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The Portuguese Coastal Way is one of the most popular routes of the Camino de Santiago. Although the itinerary of this route has recently been officially recognized on February 3, 2022, it is already the third in number of pilgrims (following the French Way, and the traditional route of the Portuguese Way)
The Portuguese Coastal Way starts in the city of Oporto and passes through Viana do Castelo, A Guarda and Vigo, until it joins the Portuguese Way in Redondela.
This route crosses lands steeped in history and legend. A route that leads us through stunning coastal scenery, beaches, picturesque villages and natural paradises, ideal for those pilgrims who want to enjoy the natural beauty of the Atlantic coast and the charm of the small villages of inland Galicia while pilgrimage to Santiago.
As with the other routes of the Camino, the origin of the Camino de Santiago dates back to the discovery of the remains of the Apostle St. James in the 9th century. When King Alfonso II of Asturias travelled the 320 km that separated his Court from Santiago de Compostela to verify for himself the discovery of the remains of the Apostle. This route is what we know today as the Primitive Way and was the first known route of the Way of St. James. From then on, subjects from all over Europe imitated the monarch, thus giving rise to the appearance of other routes of the Way of St. James that we know today, such as the Portuguese Coastal Way.
The first signs of pilgrimage on the Portuguese Coastal Way, also known as the Monastic Way, in its Galician section, date back to the 10th century. The proximity of the Portuguese country of Santiago de Compostela and the cultural and economic links between Galicia and the Kingdom of Portugal favoured the development of this route.
The first promoter of the pilgrimage was the king of Portugal, Alfonso I, who, after the independence of Portugal in the 12th century, encouraged the Portuguese to make the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Another milestone that favoured the development of the pilgrimage to the holy city was the pilgrimage of Isabella of Portugal in the 14th century. Also known as “the Holy Queen”, she visited the tomb of the Apostle for the first time in 1325 to offer her crown to Santiago Apostle. Ten years later the queen would visit Santiago again.
As with other Jacobean routes, the constant flow of pilgrims on their way to Santiago favoured the construction of hostels and infrastructures for walkers to rest. The popularity and heyday of the Portuguese Coastal Way (and of the Way of St. James in general) declined from the 17th century onwards, with the arrival of major events such as the French Revolution, Luther’s Protestant Reformation and the liberal disentailments of the 19th century. These events brought with them famine, plagues, wars, droughts and bad harvests, causing pilgrimages to be relegated to a secondary role.
The late 20th century saw the revival of the Way of St. James. And therefore, of the Portuguese Way. In 1993, coinciding with the Xacobean Holy Year, the Public Administrations and the Associations of the Pilgrims’ Route to Santiago in the north of Portugal and Galicia made an effort to promote the Pilgrims’ Route to Santiago: they distributed promotional material, improved signposting, set up tourist offices, etc.
The Portuguese Coastal Route runs along the Atlantic coastline crossing the Portuguese country from South to North. If you follow this route you will be able to discover the coast of the North of Portugal and the Rías Baixas in Galicia, passing through towns such as Viana do Castelo, A Guarda, Baiona and Pontevedra.
Porto, also called “The Capital of the North,” is a Portuguese city located at the mouth of the Douro River. It is known for its rich history and unique architecture, having been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
In this area, one of the most prestigious wines in Europe is produced: Port wine, a fortified wine characterized by the sweetness of its grapes.
Porto is the most popular starting point for the Portuguese Coastal Route. The route follows along the Douro River and passes through beautiful rural landscapes, vineyards and small villages.
It is a coastal city located on the banks of the river Lima, in the North Region of Portugal. It stands out for its historical and cultural charm, its natural landscapes and its seafaring tradition.
Since the Middle Ages, Viana do Castelo has welcomed pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, creating shelters to give them refuge during the Camino.
It is a seaside town located on the southern shores of the Vigo estuary. It has been declared a Site of Historic and Artistic Interest for being the place where the Pinta caravel returned from the expedition captained by Christopher Columbus in the discovery of America.
It is one of the most popular summer tourist destinations in Galicia due to its varied leisure, historical, gastronomic and cultural offer. The beauty of its beaches, sheltered by the bay, are the perfect reflection of the seafaring tradition that forms part of its identity.
Padrón is a land of history, traditions and culture. Located close to Santiago de Compostela, the history of this town is linked to that of the apostle St. James, as this is the city where his remains arrived from Jerusalem.
Padrón also stands out for having been the home of two renowned Galician writers: the poetess Rosalía de Castro and the Nobel Prize for Literature, Camilo José Cela.
A Guarda is a seaside town located in the province of Pontevedra. It has a great natural and scenic heritage, combining the fluvial environment of the banks and mouth of the Miño river, with the oceanic coastal environment.
It also has a Celtic past. Its archaeological, cultural and ethnographic heritage is one of the most important in Galicia, with the Monte and Castro de Santa Tegra standing out.
Like Baiona, A Guarda is considered another of the most popular starting points of the Camino.
Also known as the City of Lérez, Pontevedra is the capital of the Rías Baixas and one of the most important stops on this route. It has a long maritime and mercantile tradition and preserves one of the most important historic centres in Galicia, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.
The church of the Pilgrim Virgin, patron saint of the province and also of the Portuguese Way itself, stands out.
It is a church dedicated to the Virgin of Carmen and one of the symbols of the parish where it is located, Panxón. Its construction dates back to the 20th century and is the work of Antonio Palacios, who designed the first underground lines in Madrid and the Palacio de Cibeles. Being of Galician origin, the church combines Gothic features, Muslim influence and modernist touches.
It is a 12th century monastery of the Cistercian Order, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. It is located in Oia, halfway between Baiona and A Guarda.
Strategically facing the coast, one of the most legendary stories of this monastery took place here. In the 17th century, the monks who lived there managed to stop the attack of five Turkish ships on the Galician coast.
Its important hegemony over Galicia and the north of Portugal has made this monastery an obligatory stop-off point for hundreds of pilgrims, including important figures such as Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, who made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela following this route in the 12th century.
The Sanctuary of the Pilgrim Virgin is one of the most symbolic and important buildings in the city of Pontevedra. Declared a Historic-Artistic Monument and an Asset of Cultural Interest, it combines late Baroque elements with neoclassical forms, such as its main altarpiece, erected in 1789. It is dedicated to the Pilgrim Virgin, patron saint of the province of Pontevedra and of the Portuguese Way, which guided pilgrims from Baiona to Santiago. Its ground plan is in the shape of a scallop shell, the symbol par excellence of the pilgrims on the Pilgrims’ Route to Santiago, on which is inscribed a cross.
The Pedrón is a Roman altar located in the Church of Santiago in Padrón. The Jacobean tradition links it as the mooring place of the boat that transferred the remains of the apostle Santiago from Palestine to the hill of Libredón, in Santiago de Compostela, where he would be buried until his subsequent discovery eight centuries later.
The stop, both for pilgrims on the Portuguese Way and for visitors who come to visit Padrón, is a must.
This museum occupies the former Pazo de Quiñones de León, an exemplary building of 17th century Galician stately architecture located in Vigo. The museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens where you can observe ancient species such as the French garden camellia and other exotic species. They were declared a Historic Garden and an Asset of Cultural Interest and have a route signposted in Braille.
The museum has the best collections of Galician painting, as well as an interesting archaeological section that spans from the Palaeolithic to the Roman period.
Other places of interest that you can visit if you follow the Portuguese Coastal route are: the Sé Cathedral in Oporto, the Nossa Senhora da Conceição Fortress in Póvoa de Varzim, the Romanesque bridge of La Ramallosa or the waterfalls of A Barosa, in Barro.
Thousands of pilgrims pass through here every year. One of the most illustrious was King Manuel I in the 15th century. This picturesque town on the banks of the River Ave in the Porto district is known for its history, fascinating beaches and historical heritage.
Vila do Conde has a wide cultural offer. The city hosts the Vila do Conde International Film Festival, one of the most important film events in Portugal, a meeting point for filmmakers, industry professionals and film lovers from all over the world.
Matosinhos is an important port and fishing town near Porto. It has several distinct areas: the urban area, which concentrates commerce and industry; the Atlantic coast, where the Praia de Matosinhos is located, very popular during the holiday season; and the port of Leixões, the second seaport of the metropolitan area of Porto.
On your way through A Guarda, as a guardian of the Camino, you will find the Castro de Santa Tegra, 341 metres above sea level. Its origin dates back to the 1st century B.C. and it has petroglyphs more than 2,000 years old. From here you will have privileged views of the natural border created at the mouth of the river Minho, which separates the countries of Spain and Portugal.
It is currently one of the largest Castros in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula and is recognised as a National Historic-Artistic Monument and an Asset of Cultural Interest.
At the end of the Vigo estuary is the island of San Simón, with a past surrounded by enigmas and mysticism. A refuge for Templar knights and Benedictine monks during the Middle Ages. Attacked by pirates in the 16th century and a concentration camp during the Civil War. This island, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, is not on the route, but many pilgrims come here to learn more about its history.
A maritime-terrestrial site made up of the islands of Cíes, Ons, Sálvora and Cortegada. Characterised by its white sand and crystal-clear waters, it is one of the most visited places in Galicia, second only to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. In the Cíes Islands is the beach of Rodas, considered the best beach in the world by the British newspaper The Guardian.
The Portuguese Coastal Way is an ideal route for those who are new to the Camino. It is a very accessible route since it can be done without complications as there are no steep slopes in the terrain.
Doing the Portuguese Coastal Pilgrimage Route to Santiago de Compostela from Porto means walking a distance of 280 km to Santiago de Compostela. Many pilgrims also choose to start the Camino in Baiona, with a distance of approximately 120 km to the holy city.
Most walkers on the Camino walk an average of 20-25 km per day, but it will be important to plan the stages according to your level of fitness so that the sense of difficulty is not affected.
In general, the route is flat and does not present any difficulties in the terrain. Along the Camino you will encounter various types of terrain such as hills, rural paths and coastal stretches.
The complete Portuguese Coastal Way of Saint James consists of 12 stages on foot that cover the 280 km that separate Oporto from Santiago de Compostela. Although it can be adapted to each person. Dividing stages in two or doing 2 stages on the same day.
Depending on the number of days you have available and the number of kilometres you want to walk, you can start the Portuguese Coastal Way from various points such as Viana do Castelo, A Guarda or Baiona.
One of the most popular starting points for this route is the Portuguese city of Porto. From the mouth of the Douro, the route covers a total of 270 km along the Portuguese coastline until it enters Galicia. This route takes approximately 12 to 15 stages, although the duration will depend on the planning of each pilgrim.
If you are worried that the stages are too long or you prefer a more relaxed pace, we can split them in two or add extra nights for you to rest. The Camino is not about getting to the finish line first, but about enjoying every moment.
Our recommendation is to do the Portuguese Coastal Way In spring or autumn. At these dates, the influx of pilgrims is less than in summer so finding accommodation and transport will not be a problem and the weather conditions are more favourable.
In spring and autumn the temperatures are ideal for walking and although there may be some rainfall throughout the day, it will not be a problem for walking.
It is also possible to walk this route in summer. However, bear in mind that at certain times of the year it may be more difficult to find accommodation due to the popularity of the Galician and Portuguese coast as a summer holiday destination.
This is considered the best time of the year to do the Portuguese Coastal route because of the mild temperatures during these months. However, there may also be occasional showers.
Tips:
At this time of year temperatures are mild and rainfall is occasional. The days are longer, so you will have more time to complete the stages. This is the most popular season to do this route, especially July and August.
Tips:
This season is characterised by a gradual drop in temperatures. At this time of year, the days are not yet as short as in winter, so we will be able to walk with enough light from first thing in the morning. Although the first rains may appear, it is generally a fairly dry season so it is a good time to set out on the Camino.
Tips:
Although winter temperatures in Portugal and Galicia are milder than in other continental areas, they can be colder depending on the area. In addition, it is important to take into account that the possibility of rainfall is higher at this time of the year. Because the weather in this season is less predictable, it is not the best time to start the Camino.
Tips:
Good hydration and nutrition is essential. Make sure you stay hydrated during the Camino and eat healthy and energetic food to maintain your energy level.
Bring a rain jacket. The weather conditions on the Atlantic coast are varied so we recommend that you always carry a rain jacket in your backpack. It takes up hardly any space so you won’t feel any extra weight.
Clothing should be light, breathable and insulating. As for footwear, we recommend waterproof trekking boots that you have worn before to avoid chafing.
If you need detailed information, you can access here. Remember that the Camino is a unique and personal experience. Live every moment to the fullest and enjoy the landscape, nature and the company of the Camino.
Buen Camino!
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