A guidebook to walking the Camino Portugués pilgrimage route through Portugal, from Lisbon, Porto or Tui to Santiago de Compostela. Covering 620km (385 miles), this popular alternative to the Camino Francés – and the second most-travelled pilgrim route to Santiago – can be walked in around 1 month and is suitable for reasonably fit walkers.

The route is described south to north in 25 stages, each between 16 and 34km (10–21 miles) in length. The Central Camino, the Coastal Camino (between Porto and Redondela) and the Spiritual Variant (from Pontevedra to Padrón), plus link routes, are all described. Along the way the route passes historic and religious sites, including four UNESCO World Heritage areas: the Knights Templar Castle at Tomar, Portugal’s oldest university at Coimbra, and the old towns of Porto and Santiago de Compostela, where the pilgrimage culminates at the cathedral. Santiago has been a place of pilgrimage since 1211.

• 1:100,000 mapping plus larger-scale urban maps for key locations
• Step-by-step route description with GPX files available to download
• Advice on planning, preparation, pilgrim passports and equipment
• Comprehensive information on facilities, food and pilgrim lodgings
• Facilities tables showing availability of accommodation, food, supermarkets, ATMs and pharmacies
• Glossary of useful terms

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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