Camino Portugués Coastal Route

Accommodation: Viana do Castelo

Meals: Dinner

Your adventure begins in the picturesque coastal town of Viana do Castelo, where the Lima River meets the Atlantic Ocean. This afternoon, our Fenix Aventuras team will warmly welcome you and conduct a comprehensive orientation to prepare you for the journey ahead.

Before dinner, we'll explore this enchanting town discovering its maritime heritage, historic center, and stunning architecture. The Basilica of Santa Luzia, perched on Monte de Santa Luzia, offers panoramic views that will take your breath away.

Accommodation: Viana do Castelo

Distance: 18.3 km (11.4 miles)

Meals: Breakfas

Today marks your first steps on the legendary Camino Portugués Coastal Route. The trail hugs the spectacular Atlantic coastline, rewarding you with constant ocean vistas and the invigorating scent of sea air. You'll pass through charming coastal villages where time seems to move at the rhythm of the tides.

The path alternates between sandy beaches, coastal boardwalks, and traditional fishing communities. Watch for local fishermen mending their nets and colorful boats bobbing in harbors. The journey culminates in Vila Praia de Âncora, a beloved beach town known for its wide sandy shores.

Accommodation: A Guarda

Distance: 13.5 km (8.4 miles)

Meals: Breakfast

The coastal path continues northward from Âncora to the delightful town of Caminha. Here, we'll board a ferry to cross the River Minho, marking our transition from Portugal to Spain. This scenic crossing whisks you across the international border to A Guarda, a peaceful fishing village on the Spanish shore.

Once settled in A Guarda, we'll ascend Monte Santa Tegra to explore the remarkably preserved Celtic settlement dating back over 2,000 years. The ancient stone houses offer a fascinating glimpse into pre-Roman Galicia, while the summit provides sweeping panoramic views of the coastline, river valley, and distant mountains.

Accommodation: Vigo

Distance: 12.8 km (8 miles)

Meals: Breakfast

Your first full walking day in Spain continues along the magnificent Atlantic coastline. The Camino treats you to more spectacular ocean views as you make your way northward through rugged coastal terrain and traditional Galician villages.

In Oia, we'll visit the impressive Monastery of Santa María de Oia, a beautifully restored 12th-century Cistercian monastery with stunning cloisters. After our visit, we'll transfer to Vigo, Galicia's largest city and an important port with a rich maritime history. Vigo marks the official 100-kilometer point to Santiago.

Accommodation: Vigo

Distance: 19.5 km (12.1 miles)

Meals: Breakfast

After collecting your stamp at the historic Church of Santiago in Vigo, we turn inland along the scenic Vigo Estuary. Look carefully across the waters and you'll spot dozens of wooden platforms—these are the famous bateas, floating mussel farms that make this region one of Spain's top seafood producers.

As you can imagine, mussels are a beloved local delicacy here, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to savor them! The stage concludes in Redondela, a significant milestone where the coastal route merges with the interior Camino Portugués route for the final approach to Santiago.

Accommodation: Pontevedra

Distance: 16.5 km (10.3 miles)

Meals: Breakfast

Today's route winds alongside the majestic stone arches of the Ponte Sampaio bridge, a monument steeped in history. This bridge witnessed a crucial battle against Napoleon's forces in 1809 during the Peninsular War, and crossing it connects you to centuries of pilgrims who walked this same path.

Upon arriving in Pontevedra for the evening, don't miss La Peregrina, a unique 18th-century chapel. Its scallop shell-shaped floor plan makes it one of the most distinctive churches on any Camino route—a beautiful reminder of the pilgrimage tradition that has drawn travelers for over a thousand years.

Accommodation: Pontevedra

Distance: 16 km (10 miles)

Meals: Breakfast

Leaving Pontevedra behind, you'll soon find yourself embraced by nature once more. The tranquil path meanders through verdant woodlands and peaceful countryside, eventually leading to the imposing granite Cross of Amonisa. Here, carved in ancient stone, stands the figure of Saint James himself, gazing toward Santiago and blessing pilgrims on their onward journey.

Today's destination is Caldas de Reis, a town celebrated for its natural thermal springs. For thousands of years, weary travelers have sought healing and comfort by soaking their tired feet in these warm, mineral-rich waters—a tradition you're invited to continue.

Accommodation: Padrón

Distance: 18 km (11.2 miles)

Meals: Breakfast

Today's walk takes you through one of Galicia's hidden treasures: the lush vineyards that produce Albariño, the region's most celebrated white wine. While charming legends suggest German pilgrims first brought these grape varietals to Galicia, the wine's true origins remain delightfully mysterious.

What's certain is that Albariño's crisp, aromatic character has captivated wine lovers for centuries. As you arrive in Padrón, you'll discover another culinary treasure: pimientos de Padrón, those tiny green peppers with the playful reputation—some delightfully mild, others surprisingly spicy. The local saying goes: 'Os pementos de Padrón, uns pican e outros non' (Padrón peppers, some are hot and some are not)

Accommodation: Padrón

Distance: 18 km (11.2 miles

Meals: Breakfast

Padrón holds deep significance in the Santiago legend. Its very name hints at 'pedrón' (big stone in Galician), referring to the legendary rock where the boat carrying Saint James's remains is said to have moored after its miraculous journey from Jerusalem. This sacred stone remains enshrined in the town as a testament to the beginning of the Camino tradition.

Today's walk continues through the gentle Galician countryside, drawing ever closer to Santiago. The landscape becomes increasingly familiar to pilgrims who have walked other Camino routes, as trails converge from across Europe toward their common destination.

Accommodation: Santiago de Compostela

Distance: 13 km (8.1 miles)

Meals: Breakfast

After 9 days and 145 kilometers of walking, today is the day you've been working toward—your arrival in Santiago de Compostela! The final stretch builds with anticipation as the spires of the cathedral gradually come into view through the eucalyptus trees.

Santiago is pure magic—a harmonious blend of stunning medieval architecture, pilgrims from every corner of the globe sharing their stories, and vibrant university students keeping the ancient streets alive with modern energy. Upon arrival, we'll head to the Pilgrims' Office to collect your hard-earned Compostela certificate, official recognition of your completed pilgrimage.

After checking into the hotel and freshening up, we'll gather for a celebratory dinner to toast your incredible achievement and share memories of the journey that brought you here.

Meals: Breakfast

Rise and shine for a delicious breakfast buffet, then prepare for a fascinating journey through time with our expert local historian. They'll guide you through the magnificent cathedral, revealing its evolution from humble 9th-century origins to its present-day baroque splendor.

You'll discover the stories behind the Pórtico de la Gloria, the botafumeiro (giant incense burner), and the tomb of Saint James himself. The tour concludes just in time for the noon Pilgrims' Mass—a moving ceremony that draws pilgrims from all over the world together in this sacred space.

With a bittersweet 'Buen Camino,' we bid you farewell at the cathedral, hoping your pilgrimage has been as transformative as it has been beautiful. May the spirit of the Camino stay with you always.