Getting there
- Flights to Porto (OPO) 10 km from the start
Treks / Portugal · Spain
Camino Portugués (Coastal)
Portugal · Spain · Nearest city: Porto (also Santiago de Compostela)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days10–13
Distance≈ 280 km
Climbingvaries
Highest pointlow-level
The coastal version of the Portuguese Way to Santiago, following the Atlantic from Porto before turning inland through Galicia.
Fitness
Moderate
Best seasonApril to October
Watch out: Long, flat days on hard surfaces. Blisters, not hills, are the main challenge.
Why people choose it
It's the second most popular route to Santiago, quieter than the Camino Francés and with Atlantic beaches on the way.
What makes it different
- Coastal views for much of the way
- Portuguese and Galician towns
- Pilgrim albergues and the Compostela certificate
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Wild camping is not allowed in Portugal, with fines in protected areas like the Rota Vicentina coast.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (359.5 km) Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Porto → Vila do Conde → Viana do Castelo → A Guarda → Vigo → Pontevedra → Santiago de Compostela
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
- Best time to go: April to October.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Porto.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: April to October
March to May
Spring
The best time for most people: green hills, wildflowers and comfortable temperatures.
Bring
- Light layers
- Sun hat
- A light rain jacket for showers
June to August
Summer
Hot, often above 30°C, with little shade. Start at dawn and rest in the afternoon. Fire risk can close paths.
Bring
- 2–3 litres of water
- Sun hat and long sleeves
- Electrolytes
September to November
Autumn
Warm sea and settled weather in early autumn, with the first storms arriving later.
Bring
- Rain jacket from October
- Light layers
- Headlamp as days shorten
Be ready for
Long days
Expect 7–10 hour days. Start early, eat little and often, and know your turnaround time.
Blisters
Long flat days on hard surfaces cause more blisters than mountains. Break in your shoes, tape hot spots early and change socks at lunch.
Rain
Plan for rain on most days. A proper waterproof jacket, a pack liner and quick-dry clothes keep you comfortable.
What you'll see
6 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Camino Portugués (Coastal)
Photo credits: Viana do Castelo by Lucas Martínez Farrapeira, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Puente Don Luis I, Oporto, Portugal, , DD by Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Vila do Conde by PedroPVZ, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; A Guarda - Pontevedra by Gabriel González from Boliñas-Aguasantas-Cotobade, España, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Parque de Merendas de S. João Baptista - Correlhã - Portugal by Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Capela de Santo Abdão - Correlhã - Portugal by Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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