This section of the Portuguese coastal Camino will take you from Porto to the small village of A Guarda, on the Spain side of the border after crossing the Minho river on the ferry. You will traverse quaint small villages like Povoa de Varzim and Viana do Castelo enjoying majestic views of the Atlantic Coast. Besides enjoying your walk, take the time to enjoy the delicious fresh seafood available in the villages and a taste the well-known Porto sweet wine. This Camino route will have you walk along the Portuguese coast for 100Km (68 miles) on an ideal route for seafood lovers and those that prefer coastal scenery.
- TOUR TYPE: Self-guided
- DATES AVAILABLE: Year-round
- ACTIVITY: Walking tour
- ACCOMMODATIONS: Bed & Breakfast, hotels
- TRANSPORTATION: Walk, Ferry boat
From family-owned B&Bs in the smaller villages to hotels in the larger towns, all accommodations are carefully selected to ensure they are comfortable and provide an authentic Camino experience. You will have your own private bedroom with an en-suite bathroom.
Enjoy the freshest and most authentic Portuguese seafood dishes as you walk through the small fishing villages during your trip up the coast. Don't forget to sample some Port wine to go along with it.
Travel light on the trail and leave your bag at your hotel when you leave every morning and we will transfer it to your next hotel for you. Live the pilgrimage experience comfortably.
Itinerary
Arrive in Porto by your own means. Take the time to explore the second most important city in Portugal, famous for its Porto wine. Visit one of its many wineries for some wine tasting and listen to a "Fado" signing performance while you immerse yourself in the experience. Another good location to rest and enjoy some wine is the Ribeira area, where you can admire the views of the Douro river and the old historical center of Porto. Don't forget to visit the Cathedral, the Clergy Tower, the Mercado do Bolhao (market) and the Crystal Palace Gardens.
From Porto, transfer to Matosinhos to start your walk on your way to Povoa de Varzim, where you can visit its old castro ruins (Cividade de Terroso), more than 3,000 years old on which the actual city stands. Take some time to visit its bullfighting rink (Praca de Touros) and tour the historical old town. This stage is a bit long, as you have 30km (18.5 miles) from Matosinhos to Povoa, but we can transfer you to Praia de Lexa da Palmeira to shorten the total distance to 25 Km (15.5miles) if that's more comfortable for you.
Leave Póvoa de Varzim by St. Joseph of Ribamar's church and continue walking along the waterfront until you reach a small path that would lead you to St Andrew's Chapel. After reaching Agucadoura on the boardwalk, you will cross the National Park where you can see a variety of landscapes and the estuaries of the Neiva and Cávado rivers, where there are over 200 plant species and birds. Through a mostly flat route, you will continue through Fao, cross the Cávado river and arrive at Esposende.
From Esposende you will leave behind the Fort and the lighthouse and crossing the beach, arrive at Marinhas. Continue by the sea crossing beaches and dunes, pass by S. Bartolomeu do Mar church and several other beaches until you arrive at the Neiva's river delta, across the Parish of Castelo de Neiva. You will deviate from the coastal path here, for about a mile inland, until you get back to the Amorosa beach. From there, on the boardwalk you will walk over dumes until Rodanho's beach. Finally, you'll reach a forest path that will lead you through Cabedelo, crossing the Eiffel Bridge, to the town of Viana do Castelo.
Viana do Castelo has one of the best preserved historical centers in Portugal and it makes for an impressive sight. Among others, take the time to visit the main church (Igreja da Nossa Senhora de Conceicao), the Minho or the Santiago da Barra Castles, the Cathedral of Viana do Castelo, the Temple of Santa Luzia and the Traditional Goldsmith's Museum.
Before you leave Viana do Castelo, take the cable car to visit the St. Luzia Mountain and the Temple of the Sacred Heart, where you will enjoy incredible views of Viana. Back on the flat ground and walking along the coast you will cross numerous beaches on the boardwalk, leaving behind villages like Areosa, Carreco or Afife, until you reach Vila Praia de Ancora, where your stage will end. If the weather permits, take the opportunity to go for a swim on its beaches.
Leave town passing through the Moledo beach until you reach Caminha, the last portuguese city on this route, located at teh Minho river delta. In Caminha, you will board the ferry boat that will take you to the Spain side of the river in Camposancos. Cross the Santa Tegra mountains and follow the Camino along the coastal road. Soon you will reach A Guarda, a fisherman's town where you will be able to visit the Praza do Reló and the Church of St. Mary, and where your journey will end.
Our services end in A Guarda after breakfast. If you would like a transfer to Vigo or other town in Spain so that you can continue your travels from here, let us know and we'd be happy to help. Congratulations, you did it!
- * Tour prices listed are per person, in double occupancy accommodations.
- Click the OPTIONAL tab for individual supplement pricing and other optional services to add to your tour
- SINGLE OCCUPANCY SUPPLEMENT: $437
- HALF-BOARD SUPPLEMENT(5 dinners - Dinner in Porto not available): $178
- EXTRA NIGHTS? Request a quote at checkout
- TRANSFERS: Request a quote at checkout
- AIRFARE: Request a quote at checkout
