Mikala standing on a road alongside a forest looking away from the camera towards the sun and mountains in the distance. This was taken after leaving Mos on the Central route where there were fewer pilgrims around.

Portuguese Camino Central Route Stages from Porto for 2025

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Planning your Camino can feel overwhelming with so many options on where to stop throughout your journey. Where are the best places to spend the night? Where is it safe to stop as a solo female traveler?

As someone who planned this solo, I know how crucial it is to have realistic, safe, and inspiring daily stages.

In May 2025, I spent 10 days walking the Camino Portugués Central route solo from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. This article details my daily Portuguese Camino walking stages, including what you can expect to see along the way, tips on where to stay, what to do, and more.

Everything I recommend in this guide is somewhere I’ve vetted myself or that other pilgrims have recommended.

Know that you don’t have to follow these walking stages exactly. If you want longer or shorter days, you can absolutely do that. Use this breakdown as a guide to help you start thinking about how you want to approach your walk and plan your perfect Camino, no matter what you’re looking for.

Vines at a winery with a church and misty mountains in the background in Labruja, Portugal along the Camino Portugués Central route. Each Camino route has beautiful scenery like this but some more than others.
A church in Labruja, Portugal on the way to Rubiães along the Camino Portugués Central route.

Camino Portugués Central Route Overview

The Camino Portugués Central route was the second most popular Camino de Santiago route in 2024. The route provides a social experience while allowing you time to yourself too. There’s a lovely mix of scenery with the route traveling through forests, quiet villages, vineyards, and even up some small mountains.

Here’s an overview of the Central route:

  • Total distance: 151 miles (243 km) from Porto
  • Average days to complete: 10-14 days from Porto
  • Total elevation gain: 17,106 ft (5,214 m) from Porto
  • Number of pilgrims who finished this route in 2024: 95,453 (19.5% of all pilgrims)
  • Most popular starting points: 1) Tui (38%), 2) Porto (29%), 3) Valença (18%)
Map showing the Portuguese Camino Central route stages Mikala took to complete the hike in 10 days.
I spent 10 days hiking along the Camino Portugués making stops in the places indicated on this map.

Portuguese Camino Central Route Stages Map

Here you can see a map showing the Central route of the Portuguese Way from Porto divided into 10 walking stages split evenly between Portugal and Spain. These are the exact stops I made on my way to Santiago de Compostela.

Videos of the Portuguese Central Route

If you’re looking to visually see more of what the Portuguese Central route is like, check out my series of videos from my time on the route. Here’s the first one, but you can check out the full playlist on my YouTube channel here.

Starting Point for the Camino Portugués Central

While the Central route of the Camino Portugués officially starts in Lisbon, very few pilgrims start there. The majority of pilgrims who want a longer walk start in Porto.

Almost everyone I’ve spoken with who has done the stretch from Lisbon to Porto said it lacked a lot of infrastructure (e.g., accommodations, places to eat) and involved a lot of road walking. Most people say the stretch from Porto north is significantly better.

I met a couple women who started in Lisbon and they ended up taking the bus to skip some sections before Porto because even the locals told them it would be better to do so.

I myself started in Porto, so this article will dive into the stages I took from there all the way to Santiago. You can start the Camino anywhere you want though! If you think you’ll start farther along the route, feel free to scroll down to your starting point.

Overhead view of dozens of orange rooftops and a church tower in Porto, taken from a tower at Sé Cathedral.
View of Porto from one of the cathedral towers. Visiting the tower is included in the 3 euro entrance fee.

How to Get to Porto

Porto’s airport is fairly well connected, so I recommend flying there if you can. That said, Lisbon has a bigger airport, so you may want to look at flights there instead and consider taking the train or a bus up to Porto.

➡️ Book train tickets here.

➡️ Book bus tickets here.

I personally have taken a bus up to Porto from Lisbon before and it was pretty easy and comfortable!

Lounge area at the Porto Wine Hostel with a small glass of port wine on a large table, a bar, and tall windows overlooking a park.
Lounge area at the Porto Wine Hostel and a free glass of Port they gave me at check in! I’ve been to Porto four times, and this is my favorite place I’ve stayed.

Where to Stay in Porto

With so many places to stay in Porto, it can feel overwhelming trying to find somewhere to stay. Here are some options I recommend:

📍Budget Option: Albergue de Peregrinos Porto is a popular albergue on the edge of Porto along the Central route.

📍Mid-Range Option: Porto Wine Hostel offers both shared dorms and private rooms in the heart of the city. I stayed here before my last Camino, and it’s my favorite place I’ve ever stayed in the four times I’ve been to Porto.

📍Luxury Option: Torel Avantgarde was rated by CN Traveler as the best hotel in Porto for views of the river. It’s a highly-rated 5-star hotel and is sure to be a treat before starting your Camino!

Mikala's left hand holding up her Camino Portugués pilgrim passport in front of the Porto Cathedral. You can purchase your pilgrim passport there for 2 euros.
You can purchase your Camino de Santiago pilgrim passport at the cathedral in Porto for 2 euros. The line to purchase the passport starts in the opening in the white portion of the building to the right of the passport in the photo.

Where to Get Your Pilgrim Passport

During your Camino, you’ll want to carry a credencial, also known as a pilgrim passport, to get into pilgrim-only hostels and collect stamps along the way if you want a Compostela certificate at the end.

You can get your pilgrim passport in Porto at the Sé do Porto cathedral. Look for a line and you’ll need to wait and buy the passport at the cathedral entrance ticket desk. It costs just 2 euros.

While there, you can buy a scallop shell for 2 euros at the ticket desk as well if you’d like. Many pilgrims affix these shells to their packs as the scallop shell is a historic symbol of the Camino and indicates that you’re a pilgrim.

If you have the time, I recommend you visit the inside of the cathedral while you’re there. It’s one of my favorite activities in Porto and costs just 3 euros. The painted blue tiles called azulejos inside are spectacular!

Note that the line at the cathedral can sometimes be quite long, so buffer in some time to wait to be safe. A couple times when I just needed to buy things, I arrived within an hour of closing and didn’t have to wait very long.

Here are the cathedral hours:

  • November to March: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • April to October: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Daily mass at 11 a.m.
  • Tower access closes 30 minutes before the cathedral closes
Two sail boats anchored in the Douro River with the orange roofed buildings of Porto, Portugal built up on a big hill in the background.
While the Camino Portugués Central route technically starts in Lisbon, most pilgrims who want to hike a longer distance on the route start in Porto.

What to Do with Extra Baggage

If you’re doing much traveling before or after your Camino, you likely have extra baggage with you. If that’s the case, you will either want to store your luggage in Porto if you’ll be returning or ship it ahead to Santiago de Compostela.

For luggage storage, I recommend Radical Storage. They have locations all over the city, so you can find one that’s most convenient for you. I used this luggage storage service myself when I was in New Zealand, and it was a great experience.

➡️ Book luggage storage in Porto here.

For shipping ahead to Santiago de Compostela, I highly recommend Pilbeo. You can coordinate with them over WhatsApp: +34 670 64 80 78.

I shipped a huge suitcase and small personal item-sized bag with them and it cost me €104.54 in May/June 2025. They picked them up from my hotel, held them for about a month in Santiago de Compostela, and then dropped them off at my hotel there. The process was really easy!

Mikala smiling with her hiking pack on and arms in the air with hiking poles in front of the cathedral in Porto before starting stage 1 of the Camino Portugués Central.
From Porto, the Camino de Santiago technically starts at the cathedral.

Portuguese Camino Central Route Stages Itinerary for 10 Days

Now let’s dive into my 10 day-itinerary for the Camino Portugués Central route. Here you’ll find a breakdown of exactly where I walked each day, the distance, stops along the way, where to stay, and more.

As you read this, remember there are no “best Portuguese Camino Central route stages.” What’s best for everyone looks different. Instead of using this as your Bible for your Camino, instead think of it more as a guide.

While there are a number of places you can stop on the Portuguese Camino Central route, there aren’t quite as many when you compare it to the Francés, so you don’t want to assume that you can stop everywhere. I’ve noted throughout some other options I recommend for spending the night if you choose to adjust this itinerary.

Also keep in mind that it is possible hike a combination of the Central route and Coastal route, so that could be a good option for you if you’re considering a mix of both routes.

Of course you’re welcome to follow these stages exactly if you choose, but don’t fret if you think you want to do something different! I always say it’s best to stay flexible on the Camino and avoid making any super concrete plans when it comes to your route.

I myself made a tentative plan before starting my Camino, but then I changed it up a bit as I went along!

Path leading to a lush green courtyard with a palm tree on the left and a regular tree on the right with the monastery with municipal albergue in the back in Vairão along the Camino Portugués.
While the route out from Porto is quite busy most of the way, it was worth it to me so I could stay at this lovely municipal albergue at the monastery in Vairão.

Stage 1: Porto to Vairão

Official Distance: 15.7 miles (25.2 km)

Elevation Gain: 1,164.7 ft (355.0 m)

Elevation Loss: 1,179.9 ft (359.6 m)

Many people will tell you not to take the Central route to leave Porto because it’s heavily urban and there’s a lot of road walking. Many pilgrims take the Coastal route for the first few days instead before switching to the Central.

Leaving any city on the Camino typically involves walking along roads and suburbs for a while. I was used to it from when I hiked the Camino Francés, so maybe that’s why I didn’t find the walk out of Porto to be too bad.

You’ll trek through a series of suburbs, but as you get farther out of the city, it gets quieter. If you want to skip some of the urban and industrial areas leaving Porto, you could consider taking the metro to somewhere like Vilar do Pinheiro.

As a solo hiker, it did feel a little eerie on this day because there weren’t very many pilgrims around me, but given many locals were out and about along much of the way, I felt safe.

Many guidebooks suggest staying in Vilarinho, but I chose to stay in Vairão instead. Why? Vairão has a large municipal albergue that has plenty of room for walk ins whereas Vilarinho only has a couple smaller albergues that typically book up in advance.

I’m so glad I stayed in Vairão because that albergue ended up being one of my favorites between the two Portuguese routes. The albergue is in a lovely monastery that’s over a century old!

Mikala smiling in a selfie walking along the road in Mosteiró with a stone wall and bushes behind her on the Camino Portugués Central route.
Walking through Mosteiró on my first day on the Central route. There’s a lot of road walking, but at least it gets quieter as you get farther from Porto.

Stops Along the Way*

  • Cedofeita (1.2 miles/2 km from previous stop)–I had a great pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tart) from Confeitaria Aliança just before this suburb of Porto.
  • Gondivai (4.5 miles/7.3 km from previous stop)
  • Araújo (0.2 miles/0.3 km from previous stop)–Carvalho Santo is a cafe here right next to the church. It’s a good place to stop for breakfast on your way out of Porto.
  • Moreira (2.2 miles/3.5 km from previous stop)–This is right by the Porto airport. AirPorto Hostel here is highly rated.
  • Barranha (0.9 miles/1.5 km from previous stop)–From here onward, the roads started to get a bit quieter.
  • Vilar do Pinheiro (0.5 miles/0.8 km from previous stop)
  • Mosteiró (0.9 miles/1.4 km from previous stop)–Casa dos Caminhos de Santiago albergue is highly rated.
  • Gião – Joudina (2.4 miles/3.8 km from previous stop)–Gião has its own stamp sitting out alongside the road for pilgrims. Doce Gião is a nice cafe with sandwiches, soups, and more.
  • Igreja (1.2 miles/2 km from previous stop)
  • Tresval (1.2 miles/2 km from previous stop)
  • Crasto (1.2 miles/2 km from previous stop)

After Crasto, it’s 0.6 miles/1.0 km to Vairão.

*Note that throughout this article, I’ve listed all the places you’ll pass through according to the Wise Pilgrim app (Apple | Android). This does not mean every town will have a place for you to necessarily stop and spend the night or get food.

Guide to Vairão

Yellow arrow pointing left on a stone wall with a vineyard in the background and mountain in the distance.
The views definitely started getting better during stage 2 on the Camino Portugués Central route.

Stage 2: Vairão to Barcelinhos

Official Distance: 17.6 miles (28.3 km)

Elevation Gain: 1,639.0 ft (499.6 m)

Elevation Loss: 1,780.8 ft (542.8 m)

This stretch along the Central route continues to be a little urban but less so than the first day. While there are some sections of road walking, you’ll spend some time walking in tranquil forests and through small villages.

Many guidebooks suggest staying in Barcelos, but I found more albergue options in the nearby Barcelinhos. It’s a good idea to book ahead there as there aren’t loads of places to stay.

The two towns are right next to each other, so feel free to look at accommodation options in each. No matter where you stay, I recommend spending some time walking around both places.

You’ll often see a rooster symbol throughout Portugal, and that symbol originates in Barcelos. It turns out there was a supposed miracle where a pilgrim was wrongly accused of theft and sentenced to death. He predicted that a roasted rooster would come to life and crow to affirm his innocence.

As the man was hanged, the rooster did exactly that. It was discovered that the man survived the hanging due to a poorly made knot, and he was freed.

Puente de Ave bridge crossing over a river on the Camino Portugués Central route in the early morning light.
The Camino Portugués Central route is hundreds of years old. You’ll encounter numerous historic bridges and buildings like this all along the trail.

Stops Along the Way

  • Vilarinho (0.9 miles/1.5 km from previous stop)–Casa da Laura albergue is highly recommended if you can get a reservation.
  • Puente de Ave (1.1 miles/1.7 km from previous stop)–Here you cross a river over a stunning stone bridge that’s at least 800 years old.
  • São Mamede (2.4 miles/3.8 km from previous stop)
  • São Miguel de Arcos (1.6 miles/2.5 km from previous stop)–Café Barbosa is a great place to stop for breakfast. It was the first cafe I saw open when I hiked this stretch.
  • São Pedro de Rates (2.1 miles/3.4 km from previous stop)–This is where some pilgrims switch from the Coastal to the Central route and vice versa. The Albergue de Peregrinos here is well rated. After leaving the town, keep an eye out for the Parque Santiago Macieira de Rates with its large rooster statue and picnic tables for a place to rest.
  • Pedra Furada (4.0 miles/6.5 km from previous stop)
  • Góios (1.1 miles/1.7 km from previous stop)–This town is a bit bigger and has a pharmacy, supermarket, and some restaurants. It seemed pretty busy when I walked through.
  • Pereira (1.2 miles/1.9 km from previous stop)
  • Carvalhal (1.4 miles/2.3 km from previous stop)–This town has a supermarket and a pharmacy.
  • Chapel of Santa Cruz (0.8 miles/1.3 km from previous stop)

After the Chapel of Santa Cruz, it’s 1.1 miles/1.7 km to Barcelinhos.

View of a bridge over a river and Barcelos taken from Barcelinhos while on the Camino Portugués Central route.
View of Barcelos taken from Barcelinhos. These two towns are right next to each other, connected by this bridge.

Guide to Barcelinhos

Blue azulejo tiles with a painting of Saint James and vineyards and mountains in the background along the Camino Portugués Central route.
Walking through Facha, you’ll see this image of Saint James painted on beautiful blue azulejo tiles that are common in northern Portugal.

Stage 3: Barcelinhos to Ponte de Lima

Official Distance: 21.1 miles (34.0 km)

Elevation Gain: 1,871.5 ft (570.4 m)

Elevation Loss: 1,791.2 ft (546.0 m)

This is the first day on the Central route where the scenery really starts to get less urban and much more picturesque in my opinion. You walk by many vineyards, small villages, and farms. There are views of mountains in the distance at times.

Ponte de Lima is considered Portugal’s oldest town. It’s beautiful sitting along a large river with a medieval Roman bridge and a tree-lined walkway as you enter the town. It could be a good place to take a rest day if you have the time and want to take a break.

Yellow arrow on a stone wall pointing the way ahead underneath a trellis with vines and yellow flowers and a mountain in the background.
While hiking the Camino Portugués Central route in May, I saw loads of these lovely yellow flowers all along the route.

Stops Along the Way

  • Barcelos (0.5 miles/0.8 km from previous stop)–There are a few hotels here. Hotel Bagoeira and Flag Hotel Barcelos are some of the more affordable hotel options.
  • Vila Boa (1.7 miles/2.8 km from previous stop)
  • Lijó (1.5 miles/2.4 km from previous stop)–Café Arantes is a nice place to stop for breakfast or a snack.
  • Portela de Tamel (2.6 miles/4.2 km from previous stop)–Casa da Recoleta/Albergue de S. Pedro Fins is a highly rated municipal albergue here.
  • Aborim (0.8 miles/1.3 km from previous stop)
  • Quintiães (1.1 miles/1.8 km from previous stop)–Check out the bakery Rosa Cintilante for breakfast or a snack.
  • Puente das Tábuas (0.8 miles/1.3 km from previous stop)
  • Balugães (0.7 miles/1.1 km from previous stop)
  • Lugar do Corgo (2.7 miles/4.4 km from previous stop)–I highly recommend staying at Casa da Fernanda if you can get a reservation. It’s known as one of the best albergues on all the Caminos. You may need to call weeks or even months in advance to book it: +351 914 589 521.
  • Vitorino Dos Piães (1.5 miles/2.4 km from previous stop)–Casa Sagres is a nice albergue in town. I almost stayed here until I decided to continue farther to stay with my friend.
  • Portela (0.6 miles/0.9 km from previous stop)
  • Facha (2.2 miles/3.6 km from previous stop)–The Wise Pilgrim app acts like visiting this village adds extra distance, but this is the way I went when following the arrows. It’s beautiful, so it’s worth it even if it truly adds extra distance!
  • Sobreiro (1.1 miles/1.8 km from previous stop)
  • Paço (1.8 miles/2.9 km from previous stop)
  • Pedrosa (0.2 miles/0.3 km from previous stop)–In this small village, I passed a house that had a stamp and some drinks and snacks with an honesty box for pilgrims.

After Pedrosa, it’s 1.7 miles/2.7 km to Ponte de Lima.

A boat race taking place on the river with an old stone bridge and church visible in the distance in Ponte de Lima along the Camino Portugués Central route.
There happened to be a boat race and a festival going on when I visited Ponte de Lima. It seemed like such a cool town, and I wish I’d had more energy to explore!

Guide to Ponte de Lima

Hiking down from the Alto da Portelo, the highest point on the Camino Portugués Central route with a dirt road inclined downwards, trees around it, and a mountain peeking through clouds in the distance.
The best hiking trails on the Central route are shortly before Rubiães when you hike up and down from Alto da Portelo, the highest point on the route. It’s challenging but worth it! Hopefully you get better views and weather than me.

Stage 4: Ponte de Lima to Rubiães

Official Distance: 11.1 miles (17.9 km)

Elevation Gain: 2,034.8 ft (620.2 m)

Elevation Loss: 1,608.3 ft (490.2 m)

The hike from Ponte de Lima to Rubiães is arguably the most beautiful stretch on the Camino Portugués Central route, but it’s also the most challenging. It’s the first day where you get to walk on a proper hiking trail in the woods for a while as you approach the highest point on this route.

The trail gets quite steep and rocky in some sections, so keep that in mind. If you’re putting together your packing list for the journey, then I definitely recommend bringing hiking poles.

The challenge is doable though and honestly a little fun. If it hadn’t poured rain when I walked this section, then I think it would’ve absolutely been my favorite day on this Camino.

Rocky steep uphill section of trail in a forest on the Camino Portugués Central route.
The highest point on the Camino Portugués Central, Alto da Portelo, requires hiking up over 1,000 ft (300 m).

Stops Along the Way

  • Arcozelo (2.0 miles/3.2 km from previous stop)–Café Veiga is known to have a great breakfast.
  • Ponte da Geira (0.6 miles/0.9 km from previous stop)
  • Arco – Revolta (2.3 miles/3.7 km from previous stop)
  • Labruja (1.4 miles/2.3 km from previous stop)–Some people stay in this town. This is the last place to stop for a bite to eat until after the big incline, so keep that in mind. The cafe called Início Subida Labruja on Google Maps is quite popular.
  • Bandeira (0.4 miles/0.6 km from previous stop)–Shortly after this village, the path turns into a proper hiking trail with some rocky sections and steep inclines in a forest.
  • Alto da Portelo (1.3 miles/2.1 km from previous stop)–This is the highest point on the Camino Portugués Central route. To reach this point, you hike up over 1,000 ft (300 m) of elevation gain.
  • Agualonga (1.6 miles/2.5 km from previous stop)–Stop at Roulote Bar for a snack or a drink on your way down from the Alto da Portelo.
  • São Roque (0.7 miles/1.2 km from previous stop)

After São Roque, it’s 0.7 miles/1.2 km to Rubiães.

Guide to Rubiães

Moss covered cobblestone path through a lush green forest on the Camino Portugués Central route leaving Rubiães.
Northern Portugal and Galicia are known to be quite rainy so you can expect to walk through so many lush green forests like this along the way.

Stage 5: Rubiães to Valença

Official Distance: 10.3 miles (16.5 km)

Elevation Gain: 837.8 ft (255.4 m)

Elevation Loss: 1,214.1 ft (370.1 m)

Much of this hike goes through tranquil forests and alongside farms and vineyards. As you approach Valença, it starts to get more urban.

If you’re planning on walking farther than Valença, make sure to take a detour west on your way out through the city so you can see its spectacular old fortress–it’s one of the coolest stops along this Camino and you don’t want to miss it! There’s a Camino route that passes through it, but the main route bypasses it.

The fortress was built in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Portuguese used it back in the day to protect the town and keep an eye on their enemy–Spain–right across the river.

Many people continue on to Tui, but Valença is worth considering for your stop instead because of its unique old town within the fortress. I personally really enjoyed having extra time to explore in Valença, and I LOVED my albergue there.

Yellow arrow pointing the way forward along the Camino Portugués Central route through an opening in the old fortress walls in Valença, Portugal.
Valença’s old town is enclosed by a fortress. To enter the old town, you get to walk through the old fortress walls like this one here. This was hands down the coolest place I visited on this Camino, and I’m so glad I spent a night there.

Stops Along the Way

  • Ponte Romano (0.6 miles/0.9 km from previous stop)–Here you cross over a cool bridge originally built by the Romans.
  • Pecene (1.6 miles/2.6 km from previous stop)
  • São Bento da Porta Aberta (0.4 miles/0.7 km from previous stop)–Visit Café Castro for divine pastel de nata and other breakfast food. There’s a beautiful church here too, but it wasn’t open when I passed through.
  • Gontumil (0.8 miles/1.3 km from previous stop)
  • Fontoura (1.1 miles/1.8 km from previous stop)–There are a few cafes, places to stay, and an ATM here.
  • Paços (1.4 miles/2.2 km from previous stop)–People say Albergue Quinta Estrada Romana here is one of their favorites.
  • Ponte da Pedreira (0.6 miles/1.0 km from previous stop)
  • Tuído (1.4 miles/2.3 km from previous stop)–North of town, A Toca is a popular spot to stop for a quick bite or a drink.
  • Arão (0.9 miles/1.5 km from previous stop)–Contrasta is a good spot to stop for a quick bite.

After Arão, it’s 1.4 miles/2.2 km to Valença.

Fortress in Valença covered in lush green grass with a view of Tui and mountains over the river in the distance.
Even if you don’t stay in Valença, you absolutely have to spend some time exploring this fortress in the old town. I loved this view with Tui visible in the distance across the river.

Guide to Valença

Dirt path running through a forest with tall green trees ahead and a mossy wall of dirt to the left along the Camino Portugués Central route outside of Tui.
After leaving Tui, you walk in and out of a forest for a little while.

Stage 6: Valença to Mos (Crossing Into Spain)

Official Distance: 15.9 miles (25.6 km)

Elevation Gain: 1,308.4 ft (398.8 m)

Elevation Loss: 1,224.9 ft (373.3 m)

As you leave Valença from the old town, you’ll pass through the old fortress walls and then walk on a bridge inspired by the Eiffel Tower to cross over the river into Spain. Walk on the right side of the bridge for the best views.

Keep in mind that Spain is an hour ahead of Portugal, so you’re going to experience a time change that may feel a little jarring. My cell phone time actually changed early while I was still in Valença, which was a little confusing.

After crossing the bridge, you’ll walk through Tui, including its old medieval center. You’ll get a little time in nature after that, but then there’s a stretch where you’re walking alongside a road for a while before the trail enters the woods.

Note that after reaching Tui, you’re supposed to collect at least two stamps per day if you want to get a Compostela certificate at the end of your journey.

Most hikers walk to O Porriño or Redondela, but I recommend you consider stopping in Mos instead. It’s a charming little mountain village and helps break up the hills on the way to Redondela.

View from the top of a stone staircase with old stone buildings on both sides of the stairs and road ahead with green trees and misty clouds in the distance in Tui, Spain along the Camino Portugues Central route.
Walking through Tui’s old medieval center. Tui is the first place you walk through after crossing into Spain.

Stops Along the Way

  • Tui (1.6 miles/2.6 km from previous stop)–This is the first stop in Spain.
  • Virxe do Camiño (2.0 miles/3.2 km from previous stop)
  • Ribadelouro (2.5 miles/4.0 km from previous stop)–Before entering the town, you’ll see a marker memorializing where San Telmo, patron saint of Tui, allegedly passed away during his pilgrimage in 1251. In the town, Café/Bar Xarden is a lovely spot to stop for breakfast.
  • Orbenlle (0.8 miles/1.3 km from previous stop)–The trail splits here. I recommend taking the left route as it goes more through the woods whereas the other path is very urban and industrial for about 3 miles/5 km).
  • Centeáns (2.2 miles/3.5 km from previous stop)
  • O Porriño (3.0 miles/4.9 km from previous stop)–There are a bunch of accommodation options and some people stop for the night here. Restaurante Paso a Nivel is a good cafe for a quick bite to eat in the city center. Cafe Bar Pasiño a Pasiño north of the city looks good too.
  • Ameirolongo – Fonte do Chan (1.1 miles/1.8 km from previous stop)
  • Veigadaña (1.0 miles/1.6 km from previous stop)

After Veigadaña, it’s 1.7 miles/2.7 km to Mos.

View of the small mountain town of Mos with buildings down below on the left along the street, tall green trees on the right, and mountains in the distance.
Mos has such a charm to it, and I think it’s such an underrated place to stop! Most pilgrims just walk through, but I really enjoyed staying here.

Guide to Mos

Mikala wearing a jacket and hat and holding her hiking poles while smiling with a river and mountains in the background.
After Cesantes, you’ll hike up some steep inclines and get rewarded with this awesome view of the nearby river.

Stage 7: Mos to Pontevedra

Official Distance: 18.3 miles (29.4 km)

Elevation Gain: 2,057.0 ft (627.0 m)

Elevation Loss: 2,230.6 ft (679.9 m)

This is another one of my favorite stretches along the Camino Portugués Central. There’s a lot of uphill, but it pays off with spectacular views of the nearby river as you walk through the woods. You also hike through some lovely towns, cross over a medieval bridge, and pass by homes with handmade Camino goods for sale.

There is quite a bit of road walking for portions of this stage, but many of the roads tend to be fairly quiet.

You may notice the path gets busier after you reach Redondela. That’s because the Camino Portugués Coastal route joins the Central here. However, most folks who walked the Coastal route will be starting from Redondela, so if you reach the city later in the day, you might miss most of them.

If you want to avoid crowds from this point onward, I recommend staying more off stage or taking the Spiritual Variant after Pontevedra. Staying off stage means staying in places that aren’t recommended stops in guidebooks and, thus, tend to be a bit quieter.

Clearing in the forest filled with tents and pilgrims at A Parada do Camiño, where they sell some drinks and snacks.
After hiking up some rocky inclines as you near Cacheiro, you’ll be rewarded with this unexpected stop in the forest, A Parada do Camiño. It’s the perfect spot to sit in the shade and enjoy a drink or snack.

Stops Along the Way

  • Santiaguiño das Antas (1.9 miles/3.1 km from previous stop)
  • Saxamonde (1.7 miles/2.8 km from previous stop)–As you approach Saxamonde, you’ll get some beautiful mountain views. Be careful as you approach Saxamonde as the road into town has a really steep downhill. For a nice breakfast, check out Cafe Corisco.
  • Redondela (2.1 miles/3.3 km from previous stop)–Many pilgrims spend the night here after Valença/Tui or O Porriño. This is where the Coastal route meets the Central route, so you can expect it to get busier. Don Vinarius good spot to stop for a quick bite.
  • Cesantes (2.2 miles/3.5 km from previous stop)–After leaving Cesantes, you’ll get to a point where you have to cross over a major highway at a crosswalk. After a short while, you’ll turn onto a side road and there’s a nice park called Parque Loureiro with picnic tables and shade.
  • Arcade (2.4 miles/3.9 km from previous stop)–This is a lovely town by the water that could be a nice place to spend a night. Sunset Bar and Coffee is a good spot to stop for a quick bite or a drink. On your way out of the town, stop in the Camiño dos Soños store–they have one of the coolest Camino stamps and sell drinks and items to help you remember the Camino.
  • Pontesampaio (0.9 miles/1.5 km from previous stop)–You get to cross over a cool medieval bridge to enter this town. As you walk through the town, keep an eye out for tables residents have set out to sell Camino shells, pins, and more.
  • Cacheiro (1.2 miles/1.9 km from previous stop)–On your way to Cacheiro, the path gets a bit rocky and has some uphill sections. Take a break at a stop with some tents in the woods called A Parada do Camiño. They sell drinks, snacks, and some Camino items there, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet their sweet little dogs Frida and Leia.
  • O Pobo – Santa Marta (3.2 miles/5.2 km from previous stop)–South of O Pobo, you can take a short detour off the route for Bar Casa Fermín, which has great bocadillos and other food options. Shortly before you reach O Pobo, the trail splits–the left option is longer but much lovelier as it follows a stream through a forest for much of the way to Pontevedra whereas the other way follows semi-busy roads.
  • Casal do Río (0.2 miles/0.4 km from previous stop)
  • Lusquiños (0.6 miles/0.9 km from previous stop)
  • O Marco (0.4 miles/0.7 km from previous stop)

After O Marco, it’s 1.4 miles/2.2 km to Pontevedra.

Mikala smiling with her hiking poles and backpack standing in front of the main church in Pontevedra on the Camino Portugués Central route.
Leaving the beautiful Pontevedra the next day. Apparently Pontevedra has the second most important historical center in the region after Santiago de Compostela!

Guide to Pontevedra

Check out this guide to learn even more about this special city on the Portuguese Way.

Paved road on the Camino Portugués Central alongside some green grass with trees on the left and in the distance ahead with several pilgrims walking.
Like most routes, the last 100 km of the Camino Portugués Central can get quite crowded, especially after the Coastal route joins the Central in Redondela.

Stage 8: Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis

Official Distance: 13.0 miles (21.0 km)

Elevation Gain: 3,361.2 ft (1,024.5 m)

Elevation Loss: 4,165.7 ft (1,269.7 m)

Note: Shortly after leaving Pontevedra, you have the option to continue along the Central route or divert onto the Spiritual Variant, also known as the Variante Espiritual.

The Spiritual Variant includes a boat ride that follows the path the remains of Saint James were allegedly brought into Galicia. I found this route to be a great option for avoiding crowds, and the scenery reminded me of my favorite parts of both the Central and Coastal Portuguese routes. It can be a great option if you can’t decide between the Central and Coastal routes or if you want to avoid crowds.

This article covers the stages for staying on the Central route, but you can learn more about the Spiritual Variant in this separate article.

You’ll spend much of this day walking through the woods and along quiet roads passing farms and vineyards. The scenery is quite nice, but it’s often quite crowded.

I personally found myself feeling a little frustrated at times during this walk. I’m usually pretty relaxed and it takes a lot to bother me, but there were just SO many people and some of them gave me a weird look and ignored me when I told them “Buen Camino”…

Mikala smiling in a selfie on a clear sunny day hiking along a dirt path through vineyards on the Camino Portugués Central route.
Hiking alongside vineyards near Briallos on the Camino Portugués Central route.

Stops Along the Way

  • Alba (2.4 miles/3.9 km from previous stop)
  • San Caetano (0.4 miles/0.6 km from previous stop)
  • Leborei (0.4 miles/0.6 km from previous stop)
  • O Castrado (0.5 miles/0.8 km from previous stop)
  • San Amaro (1.8 miles/2.9 km from previous stop)–A Pousada do Peregrino is an adorable cafe here that’s worth a stop.
  • A PortelaBarro (0.6 miles/0.9 km from previous stop)–This is an optional detour that adds some extra distance but is worth it for waterfall views. Keep a close eye on your map though as it’s not well marked from the road and I unfortunately missed it myself.
  • Briallos (4.2 miles/6.8 km from previous stop)–Oasis is a great place to stop for a quick bite to eat just south of Briallos. Albergue de Peregrinos de Briallos is highly rated.
  • Tivó (1.8 miles/2.9 km from previous stop)–Just south of Tivó, visit O Cuberto for a quick bite to eat.

After Tivó, it’s 1.2 miles/1.9 km to Caldas de Reis.

River full of green busges and long river grasses with green trees along a wall on the other side in Caldas de Reis on the Camino Portugués Central route.
As you enter Caldas de Reis, you’ll walk along a bridge to cross this river.

Guide to Caldas de Reis

View of tall green trees, a few houses, and mountains in the distance on a semi-cloudy morning in Santa Mariña de Carracedo on the Camino Portugués Central route.
Lovely views leaving Santa Mariña de Carracedo early in my hike on this stage.

Stage 9: Caldas de Reis to A Escravitude

Official Distance: 15.2 miles (24.5 km)

Elevation Gain: 1,488.1 ft (453.6 m)

Elevation Loss: 1,278.0 ft (389.5 m)

This day involves a lot of walking through small villages and the woods until you get close to Padrón, where it starts to get more urban.

Padrón is a beautiful city except for the chemical plant that kind of ruins the otherwise lovely views… The church along the Camino route in Padrón is worth a visit because you can see the granite pillar where the boat that allegedly brought Saint James’s remains had docked.

Some pilgrims choose to stop in Padrón, but I didn’t want such a long day walking to Santiago the next day, so I decided to go farther down the trail.

Past Padrón, you walk alongside some busy roads, including a major highway for a while, but the section when you turn off the highway was one of my absolute FAVORITES. You walk along narrow winding roads with stone walls as you pass through small little villages.

In A Escravitude, I spent the night at one of the nicest albergues I’ve ever visited. It’s a new albergue having opened in spring 2025. It has a lovely courtyard with a pool, beds have curtains and outlets, and there are food and drinks that you can buy there.

River with trees and docks in Pontecesures on the left and a chemical factory in Padrón on the right.
I took this photo from the bridge that connects Pontecesures with Aduana and Padrón. On the left you can see the docks where boats following the Spiritual Variant bring pilgrims back to the Central route. On the right is a chemical factory that ruins the otherwise lovely views in the Padrón area.

Stops Along the Way

  • Santa Mariña de Carracedo (3.2 miles/5.2 km from previous stop)–Café-Bar Esperon is a great breakfast spot–they even have egg dishes. It’s likely to be pretty busy with pilgrims, so keep that in mind.
  • Casalderrique (1.1 miles/1.8 km from previous stop)–Fogar do Peregrino here is a nice cafe option.
  • O Pino (Valga) (1.6 miles/2.5 km from previous stop)–Albergue de Peregrinos de O Pino – Valga is highly rated.
  • San Miguel de Valga (1.4 miles/2.3 km from previous stop)–There are two highly rated bars here that both look to have great food options.
  • Pontecesures (2.1 miles/3.3 km from previous stop)–This is where pilgrims who take the boat via the Spiritual Variant rejoin the Central route.
  • Herbón (1.7 miles/2.7 km from previous stop)–This is an optional detour that adds some distance, but I’ve heard the albergue at the Monastery of Herbón is incredible and really worth it. I want to check it out next time I do the Portugués.
  • Aduana (0.9 miles/1.4 km from Pontecesures)–Right after the bridge, A Ponte do Peregrino is a great cafe for a quick bite.
  • Padrón (1.2 miles/1.9 km from Aduana, 1.9 miles/3.0 km from Herbón)–In the city center, visit Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol de Padrón to see the pillar where legend says the boat that brought the remains of Saint James docked. Many pilgrims spend the night in Padrón, and there are lots of places to stay.
  • Iria Flavia (0.6 miles/0.9 km from previous stop)
  • Pazos (1.2 miles/2.0 km from previous stop)–Cafeteria Camiño Portugues is a good spot for a quick bite or a drink. In this area, you’ll walk alongside a busy highway for a bit, but don’t worry, it doesn’t last too long!
  • Rueiro (0.4 miles/0.6 km from previous stop)
  • Tarrio (0.6 miles/0.9 km from previous stop)
  • Vilar (0.6 miles/0.9 km from previous stop)

After Vilar, it’s 0.5 miles/0.8 km to A Escravitude.

Guide to A Escravitude

Mikala standing on one leg with the other lifted in the air and both arms in the air with her mouth open in a big smile in front of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
10 days later, I made it to Santiago de Compostela and finished my second Camino de Santiago, this time along the Central Portuguese Way.

Stage 10: A Escravitude to Santiago de Compostela

Official Distance: 11.1 miles (17.8 km)

Elevation Gain: 1,554.8 ft (473.9 m)

Elevation Loss: 770.8 ft (234.9 m)

This final stretch of the route goes through the woods a bit, but you do spend a lot of time hiking through suburbs of Santiago de Compostela. There are a few uphill stretches as well.

As you enter Santiago’s old town, the Camino Portugués takes you through a different way than the Francés to the cathedral. This means you don’t get to walk by the bagpiper that often plays in the alcove on the way to the cathedral on the northern side where pilgrims hiking the Francés enter.

After you arrive in Santiago de Compostela, take some time to soak up the moment in the cathedral square. You may want to stop by the pilgrim’s office to pick up your Compostela certificate for completing the trek, and you may also want to visit the cathedral for pilgrim’s mass and to give the Saint James statue a hug (I’m serious! It’s a thing!).

Steep hill on a gravel road with two pilgrims in the distance and trees on the right side on the Camino Portugués on the last day to Santiago de Compostela.
There are some sneaky hills on the last day on the Central route heading into Santiago de Compostela. This hill is the worst of them.

Stops Along the Way

  • Angueira de Suso (1.2 miles/1.9 km from previous stop)–People say great things about the albergue Camiño da Vieira here.
  • Areal (0.4 miles/0.7 km from previous stop)
  • Picaraña (0.2 miles/0.4 km from previous stop)
  • O Faramello (0.8 miles/1.3 km from previous stop)–Lar, Breakfast & Meals is a decent spot to stop for a quick bite.
  • Rúa de Francos (0.6 miles/0.9 km from previous stop)
  • Osebe – Casalonga – Pedreira (0.9 miles/1.4 km from previous stop)
  • A Grela (2.4 miles/3.9 km from previous stop)
  • O Milladoiro (0.4 miles/0.6 km from previous stop)–If you want a shorter last day on the Camino, I highly recommend stopping at Albergue Milladoiro here. I stayed there when I did the Spiritual Variant. It often fills up well in advance, so be sure to book ahead here. For a quick bite to eat, stop at O Camiño Milladoiro.

After O Milladoiro, it’s 4.2 miles/6.7 km to Santiago de Compostela.

Guide to Santiago de Compostela

Camino de Santiago trail marker with shell and arrow pointing right to the road on the Camino Portugués Central route with trees in the distance.
Trail marker guiding the way along the Camino Portugués Central route. The trail markers don’t look like this for the entire way, but for the most part, you can expect to see some kind of yellow arrow or shell marking the way throughout the Central route.

Conclusion: Stages for the Camino Portugués Central Route

There you have it! I hope you find this article helpful as you think about your Portuguese Camino Central route stages. Let this article be your guide, but don’t be afraid to make adjustments along the way based on what you want to get out of your journey!

Download Portuguese Camino Central Route Stages PDF

Want a condensed version of this 10-day Camino Portugués Central route itinerary that you can save and print out? Enter your name and email below to download it. This PDF also includes stages for the Spiritual Variant and the Coastal route.

Read About the Best Albergues on the Portuguese Camino Routes

Learn more about some of the best albergues along the Camino Portugués Central route based on my experience walking solo.

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Collage that says "Portuguese Camino Central Route From Porto to Santiago de Compostela" and shows images of a hiker at Porto Cathedral, a monastery, a fortress, and an image of Saint James.
Collage that says, "Camino Portugués Central in 10 Days From Porto" and shoes a Camino trail marker pointing the way down a road with trees in the distance and an image of two feet in trail running shoes next to a yellow camino shell printed on a sidewalk.
Collage that says, "Guide to the Central Route on the Portuguese Way" and shows images of a backpack at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, a horse grazing in a field, a stone path through the forest, and a hiker looking out at views from a road.

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