The Camino Portugues

Discover the Camino Portugués, a time-honoured pilgrimage route that connects Lisbon, Portugal’s vibrant capital, to the legendary cathedral city of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Stretching over 621km, this historic path has welcomed pilgrims for centuries and rewards today’s walkers with an inspiring blend of cultural heritage, spectacular scenery, and unforgettable experiences.

Ideal for walkers of all levels, the Camino requires no technical skills, just a steady pace. The comprehensive Cicerone guidebook offers adaptable stages, training tips, and advice for long-distance hiking. The route weaves through Roman roads, charming villages, forests, farmland, and cities like Porto and Coimbra.

• Highlights include Tomar’s Knights Templar castle, Conímbriga’s Roman mosaics, and Portugal’s oldest village, Ponte de Lima, all set against the welcoming traditions and vibrant culture of the Camino.
• Find detailed coverage of the Central Camino—via Ribatejo, Beira Litoral, Douro, and Minho—and the Coastal Camino, known for Atlantic views, fishing villages, and Mt Santa Luzia vistas. Route insights and expert tips included.
• Includes the Spiritual Variant (Variante Espiritual) with its unique boat stage, plus connecting routes between Central and Coastal Caminos via key towns like Vila do Conde, Esposende, Caminha, and Tui.
• Flexible itineraries let you start in Lisbon (25+ days), Porto (10+ days), or Tui (5 days), making the pilgrimage accessible for all schedules and fitness levels.
• Each Camino Portugués guidebook stage includes clear route descriptions, distance and elevation profiles, and essential information on accommodations, transportation, and local amenities in major towns along the route, including Lisbon, Porto, Ponte de Lima, Tui, and Santiago de Compostela. Stay informed and prepared at every step with up-to-date resources to enhance your Camino experience.
• Benefit from stage maps of the Camino Portugués at a user-friendly 1:100,000 scale, complete with detailed elevation profiles for every stage, especially the renowned approach to Santiago de Compostela.
• No matter which route you select, Central, Coastal, or the Spiritual Variant, the Camino Portugués guidebook offers downloadable GPX files for seamless digital navigation. Gain access to expert Camino planning tips, safety advice, and practical recommendations for a successful pilgrimage.
• Pilgrim credentials: Find step-by-step guidance on how to obtain your official credencial (pilgrim passport), along with advice on collecting stamps (carimbos/sellos) at albergues and landmarks throughout the Camino Portugués.

Plan your Camino Portugués adventure with confidence and experience the enduring spirit of the Camino along one of Europe’s most beautiful and culturally rich pilgrimage routes with the definitive Cicerone guidebook.

Seasons

April to October, although summer can be very hot especially in the south between Lisbon and Porto. Winter is usually wet with limited accommodation options so call ahead for reservations.

Centres

Lisbon, Tomar, Coimbra, Porto, Vila do Conde, Barcelos, Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Valenca, Tui, Pontevedra, Padron, Santiago de Compostela

Difficulty

Although a straightforward journey, at over 600km the Portugués Camino is a long walk requiring good general fitness. No specialist equipment is required

Must See

Four UNESCO World Heritage areas: Knights Templar Castle in Tomar, Coimbra University, and the old towns of Porto and Santiago. Roman roads, Roman Ruins of Conimbriga, ancient bridges, iron-age settlements, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Manueline and Baroque-style churches.

Map key

Route summary tables

Introduction

St James and the beginnings of Santiago de Compostela

Portuguese history and the Camino

Choosing your Camino

Essential pilgrim information

Getting there and getting away

When to go

Accommodation

Food and drink

Useful information

Language

Preparation and training

What to take

Waymarking and GPS

Using this guide

Leave no trace

Central Camino

Stage 1 Lisbon to Alpriate

Stage 2 Alpriate to Vila Franca de Xira

Stage 3 Vila Franca de Xira to Azambuja

Stage 4 Azambuja to Santarém

Stage 5 Santarém to Golegã

Stage 6 Golegã to Tomar

Stage 7 Tomar to Alvaiázere

Stage 8 Alvaiázere to Rabaçal

Stage 9 Rabaçal to Coimbra

Stage 10 Coimbra to Sernadelo

Stage 11 Sernadelo to Águeda

Stage 12 Águeda to Albergaria-a-Velha

Stage 13 Albergaria-a-Velha to São João da Madeira

Stage 14 São João da Madeira to Grijó

Stage 15 Grijó to Porto

Stage 16 Porto to Vairão

Stage 17 Vairão to Barcelos

Stage 18 Barcelos to Ponte de Lima

Stage 19 Ponte de Lima to Rubiães

Stage 20 Rubiães to Tui

Stage 21 Tui to Mos

Stage 22 Mos to Pontevedra

Stage 23 Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis

Stage 24 Caldas de Reis to Padrón

Stage 25 Padrón to Santiago de Compostela

Coastal Camino

Stage 1 Porto to Vila do Conde

Stage 1A Porto to Vila do Conde (via the Senda Litoral)

Stage 2 Vila do Conde to Esposende

Stage 3 Esposende to Viana do Castelo

Stage 4 Viana do Castelo to Caminha

Stage 5 Caminha to Mougás

Stage 6 Mougás to A Ramallosa

Stage 7 A Ramallosa to Vigo

Stage 8 Vigo to Redondela

Stages 9–12 See Central Camino Stages 22–25

Link routes

Link route 1 Vila do Conde to São Pedro de Rates

Link route 2 São Pedro de Rates to Esposende

Link route 3 Caminha to Tui

Spiritual Variant

Stage 1 Pontevedra to Armenteira

Stage 2 Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa

Stage 3 Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón

Appendix A Facilities tables

Appendix B Glossary

Appendix C Useful contacts

Appendix D Further reading