From Oporto to Santiago de Compostela
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.
Program
Day 1: Travel to Porto. Transfer to the airport.
Walk around the old city of Porto and visit to the Cathedral. Here begins our walk to Santiago and we’ll see the firs waymarks
Day 2: From Porto to Vilar do Pinheiro, 18 km approx.
We start in the Cathedral. Along the way we see the chapel of Araujo, a small chapel dated to the 19th century and the oak of Araujo with its famous legend. In Maia we can visit the church of Nuestra Señora do Bom Despacho with its tilecovered facade.
Day 3: From Vilar do Pinheiro to Arcos, 16 km approx.
We walk through smal villages like Mosteiro, Vilar to Vilarinho with its pretty square and church covered in tiles.
Day 4: From Arcos to Barcelos, 20 km approx.
In Pedro de Rates we can visit the Romanesque church with its beautiful main facade. We walk through the small villages of Pedra Furada and Pereira to Barcelos. This city is famous for its legend of the rooster. We still have time to have a walk around this interesting city full of churches and a beutiful main square.
Day 5: From Barcelos to Ponte de Lima, 33 km approx.
Today’s walk is quite long, as there is no accommodation along the way. It is possible to go by taxi part of the way.
Along the camino we’ll see Vila Boa and we’ll reach Alto da Portela through a beautiful countryside landscape until Ponte das Taboas with its symbolic bridge dated to the 13th century.
Day 6: From Ponte de Lima to Rubiães, 18 km approx.
Today’s stage is very nice, it runs through forests and vineyards. Leaving Ponte de Lima we go across a Roman bridge and we’ll see again the famous Quintas (villas). From Labruja we find an ascent but with beautiful views.
Day 7: From Rubiães to Tui, 19 km approx.
After several days in Portugal, today we have our last stage in the neighboring country and walking across the bridge over the river Miño we reach Galicia. First we have an ascent to Sao Benito. In Fontoura we can visit the church of Sao Miguel. In this village stayed the Queen Isabella of Portugal when he made a pilgrimage to Santiago. We continue our way to Valenca do Minho, where we can visit its citadel before crossing the river into Spain. In the afternoon we can visit the pretty town of Tui. It is important to highlight the Romanesque cathedral of Santa María.
Day 8: From Tui to Porriño, 16km approx.
On leaving Tui we’ll pass through the village of San Bartolome, where we will visit a small Romanesque church. We´ll go across the Ponte das Febres bridge (in Castilian means fever bridge) and through the villages of Orbenlle and Virxe da Guía until Porrino, known by its granite bridge. Free time to walk around the Porriño.
* Before arriving at Porriño there are two variants, one that goes through an Industrial Park and another new one which is much quieter and we recommend to take.
Day 9: From Porriño to Redondela, 15 km approx.
Before leaving Porrino we can visit the chapel of Las Angustias. In today’s stage we will pass through different villages with their chapels, many of them in Romanesque style, such as the chapel of Santa Maria, Santa Eulalia de Mos or Santiaguiño de Antas. Before arriving in Redondela we have a nice view of the coast and the bridge, Puente de Rande that was built to cross the estuary of Vigo. This area is well-known for its tasty oysters and seafood.
Day 10: From Redondela to Pontevedra, 19 km approx.
Today we have a very beautiful stage before us because we’ll reach the coast. Before leaving Redondela you can visit the church of Santiago, which dates back to the 20th century and was restored in the 16th century. In Pontesampaio we’ll cross a bridge that gives the place its name and where there were battles during the French occupation. There we can visit the church of Santa María, a fine example of Romanesque architecture in the region. In the afternoon free time to visit the beautiful town of Pontevedra. Most important are the church of La Peregrina, where there is a statue of the Virgin Mary dressed as a pilgrim, the church of Santa Maria and the park called La Alameda.
Day 11: From Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis, 23 km approx.
We leave Pontevedra and our camino runs mainly through eucalyptus and pine forests as the last days. Along today’s stage we´ll see many “cruceros”, a very typical Galician monument related to the “Santa Compaña” which is a deep-rooted mythical belief in rural Galicia that denotes the presence of the dead in the world of the living, we must remember that Galicia is a land of “Meigas” (witch in Galician)
We’ll go through villages like Santa María de Alba and Agudelo, where we can visit the church of San Martín, dated to the 13th century. Free time in the afternoon to have a walk around Caldas de Reis.
Day 12: From Caldas de Reis to Padrón, 19 km approx.
Before leaving Caldas we can visit the church of Santa María de Caldas, with influence of Maestro Mateo, author of the Romanesque masterpiece “El Pórtico de la Gloria” in the Cathedral of Santiago. In the village of Santa Marina de Carracedo we see the church, the parish house and the “hórreos”, typical granaries from Galicia built in wood or stone, raised from the ground by pillars that are mainly used to store potatoes, corn, cereal and to dry meat.
Upon reaching Padrón we have the opportunity to visit this beautiful city, very important in the Camino de Santaigo. According to legend, the stone boat carrying the body of St. James arrived at the port of Padrón and from there the remains were transferred by his disciples to its present location, Santiago de Compostela.
Today this region is also well known for the Padrón peppers which grow from May to October. They are small peppers fried in olive oil and the interesting thing about them is that some are spicy and some are not.
Day 13: De Padrón to Santiago de Compostela, sobre 24 km.
This is our last stage before reaching our destination. First we’ll pass by Iria Flavia, ancient episcopal see. You can visit the church. Here was born the Nobel laureate Camilo José Cela.
We pass through the villages of A Escravitude, Faramello and Milladoiro before reaching Santiago.
Upon arrival in Santiago, we visit the city, especially the Cathedral and the old town. In the city there are also interesting museums such as the Cathedral Museum, the Pilgrim Museum or you can visit the roof of the Cathedral.
Day 14: In Santiago de Compostela
Free day to visit this beautiful city, proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. At 12 noon we’ll attend to the Pilgrim’s Mass which is held every day at this time. Durin the morning we’ll visit the market town, Plaza de Abastos.
Transfer to the airport.
*There is the possibility to extend the stay in Santiago, if you are interested in it please don’t hesitate to contact Viajes Orbis. When extending your stay, apart from enjoying the city, we can arrange some excursions.
*It is also posible to combine various trips, e.g. follow the Way of Saint James until Finisterre.
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