Porto Trip Overview
This tour takes you along one of the most scenic paths of the St. James Way. Starting in the city of Porto, the route crosses the region of Minho and Galicia, following the coast, passing vineyards, forests and green hills until the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela. You will travel in time as you pass old towns, cathedrals and ancient bridges. Spend six days cycling, embracing the best of what nature and history have to offer you.
Additional Info
* Duration: 8 days
* Starts: Porto, Portugal
* Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Porto, Porto, Portugal
This tour takes you along one of the most scenic paths of the St. James Way. Starting in the city of Porto, the route crosses the region of Minho and Galicia, following the coast, passing vineyards, forests and green hills until the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela. You will travel in time as you pass old towns, cathedrals and ancient bridges. Spend six days cycling, embracing the best of what nature and history have to offer you.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Porto airport and transfer to the hotel
Stop At: Porto, Porto, Porto District, Northern Portugal
Welcome to Portugal! You will have a transfer from the airport or train station to your hotel where a member from our staff will meet you for a presentation and briefing of the tour. The rest of the day is free. If you have time, you can go explore the old town of Porto with its granitic houses, monuments and narrow streets, ideal for a stroll.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Cycle from Porto to Vila do Conde
Stop At: Vila do Conde, Vila do Conde, Porto District, Northern Portugal
The day starts at Porto´s Cathedral, situated in the upper part of the city. This is the most important religious building in Porto and has been declared a National Monument. As you leave the old city center and the Ribeira area, you will cycle along the Douro River passing the city of Matosinhos. After the Leça River, ride along the coast, from beach to beach, as you follow the coastal Saint James Trail. Vila do Conde is your final goal for the day.
CYCLE | 34,7km | 3H»3H30 | +230m | -280m
Luggage transfer
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Cycle from Vila do Conde to Viana do Castelo
Stop At: Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo District, Northern Portugal
The journey continues along the coastline, crossing extensive golden sand beaches, and old towns. One of the highlights will be the Northern Littoral Natural Park, with an extension of 16km in total and home of 240 species of plants and more than 400 species of different animals. Situated alongside the final stretch of the Cávado River before it empties into the Atlantic Ocean, Esposende is well worth a visit.
The day ends in Viana do Castelo, an important pilgrimage stop on the Portuguese Coastal Way to Saint James. Explore the city with its charming medieval center, and climb the hill or take the funicular, towards the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia. The sights over the Lima Valley and the coast are amazing, and you can go to the very top of the basilica.
CYCLE | 52,8km | 4H»4H30 | +320m | -320m
Luggage transfer
Duration: 5 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: Cycle from Viana do Castelo to Baiona
Stop At: Baiona, Baiona, Province of Pontevedra, Galicia
The Camino continues along the shore until Caminha, an elegant medieval town at the border with Spain. Take the ferry to cross the Minho River, and you are at the fishing town of A Guarda, your first town in Spain. If you feel hungry, stop by the small harbor where you will find a number of seafood restaurants. The route to Santiago continues following the coast. You will pass Oia Monastery, a reminder of the first Christian settlers by the sea, and at the mouth of the Ria de Vigo you will find Cape Silleiro. Take a moment to enjoy the landscape before heading inland to reach Baiona, just a few kilometers away.
CYCLE | 65,3km | 4H30»5H30 | +520m | -530m
Lugagge transfer
Duration: 6 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 5: Cycle from Baiona to Pontevedra
Stop At: Pontevedra, Pontevedra, Province of Pontevedra, Galicia
Baiona it’s a charming town, mixing a long history and some interesting monuments with modern day tourism. The route starts at Baiona´s leisure port and bay and will take you along the estuary, entering Vigo from the beautiful city parks. Take some time to discover the old Town and visit some places like Praza da Constitución or Praza da Pescadería where you can taste the city’s famous oysters. From Redondela the scenery will change from a coastal embayment to rural Galicia, with forests and small villages dotted throughout the region. The day ends in Pontevedra, a city that dates back to pre-roman times. The old town with its plazas is an inviting place for a drink at the end of the day.
CYCLE | 61km | 4H30»5H15 | +890m | -870m
Lugagge transfer
Duration: 5 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 6: Cycle from Pontevedra to Padrón
Stop At: Padron, Padron, Province of A Coruna, Galicia
Leaving Pontevedra behind, you will cross the forest of Reiris y Lombo da Maceira, and reach the thermal village of Caldas de Reis, with its roman hot springs. Heading back to the woods, you will follow small rivers and pass ancient water mills, until you reach the town of Padrón. Legend claims that Padron got its name from a large stone to which the boat, transporting the dead body of the Apostle St.James, was tied during a stop off at “Iria Flavia” whilst on route to Santiago. The actual stone, called the “Pedron”, now rests on permanent display under the altar of Padron’s parish church (the church of Santiago), that you can visit.
CYCLE | 40,5km | 3H30»4H | +410m | -430m
Luggage transfer
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 7: Cycle from Padrón to Santiago de Compostela
Stop At: Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Province of A Coruna, Galicia
Today you complete the Camino! On the way you will pass Iria Flavia, an ancient Celtic settlement and important port. Legend says it is the place where the body of St. James was brought ashore. The region you will be crossing is of singular beauty. Santiago de Compostela is not just the final point of the Camino, it is a beautiful town to explore, wander around its alleys and granite streets. The Cathedral, along with the squares surrounding it (Obradoiro, Quintana, Inmaculada and Praterías) and the main historic “rúas” or streets are a must for first-time visitors.
CYCLE | 26km | 2H»3H | +410m | -160m
Luggage transfer
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 8: Departure
Stop At: Porto, Porto, Porto District, Northern Portugal
Enjoy Santiago de Compostela early in the morning.
We will organize a transfer to Porto according to your schedules.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
