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.

The Camino Portugués (Portuguese Way) - Quick Facts

Location: Portugal & Spain – Lisbon/Porto/Tui to Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain 
Distance: ~620 km / ~385 miles (Central route from Lisbon)  
Typical duration: ~1 month on foot  
Start: Lisbon (with popular alternatives from Porto or Tui)  
End: Santiago de Compostela, Spain  
Route format: Linear long-distance pilgrimage walk with Central, Coastal and Spiritual variants  
Stages: 25 main stages (~16–34 km each)  
Difficulty: Moderate – suitable for reasonably fit walkers; no specialist gear required  
Best season: April–October (spring to autumn)

Author Highlight

“The Camino follows Roman roads and crosses ancient bridges; it passes through villages, farmland and forests (and provides memorable Atlantic views on the Coastal Camino). Along the way there are four sites that are now designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Tomar’s magnificent Knights Templar castle, Coimbra University (one of Europe’s oldest), and the old towns of Porto and Santiago. Conímbriga Roman site with its exceptional mosaics is also a must-see.The Coastal Camino passes through historic shipbuilding and fishing ports, important during Portugal’s ‘Age of Discoveries’. On this route, hikers can enjoy fresh seafood and experience an Atlantic sunset from Mt Santa Luzia above Viana do Castelo, one of the best views of the Camino. Then it’s a case of catching your breath and reflecting on your journey as you enter the old town of Santiago de Compostela, finishing at the steps of the magnificent cathedral in Praza do Obradoiro. The list of cultural highlights is extensive, but often it’s encounters with other people that make the longest-lasting memories; the Portuguese are friendly, genuine and kind-hearted – so don’t be surprised if you’re invited for coffee and a pastel de nata (sweet pastry) soon after being introduced!"

- Kat Davis, author of The Camino Portugués

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 
 

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.

December 2025

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