The Camino Portugués is the second most popular pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela after the French Way. Starting from Lisbon, Porto, or other points in Portugal, the route offers a blend of Atlantic landscapes, historic towns, and a rich cultural heritage.
Main Routes
- From Lisbon (610 km): The full Portuguese Camino begins in the Portuguese capital and takes about a month to complete.
- From Porto (240 km): Many pilgrims choose to start here. From Porto, two main options exist:
- Central Route: Passes through Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, and Tui, offering a mix of countryside and historic towns.
- Coastal Route: Follows the Atlantic shoreline through Vila do Conde, Viana do Castelo, and Baiona, with refreshing sea views.
- Central Route: Passes through Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, and Tui, offering a mix of countryside and historic towns.
- Variante Espiritual: A scenic detour from Pontevedra that includes a short boat journey along the River Ulla, recalling the arrival of St. James’ remains.
Practical Information
- Accommodation: A full list of pilgrim hostels and private options is available on Gronze.
- Free Guides: Download detailed stage-by-stage guides from the Confraternity of St James UK.
- Luggage Transfer: Services like CaminoFacil and Tuitrans provide daily backpack transport between stages.
- GPS Tracks: The complete GPS files for the route can be accessed via Waymarked Trails.
The Camino Portugués is known for its welcoming atmosphere, excellent infrastructure, and the chance to experience both Portuguese and Galician hospitality along the way. Whether you start in Lisbon, Porto, or closer to the Spanish border, it remains one of the most rewarding Caminos to Santiago.