The Portuguese Coastal Way Walking Porto to Santiago with the Spiritual Variant Self-Guided

With the Camino Portuguese, you have three options from Porto - The Central Camino, The Coastal Camino or The Litoral Camino. The latter is a slight variation on the Coastal Camino as it follows the coast all the way whereas the Coastal Route goes inland on the first day. We have put together what, in our experience is the best of all three to create a truly wonderful route. To make it even more special we have also woven in the Spiritual Variant to make it even more unique.

You will start in Porto and follow the Coastal Route to Caminha where you will walk to Valenca to pick up the Central Route. Then when you reach Pontevedra you will take the Spiritual Variant to Padron where you will pick up the Central route again. The Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portugues, also known as the Arousa Sea Route or Translatio Route, is a beautiful trail, taking pilgrims through quaint coastal villages, lush forest tracks, vineyards, sandy beaches and ancient monasteries following an alternative route to the classic Camino Portugues. The Spiritual Variant might be the newest of the official Camino´s but it is probably in fact the oldest of them all. Legend has it that St James’ remains were transported from Jerusalem to the mouth of the Ulla River and disembarked in what was then called Iria Flavia and today is the city Padrón. From here they were transported overland to Santiago de Compostela. One of the peculiarities of this variant is the possibility of doing part of the last section between Vila Nova de Arousa and Pontecesures by boat, sailing in the waters of the Arousa estuary and arriving via the last navigable section of the Ulla River. The route passes through a beautiful natural area, visiting the only Holy Way River crossing in the world, where you can see seventeen ancient crosses that identify this Camino de Santiago as Translatio, the origin of all Caminos.

Day: 1 - Arrival Porto

Porto has lots of direct flights from numerous cities making it a great place to start your Camino. You might want to stay an extra night or two to really take in all that this city has to offer.
Day: 2 - Porto to Vila do Conde (33km)

Today´s walking is easy but long. You are taking the Litoral Route (Senda Litoral) following the river Douro and Atlantic coastline via a series of esplanades and boardwalks. If you want to break the journey you can overnight in Matosinhos (10km). Another option is to take the metro out of Porto to Matosinhos and start your journey here. You will overnight in Vila do Conde, an attractive city on the banks of the river with an interesting old quarter and lovely beaches.
Day: 3 - Vila do Conde to Esposende (24km)

Todays walk will take you on boardwalks along beaches, sand dunes and past old windmills before heading inland. You will overnight in Esposende another lovely riverside city with elegant buildings that has been welcoming pilgrims since 1579. We recommend you try the seabass, octopus and sweet pastries whilst you´re here.
Day: 4 - Esposende to Viana do Castelo (24km)

Today you are heading inland along cobblestoned country lanes and woodland before crossing the River Lima into Viana do Castelo. Viana do Castelo is an attractive medieval city with a long maritime history of cod fishing and shipbuilding.
Day: 5 - Viana do Castelo to Caminha (27km)

Today you have gently undulating winding country lanes to enjoy and some forest trails with sea and mountain views. There is a bit of a steep climb into Vila Praia de Ancora but after that you´re back on a flat seaside path for a while before heading inland to Caminha. You will overnight in the medieval border town of Caminha which sits on the mouth of the River Minho.
Day: 6 - Caminha to Tui (30km)

Today you are leaving the Coastal Camino to join the Central Camino. Most of the day will be still in Portugal walking on winding cobbled lanes, gently undulating, and becoming increasingly flatter. When you reach Valenca you will cross the International Bridge (more affectionately known as The Bridge of Friendship) to Tui. You are now in Spain.
Day: 7 - Tui – Redondela (33km)

Today you will follow the scenic Rivier Louso through pretty woodland. You will overnight in the lovely town of Redondela also known as the town of the viaducts. Try the chocos (cuttlefish) whilst you´re here – the town is famous for them.
Day: 8 - Redondela - Pontevedra (18km)

Some gently uphill walking today before reaching Pontevedra. Pontevedra is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Galicia with its collection of Romanesque churches and granite squares. Enjoy the local seafood (oysters, scallops, mussels, clams, cuttlefish), Albariño wine and filloas (crepes).
Day: 9 - Pontevedra – Armenteira (23km)

Today you will embark upon The Spiritual Variant by heading west towards the sea about 2km after leaving the city of Pontevedra. You will walk through the pretty landscapes of Comarca and O Salnês, crossing the village of Poio with its old monastery and the beautiful coastal town of Combarro. It is a bit of a tough climb to up to Armenteira but at the top you will find a magnificent Monastery, built in the 12th century, and which is still fully running today.
Day: 10 - Armenteira – Vilanova de Arousa (23km)

Today’s walk follows a relatively easy route and is arguably one of the most beautiful stages of The Camino. After leaving Armenteira you will follow the Stone and Water Route, a trail that runs parallel to the Armenteira River, surrounded by lush vegetation. It continues via Ribadumia and Pontearnelas to reach the coast at Vilanova de Arousa. This small town is the birthplace of the celebrated 19^th Century writer Valle-Inclan.
Day: 11 - Vilanova de Arousa to Padron - by boat or on foot to Pontecesures (27km) then 2.2km walking to Padron

Today you take the Translatio sea route. This sea crossing takes a couple of hours with your boat departing about 08:30 in the morning and it is a truly stunning journey. On this waterway route, you will see the only water-based Holy Way in the world. This is a collection of 17 crosses that mark the Apostle’s journey. The sea route meets the Portuguese Camino in Pontecesures, from where it’s a short walk to Padron.
Day: 12 - Padrón to Santiago de Compostela (24 km)

You are on the home stretch now. The final day of walking starts with a steady climb through woodlands from 160m to a peak of 260m and then a steady descent. The yellow arrows suddenly disappear once you enter the city of Santiago de Compostela but just head towards the main square - Plaza del Obradoiro. You will see the spires of Santiago Cathedral drawing nearer and nearer as you approach and make your way through the winding streets of the old town to the square.
Day: 13 - Depart

After breakfast your journey has come to an end. You could stay an extra night in Santiago or continue on to Finisterre (Lands End) - or save that for next time...