Camino Portugués: from Porto to Santiago in two weeks

In short: Most people need ten to fourteen days for the roughly 240 kilometres.

The Camino Portugués is the second-largest pilgrimage route to Santiago, and for many people the best way to start. From Porto it is around 240 kilometres, which you can manage in a two-week holiday. The route has hardly any big climbs, the facilities are good, and Porto is easy to get to.

Two options from Porto

The central route runs via Barcelos and Ponte de Lima to Valença, where it crosses the border river Minho to Tui in Spain. This is the traditional way, with historic towns and plenty of albergues. The coastal route first follows the Atlantic, often on wooden boardwalks, and is much more pleasant in summer. It is windier there, though.

You can combine the two. They meet again at Redondela at the latest. From there it is still around 80 kilometres to Santiago.

When to go

The weather is at its best in spring and autumn. In summer it is hot inland and crowded on the coast, and in winter it rains a lot in Galicia. There is more on this in our article on the best time of year.

Accommodation and costs

Prices are about the same as on the Spanish Way of St James, and sometimes a little lower in Portugal. In Galicia there are public albergues run by the Xunta, while the Portuguese side has more church-run and private places. Work with the figures on our costs page. Many pilgrims walk the sections from Tui onwards, so a reservation makes sense in season.

Stamps for the Compostela

From Tui it is about 118 kilometres to Santiago, which is enough for the Compostela. Remember that you then need two stamps a day. You should already have your pilgrim passport with you in Porto, although the cathedral there also issues them.