The Portugal Way map & highlights

2 minute summary Map & highlights All our Portugal guides

The Portugal Way map & highlights

You know what they say: 50,000 people can’t be wrong. That’s how many people now walk the Portugal Way every year, making it the second most popular Camino de Santiago route after the French Way, which comes southeast through the Pyrenees. The Portugal Way on the other hand runs north; most tours begin in Porto, but you can also start walking either in Lisbon, or Tui in Spain.

The two main route options take you either through picturesque rural scenery, or dramatic Atlantic coastline. It’s a nice choice to face. Another way to look at the Portugal Way is that each region you pass through has its own distinctive cuisine. The coastal route is fantastic for seafood lovers, while the inland route takes you through many vineyards, olive groves and orchards. In Ponte de Lima traditional dishes include pork and rice, and lamprey fished from the river, while the fried peppers of Padrón are known across Spain and Portugal.

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1. Coimbra
2. Finisterre
3. Padrón
4. Ponte de Lima
5. Porto
6. Santarem
7. Santiago de Compostela
8. Vigo

Coimbra

1. Coimbra

Once the Portuguese capital, Coimbra is ranked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its superb historic architecture, most notably the 13th century university and Gothic cathedral. It’s also one of the best places outside Lisbon to hear fado music, something to bear in mind if spending the night here. The approach to Coimbra is lovely, taking you through forest, vineyards and olive groves.

Coimbra

Finisterre

2. Finisterre

Cape Finisterre, from the Latin finis terrae, was in Roman times believed to be the end of the known world. Most pilgrims finish at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela some 90km east, but others continue on to the cape. A recent tradition which we suggest you give a miss is the ritual of burning or discarding your walking boots here.

Padrón

3. Padrón

Padrón is typically the final stop before Santiago de Compostela, and one of the most important. This is where the disciples of Saint James landed with his body, carrying it inland for burial. The local specialty of Padrón peppers, fried in olive oil and salt, is well known. Be careful though; you never know when you’re going to find a spicy one.

Padrón

Ponte de Lima

4. Ponte de Lima

Dating to the early 12th century, Ponte de Lima is one of Portugal’s oldest towns. The Camino route crosses the River Lima over the Roman bridge, past the statues of Roman soldiers, and quickly enters pretty countryside. This is a good place to stay the night, with many excellent restaurants, some pretty azulejo tiles and plenty of lodgings.

Porto

5. Porto

A popular place to begin the Portugal Way, Porto’s cosmopolitan atmosphere belies its age. You may want to spend a day or so here before you start walking, perhaps to sample the famous port that in centuries past was brought down the river on rabelo boats, or to explore many independent bars, restaurants and shops. Some walkers prefer to take the metro out to Maia, avoiding the suburbs which are not all that interesting.

Porto

Santarem

6. Santarem

Just north of Lisbon, the winding streets of hilltop Santarem hide many Gothic churches – the glazed tiles of the Santa Maria de Marvila make it one of Portugal’s most beautiful. The famous pilgrimage site of Fátima is 60km north of Santarem and although not on the official Portugal Way route, many pilgrims do make a detour here in order to pay their respects at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima.

Santiago de Compostela

7. Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela may be the world’s first tourism destination. Pilgrims, whichever route they take, have finished their walks here for centuries. Legend has it the remains of the disciple St. James are buried under the magnificent cathedral. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there’s a lot of pleasure to be had wandering the narrow streets once you escape the more touristy sections.

Santiago de Compostela

Vigo

8. Vigo

Only passed on the coastal Portugal Way, rather than the inland route, Vigo is a large fishing port close to the border. If you’re looking to break the walk up a little, Vigo is a good place to do it, with plenty of restaurants and cultural attractions around. It is also the gateway to the Cies Islands archipelago, reckoned to have some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

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The Portugal Way travel advice

Rasmus Pedersen from our supplier Spain is More has some useful recommendations for walking the Portugal Way:

Favourite sections

“The parts I love most of the Portugal Way are the forest walk after Tui, which is really beautiful, especially the hilltop view of the Galicia ‘fjords’, and Ponte de Lima in Portugal, by the riverbank. By then you have been walking a few days, you’re into the Camino rhythm and you’re starting to feel like a real pilgrim. Ponte de Lima often has markets and a fiesta, there are good restaurants and hotels and it’s generally a really pleasant atmosphere.”

Splitting stages

“The Portugal Way feels very authentic. These are historic places that pilgrims pass through, not places that have sprung up to cater for pilgrims. The services and signage are good, there are nice hotels and in terms of difficulty it’s similar to the French Way. Not everyone is confident they can make the full distance, so we can split some of the longer stages allowing them to walk at their own pace. But away from home, from TV, household chores and other obligations, it’s amazing what you can accomplish.”

When to go

“The best time of year to walk the Portugal Way I would say is from April to October. Summer can be very warm. But as with all Camino routes it’s also possible to get a really good experience outside of these months. There are a lot fewer pilgrims along the way between late autumn and early spring, which is also charming depending on what you are looking for - quietness or a more social pilgrimage.”

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Pilgrims have been walking the Camino de Santiago for centuries, joined in recent years by walkers of all backgrounds in search of a serious challenge.

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Written by Rob Perkins

The Portugal Way map & highlights