Every great journey begins only with dreaming about it.
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Full and customizable services for a worry-free experience on the Wey of Santiago.
✓ Pilgrim Credential
✓ Pilgrim's Scallop Shell
✓ 1 suitcase per person, maximum 20 kg
✓ Up to 10 days before starting the Camino
✓ Check
✓ Consult rate if you bring more than 1 suitcase per person
Remember that the cost of the optional services chosen will be added to the base price of your route. We are committed to making your pilgrimage an unforgettable and carefree experience. Welcome to the Wey!
Discover the Wey of Santiago towards the majestic Santiago de Compostela.
Welcome to the beginning of your journey. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Breakfast and start of the stage.
A spectacular stage that runs almost entirely by the sea, with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.
We will cross areas of dunes, wooden walkways and cycle ways, as well as an ornithological reserve, archaeological remains, forts, chapels and churches, ending in the emblematic Vila do Conde with its impressive 999-arch aqueduct and the Convent of Santa Clara, as well as the Churches of Santiago in Labruge, Mindelo and Azurara.
In Oporto, a visit to the Cathedral (12th and 13th centuries) is a must, as well as the impressive Luis I bridge over the Tagus, the Clérigos tower, and the entire Tagus riverbank and old town of Oporto.
Arrival in Vila do Conde. Lodging.
Breakfast and start of the stage.
The stretch from Vila do Conde to Povoa de Varzim is eminently urban, but from here on, the stage is very similar, in terms of its route, to the one that brings us from Oporto to Vila do Conde, close to the beach for many kilometres. We will also walk along many stretches of footbridge over the dunes from Povoa de Varzim.
The second part of the stage goes away from the sea, through farmland, through Apulia and Fao, where we will cross the river Cávado to finish in Esposende, across the beautiful Luis Filipe metal bridge.
Arrival in Esposende. Lodging
Breakfast and start of the stage.
Today is the first day in which we will not set foot on a beach. The main points of interest will be the crossing of two rivers, the Neiva and the Lima, the visit to the church of Santiago de Castelo do Neiva, with eleven centuries of history, and the beautiful town of Viana do Castelo.
We enter Viana by crossing the Lima River over the 560-metre long Eiffel Bridge, built by the famous French engineer in 1878, ten years before the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Monte Santa Lucia, from Monte Santa Luzia and the Gothic Sé Cathedral are part of the fabulous cultural heritage of this beautiful city.
Arrival in Viana do Castelo.
This stage is one of the longest of our entire route to Santiago, at 27 km, but it is completely flat. We start in the city of Viana do Castelo, at the mouth of the river Lima (Limia), one of the most beautiful and best preserved cities in Portugal, where we can take the funicular up the hill of Santa Lucia and visit the temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, from where we can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Viana.
We continue along the coastal path, always close to the coast, crossing numerous beaches on wooden walkways over dunes, stone ways, dirt tracks or boardwalks. The route is also rich in rock art and other ethnographic elements such as the windmills of Montedor.
After passing through Areosa, Carreço, Afife, Vila Praia de Âncora and Moledo, we will reach the end of our stage, Caminha, on the estuary of the river Minho, the last Portuguese town we will encounter on our pilgrimage and the border with Spain. Once there, to continue our journey, on the next stage, we will take the ferry that crosses the Miño River and drops us off in the town of Camposancos.
We’re coming to the last day of your trip! Enjoy breakfast and conclude this unforgettable experience with us. Thank you for being part of this adventure!
This itinerary will take you through the most popular stages, allowing you to experience the beauty and culture of the Wey of Santiago. Be sure to book accommodation in advance, as it can get crowded, especially in the high season.
Safe travels and Buen Camino!
In our constant effort to provide the best experience to our customers, we want to assure you that we are committed to your rest and comfort. The accommodations we offer have been carefully selected and provide private rooms with private bathrooms, along with all the necessary services to make the most of your stay. It is important to note that we will never put you up in hostels.
Since these accommodations have a limited capacity, we will provide you with the exact name once you confirm your reservation and we verify availability on the dates of your choice. Your satisfaction is our priority!
The main reasons for this resurgence are the great historical, monumental and gastronomic wealth of cities such as Oporto (the start of the route), Vila do Conde, Povoa de Varzim, Esposende, Viana do Castelo, and Caminha, on the Portuguese side, as well as A Guarda, Oia, Baiona and Vigo, on the Spanish side.
The most outstanding characteristics of the route, due to its uniqueness, are the following: The constant presence of the sea, whose beaches we will walk on many times, mainly on the Portuguese side, the very pleasant and temperate climate, as well as being a route that is not very physically demanding.
Another of the peculiarities of the route is the passage by boat from Portugal (Caminha) to Camposancos (Spain), through the mouth of the Miño river, with Monte Santa Tecla (Trega) as a witness, with its spectacular Galician Hillfort, declared a Historic-Artistic Monument.
We’ll provide you with the best options on how to get to your organized trip on the Way of St. James starting in the city of Porto:
Option 1: Private car
The best option is to leave your car parked in the Hotel’s assigned car park or in one of the many public car parks in the vicinity of the Hotel.
Option 2: Air
To reach Porto by plane (Sa Carneiro Airport), which is 12 kilometres from Porto, you have numerous airlines from Madrid and Barcelona and, to a lesser extent, from other cities:
– From Madrid: Iberia, Ryanair, Tap, Air Europa and Vueling.
– From Barcelona: Vueling and Ryanair
• From the airport you can take a taxi or public bus to Oporto.
These are the traditional dishes that you will find in the different stages of the route:
It is one of the most popular dishes in Portuguese gastronomy, and is prepared on the grill, in cakes and in a delicacy. However, golden cod is the most sought after by tourists.
This is another of Portugal’s traditional dishes, which you can enjoy from north to south. However, it is most in demand in summer, especially at the St. Anthony Festival in Lisbon.
This food originates from the city of Oporto. This is a double-decker sandwich with sausages, grilled meat, topped with melted cheese and hot sauce. It is one of Portugal’s most famous traditional dishes.
It is a stew made with pork offal, ham and other types of meat. They are also mixed with white beans and served with baked rice.
Sarrabulho potatoes
It is a traditional Portuguese dish where potatoes are cooked with pork blood, chicken, sausages, lemon and bread. You can enjoy them as a soup or with reds a moda do Minho.
This dish comes from the north of the country. Includes cabbage, potatoes and onions. On occasions, pork meat or sausage is added. Its flavor is very mild, and it is served hot.
It is made with different types of meat and pig’s blood, giving it a very distinctive appearance. Additionally, it is served with fried pork cracklings.
They are sandwiches filled with fish or shrimp in a crescent shape, made with béchamel sauce. Furthermore, they are accompanied by breaded and fried elements.
It is a type of sausage made with chicken, beef, duck, or rabbit. Usually, it is served fried or grilled with rice, eggs, french fries, and vegetables.
Likewise, you cannot miss trying some desserts. Standouts include leite-creme queimado, almond fish, Pasteis de Nata or Pasteis de Belem, and Pasteis de Tentúgal. Moreover, you can pair your meals with red, white, and sweet wines.
A spectacular stage that runs almost entirely along the sea with breathtaking views. We will pass through areas of dunes, wooden walkways, archaeological remains, forts, chapels, and churches.
Notable are the Churches of Santiago de Labruge, Mindelo, and Azurara. In Vila do Conde, you can observe the impressive aqueduct with 999 arches dating back to 1777, as well as the Mother Church of St. John the Baptist and the Convent of St. Clara.
In Povoa de Varzim, highlight the Plaza de Almada with the Pazos del Concello. In the town of Santo Andre, you can see the Chapel of Santo Andre.
In Fao, highlight the Iron Bridge over the Cadavo River. In Esposende, you can see the Fort of St. John the Baptist, the Church of Mercy, and the Pazos del Concello.
In Marinhas, highlight the Parish Church of St. Miguel. In S. Roman de Nieva, you can see the 11th-century Benedictine Monastery and the Chapel of Our Lady of Cristo. In Darque, highlight the Chapel of Our Lady of Areias. In Viana do Castelo, you can admire the spectacular Sanctuary of Sta. Luzía on Mount Santa Luzia, as well as the Castle of Santiago da Barra, the old Pazos do Concello, the Church of Mercy, the Mother Church, and the Republic Square.
In Caminha, besides visiting its beautiful historic center, we recommend checking the ferry schedules that vary each day depending on low tide. Take the ferry across the Minho River, reaching A Guarda, and then continue to Oia along the sea.
