From Lisboa to Oporto
1 pax min.
The origin of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago actually predates the Camino de Santiago itself as it partly runs along an old Roman road. Later the Camino Portugués was supported by different kings of Portugal upon the discovery of the remains of the Apostle Santiago. This demonstrates their commitment to this path. Even some neighboring monarchs visited the grave.
In the twentieth century with the apparition of the Virgin in Fátima, the Portuguese pilgrimage route becomes less important in the neighboring countries and the pilgrimages to Fátima became established in this country.
Today, thanks to the efforts of associations of the Camino de Santiago and institutions of both countries the path has become the second busiest one after the Camino Francés. This route runs at its first section parallel to the Caminho de Fátima.
Program
Day 1: Arrival in Lisboa
Transfer to the hotel in Lisboa Free time to visit the city, most important is the Cathedral of Lisboa, the monastery of Los Jerónimos, the Torre de Belém, the square, Plaza del Comercio, apart from many museums..
Day 2: From Sacavém to Vila Franca de Xira, 26 km approx.
Transfer to Sacavém to start the walk. The Camino Portugués to Porto, unfortunately, is not at all times good waymarked, but at the same time runs next to the Caminho de Fatima to Azambuja, so we can follow the signs that waymark this way. The first days we’ll go through very fertile lands as the river Tejo flows near the path. We’ll specially see vineyards and olive groves.
From Sacavém we follow the path to Alpriate.
Passing by the villages of Povoa de Santa Iria, Alverca do Ribatejo y Alhandra, we reach the bullring of Vila Franca de Xira. Vila Franca is known by its bullring and horses.
Day 3: From Vila Franca de Xira to Azambuja, 19 km approx.
The path is easy walking as the previous day. It also runs through fields and quiet roads. We arrive to Azambuja going through Vilanova de Rainha.
Day 4: From Azambuja to Santarém, 32 km approx.
Again a stage that reminds us the Spanish Meseta because it’s almost all the way plain, but not too dry. It’s an easy stage. Before Santarém there is a small ascent to the city that is located on a hill, which shows that it was a strategic place in wartime.
We reach Santarém going through the village of Reguengo and Valada. Santarem is always shown as an example of Portuguese Gothic. It’s important to visit the so-called Gates of the Sun, Portas do Sol, remains of a castle on the banks of the river Tejo that today is a park. The Camino de Santiago also passes by this castle. In this city you can visit many churches, the most important are the church of Piedade and Nossa Senhora da Conceição. To visit the old town you can start from the square, Praça Sá da Bandeira.
Day 5: From Santarém to Golegã, 30 km approx.
We leave Santarém passing by the ancient castle Portas do Sol.
Through the door of Sao Tiago and Salina we arrive to the Camino de Santiago. Soon after, we’ll cross the river Tejo over the bridge.
We continue our camino through the villages of Vale Figueira and Azinhaga up to Golegã which is known for its “Feira Nacional do Cavalo”, a popular festivity devoted to horses. It’s important to highlight the main church which is devoted to Nossa Senhora da Conceição. Next to the church we’ll see an open place called Largo da Conceição Immaculada in the main square and the Palace of Pelourinho, a 17th century building that was once a prison.
Day 6: From Golegã to Tomar, 29 km approx.
This stage reminds us at the beginning to the previous one because of its plain, but from Vila Nova da Barquinha the landscape changes. We’ll leave behind the plain and the river Tejo basin. We’ll find small uphills along the way, which is welcome after days of flat land.
We leave Golegã and we’ll reach soon the Quinta da Cardiga, an old manor house dated from the time of the Templars.
We’ll reach Tomar after passing through the towns of Vila Nova da Barquinha, Atalaia, Grou, Asseiceira and Guerreira. On entering Tomar we’ll first find the square, Praça da República in the old town.
Tomar is a beautiful city by the river Nabão. On the hill there are the remains of the Convent of Christ, a former monastery built during the time of the Templars and very well preserved. Among other important works of art we’ll find the Synagogue, the castle of the Templars and the church of Santa Iria, a former Benedictine monastery.
* From Tomar there’s the possibility to arrange an excursion to the town of Fátima. It would be arranged a transfer to Fátima with one or more overnight stays to visit the city and transfer back to Tomar.
Day 7: From Tomar to Alvaiázere, 32. km approx.
This long stage goes slowly uphill from 50 to 300 meters.
We leave Tomar from the square, Praça da República and follow the street Serpa Pinto, we cross the bridge over the river Nabão and follow the path. Passing through the small towns of Casais, Calvino, Portela de Vila Verde and Feteiras we reach Alvaiázere. Today we will also walk along many paved roads. We enter a new province, Beira Litoral, a fertile region with many fields, we’ll specially see rice plantations, olive groves and vineyards.
Day 8: From Alvaiázere to Rabaçal, 33 km approx.
We leave the village along the main street to Ansião. When reaching the end of the street we must veer towards Laranjeiras. After going through the villages of Venda do Negro, Gramatinha, Casais Maduros and Casal do Soeiro we arrive to Ansião, a slightly larger town where you can visit the main church, Igreja Matriz. Also important is the house Paços do Concelho, an old palace. In this area we can still see many windmills.
By continuing and going through the villages of Alvorge and Ribera de Alcalamouque, we get to Rabaçal. Here you can visit the museum called Museo de la Villa Romana. Transfer to Coimbra.
Day 9: From Rabaçal to Coimbra, 29 km approx.
Transfer to Rabaçal. This stage runs at the beginning by olive groves, vineyards, pine and eucalyptus forests. Passing through the small towns of Zambujal, Fonte Coberta and Poço, we get to the remarkable ruins of Conimbriga, a former Celtic and later Roman settlement.
Then we continue through Cernache and Cruz de Mouroços and we arrive at Coimbra, the way to enter the city is very long.
It’s really interesting to see the church of Santa Cruz located at the square, Praça 8 Maio. Coimbra was founded by the Romans. Next to the Old Cathedral (Sé Velha) we can see the oldest Gothic cloister Portugal’s. You can also visit the New Cathedral (Sé Nova) and the church of Salvador.
Day 10: From Coimbra to Mealhada, 23 km approx.
Compared with the arrival, Coimbra is really quick to leave and we find us again on the camino. It runs again, unfortunately, along secondary roads and mainly follows the old Roman road that linked Aeminium (Coimbra) and Cale (Porto).
Again we’ll pass by small villages: Ademia de Baixo, Cioga do Monte, Adões, Sargento Mor and Santa Luzia. The we get to Mealhada, located next to Mondego river. It is famous for its preparation of the pork.
Day 11: From Mealhada to Agueda, 25 km approx.
Again we have a stage that crosses fertile fields but also many roads, small towns and even industrial areas. Though road is better waymarked, we must pay attention. Again we pass through small towns with few facilities. The villages we’ll cross before reaching Agueda are Alpalhão, Aguim, Arcos, Avelãs do Caminho and Agueda de Arriba. We get to Agueda across the bridge over the river with the same name. We can visit the main church, Igreja Matrix and the church of Santa Eulalia.
Day 12: From Agueda to Oliveira de Azeméis, 36 km approx.
We’ll still walk, unfortunately, along secondary roads. The most beautiful section on this stage is the way across the bridge over the river Marnel, a bridge restored by the Romans and later again in the Middle Ages. Once again, passing through small villages we reach Oliveira de Azeméis. In the first village, Mourisca do Vouga, we can see some old manor houses. Then through Serém da Cima we arrive at Albergaria A Velha. The road between this village and Albergaria A Nova is probably the prettiest of the whole stage. Then, through Bemposta Pinheiro we arrive at the great city of Oliveira de Azeméis. The most important thing to see is the main church of Sao Miguel.
Day 13: from Oliveira de Azeméis to Lourosa, 25 km approx.
First, we reach the large village of Sao Joao da Madeira, where the main church, Igreja Matriz, is located. This church is devoted to Sao Joao Baptista. We’ll also see the chapel of Nossa Señora dos Milagres.
After Malaposta and Ferradal we reach Lourosa. From there, transfer to Espinho ..
Day 14: From Lourosa to O Porto, 23 km approx.
Transfer from Espinho to Lourosa to walk the camino to O Porto. Today’s stage is very confusing; it goes through several small villages and roads. Through Mosteiro de Grijó, Perosinho and Vila Nova de Gaia, we arrive in O Porto.
Day 15: O Porto
Free day to visit the city of O Porto, the second largest city in Portugal and an important business center. We’ll visit the Cathedral, the stock market and the church of Sao Francisco among others. Later there’s the possibility to visit a winery where you can taste the Porto wine, typical for this region.
Day 16: Transfer to Porto airport End of the trip
*There is the possibility to extend the stay in O Porto and Lisboa for more nights. When extending your stay, apart from having more time to enjoy the city, we can arrange some excursions. If you are interested in it please don’t hesitate to contact Viajes Orbis
This trip can be combined with the one to Fátima Either we can go by walking or we can arrange a transfer from the city of Tomar If you are interested in this alternative, please contact Viajes Orbis.
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