Camino de Santiago Walking Holiday - The Portuguese Coastal Way

Upon arrival at Porto airport in Portugal, we will be met by our local representative and transferred by coach, across the Spanish border to our hotel in Vigo, a city on Spain’s northwest coast. An evening meal will be included at our hotel every night for the duration of our stay in Vigo.

3 star hotel in Vigo (4 nights)

After breakfast, we depart our hotel for our coach transfer to Baiona, where we will begin our first walk. We follow the coast from Baiona to Nigran and onwards to the city of Vigo. This stage of the pilgrimage route unveils breathtaking coastal vistas, where rugged cliffs meet the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean, as we wander through charming seaside villages adorned with traditional Galician architecture. We stroll along winding paths shaded by lush greenery, serenaded by the gentle lapping of waves against sandy shores. We enjoy fantastic views of the Bay of Vigo with the magnificent Illas Cies and its natural park on the horizon.

Walking distance: 23 km/ Duration: 6 to 7 hours/ Maximum altitude: 175 m

After breakfast, we will continue our walk on the coastal Camino, starting in the city of Vigo, with the Bay of Vigo to our left. This gentle walk blends urban charm with natural beauty, offering lovely views over the Ría de Vigo, one of Galicia’s most picturesque inlets. This bay was one of the settings for Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. 

Leaving behind Vigo’s vibrant marina, we'll follow peaceful pathways through leafy suburbs and tranquil countryside. Along the way, we enjoy glimpses of traditional Galician life — stone houses, quiet gardens, and local cafés perfect for a midday pause. As we approach Redondela, take in sweeping coastal panoramas and the graceful arc of the Rande Bridge in the distance. Redondela is known as the Village of the Viaducts due to the two 19th-century railroad viaducts in the town.

Walking distance: 14 km/ Duration: 3 to 4 hours/ Maximum altitude: 150 m

Today is our final day along the coast, so let's make the most of the seaside! Transfer from Vigo by coach to Redondela. 

As we leave Redondela, the path gently ascends through peaceful woodland and quiet hamlets, with lovely glimpses of the Vigo estuary along the way. Shaded by eucalyptus and oak trees, the route offers a welcome sense of calm, with cobbled lanes and ancient stone bridges evoking centuries of pilgrimage tradition.

Then, we walk through the village of Arcade, a delightful riverside village famed for its fresh oysters — the perfect spot for a rest and a taste of local flavour, and cross the Romanesque bridge where Napoleon was defeated in the War of Independence. From there, the route continues through rolling countryside and forested trails before descending into Pontevedra. It's a lively and welcoming city known for its beautifully preserved old town with a long maritime tradition, boasting one of the largest and most elegant historic quarters in the whole of Galicia.

Walking distance: 18.2 km/ Duration: 4.5 to 5.5 hours/ Maximum altitude: 147 m

After breakfast, transfer by coach to Pontevedra, where we will begin our walk to Caldas de Reis. This part of the Camino will take us through chestnut groves, pine and eucalyptus woods. In the village of Ponte Cabras, we will see the rectory of Santa Maria de Alba nestled among the trees. At Lombo da Maceira, a statue of Saint James with his walking stick will show us the way ahead. Before reaching Caldas de Reis, we will pass the scenic village of Tivo, famous for its pilgrims’ fountain and public washing bath. As we approach Caldas de Reis, the air begins to carry the faint scent of thermal waters — a nod to the town’s Roman roots and its reputation as a place of rest and rejuvenation.

Walking distance: 23 km/ Duration: 6 to 7 hours/ Maximum altitude: 175 m

After the walk, transfer by coach to Santiago de Compostela, where we will check into the hotel, which will be our base for the remainder of our holiday. An evening meal will be included each night at this hotel.

We depart Santiago de Compostela by coach for Caldas de Reis, where we will begin our walk to Padron. Leaving Caldas de Reis behind us, we cross the bridge over the river Umia to hot spring fountains which gave the town its name since Roman times. This peaceful stage is rich in natural beauty, with leafy paths winding past chestnut groves, stone-built villages, and meandering streams. The route crosses several charming medieval bridges and passes through hamlets where time seems to stand still, offering lovely opportunities to pause and soak up the local atmosphere. This part of the Camino takes us to a forest, gradually climbing to the village of Santa Marina, where we will continue through pine forests to the town of Padron. When the body of Saint James was being brought to Compostela by boat, Padron was said to be the first land it reached.

Walking distance: 18.5 km/ Duration: 3 to 4 hours/ Maximum altitude: 175 m

Today is our final day walking. Leaving Padrón, the path winds through peaceful farmland, shaded lanes, and charming Galician villages, where the bells of distant chapels gently mark the passing hours. The route gradually ascends through rolling countryside and takes us to the historical Sanctuary of Esclavitude. We will walk by the ruins of Castro Lupairio, home to Queen Lupa, who is said to have provided the oxen to pull the cart carrying the remains of Saint James to Santiago, before viewing the oldest wayside crosses in Galicia. As we make our way towards Agro dos Monteiros, we will be able to see the spires of the cathedral in Compostela. We will pass the ruins of a castle known as A Rocha Vella before arriving in Santiago de Compostela. Arriving in Praza do Obradoiro, with the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela before us, is a moment that stays with us forever.

Walking distance: 25.2 km/ Duration: 6 to 7 hours/ Maximum altitude: 253 m

In the early morning, there will be some time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing before departing our hotel for transfer to Porto Airport for our flight home.