Camino de Santiago: From Porto to Santiago de Compostela

Pedal the Portuguese Camino de Santiago on an unmissable cycling adventure

This coastal variation of the Portuguese Camino will take you from Porto to Santiago de Compostela via the romantic medieval cities north of Portugal and Galiza. Accompanied by awesome ocean views, this tour offers an exciting and convenient way to discover the medieval Camino's history as a pilgrimage route, surrounded by truly sensational natural landscapes.

You'll learn how the first pilgrims took to the Camino in the 9th century after learning of the discovery of the remains of St. James in Galiza. In 1325, royalty graced the route as Queen Isabel of Portugal made the pilgrimage following a very similar trail, crossing the Barcelos Bridge.

Now it's your turn to immerse yourself in the breathtaking experiences that characterize the Way of St. James!

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Highlights

• Historic Camino de Santiago, the Way of St. James
• Porto, UNESCO World Heritage City with Roman origins dating back to the 4th century
• Medieval villages like Ponte de Lima, Barcelos, and Valença
• Stunning scenery of Minho and Galicia
• Roads and trails through woodland areas, small villages, and timeless 'pueblos'
• Taste port and 'green' wines
• Santiago de Compostela, designated UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the shrine of St. James The Great

Learn More

Not sure which type of tour to book? Learn about the differences between guided and self-guided tours.

Interested in adding to your itinerary? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Porto.

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival and transfer from Porto Airport
You'll be picked up from Porto Airport and transferred to the Ipanema Park Hotel or riverside Pestana World Heritage Hotel ('Premium' option), located in the Ribeira. You'll have the afternoon free to explore the sensational city of Porto, brimming with fascinating history and staggering monuments like the Clérigos Tower and D. Luis Bridge. Venture into the old quarter of Baixa, with its local boutiques, restaurants, and pastry shops selling mouthwatering pasteis de nata.

Ribeira, the quarter in which you're staying, sits by the River Douro, facing the wine cellars famous for producing world-renowned port. For a spot of shopping, wander into Santa Catarina or along Aliados Avenue. The restaurants dotted around town serve up some of the most sumptuous food in the country.

Day 2: Porto – Ofir (40 miles/65km)
After breakfast, board the transfer from your hotel to Porto Cathedral. From this incredible landmark, you'll begin your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela via the world-famous Camino. Along the way, stop by Sé Cathedral to pick up your Pilgrim Passport - you can ask for this lovely momento to be stamped in several hotels and restaurants along the Camino!

From Sé, you’ll start your adventure through the city, descending Sé Velha and Mouzinho da Silveira Street to Porto’s riverside, biking on the cycle paths alongside the Douro river, then reaching Leça da Palmeira. From here on, you'll start following the yellow arrows north along Portugal's coastline.

From Leça da Palmeira, the Camino will be a mix of cycle paths, paved roads, and walkways all the way to the historical city of Vila do Conde and the beach resort of Póvoa do Varzim, both of which offer good stops for lunch, especially Póvoa do Varzim thanks to its heritage as a fishing town. You'll ride through a number of other small fishing villages on the way to Fão, where you'll turn left towards the ocean and the fragrant pine forests of Ofir.

Day 3: Ofir – Caminha (37 miles/59km)
After breakfast at the hotel, start your day by riding north, crossing the river to Esposende, and riding alongside the Cávado river. From here, you'll turn inland, journeying through the charming villages of northern Portugal.

At the 15th km mark, you'll start climbing, entering a more technical trail (you can push your bike if you'd prefer) until you cross a very narrow bridge over the Neiva river. Another climb follows until you reach Viana do Castelo, watched over by the pretty 'Santa Luzia' church atop a nearby sierra. Viana do Castelo's historic center provides a scenic stop for lunch.

After Viana, you'll continue riding north and inland, passing by the Sierra following ancient paved roads until you reach Vila Praia de Âncora. From here, you'll ride by the Ecopista (the shoreline) until you reach your hotel.

Day 4: Caminha – Baiona (24 miles/39km)
You'll leave Caminha by ferry boat (every hour, except on Mondays), journeying towards 'A Guarda' in Spain. The initial section of today's cycling promises no big climbs, just a few ups and downs until you reach Bayona, a beautiful coastal town. En route, enjoy the atmosphere of the medieval villages that nestle along the Galician coastline, tasting some wonderful tapas and seafood if you'd like. You'll stop in Bayona for lunch and to admire this stunning city.

Day 5: Baiona – Vigo – Pontevedra (39 miles/62km)
This might just be the toughest day of your Camino! After breakfast, resume your ride towards Vigo (25 km away), tackling a short but steep climb to reach Saigráns and experience one of the most spectacular views in the region - Vigo's 'Ria', where the sea water mixes with the river, 'bateas' (mussel preparing sites) dot the view, and the Ciés Islands grace the horizon. These islands form a natural park out in the Atlantic Ocean.

Descend into the busy city of Vigo before climbing back up towards a mountain range overlooking the Ria de Vigo - 12 km of macadam trails overlooking the Ria. This will be followed by a descent towards Redondela, where the Central Camino and Coastal Camino become one. There'll be another climb near Cessantes, followed by a descent to the crossing of the Verdugo river over the romantic bridge of Ponte Sampaio.

One final push today before the long descent into Pontevedra and its beautiful Parador standing proudly in the middle of the historic center. Take your time to explore Pontevedra's center on a nighttime stroll through the Galician plazas of Ourense and Ferraria, home to the city's basilica and chapel.

Day 6: Pontevedra – Padrón (25 miles/41km)
After breakfast, you'll continue your pilgrimage with the exciting feeling that you're closing in on Santiago. You'll notice another change in the landscape as you leave the coast and return inland to Galicia, with its lush green fields and forested areas. Today's hotel is located in Padrón, a village regarded as the cradle of Galicia and well known for its green Padrón Peppers. Explore the village, climb to the Santiaguiño do Monte lookout point, visit the botanical gardens, gaze at the Toxa Waterfall, or taste some sumptuos local food. If you're feeling adventurous and it's in season, try the Lamprea!

Day 7: Padrón – Santiago de Compostela (16 miles/26km)
Today you'll set out on the last stage of your journey along the Way of St. James. The route starts going uphill almost instantly, so fill up on the calories at breakfast! You'll venture through small villages home to quaint churches - signs that the end of the Way is approaching. When you arrive in spectacular Santiago, journey to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, the end point of your pilgrimage.

Santiago de Compostela is a thriving, dynamic city with myriad monuments worthy of a visit, including the plazas in the central area of the old town, the narrow streets, and the traditional markets. Check in at your hotel, then dedicate the rest of your afternoon to visiting the Pilgrims' Office and discovering the traditions, culture, and heritage of this magical medieval city.

Day 8: Departure
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check out. At the scheduled time, transfer from Santiago de Compostela back to Porto Airport or another hotel is available.

Don't want the adventure to end? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Porto.

Surface and terrain

You'll face beautiful but mountainous terrain on this tour. Cycling the Camino, you'll experience a mix of Roman stone pavements, macadam trails, forested areas, and mountain roads.

Mountain stages: Mountainous area from to Baiona to Pontevedra.

Hilly stages: Most of the Way of St. James is hilly while crossing the Minho and Galicia.

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary by availability.

Premium hotels: 5-star hotels (or best possible a each location)

Pestana Heritage, Porto

Axis Ofir Hotel, Ofir

Design & Wine, Caminha

Parador de Baiona, Baiona

Parador de Pontevedra, Pontevedra

Os Lambrans, Padrón

Parador de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela

Standard hotels: 4-star or charm hotels

Ipanema Park Hotel, Porto

Hotel Suave Mar, Esposende

Hotel Portas do Sol, Caminha

Parador de Baiona, Baiona

Parador de Pontevedra, Pontevedra

Hotel Pazo de Lestrove, Padrón

Virxe de La Cerca, Santiago de Compostela

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

How to get there

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Porto Airport
Nearest train station: Porto airport station

Upon your arrival in Porto, you will be transported from the airport to the tour start. At the end of the tour, you will be transported back to Porto Airport.

Tips on getting to and from your tour.

Dates

Prices

Included services

Self-guided package includes:

• 7 nights accommodation in 4-star hotels (Premium upgrade includes 5-star accommodations)
• Breakfast each day
• Luggage transfer
• Transfer from Porto airport to tour start and from tour end back to Porto airport
• Access to App to navigate and explore restaurants, museums, and sightseeing
• Garmin GPS, with preloaded daily tracks for your navigation and power bank
• Detailed briefing and route book provided on the starting date of the tour
• Rental of a Scott Touring or Mountain bike with helmet and spares
• Accident insurance during the ride
• If the dinner package is booked, these will be in your hotel

Guided package includes:

• 7 nights accommodation in 4-star hotels
• Breakfast each day
• Luggage transfer
• Private guide accompanying your group, providing daily guided cyling tours, restaurant reservations, booking of local experiences and all passenger transfers throughout the tour
• Support vehicle (SAG Wagon) and mechanical support throughout all the rides
• Transfer from Porto airport to tour start and from tour end back to Porto airport and during the tour as needed
• Access to App to navigate and explore restaurants, museums, and sightseeing
• Garmin GPS, with preloaded daily tracks for your navigation and power bank
• Rental of a Scott Touring or Mountain bike with helmet and spares
• Detailed briefing and routebook provided on the starting date of the tou
• Accident insurance during the ride
• Nutrition and hydration during the rides
• Jersey
  
  Guided Premium package includes (all of the above PLUS):
• 5-star accommodations
• 7 dinners and 6 lunches at selected restaurants
• A second guide, cycling with your group, for upgraded service throughout the tour
• Entrance in museums, wineries and other selected experiences
• Bib shorts and cycling cap (in addition to the jersey)

Bike rentals

Bikes available on this tour and included in the tour cost (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):

• Mountain or touring bikes (Scott Aspect 29")

Bikes available to rent for an additional fee (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):

• Electrically assisted bikes (available upon request)*

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

Mountain bikes are the safest and most comfortable bike for this route.

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals, but mountain bike pedals are also available (SPD, SPD-SL, Look, etc). If you want to bring your own shoes that require a specific pedal, please reserve them in advance at the time of booking and make sure you bring the correct shoes and cleats for those pedals.

Helmets:
Helmets are available on this tour; however, we recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.

Tour Company