Camino de Santiago Portuguese from Lisboa,
Oporto and Tui
25 Stages | 385 mi
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The Portuguese Camino de Santiago has become one of the most popular routes in recent years, now ranking as the second most traveled of all the Camino routes. The full trail covers approximately 620 km (385 miles).
The most common starting points for this Camino are Lisbon, Porto, or the town of Tui for those opting to walk the last 100 km to Santiago. Other starting options include Santarém or the cities of Braga and Coimbra, located in Portugal’s interior.
This route is considered relatively gentle compared to other Caminos, such as the French Way or the Northern Way. Pilgrims can enjoy breathtaking landscapes, lush forests, and peaceful trails that provide opportunities to relax, disconnect, and clear the mind.
A true slow travel experience, the Portuguese Camino takes you through Portugal and Spain, two of the richest countries in the world in terms of culture and history.
Some of the most iconic towns and cities along the Portuguese Camino include:
- Lisboa
- Oporto
- Coimbra
- Tui
- Pontevedra
- Santiago de Compostela
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Where do you start the Portuguese Camino?
The Camino Portugués can be started at several points, depending on how much of the route you want to walk:
Lisbon: The most common starting point for the full Camino Portugués. This route covers about 620 kilometers and takes approximately 25 stages to reach Santiago de Compostela.
Porto: A popular alternative for many pilgrims, starting from Porto covers about 240 kilometers to Santiago, taking roughly 10-12 days to complete. It’s a bit shorter and also very scenic, with options to walk through the coastal or central routes.
Tui: For those with less time, starting from Tui in Spain is a great option. The distance from Tui to Santiago is about 120 kilometers, and it’s a typical starting point for pilgrims who wish to walk the last 100 kilometers, which is the minimum distance required to earn the Compostela certificate.
Routes of the Camino de Santiago Portuguese
Stages of the Camino de Santiago Portuguese
The Portuguese Camino de Santiago begins in Lisbon and typically takes around 25 stages to complete, covering approximately 620 km (385 miles) to reach Santiago de Compostela. Other popular starting points include Porto or Tui, offering shorter but equally rewarding journeys.
Stages of the Camino de Santiago Portuguese from Lisboa
Stage 1: Lisboa – Alhandra
18,7 Mi
Stage 2: Alhandra – Azambuja
14,6 Mi
Stage 3: Azambuja – Santarém
20,6 Mi
Stage 4: Santarém – Golegã
19,1 Mi
Stage 5: Golegã – Tomar
19,4 Mi
Stage 6: Tomar – Alvaiázere
19,8 Mi
Stage 7: Alvaiázere – Rabaçal
19,7 Mi
Stage 8: Rabaçal – Coimbra
17,6 Mi
Stage 9: Coimbra – Mealhada
14,4 Mi
Stage 10: Mealhada – Águeda
15,5 Mi
Stage 11: Águeda – Albergaria a Velha
9,8 Mi
Stage 12: Albergaria a Velha – Oliveira de Azeméis
12,2 Mi
Stage 13: Oliveira de Azeméis – Grijó
17,4 Mi
Stage 14: Grijó – Oporto
9,3 Mi
Stages of the Camino de Santiago Portuguese from Porto
Stage 15: Oporto – Vilarinho
16,4 Mi
Stage 16: Vilarinho – Barcelos
16,4 Mi
Stage 17: Barcelos – Ponte de Lima
13,3 Mi
Stage 18: Ponte de Lima – Rubiães
10,8 Mi
Stage 19: Rubiães – Tui
11,8 Mi
Stages of the Camino de Santiago Portuguese from Tui
Stage 20: Tui – Porriño
8,1 Mi
Stage 21: Porriño- Redondela
9,9 Mi
Stage 22: Redondela – Pontevedra
12,1 Mi
Stage 23: Pontevedra – Caldas de Reis
13,3 Mi
Stage 24: Caldas de Reis – Padrón
11,5 Mi
Stage 25: Padrón – Santiago
15,1 Mi
History of the Camino de Santiago Portuguese
The origins of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago, like other routes of the Camino, trace back to the discovery of the remains of the Apostle Saint James the Greater in 813. While routes like the French Way gained prominence during the Early Middle Ages, the Portuguese Camino had a more modest start.
Following the discovery of the Apostle’s remains by Bishop Theodomir of Iria Flavia, King Alfonso II ordered the construction of a church at the site, now home to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. This sparked pilgrimages from Europe and Portugal, with the route forming along ancient Roman roads and pathways.
The Camino gained significance in the 12th century, serving not only as a religious pilgrimage but also as a vital commercial route, fostering cultural exchange between Portugal and Galicia after Portugal’s independence. However, pilgrimages declined across Europe in the 14th century and only resurged in the 20th century. Key milestones in its revival include the Council of Europe designating the Camino as the first European Cultural Route in 1987 and its UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 1993.
Today, the Portuguese Camino stands as one of the most important and historic walking routes globally, celebrated for its cultural, spiritual, and historical significance.
Useful tips to do the Camino de santiago Portuguese
Here are some useful tips to keep in mind before starting the Portuguese Camino de Santiago:
- Consider Consulting a Specialist
If you don’t exercise regularly or have any physical concerns, it’s essential to consult a professional beforehand. A specialist can provide tailored guidance to help you prepare for the Camino de Santiago Portugués under the best possible conditions. They can recommend exercises, stretches, or precautions to strengthen your body, improve endurance, and minimize the risk of injury during the journey. Taking this step ensures a safer, more enjoyable experience on the Camino.
- Work your Fitness
- Learn stretching exercises
Antes de empezar cada etapa es aconsejable realizar una serie de ejercicios de estiramiento para que tus músculos no sufran. También es necesario realizar estos ejercicios de estiramiento a posteriori, justo al acabar cada etapa.
- Wear appropriate clothing and shoes
Depending on the time of year you plan to walk the Camino de Santiago Portugués, you should bring clothing that is more or less warm. What is most important is to wear very comfortable, water-resistant, and high-quality shoes. It’s also essential to bring quality socks that won’t cause discomfort while walking.
- Buy a pair of trekking poles
Having good trekking poles makes walking much easier. Since the stages are usually long, relying on these poles will relieve your back, hips, and knees.
- Practice hiking on different terrains
The Camino de Santiago Portugués is a mix of paved roads, dirt paths, ancient stone roads, sand trails, and narrow grass paths.
Whichever route you take, there will be some hills, so practice walking uphill and downhill to get your muscles used to the effort.
FAQ
The Camino Portugués Central Route is approximately 620 kilometers (about 385 miles) long. It typically starts in Lisbon and extends to Santiago de Compostela in 13 to 27 days, depending on how much distance is covered each day. This route takes pilgrims through Portugal and northwest Spain, offering a mix of rural landscapes, historic towns, and vibrant cultural experiences.
The Camino Portugués is generally considered moderately hilly, with some sections involving gradual climbs and descents. However, it is not as mountainous or steep as some other routes, such as the Camino del Norte or Camino Francés.
The route features a variety of terrains, including flat stretches, rolling hills, and some steeper ascents as it approaches Santiago de Compostela, especially closer to the Galician region. The hills are typically gentle and manageable for most pilgrims, but there are a few more challenging sections, particularly in the last 100 kilometers. The overall elevation gain is not as significant as in other routes, but it’s still important to be prepared for moderate inclines during the walk.
Other Related Caminos
Camino de Santiago English Way
Camino de Santiago Primitive Way
Camino de Santiago to Finisterre and Muxía