Explore the mountains of the south.
Feel the spirit of Galicia's south west, an area sharing strong Portuguese culture.
Indulge yourself in rooms en-suite in selected hotels along the way and enjoy a high level of comfort.
Time travel along 1000 years of history and meet people from every horizon.

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Departures:

>Self-Guided
Any time, all year round!

>Guided
See Guided Departures page

This Walking Holiday explores the Camino Portugues / Portuguese Way, following the iconic Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the famous Way of Saint James.

This Camino, which was used by Queen Isabel of Portugal in the 13th Century, heads north following the Atlantic coast of Portugal & Spain. The Camino Portugues gently winds along ancient tracks & paths, running through woodlands, villages, farmlands & historic towns.

Everyday, during the walk, you are guaranteed a high level of comfort and gastronomy. This section requires a reasonable level of fitness. However, it’s a highly rewarding walk that includes numerous cultural highlights.

DAY 1 – Tui
You will be booked in a hotel in the heart of Tui. The rooms are en-suite.
Take a walk through the picturesque streets of this town, then as you approach the Plaza de San Fernando, the silhouette of the west-facing facade of the 12th-century cathedral will leave you breathless.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 3* hotel, en-suite. Meal: B&B

DAY 2 – From Tui to O Porrino (16km 4h +90m -80m)
From Tui's old port 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 to the evocative bridge of San Telmo. From there, travelling over a less abrupt terrain, we come to the town of O Porrino.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 3* hotel, en-suite. Meal: Half Board

DAY 3 – From O Porrino to Arcade (22km 5h30 +310m -300m)
The terrain becomes easier 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 Setefontes and comes to Arcade.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* hotel, en-suite. Meal: Half Board

DAY 4 – From Arcade to Pontevedra (11km 3h +100m -180m)
Reaching the historic site of Ponte Sampaio, the Camino crosses the Verdugo River. During the War of Independence, Napoleon's army suffered one of its greatest defeats in Galicia at this bridge. Heading up a cobbled footpath we come to the 13th century church of Santa Maria. Views of the Bay of Vigo are stunning!

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* hotel, en-suite. Meal: Half Board

DAY 5 – From Pontevedra to Caldas do Rei (24km 6h +110m -100m)
Passing chestnut groves, the Camino leaves Pontevedra and runs parallel to the railway for a while. After passing through the hamlet of Ponte Cabras, we encounter the rectory of Santa Maria de Alba, tucked away among pine and eucalyptus trees. Emerging from the dense woods of Lombo da Maceira, you'll see a statue of Saint James the pilgrim, his cane pointing the way to proceed. The lovely village of Tibo, with its fountain, public washing place and stone cross, bring us to Caldas do Rei.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* hotel, en-suite. Meal: Half Board

DAY 6 – From Caldas do Rei to Padron (18km 4h30 +120m -100m)
Exiting the town, we take a bridge over the river Umia that leads us to a fountain of hot spring water that had lent the town its name since Roman times. Entering the woods once more, the Camino make its way gently uphill to the hamlet of Santa Marina. Going downhill, we then cross the river Fontenlo. Finally, following a Camino lined with pinetrees, we catch up again with the river as we arrive in Padron.
Padron is famous for being the first land sighted by the ship bearing the body of Saint James.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* hotel, en-suite. Meal: B&B

DAY 7 – From Padron to Santiago (24km 6h +310m -60m)
The Camino passes through many small villages and hamlets before arriving at the Baroque sanctuary of A Esclavitude. On a hilltop to the left stands the mysterious, abandoned ruins of the hillfort Castro Lupario, and couple of kilometres later, we come to the oldest wayside crosses in Galicia. As we near Agro dos Monteiros, it is now possible to see the towers of the cathedral. Finally the Camino passes by the ruins of a castle known as A Rocha Vella, before entering the city of the Apostle.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 3* hotel, en-suite. Meal: Half Board

DAY 8 – Santiago de Compostela
After breakfast we bid you farewell.

Meal: B&B

• Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel
• Rooms en-suite
• Half-Board during the hike
• Detailed Walking Notes
• Map
• Pilgrim passport

• Flights
• Insurance (recommended)
• Drinks
• Dinner first and last nights
• Transfers from/to airport