DAY 1 Arrival in Porto
Welcome to Northern Portugal!
Upon arrival at the airport, our driver will welcome you and drive you to your hotel in Porto city. Our local representative will meet you for an orientation meeting.
After booking we also provide you with an elaborate, customized roadbook in which your will find inspiration for a self-guided city tour.
Night in Porto. The type of accommodation depends on your preferences and budget. This can be customized any way you like.
DAY 2 Exploring Porto
Take your time to explore Porto and visit the Port wine cellars.
Our local representative will meet you later today for an orientation meeting about your upcoming e-mountainbike tour.
Night in Porto.
DAY 3 Starting your camino by bike
STAGE 1 MORNING TRANSFER ESPOSENDE | ESPOSENDE – VILA PRAIA DE ÂNCORA (42km/26.1miles)
After breakfast, you will meet a member of our team who will drive you to Esposende to start your Portuguese Camino. By doing this, you avoid the busy, noisy roads through urban areas of Porto and its suburbs. After the briefing and bike adjustments, you’re ready to start your camino!
The route goes through a series of villages, countryside and patches of woodland with rivers and mountain views. The approach to Viana do Castelo across the Eiffel iron bridge over the River Lima presents magnificent views over the estuary. Take some time to explore the city before setting off towards the beachside town of Caminha, using wooden boardwalks and back roads, passing wide sandy beaches and the Montedor lighthouse hill.
Night in Vila Praia de Âncora
DAY 4 Crossing into Spain
STAGE 2 VILA PRAIA DE ÂNCORA – BAIONA (47km/29.2 miles)
Start this day cycling along the ocean in Portugal. In Caminha a short boat transfer will take you and your bike across the River Minho, the natural border with Spain. Continue cycling through the fishing town of A Guarda and follow the Camino along scenic coastal trails, forest tracks, and tarmac cycling paths. You will want to make a stop to admire the 12th century monastery that dominates the small but attractive village of Oia. From here your journey continues along the coast until you reach the historical town of Baiona.
Night in Baiona.
DAY 5 Let's merge with the Central Camino
STAGE 3 BAIONA – PONTEVEDRA (65km / 40.3 miles)
Leaving Baiona behind, the scenery first becomes more rural and with forested areas. Entering the city of Vigo can be a more hectic experience. Follow the route through the city streets, leaving the urban area behind and continue along the Ria de Vigo estuary, passing by villages and through a forest. A steep descent takes you to the town of Redondela where your Portuguese Coastal Camino merges with the Portuguese Central Camino. You’ll soon be arriving at Pontevedra where you can admire the historical city center and taste some nice tapas.
Night in Pontevedra.
DAY 6 Pontevedra relax day
Back in the 16th century, Pontevedra was Galicia's biggest city and an important port. The flagship of Colombus, the Santa María, was built here. Pontevedra is an inviting, small riverside city that combines history, culture and style.
Night in Pontevedra.
DAY 7 Arriving in Santiago de Compostela
STAGE 4 PONTEVEDRA – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (66km / 41 miles)
The final stage of your Portuguese Camino. On your way to Santiago, you will be surrounded by a pleasant countryside, with traditional cottages and traditional horreos (barns). Relax at the hot spring in the center of Caldas de Reis. Make sure to take some time to explore medieval Padron and to discover its connection to St. James. Enjoy the forest trail and then head up to Milladoiro, where you get your first glimpse of Santiago. Cross the River Sar and one last ascent will bring you into the city center and the medieval streets to the famous cathedral of Santiago de Compostela!
Night in Santiago de Compostela.
DAY 8 The start of a new adventure
STAGE 5 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA TO SANTA MARINA (42 km/ 26 miles)
This new adventure starts at the Praza do Obradoiro, crowned by the wonderful cathedral. The route goes through the Carballeira de San Lourenzo by the old monastery of San Lourenzo de Trasouto, and it continues through rural villages and countryside. The end of this stage is at Santa Mariña.
Night in Santa Mariña.
DAY 9 Along the old camino to Cabo Finisterre
STAGE 6 SANTA MARIÑA – FINISTERRA (47km/34.9 miles)
This day is full of beautiful landscapes. The route passes through small charming villages in the countryside, such as village of Corcubión (listed as a historical and artistic site), and approaches the coastline, as we get closer to Finisterra. The day ends in the lighthouse of Finisterre, knows as the “end of the earth”.
Night in Finisterra.
DAY 10 To the other end of the world
STAGE 7 FINISTERRA - MUXIA (30km/18.6 miles) | TRANSFER TO SANTIAGO
Extending your camino further from Finisterra to Muxia, the second medieval “End of the World”, is a rewarding and intense experience. Both places have a rich history and beautiful legends, like that of the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Barca outside Muxia. It is believed to be the vestiges of the stone boat that the Virgin Mary sailed on to visit St. James and encourage him on his preaching’s.
Night in Santiago de Compostela.
DAY 11 Goodbye...or not?
After breakfast this journey comes to an end. We hope you have enjoyed your adventure in Northern Portugal and Galicia, Spain.
We can provide return transportation to Porto or you can arrange a flight from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid and on from there. Of course we are always happy to extend your trip as well. Please contact us so we can create your tailormade itinerary.
