Scotland

Welcome to Portugal! Our adventure begins in Porto, the historic city that lent its name to port wine— and to Portugal itself.

Your tour leader (that’s me!) will meet you at the airport and help you get settled into our hotel. If you are traveling from outside of Europe, I highly recommend planning to arrive at least 1 day before the official start of the tour. This ensures that you will still arrive in time to begin the tour, even if your flight is delayed. Want to spend more time in Porto? Consider arriving 2 days early to explore on your own. For a small fee, I will arrange your vegan meals and hotel reservation.

Leaving Porto behind us, we arrive by private shuttle in Valença, Spain. Our journey begins at Fortaleza de Valença, where you’ll receive the first stamp in your credencial (a.k.a. Pilgrim Passport). On Day 1 we cross the border into Spain via a historic iron bridge over the Minho River. On Day 2 we pass through charming villages like Mos, stop at pilgrim shrines, and notice the stone granaries called horreos dotting the landscape. On Day 3 we walk along the Vigo river estuary, arriving in Pontevedra with happy hearts and tired legs. Our daily routine includes walking for several hours each day, each of us going at our own pace and stopping to see as many of the sights as we wish. Regroup for dinner at a vegan-friendly restaurant.

Daily Distance: 16–25km (10–15mi) over both flat and hilly terrain

Destinations: Tui, O Porriño, Redondela, Pontevedra

Today we take some much needed R&R. Feel free to curl up with a good book and not leave your hotel room until dinner. You’ve earned it. Looking to squeeze in a little more adventure? Transportation is provided to nearby beaches, thermal spas, river walks and hiking trails. We’ve also teamed up with a local guiding company to offer paddle boarding, mountain bike tours and canyoning tours in Peneda-Gerês National Park.

Today we travel by ferry to the Cíes Islands, located in Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. Only a small number of visitors are allowed each day, keeping the natural splendor of these islands intact for generations to come. We’ll spend the day relaxing on the picturesque sands of Praia de Rodas (Rodas Beach) and hiking to the Faro de Cíes (Cíes Lighthouse).

Since arriving in Redondela—where the inland and coastal routes merge—we have been traveling the most popular stretch of the Camino Português. Leaving Pontevedra, the number of pilgrims increases once more. We find ourselves meeting fellow pilgrims from every corner of the earth. The hills between Pontevedra and Caldas de Reis make Day 6 our most difficult day of walking (still nothing we can’t handle). The walk to Padrón on Day 7 is mercifully flatter and shorter in distance. On Day 8 we make the long (but not difficult) walk to our final destination: the Cathedral of St. James. Standing in the plaza where all Camino routes converge, we are swept up in the tired-yet-joyful celebrations all around us, as pilgrims weep, laugh, sing and dance as they realize their long journey has come to an end.

Daily Distance: 19–25km (12–15mi) over both flat and hilly terrain

Destinations: Pontevedra, Caldas de Reis, Padrón, Santiago de Compostela

Want to spend more time in Santiago? Consider extending your tour and exploring on your own. For a small fee, I will arrange your vegan meals and hotel reservation.