Portuguese Coast: A Guarda - Santiago

Arrive at A Guarda by your own means. This small coastal town on the border of Spain and Portugal, is well known for its lobster so may sure you indulge in preparation for your Camino. If you have time to spare, visit the nearby city of Caminha in Portugal. If you are looking for a great scenic view, visit the Castro de Santa Trega on the top of Mt. Santa Trega, where you will have a great view of the Minho river delta.

This first camino stage is 9 miles long and you will be walking with the Atlantic Ocean on your left. This is a relatively flat stage along the coastline which ends at the historical site of Santa Maria de Oia's monastery.

Today you will leave the seaside village of Oia as you walk by the rocky coastline surrounded by cliffs until you reach the Lighthouse at Cape Silleiro, the main reference point for vessels sailing on the Ría de Vigo. After climbing to Baredo you will reach the castle of Monterreal, which has been transformed into a high end hotel. Short after that, you'll reach Baiona, the first European port to receive the news that Columbus had reached America. 

Vigo's Ría (estuary) starts in Baiona surrounded by the Cies Islands, at the center of the National Park of the Atlantic Isles. Your walk will start from this point, surrounded by the impressive landscape, as you pass by the historical fountain of O Pombal. On this stage you will cross two ancient Romanesque bridges, one over the Groba river and the other in A Ramallosa. As you reach Nigrán, you will see its famous Templo Votivo do Mar, and finally arrive in Vigo.

Walking along the Lagares riverbank you will reach As Travesas. Climb towards the Castle of Saint Sebastian and down to the O Berbes neighborhood, close to A Pedra, a section well known for its restaurants and where you can enjoy oysters from Vigo's estuary. Leave Vigo through the Teis neighborhood and continue walking along until you reach Redondela, where the Portuguese Coastal Camino meets the regular (interior) Portuguese Camino. After you cross Redondela's historical town center, walk uphill until you arrive in Cesantes.

From Cesantes you will continue downhill to Arcade, crossing its historical medieval bridge Pont Sampaio over the Verdugo river. Climb towards Vilaboa and walk by St Mary's Chapel as you make your way to Pontevedra.

You will leave Pontevedra through the historic old town through Ponte do Burgo. Today you will go through a series of neighboring towns along the green country side in Galicia, admiring Cruceiros like the one in Amonisa, crossing small rivers every so often until you reach Caldas de Reis, a town famous for its thermal waters.

Today you will make your way through dense forest and valleys over a primarily agricultural landscape with small towns bordering the camino left and right. After you cros s the Ulla river, that forms the ria de Arousa famous for its seafood, you will reach Padrón. This city is famous for being the birthplace of Literature Nobel Prize winner Camilo José Cela, but even more so for its delicious peppers that you should definitely try. Padrón is where tradition says that the disciples arrived carrying Santiago's body around 42 A.D.

From Padrón, you will start slowly climbing towards Santiago. The first part of the stage is mostly flat but becomes more challenging as you approach the Cathedral. You will be able to see its towers from the Agro dos Monteiros (860 ft) in anticipation of the end of your journey. You will enter the historic old town of Santiago through the Porta Faxeira and end your journey at the Cathedral on the plaza del Obradoiro.

Your Camino adventure ends after breakfast today. Enjoy your morning in Santiago and visit the many landmarks around the city, or take the opportunity to attend the pilgrim's mass if you didn't have time the day before. Don't forget to stop by the pilgrim's office to request your Compostela.

If you would like to extend your tour with other activities, like a guided tour of Santiago, a day trip to Finisterre or a transfer to the airport, let us know when you make your reservation and we'll arrange them for you. Congratulations, you did it!