Coastal Portuguese Way from Baiona to Santiago de Compostela: 6 stages

Information about the trip: Coastal Portuguese Way from Baiona to Santiago de Compostela: 6 stages

The Coastal Portuguese Route or Caminho da Costa is a stunning alternative to the traditional Portuguese Camino de Santiago.Following the Atlantic coast towards Santiago, the Coastal Way begins in Baiona, at the heart of the Rías Baixas region, renowned for its Albariño wine and fresh seafood.The Coastal Way merges with the Portuguese Way in Redondela and continues through Pontevedra, the seaside town of Caldas de Reis, Padrón, and finally to Santiago de Compostela, where pilgrims can obtain the Compostela certificate.

This itinerary covers the last 100 km of the Portuguese Coastal Route, which is the minimum required to apply for your “Compostela” certificate.

Travel itinerary (Summary)

DAY 1: Arrival to Baiona
DAY 2: Stage 1, Baiona, Vigo 27 km 1/5
DAY 3: Stage 2, Vigo, Redondela 16 km 2/5
DAY 4: Stage 3, Redondela, Pontevedra 19,6 km 3/5
DAY 5: Stage 4, Pontevedra, Caldas De Reis 21,1 km 1/5
DAY 6: Stage 5, Caldas De Reis, Padrón 18,6 km 2/5
DAY 7: Stage 6, Padrón, Santiago De Compostela 24,4 km 2/5
DAY 8: Return

Travel itinerary (Detailed)

ProgramDAY
1

Arrival to Baiona

126 km/ 79 mi separate the start of this itinerary from Santiago de Compostela, the final destination.
Fill in your pilgrim’s passport and get ready to start your Camino.
Visit this charming village, one of the most beautiful in the Rías Baixas. It is a small seaside town located on the Galician coast, south of the Ría de Vigo.
ProgramDAY
2

Stage 1, 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.
ProgramDAY
3

Stage 2, 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.
ProgramDAY
4

Stage 3, 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.
ProgramDAY
5

Stage 4, Pontevedra, Caldas De Reis

Distance : 21,1 km Difficulty : 1/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. This stage starts in the historic centre of Pontevedra, with a walk out of the old city to the millennial bridge, O Burgo, over the river Lerez, and continues along the beautiful valley of the River Gandra to San Mauro.
From here, the path widens, making for a peaceful and serene hike. We finally reach Caldas de Reis via the church of Santa Maria, close to the bridge over the River Umia, where this stage ends.
ProgramDAY
6

Stage 5, from Caldas De Reis to Padrón

Distance : 18,6 km Difficulty : 2/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. We leave Caldas de Reis via some enchanting stretches of the Way, across the Medieval bridge over the River Bermaña, following a path that leads us to the village of Cruceiro, on a picturesque trail through forests and meadows. After crossing the river Ulla, we arrive at Padrón, the place where, according to legend, the stone ship with the body of the Apostle James (Santiago) was moored.
ProgramDAY
7

Stage 6, 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 Padrón 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.
ProgramDAY
8

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

7 nights in handpicked hotels and inns, all with en-suite accommodation, on a bed and breakfast basis.
Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel: 1 bag max. 20kg/ 44 lbs per person.
Travel insurance.
Credencial (Pilgrim's passport)
Maps and tracks of the stages.
Telephone assistance (English-speaking)