Walk the Camino de Santiago along the Portuguese Way

Monday, September 7, 2026

We meet in Porto. Guests check into the hotel and walk to the 12th-century Sé Cathedral for a guided visit with our guide Jorge. It is here we receive our Pilgrim’s Passport and Scallop Shell. We stop at Sandeman´s port lodge for a tour and wine tasting and then to the hotel to rest before dinner at Taylor’s Barão Fladgate Restaurant.

Tuesday, September 8

After breakfast, we drive to Valença do Minho on the Portuguese-Spanish border. From here, we begin our first stage of the walk, crossing the Minho River to Tui via the old centenary bridge. We visit Tui’s 12th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria, with its mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles with time for refreshments or a light lunch.

Our walk continues along the Minho River, through forests and vineyards, to Ribadelouro, known for its 12th-century parish church of Santa Comba.

We return to Portugal by coach and check into the Pousada de Valença.

Dinner this evening at A Muralha, meeting in hotel reception to walk together.

Wednesday, September 9

After breakfast, we travel back to Ribadelouro for the second stage of the Camino towards A Rúa. Our walk passes through pine and eucalyptus woods leading to the Vigo Estuary, reaching O Porriño, a historic crossroads since Roman times and part of the Portuguese Way.

We continue past the Angustias Chapel and along the Louro River, ending in Mos, home to the 16th-century Church of Santa Baia de Mos. From here, we drive to Baiona, a coastal town in the Rías Baixas region.

Overnight at the magnificent Parador de Baiona, and dinner at the Parador.

Thursday, September 10

After breakfast, we return to Mos to begin the third stage of the Camino towards Arcade.

We continue to Redondela, where the early 16th-century Vilavella Convent now serves as a pilgrim hostel. From Cesantes, we enjoy views of the Vigo Estuary, San Simón and San Antón Islands, and the Rande Bridge above the mussel farms.

Crossing the historic Sampaio Bridge, scene of a battle against the French in 1809, we enter the province of Pontevedra and finish our walk in Arcade, known for its stone houses and Roman bridges.

We then transfer to Pontevedra and check into the Parador. Dinner at the hotel.

Friday, September 11

After breakfast, we take a short 15-minute drive back to Arcade to begin the fourth stage of the Camino towards Alba via Pontevedra.

Along the route, we stop at the small Santa Marta Chapel dating back to 1617. On arriving into Pontevedra, we visit the 18th- century Church of the Pilgrim Virgin, an iconic scallop-shaped church dedicated to the Virgin Mary who, according to tradition, guided pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela.

Dinner tonight at Pepe Vieira’s Ultramar.

Saturday, September 12

After breakfast, we check out and begin the fifth stage of the Camino to Caldas de Reis. Leaving Pontevedra, we cross the Lérez River on the Burgo Bridge, beside the wetlands of A Xunqueira de Alba.

The route continues through Valbón, passing large stone houses and three notable stone crosses — including one depicting St James the Pilgrim and the solitary Soutelo.

We follow a mix of trails and paved paths to the hamlet of Tivo, then pass Santa María Church before entering the beautiful thermal town of Caldas de Reis.

A short 5-minute drive takes us to the hotel and dinner in the hotel dining room.

Sunday, September 13

After breakfast, we travel back to Caldas de Reis to begin the sixth stage of the Camino.

The route passes through Casal de Eirigo, site of the 1809 battle between the Galician army and local villagers against Napoleon’s forces. From there, we reach Mount Castelo, surrounded by dense woods and the Valga River.

Crossing the Fontelo River, we walk through small villages to the Pino Manso viewpoint, offering magnificent views of the Ulla River valley and Pontecesures. We end the day with a short drive back to Torre do Rio.

Monday, September 14

After breakfast, we take the drive back to Pontecesures to begin the seventh stage of the Camino towards Rúa Francos via Padrón.

Crossing the Roman bridge over the Ulla River, we reach Padrón, the ancient port of Iria Flavia. We visit the 10th-century Padrón Church.

The route continues to the Sanctuary of A Escravitude, known for its striking stairway fountain, before passing through the valleys of Padrón and Amaía, climbing to
Rúa de Francos.

We return to Padrón on the bus and check into the Pazo de Arretén for one night. We have dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Tuesday, September 15

After breakfast, we travel back to Rúa de Francos to begin the eighth and final stage of the Camino to Santiago de Compostela.

In Milladoiro, we catch our first glimpse of the Cathedral of Santiago, signalling the end of our pilgrimage. We continue through A Rocha Vella, crossing the old bridge over the Sar River, and enter the city through Vigo Square and the old quarter, finally arriving at the Praza do Obradoiro, in front of the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago.

We stay for two nights at the Parador of Santiago de Compostela.

In the evening, we walk to the 12th-century Church of San Fiz de Solovio for Holy Communion, followed by dinner in a favorite Galician restaurant.