coastal ambiance, explore its charming streets, and savour the local seafood delicacies.

Day

7

35.2 km

VILANOVA DE AROUSA PADRON

Starting from the coastal town of Vilanova de Arousa, pilgrims embark on a boat journey that embraces the essence of the Camino. After a short 2km walk, pilgrims will board a boat to sail the Ria de Arousa, relishing the mesmerising views of sparkling waters and lush landscapes before navigating the Ulla River.

Their boat journey concludes at Pontecesures, where they set foot on land once more. From there, pilgrims follow well-marked trails and country roads to reach the town of Padrón. This town holds a special place in the annals of the Camino de Santiago. Notably, Padrón is believed to be the landing site of the Apostle St James’ boat. Additionally, it is the birthplace of the renowned poet and clergyman, Rosalía de Castro. The combined weight of religious, historical, and cultural significance makes Padrón an enriching stop for every pilgrim.

Day

8

24.8 km

PADRON SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

The Camino passes through many small hamlets before arriving at the Baroque sanctuary of A Esclavitude. On a hilltop to the left stands the mysterious ruins of the hillfort Castro Lupario. A few kilometres later, we come to the oldest wayside crossing 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

9

km

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 of Santiago.
– Continue with us along the wild Camino Fisterra (Finisterre Way), and stay overnight at the hotel in the lighthouse!
– Or take a bus to Fisterra to visit the unspoilt sandy coves and beaches of the west coast. With very few tourists, you are guaranteed a very special experience. Buses depart from Santiago Bus Station at 9am and 10am. Buses return to Santiago at 4:45pm and 7pm. The journey takes 3 hours.

How to Get There

Getting to Tui, Portugal

It is best to fly to Santiago de Compostela.

Fly into Santiago de Compostela

Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Iberia/BA fly direct to Santiago de Compostela from the UK and Ireland. Ryanair flies from Stansted, Iberia/BA operates from Gatwick and Aer Lingus from Dublin. Santiago de Compostela can also be reached by a number of locations around Spain and Portugal, as well as major European cities. Iberia/BA offers the best selection of flights and you can fly to and from Santiago De Compostela returning to Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia. To get to Tui, you will need to get 2 public buses from the Santiago Airport or we can organise a private airport transfer. First you take a bus from the Santiago Airport to Vigo (this will take around 1 hour). Then, from Vigo Bus Station you can depart for Tui. This is a 30-minute journey and several buses run per day.

    Getting home from Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    Fly from Santiago de Compostela

    Shuttle buses from Santiago city centre to the airport depart every 20 minutes. Or, you can arrange an airport transfer with us that will collect you from your hotel.

      Planning to Travel Elsewhere?

      If you’re planning to continue your travels beyond your final destination, you can use platforms like Rome2Rio to explore available travel options. This tool allows you to find routes by plane, train, bus, ferry, or car, with details on travel times and estimated costs to help you plan your next steps smoothly.

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