Camino Portugués
Coastal Route

Start at the Sé Cathedral — pick up your credential (pilgrim passport) here. Head down through Porto's old town to the Douro River, then follow it west to the coast at Foz do Douro. From there it's flat, beautiful coastal walking through Matosinhos — stop for a seafood lunch at the fish restaurants near the port. Continue along sandy beaches north to Vila do Conde with its impressive Santa Clara Monastery and aqueduct.

Your easiest day — enjoy it! Walk along sandy beaches and through Póvoa de Varzim, a charming fishing town with a nice harbour to explore over lunch. The path continues past more beautiful Atlantic coastline to Esposende, located at the mouth of the Cávado River estuary. A great place to relax your feet and soak in the coastal atmosphere.

The terrain gets more interesting today with one of the most beautiful forest walks on the entire Portuguese Camino — a lush green riverside trail between km 6 and 8. Unlike the previous flat days, you'll encounter your first real hills. Viana do Castelo is one of Portugal's most beautiful towns. If you have energy left, climb up to the Santuário de Santa Luzia on the hilltop for stunning panoramic views.

Walk through quiet villages with distant ocean views and stretches of tranquil woodland. Caminha is a charming medieval border town on the Minho River, which marks the frontier between Portugal and Spain. Explore the old town in the evening and have dinner at a riverside restaurant — your last night in Portugal! Check the ferry schedule for tomorrow's crossing.

Your biggest day — start early! Take the morning ferry from Caminha across the Minho estuary to A Guarda (Spain). Walk the dramatic Galician coastline past the historic 12th-century Monastery of Oia. Services are limited between A Guarda and Baiona, so pack extra snacks and water. The reward? Baiona is a gorgeous harbour town — walk the old fortress walls at sunset. This was many pilgrims' favourite stop on the entire route.

Another demanding day with some of the route's most stunning beaches — Praia de Portiño and the coves around Canido are gorgeous. You'll pass through Vigo, Galicia's largest city (grab lunch in the old town), before continuing to Redondela where the Coastal and Central routes merge. Expect to see many more pilgrims from this point onwards.

Rest your legs on this shorter, gentle day. Arrive in Pontevedra early and take your time exploring one of Galicia's most beautiful pedestrianised old towns. The squares are lively, the granite buildings are gorgeous, and the seafood restaurants here are fantastic. Treat yourself to pulpo á feira (Galician octopus) and a glass of Albariño wine. You've earned it after two tough days.

Your longest day — leave at first light (around 6:30 AM). Walk through gorgeous Galician woodland and villages. Caldas de Reis is your midpoint (~22 km in) and a must-stop — soak your tired feet in the free thermal springs and grab lunch. Then push through another 16 km to Padrón, the historic town where St. James' remains are said to have first arrived in Galicia by boat. Tomorrow is your final day!

The final walk. Through villages and eucalyptus forests, you'll gradually approach Santiago. When you first catch sight of the Cathedral spires rising above the rooftops, the emotion is unforgettable. Walk into the Praza do Obradoiro and take it all in — you made it! Head to the Pilgrim Office (Oficina del Peregrino) to collect your Compostela certificate. Try to attend the noon Pilgrim Mass in the Cathedral.