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The Portuguese Camino is one of the historic pilgrim roads that lead to the cathedral of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela.

Walking the Camino is an ancient tradition that has been around for more than a thousand years. The remains of Saint James the Greater were discovered in the ninth century and Santiago de Compostela has been a center of pilgrimage ever since.

To this day, following the Camino continues to be on people’s bucketlist. The opportunity to leave your daily life behind, strap on your backpack and immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of pilgrimage is a combination that’s hard to resist.

The Camino Portugues will always have a special place in my heart since it’s the one that started my own Camino journey.

Who knows what it can do for you?

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Have a question? Leave a comment at the bottom and I’ll reply right away 🙂

The Portuguese Camino De Santiago

The Portuguese Camino route starts in the Unesco World Heritage city of Lisbon or Porto and goes through northern Portugal before it crosses into Spain.

Although you can cover the entire distance Camino Portuguese route on bike or even horseback, for most pilgrims going on pilgrimage means travelling on foot.

A Shorter Route Camino Route

Walking the Camino from Portugal offers a shorter alternative to the much longer Camino Frances.

The ‘classic’ Camino de Santiago begins in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France and takes you on an intense 500-mile trek across the Pyrenees into northern Spain. As stunning as it is, walking for more than a month requires an investment in time and money that’s not available to everyone.

If you choose to start walking from Porto, one of the more popular starting points, you can expect to see the spires of St James Cathedral in about two weeks.

For fast and furious pilgrims, there is even an option to start in Tui and only walk the last 100 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela. Since the distance is enough to be awarded your Compostela certificate, many pilgrims on the Camino walk this last section instead of walking the entire route.

Learn more about why pilgrims choose the Portuguese Way in our guide: Why Walk The Camino Portugués.

The 3 Camino Route Options To Santiago De Compostela

Technically speaking, the Portuguese Way should be plural as there are multiple routes. From Porto to Santiago, there are three routes you can follow: two official ones and one unofficial one.

Pilgrims that do the entire route start walking in Lisbon but after Porto, you have to choose which of the route options you want to do.

Each of the routes starts at the Porto Se, the cathedral in the historic center. Although the routes differ from Porto onwards, they don’t stay separate all the way to Santiago de Compostela. Eventually all routes merge at the Spanish town of Redondela.

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Central Route

The most popular of the routes, the Portuguese central route is the most historic and the one that is most connected to the original pilgrimage. In the Middle ages, pilgrims travelled the central route to visit the remains of Saint James.

Medieval pilgrims walking to Santiago simply took the most direct route and made use of the roman roads that were already there. This is why the central route is the shortest and the most historic.

After leaving the historic center of Porto, the central route follows a combination of urban and rural roads. Along the original pilgrim’s trail, you walk through the olive groves and lush green forests of the beautiful Tejo River valley.

Pilgrims walking the central route will pass through some of the most historic cities in Portugal such as Porto and Coimbra. On your way, you will see historic landmarks such as the roman bridge or churches at Ponte de Lima.

Coastal Route

The coastal route is rich in natural beauty but that doesn’t mean it’s poor in culture or history. On your way, you’ll walk past historic buildings such as coastal forts and lighthouses as you explore the Portugal that rose to prominence in the Age of Exploration.

Rather than heading inland, the Portuguese Coastal Way follows the coastline. After sharing the same route intially, the central and coastal routes they diverge after less than an hour of walking.

On the coastal Camino, pilgrims walk on dirt paths through lush green forests with stunning views of the Atlantic coast.

Although the Camino Portuguese coastal route is considered to be the more scenic of the two, it’s still less popular than the central route. This means you’re more likely to have all this scenery to yourself!

Litoral Route

Finally, there’s the unofficial Senda Litoral or Litoral Way. Unlike the central and coastal routes, the Litoral Way is not an entire route. Rather, it’s a collection of route options that you can take while walking the coastal route.

The Litoral route is all about scenic beauty and it gives a new meaning to following the coastline. Where the coastal route stays close to the Atlantic coast, the Litoral Way puts you on the actual beaches.

You won’t see any of the busy roads that are sometimes a necessary part of the other Caminos. Instead, pilgrims on the Litoral Camino walk on sandy beaches, wooden boardwalks or narrow cobblestone streets.

From day one, it becomes apparent that the Litoral way is different. Like the others, it starts at the Porto Cathedral but it follows a separate road out of the city. All you have to do is walk down to the water and keep the Douro river on your left!

Spiritual Variant

This variant isn’t a stand-alone Camino route. Instead, it is a small selection of three optional stages that you can take between Pontevedra and Padrón. If you’re looking to truly immersive yourself in the legends of Saint James, the Spiritual Variant is worth considering.

Rather than walking to Padrón from Caldas de Reis, pilgrims on the Spiritual Variant approach by boat from Vilanova de Arousa. The boatride follows the same river used to bring Saint James remains to Padrón and ultimately Santiago de Compostela. The various stone crosses along the side point to its special significance.

Walking the Spiritual Variant means you have to do three challenging stages of the Portuguese Way but they are definitely worth it. As an extra incentive, the Variant throws in some of the most beautiful scenery of the entire Camino!

Learn all bout the legends surrounding the Camino shell and what it stands for here.

Following The Portuguese Camino Into Spain

Regardless of which Camino route you take, all pilgrims on the Camino Portuguese walk the same last few days as all the different Camino routes merge in the town of Redondela.

Prepare for the Camino to be more crowded from this point on! Not only will you meet all the other pilgrims that chose a different road out of Porto, you will also have to handle the waves of people that started walking in Tui.

I am always a bit surprised by how different it feels to go from Portugal to Spain. Losing that characteristic Portuguese architecture and especially losing the cafe culture has a huge impact on your days.

On the upside, both Kayla and I thought that the natural landscape in Spain is even more beautiful than in Portugal!

Valença Or Caminha?

Pilgrims have two options to cross the Minho River into Spain, you either take boat or a bridge.

If you’re walking the Litoral Way or the Coastal Route, taking the boat from Caminha to A Guarda is the easiest way to make it into Spain. Taking the ferry is a fun and bouncy option that is super easy to do. Simply go to the ferry station in Caminha and any of the fishermen can help you.

For pilgrims on the central route, crossing the border simply means walking across the bridge from Valença. The walk from Valença to Tui is less than 4km which makes it a great alternative starting point for anyone looking to do the last 100km of the Camino!

Do You Need Anything Besides Your Passport?

Fortunately, both Spain and Portugal are in the EU which means that you don’t need anything special. In fact, the chances of seeing any border security are fairly minimal.

Got to love those open borders!

The only things that’s different is the time. Portugal and Spain are not in the same time zone and Portugal is one hour behind. This matters a bit if you’re like me and like to see the sunrise on your Camino!

IMPORTANT: Please, keep up to date with the latest developments surrounding ETIAS, the European visa that’s about to be introduced. At the time of writing this post, you don’t need it yet but it’s certainly on its way.

Arriving In Santiago De Compostela

The first time you spot the dual towers of St James Cathedral is a moment you won’t soon forget.

While not the most scenic of stages, the final stage is one of the most rewarding! All of the hard work, sweat and blisters will have been worth it once you catch a glimpse of your final destination.

At the aptly named Monte de Gozo (hill of joy), you can see the spires for the first time. Traditionally, pilgrims would fall on their knees and thank God for making it this far.

Whether it’s St James Cathedral or St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the moment you see that your goal is within reach will stay with you for a long time.

The Cathedral Square

Walking onto the Praza de Obradoiro, the square in front of the cathedral, is a surprisingly emotional experience. And it’s not just you! If you hang around for a while, you’ll be presented with scenes of pure joy.

All around you, fellow pilgrims are arriving and you see the biggest smiles (and probably some tears too) you’ve ever seen. And the best thing, you’ll get to share this with all the people you met on the road!

I will never forget the family I met on my first Camino. On the last few days in Spain I would sometimes hear a group of singing pilgrims and after talking to them I learned that they were from Puerto Rico.

As they walked onto the square, they broke down in tears and started hugging and congratulating each other. The intense emotions were contagious and even brought a few tears to eyes of this seasoned pilgrim.

Where Do You Get Your Compostela Certificate?

After you’ve taken in the scenes on the main cathedral, it’s time to get your Compostela certificate.

Head to the Pilgrim office located on the Rua das Carretas to receive your Compostela. In peak season this may take a while so make sure you leave enough time for this!

When you walk up to the counter, someone will check your stamps and ask you a few questions about the nature of your Camino.

If everything checks out, they’ll hand over your Compostela.

Learn more in my guide: Compostela Certificate Explained.

Last Day in Santiago de Compostela

After two weeks of intense walking days, your back, shoulders and feet certainly deserve some rest. And you’re in luck as Santiago de Compostela is an excellent place for a rest day or recovery day.

Santiago de Compostela has a long history as a pilgrimage destination and soaking up some more pilgrim vibes at Pilgrim’s Mass or at one of the many historic buildings is a great way to spend your day.

On the cathedral square, for example, you’ll see the late-medieval Hostal Reis Catolicos. Now the super fancy Parador Hotel, this building was originally built in the 15th century by Spain’s famous monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella to provide shelter for pilgrims.

Besides history, Santiago de Compostela and the region of Galicia is known for its delicious food so take some time to sample local delicacies!

I can highly recommend trying pulpo a la gallega (octopus) with a glass of local wine. If this dish is more adventurous than what you’re in the mood for, the classic pilgrim almond cookies are everywhere.

Use this day to pick up any Camino gifts. Get other gift ideas in my guide: 27 Camino-Themed Gift Ideas.

What Makes Pilgrimage So Unique?

“This is a feeling you can’t explain to people who have never walked the Camino!” A fellow pilgrim whispered to me as we were walking into St James Cathedral.

Talk to anyone who has walked one of the Caminos and they will tell you how it’s so much more than just a walk. Having walked quite a few myself, I completely agree.

As they’re walking, some pilgrims find spiritual fulfillment, others process grief or loss and some find the clarity they need on big issues in life.

If anything, pilgrimage presents a unique opportunity to experience a depth and friendship that is increasingly hard to find in today’s modern world.

The Ancient Community

When you choose to walk the Camino Portuguese, you walk in ancient footsteps. Pilgrims have been travelling to Santiago de Compostela for more than a thousand years.

As you follow the Way, you find yourself walking on the same Roman roads, using the same ancient bridges for crossing rivers and staying at the same historic buildings that pilgrims have been using for ages.

As a pilgrim, you join a community that isn’t just around you, it also extends into the past.

Everywhere you go, you can see traces of people who walked the Camino before you. Whether it’s stone crosses from the Middle Ages, statues erected in more recent times or even little signs on the front doors of ordinary houses indicating the home of a fellow pilgrim.

The Camino has a long and rich history and as a pilgrim you’re part of it.

And you can feel it.

A Slow and Simple Routine

While walking a pilgrimage lets you put life on hold, it isn’t an escape from society. Sure, you step out of the daily grind but you also immerse yourself in the strong current that is following the Camino.

Life on the Camino is simple. Every day you get dressed, grab your pack and check your supplies before stepping outside and onto the road.

I love the routine of getting up before sunrise and heading out in search of coffee and one of the many delicious Portuguese baked goods.

From then on, it’s just you and the Way.

All that matters is arriving at your next destination and you’re succeeding as long as you can end your walking day in good spirits.

The Pilgrim Experience

Walking the Camino de Santiago is a transformative experience for many pilgrims. Whether it’s the newfound friendships, the spiritual aspect or the simple physical feat of completing a long-distance trail, most pilgrims walk away feeling changed in some way.

This feeling, brought about by what many Camino pilgrims describe as the ‘Pilgrim Experience’, is hard to define but it seems to be a combination of things.

Albergues

The shared pilgrim accommodations known as albergues are a defining characteristic of walking the Camino. At albergues, you sleep in dormitories and often have dinner with other pilgrims.

The people you meet on the road is what makes the Portuguese Camino such a memorable journey. On the road, you’ll walk and talk to people from all over the world. You’ll be surprised ow many of them will feel like old friends by the end of the day.

Arriving at your albergue after a long day is a lot of fun. You’ll find yourself swapping stories about the stage, comparing packing and sharing advice on treating blisters.

My favorite thing is hearing people’s reasons for walking the Camino. I will never forget talking to a woman who was walking the Portuguese Way to process the loss of her husband. She wasn’t just carrying his ashes but also did the entire route while wearing his shoes!

Nature

There is such a joy to just being outside all day. On the Camino, you’re out before sunrise and you spend all day walking through forest, river valleys or hills.

While most of the Camino Portuguese will be on paved roads, it never feels overly urban. The stewards of the Camino have done an amazing job diverting the route away from the hustle and bustle of cities.

If you open your eyes, you’ll feel connected to the natural world around you. Things like a beautiful sunset or rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds often feel like they’re just for you.

Camino Magic

The Portuguese Way has it’s own version of trail magic and if you’re lucky, you might see some with your own eyes.

As you’re walking, you may slowly get a sense that the Camino has some surprises in store, just for you. It can come in the form of an inspiring message written on the wall, an act of kindness from a total stranger or even a conversation with a fellow pilgrim.

Whatever it is, it always seems to be just what you needed.

I guess there’s some truth to the old pilgrim’s saying El Camino provides.

Who Else Walks The Camino?

Every year, thousands of people walk the Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela.

When you walk the Camino, you share the road with a diverse lot of pilgrims from all over the world. On my pilgrimages, I have walked and talked to people from every continent except Antarctica.

You’ll find people of all ages and from all walks of life. I will never forget not just meeting but being overtaken by a 76-year old pilgrim from Holland. To my surprise she then told me that her 84-year old husband was walking his own Camino because “he wanted more of a challenge”!

Although these two pilgrims were in great shape, this doesn’t go for all pilgrims. If you’re wondering about whether you can physically do it, simply walk the path at your own pace or use one of the many luggage transfer options. You won’t be the only one!

Buen Camino!

The Portuguese Camino is an amazing experience that is waiting for you.

You don’t have to be the fastest or fittest to enjoy the Portuguese Way. Simply start walking and the rest will fall into place.

Let me be the first to wish you a heartfelt Buen Camino!