Tour PK3 Porto Coast

Day 1 - Arrival in Matosinhos - Vila do Conde

Independent arrival in Matosinhos by 9.00 am for breakfast together in the café, where the group and tour guide get to know each other. Then introduction to the day's stage by the tour guide, spiritual impulse and start together on the Caminho directly along the coast.
On this route we always walk along the sea, sometimes on wooden walkways directly on the shore, sometimes on paved roads through small villages. As the pilgrimage day progresses, we leave the Porto area and it becomes increasingly beautiful. It is also possible to take a dip in the sea if the weather is good.
(21.6 km - easy)

Day 2 - Vila do Conde - Esposende

Today, as on every pilgrimage day, we offer a spiritual start to the day.#lf#You leave Vila do Conde and soon walk along the coast again past the former fishing village of Póvoa de Varzim, which is now a small town dominated by tourism and casinos. We continue for many kilometers on wooden walkways along the beach. Only after Aguçadoura do we leave the coast and head into the green hinterland. The route continues through vegetable fields, forests and the odd village to Fão, where you cross the river Cávado and finally reach Esposende.
(25.4 km - easy terrain but longer route for the day)

Day 3 - Esposende - Viana do Castelo

From Esposende, the Camino de Santiago leaves the coast for a day and pilgrims walk through the green interior. In the meantime, the Camino leads the pilgrims along very beautiful forest paths with the scent of eucalyptus, but they also pass through some typical Portuguese villages. The day's destination is Viana do Castelo, one of the most beautiful towns along the coastal path, whose historic town center with its cathedral, the two fortified towers and some other beautiful buildings has a lot to offer.
(24.3 km - medium difficulty)

Day 4 - Viana do Castelo - Vila Praia de Ancora

After Viana, the route climbs a little up onto a ridge on which the pilgrims walk until almost shortly before Ancora. The path leads through many small Portuguese villages and in between you walk along beautiful forest paths. Again and again you can look down on the sea from above and the sound of the sea can often be heard. In Vila Praia de Ancora, the Way of St. James finally reaches the beach again.
(18.4 km - medium difficulty)

Day 5 - Vila Praia de Ancora - Oia

After the beautiful village of Caminha with its numerous bars and restaurants, the main square with town hall, clock tower and parish church, you take the ferry to A Guarda, the "capital of the langoustines". Once you arrive in Galicia (Spain), you make a pilgrimage along often very beautiful paths along the rugged coast to Oia, where a monastery was built in the 7th century and whose successor can still be admired today.
26.8 km - moderately difficult to strenuous, possibly cycle to Caminha in the morning)
Please note: The clocks are changed when you cross the border into Spain!

Day 6 - Oia - Baiona

From Oia, the route continues along the coast on narrow paths and sometimes on country roads. Before Baiona, the route climbs and descends a little to the end of this stage. Baiona was an important trading center until the end of the 19th century and still has a very beautiful old town today.
(17.8 km - easy)

Day 7 - Baiona - Vigo - (Redondela/ Arcade)

You leave Baiona in the morning and continue your pilgrimage via A Ramallosa through small villages and forests. From various hills, the pilgrims have a wonderful view of the Ria of Vigo. The Islas Cies, the islands of the gods, can also be admired time and again. Shortly before the Way of St. James reaches the not so beautiful area of Vigo, the transfer takes place to the accommodation in Redondela/ Arcade.
(22.5 km - medium difficulty)

Day 8 - Redondela/ Arcade - Pontevedra

The Way of St. James takes us through many forests to the 'capital' of the Camino Portugues in Galicia: Pontevedra. On this day you have enough time to visit the lovely old town and the cathedral. (14.9 km - easy)

Day 9 - Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis

On this day, the Way of St. James takes you through beautiful landscapes and past many crossroads to Caldas de Reis, which is famous for its healing thermal springs.
(21.7 km - easy with a small climb)

Day 10 - Caldas de Reis - Padrón

We cycle over the fertile hills of Galicia to Padrón, where, according to legend, the ship carrying the body of the Apostle James docked. In addition to historical buildings, the famous "Pimientos de Padrón" await us here: small, green and roasted peppers.
(19.6 km - easy)

Day 11 - Padrón - Santiago de Compostela

You cycle past old churches and cemeteries to Santiago de Compostela and the cathedral.
(24.6 km - moderate)

Day 12 - Santiago de Compostela

Day at leisure in Santiago, possibility to visit the pilgrims' mass, possibly guided tour of the city, issue of the pilgrim's certificate "Compostela" at the pilgrims' office, farewell to the Way of St. James.

Day 13 - Journey home

Individual journey home from Santiago de Compostela.
Possibility to book additional overnight stays.