Places of the Camino
Share
The Portuguese Way is one of the most popular Jacobean Routes among pilgrims. Its medium-low difficulty, its good communications - especially with Porto and Lisbon - and a network of hostels contribute to thousands of pilgrims walking this Camino de Santiago every year.
But the Portuguese Way has many attractions along its route that make it unique. Today we want to help you discover this Route, as well as the best things to see and do in each of its stages.
For this purpose we have created a new map with which you can follow the inland Portuguese Way from Tui and the Portuguese Coastal Way from A Guarda, which includes the Spiritual Variant. You can get this map for free at the post offices along this Route or download it here.
Do you dare to discover the Portuguese Way? Here we go!
If you have chosen to walk the Portuguese Way inland, Tui will be your starting point.
Before leaving Tui there are a few must-sees that you cannot miss. Even if you don't have much time, don't start your Camino without strolling through its historic centre and visiting the Cathedral of Santa María, a true icon of the Portuguese Way.
On arriving in O Porriño, enjoy the architectural legacy of Antonio Palacios, among which we can highlight the Town Hall building and the pavilion that used to be a metro station on Madrid's Gran Vía.
Make a stop in Mos to visit the Pazo de los Marqueses de Mos and in Redondela, be amazed by the railway viaducts and visit the San Simón inlet, where you can enjoy a unique panoramic view of the Vigo estuary.
Enjoy seafood in Arcade and relive the War of Independence in Ponte Sampaio, where you can marvel at its medieval bridge of Roman origin. Discover the historic centre of Pontevedra, stroll through its squares and visit the church of La Peregrina, patron saint of the city and of the Portuguese Way.
If you opt for the Spiritual Route, visit the monasteries of Poio and Armenteira, enjoy the Pedra e da Auga trail and discover the cultural and natural heritage of Vilanova de Arousa and A Illa.
If your Camino takes you directly to Caldas de Rei, don't hesitate to enjoy the spas of this thermal village and to go to the As Burgas spring with hot and cold water, which will help you to recover your muscles after a hard day.
In Padrón, enjoy the Paseo del Espolón and visit the church of Santiago where you can see the Pedrón, the Roman altar to which the boat that brought the remains of the Apostle from Palestine was moored. Don't leave the town without trying one of its most universal delicacies: its peppers.
When you arrive in Santiago, go to the Post Office (Rúa do Franco, 4) and leave your backpack, bike or walking stick in the left-luggage office or send them back home. Once you are free of charge, visit the Cathedral, explore the old town and enjoy the Galician gastronomy of the city of the Apostle.
And what if I've decided to walk the Portuguese Way along the coast? Don't worry because we have plans for you too.
A Guarda will be the starting point of this Portuguese Way of St. James. Before leaving, visit the hill of Santa Trega and its Celtic settlement. Also, don't leave without enjoying the gastronomy of the port.
Once en route, let yourself be accompanied by the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy its landscapes. In Oia, visit the Cistercian monastery of Santa María.
When you get to Baiona, enjoy its historic centre and visit the old castle of Monterreal, now converted into a Parador. Once in Vigo, recharge your batteries by tasting oysters in A Pedra, visit Mount Castro and see (or visit) the Cíes Islands.
We hope that this small map will help you to enjoy the Portuguese Way to the maximum. And if you want to know more about its itinerary and stages, do not hesitate to consult our guide. In addition, we bring together for you all the accommodation on this route classified by location and category (hostel, guest house/hostel or hotel).
Finally, we remind you that in the Portuguese Way we have a whole range of services with which we want to help you make the most of the Route. Both from Tui and from A Guarda, including the Spiritual Variant, is available the Paq Mochila, our luggage transport service from stage to stage.
In addition, the Paq Bicicleta (sending bikes to the starting point or back at the end of the Camino) or the Paq Peregrino (sending packages and suitcases to any point of the Camino) are available at the post offices of the Camino Portugués.
When you arrive in Santiago you can also use the left-luggage service to leave your luggage, bike or walking sticks and visit the Cathedral or the city unburdened. It is located 2 minutes walk from the Obradoiro (Rúa do Franco, 4) and is open from Monday to Sunday (including public holidays) from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. You can book it online here.
Enjoy the Camino Portugués. Buen Camino!
Your email address will not be published.
Mandatory fields are marked with *
