Spiritual Variant and Traslatio from Oporto through the coastal route: 13 stages
Information about the trip: Spiritual Variant and Traslatio from Oporto through the coastal route: 13 stages
This variant combines several routes: starting from the Portuguese Way beginning in Oporto, you will reach Pontevedra via the traditional inland route.From here, you will begin the "Spiritual Variant" or Traslatio, which will take you from Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa.
At this point, the pilgrim will follow the route in a boat, also called Traslatio, crossing the estuary and commemorating the transfer of the body of Apostle James.
Afterwards, they will conclude their journey by reaching Padrón on foot and, finally, Santiago de Compostela, the ultimate destination.
The Portuguese Coastal Way is important as it brings pilgrims from the most westerly part of Portugal, starting from Oporto, it follows the coastline north.
The Costal Camino goes along the sea, but also it meanders between the coast, villages and forest.
There are less people that on the Traditional internal route but in summer the Coastal Way is a great option because you have constant sea breeze, even though in rainy days it’s very windy this route.
Travel itinerary (Summary)
- DAY 1: Arrival to Oporto
- DAY 2: Stage 1, Oporto, Vila Do Conde 35 km 2/5
- DAY 3: Stage 2, Vila Do Conde, Esposende 23,5 km 2/5
- DAY 4: Stage 3, Esposende, Viana Do Castelo 25,1 km 2/5
- DAY 5: Stage 4, Viana Do Castelo, Caminha 26,8 km 3/5
- DAY 6: Stage 5, Caminha, Oia 17,1 km 2/5
- DAY 7: Stage 6, Oia, Baiona 17,9 km 1/5
- DAY 8: Stage 7, Baiona, Vigo 27 km 1/5
- DAY 9: Stage 8, Vigo, Redondela 16 km 2/5
- DAY 10: Stage 9, Redondela - Pontevedra 19,6 km 3/5
- DAY 11: Stage 10, Pontevedra, Armenteira 23,2 km 2/5
- DAY 12: Stage 11, Armenteira, Vilanova De Arousa 22,7 km 2/5
- DAY 13: Stage 12, Vilanova De Arousa, Padrón 2,5 km 1/5 15 M
- DAY 14: Stage 13, Padrón, Santiago De Compostela 24,4 km 2/5
- DAY 15: Return
Travel itinerary (Detailed)
-
1
Arrival to Oporto
280 km/ 173 mi separate the start of this itinerary from Santiago de Compostela, the final destination.
Fill in your pilgrim’s passport and visit the fantastic monuments in this UNESCO-listed old town and stroll along the picturesque riverfront in the home of port wine.
Discover the best of Portuguese hospitality before you begin walking.
-
2
Stage 1, from Oporto to Vila Do Conde
Distance : 35 km Difficulty : 2/5
Breakfast and start of the stage. Start your Camino de Santiago journey in gorgeous and colourful Oporto.
Today we suggest to take the Metro to Matosinhos to avoid the outskirts of Porto and reach the coast to start your Camino walk. Get off at the ‘Mercado’ stop.
You will walk following the coastline, passing fishing villages, forts and chapels, the prehistoric castro of San Paio and of course, beautiful sandy beaches.
-
3
Stage 2, from Vila Do Conde to Esposende
Distance : 23,5 km Difficulty : 2/5
Breakfast and start of the stage. Enjoy a stroll along the pretty Póvoa de Varzim harbour and explore its medieval district before you continue your Camino. Walk up to the Convento de Santa Clara to discover the best views of the town and the surrounding coast.
On your way to Esposende you will pass the popular seaside town of Póvoa de Varzim with its sandy beachfront and cross the Coastal Natural Park, Parque Natural do Litoral Norte.
-
4
Stage 3, from Esposende to Viana Do Castelo
Distance : 25,1 km Difficulty : 2/5
Breakfast and start of the stage. Today you will continue your Camino coastal walk from Esposende, across the Coastal Natural Park, on your way to Viana do Castelo. Take the opportunity to taste the local cuisine, explore the historic centre of town and take the funicular to the Basílica de Santa Luzía for great views.
Legend has it that the Romans were so impressed by Viana’s beauty when they reached the town in the first century, that they thought they had reached the paradise.
-
5
Stage 4, from Viana Do Castelo to Caminha
Distance : 26,8 km Difficulty : 3/5
Breakfast and start of the stage. Today you will leave Viana do Castelo and continue along the beautiful Atlantic coastline heading North. Today is quite an easy day, giving you plenty of time to enjoy a relaxed pace and have enough time to make the most of the seaside villages and towns along the way. From Vila Praia de Ancora you will continue your coastal Camino towards Caminha, right by the Minho estuary, where the river meets the Atlantic.
-
6
Stage 5, from Caminha to Oia
Distance : 17,1 km Difficulty : 2/5
Breakfast and start of the stage. From Santa Rita de Cássia in Caminha, you will take a ferry-boat across the river Minho to Camposancos in A Guarda.
There is a daily ferry service, we suggest checking it out. (Ticket/ Reservation NOT included)
After the ferry, you can continue on foot directly to A Guarda.
This part of the route includes the best coastal landscapes in Galicia which showcase the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean. The fishing village of A Guarda is home to Galicia’s most impressive Galician-Roman settlements: the Santa Tegra hill fort is an authentic archaeological gem with breathtaking views over the ocean.
-
7
Stage 6, from Oia to Baiona
Distance : 17,9 km Difficulty : 1/5
Breakfast and start of the stage. An overnight stay in the village of Oia, which is famous for its impressive monastery, is the perfect way to enjoy the quiet of this hamlet and the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean.
On your way out of Mougás/Oia stop for a while to visit Baiona to admire its fortified castle surrounded by a stormy ocean.
-
8
Stage 7, from Baiona to Vigo
Distance : 27 km Difficulty : 1/5
Breakfast and start of the stage. Today you will follow the coast from Baiona to Nigrán before finally reaching the city of Vigo.
Enjoy fantastic views over the Bay of Vigo, with the magnificent Cíes Islands on the horizon. On a hot day, stop off at the blue flag beach known as Praia América, in Nigrán for a quick swim.
-
9
Stage 8, from Vigo to Redondela
Distance : 16 km Difficulty : 2/5
Breakfast and start of the stage. From the city of Vigo, continue your coastal Camino with the Bay of Vigo to your left. Vigo is one of the seven largest cities in Galicia and is currently probably the most populated one. People from the entire region and even from other parts of Spain have always flocked to this city to work in its naval and fishing industries.
After the serenity of the isolated Mougás, Vigo will give you the experience of life in a busy town. The stage ends in Redondela where you will rejoin the original Portuguese Route.
-
10
Stage 9, from Redondela to Pontevedra
Distance : 19,6 km Difficulty : 3/5
Breakfast and start of the stage. The way out of Vigo might be a bit confusing, but once you manage to leave the city, the path begins to clear and the open ocean gives way to the “rías” or Galician fjords.
-
11
Stage 10, from Pontevedra to Armenteira
Distance : 23,2 km Difficulty : 2/5
Breakfast and start of the stage. You will wake up at your accommodation in Pontevedra, where a nice breakfast is included to kickstart your day with energy, and you'll begin your walk towards Armenteira.
After crossing the city of Pontevedra, at 2 km, you'll find a left deviation. At this point, the "SPIRITUAL VARIANT" begins, passing through Poio and Combarro before reaching the Monastery of Armenteira, situated in a very peaceful rural area amidst the mountains.
It's worth noting that after Combarro, there is a 7 km stretch where the difficulty of the stage increases, so we recommend carrying water.
-
12
Stage 11, from Armenteira to Vilanova De Arousa
Distance : 22,7 km Difficulty : 2/5
Breakfast and start of the stage. From Armenteira to Pontearnelas, we will follow "The Route of Stone and Water," which winds through a natural area of great beauty.
Walking in the shade of the trees, you'll come across ancient water mills resting on the riverbanks. Orchards and vineyards will signal your approach to the Arousa estuary. After covering 22 km, you'll reach the beaches and the town of Vilanova.
-
13
Stage 12, from Vilanova De Arousa to Padrón
Distance : 2,5 km Difficulty : 1/5 En Barco : 2,5 Millas
Breakfast and start of the stage. In Vilanova de Arousa, you will begin the Traslatio or maritime-fluvial route, which will take you by boat for a journey covering 15 nautical miles to Pontescures, from where you'll continue by foot. Further along, you'll arrive in Padrón, where you can explore various points of interest in the area.
The departure time of the "traslatio" by boat depends on the tide. The boat journey takes approximately 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes
-
14
Stage 13, from Padrón to Santiago De Compostela
Distance : 24,4 km Difficulty : 2/5
Breakfast and start of the stage. This last stage starts by leaving Padron and continuing through Galician villages to the magnificent sanctuary of Nossa Señora da Escravitute.
You finally start to see Santiago de Compostela in the distance and at Agro dos Monteiros, you will be able to see the towers of the Cathedral for the first time.
After crossing the river Sar, you will make your way through the suburbs of the city to the Faxeira gate, the entrance for the Portuguese Route in this old city. Walk through a labyrinth of streets to Obradoiro square and its Cathedral, where the Apostle awaits you.
-
15
Return
After breakfast, go to exchange your pilgrim’s passport, if you haven’t already done it. Alternatively, we suggest you visit the cathedral and the surrounding areas or attend a pilgrim mass.
Included
- 14 nights in handpicked hotels and inns, all with en-suite accommodation, on a bed and breakfast basis.
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel (1 x max. 20kg/44 lbs bag per person)
- Traslatio by boat (13th day).
- Travel insurance.
- Credencial (Pilgrim's passport)
- Maps and tracks of the stages.
- Telephone assistance (English-speaking)
- Lunches.
- Caminha ferry ticket.
- Flights or trains.
- Single room supplement: € 460
- Dinner’s supplement: €420
- Superior category supplement: €400
- Superior cat single room supplement: €550
- Superior cat dinner’s supplement: €460
- Tourist taxes.
Not included
Accommodations
All accommodations have rooms with en-suite facilities.Conditions
Price per person based on double roomDaily departures form April to October
Discover other similar trips
Portuguese Way on footSaint James Way on foot
Portugal
Galicia