Portuguese Camino Coastal Route Stages from Porto for 2025

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Planning to hike the Portuguese Camino Coastal route but not sure where to stop—or even what to expect? Whether you’re prepping your stages or still deciding if this Camino is for you, you’re in the right place.

I walked the Portuguese Camino Coastal route solo in May 2025. It was my third Camino, and I left feeling absolutely blown away by the stunning ocean views along the whole route.

In this guide to the Portuguese Camino Coastal route stages (starting from Porto), I’ll share not just the distance and elevation for each stage, but also recommendations on places to stay, where to eat, and things to do all along the way.

My walking stages are for 12 days, but even if you’re planning more or fewer, I’ve built this article to be flexible and helpful either way. You’ll find alternate stopping points throughout so you can make this walk your own.

Mikala standing on a dirt path with her backpack and hiking poles looking away from the camera back towards a mountain and town in the distance. — Views like this along the Coastal route made it my favorite of the two Portuguese routes. I loved the almost constant ocean views mixed in with small mountains and little coastal villages.

Camino Portugués Coastal Route Overview

For anyone looking for ocean views, the Camino Portugués Coastal route is a great choice. When compared to the Portuguese Central route or the Camino Francés, the Coastal route is the only one that offers magnificent views of the vibrant blue-green ocean.

Here’s an overview of the route:

Total distance: 170 miles (274 km)
Average days to complete: 12-15 days
Total elevation gain: 17,007 ft (5,184 m)
Number of pilgrims who finished this route in 2024: 74,758 (15.3% of all pilgrims)
Most popular starting points: 1) Porto (30%), 2) Vigo (20%), 3) Baiona (12%)

Portuguese Camino Coastal Route Stages Map

As you can see in the map above, the Portuguese Camino Coastal route stages start in Porto, Portugal, traveling north near the coast. After Vigo, the route cuts inland where it joins the Portuguese Camino Central route in Redondela, Spain.

Along the way, there are also opportunities to walk along the Senda Litoral, or Litoral Way (more on that below).

Hiking along the Litoral Way in A Guarda after taking the boat over from Caminha. I decided to take this stretch of the Senda Litoral instead of the Coastal route per a recommendation by my albergue the night before.

What is the Litoral Way in Portugal?

Before we dive into the route stages, it’s important to note that there’s a second route that hikers along the Portuguese Coastal Camino route can choose to walk along: the Litoral Way, also known as the Senda Litoral.

The Litoral Way more closely hugs the coastline, whereas the Camino Portugués Coastal–in spite of its name–sometimes runs more inland.

For much of the way, the Litoral Way is joined with the Coastal route. However, every so often, it will branch off from the main Coastal route for several kilometers before rejoining it again.

For the most part, the routes aren’t separated long enough for you to have to worry about planning your stages any differently. You can more so just take a look at the map before you walk each day and make a decision in the moment.

The Senda Litoral, however, does tend to be slightly longer than the Coastal route of the Portuguese Way, so keep that in mind as you think about your stages. If you plan to always choose the Senda Litoral, then you may want to stop in earlier towns given the longer distance.

Mikala smiling in a selfie along the Douro River leaving Porto as she starts her 12 day Portuguese Camino route stages. — Stage 1 of the Coastal route involves following the river out of the city until you meet the ocean. The road you walk alongside is quite busy, but the views are lovely!

Starting Point for the Camino Portugués Coastal

The Coastal route starts in Porto, Portugal. Like the Camino Portugués Central, the Coastal route starts at the Sé Cathedral in Porto, but instead of traveling more inland, you follow the river out to the coast.

This way out of Porto is technically the Litoral Way, but it’s become so popular that some maps may show it as the Coastal route. Everyone I know who started along the coast took the Litoral Way out of Porto first before joining the Coastal route.

Porto, designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO, offers much to do and is worth spending a few days exploring before the Camino if you have the time.

You don’t have to start from Porto though. The beauty of the Camino is you can really start wherever you want, so feel free to skip on ahead in this article if you’re not starting in Porto.

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

As Portugal’s second largest city, Porto has a decent sized airport. Flying there is the easiest option, but as you look at flights, take a look at Lisbon’s airport as well in case you can get a better deal. From Lisbon, you can take the train or bus up to Porto.

➡️ Book train tickets here.

➡️ Book bus tickets here.

I myself have taken the bus from Lisbon to Porto and found it to be pretty easy to navigate and fairly 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

Porto has so many places to stay and, honestly, I’ve been pretty disappointed with a lot of my stays there before. It can be hard to sift through everything and find something that’s a good deal and good quality. Here are some options I recommend based on my experiences and talking with others:

📍Budget Option: Albergue de Peregrinos Porto is a little farther from the Porto cathedral, but it’s a highly rated albergue and probably one of the best deals you can find in the city.

📍Mid-Range Option: Porto Wine Hostel has both shared dorms and private rooms right in the city center. I stayed here before my Coastal Camino and loved it. It’s going to be my new go-to place to stay whenever I’m in Porto again.

📍Luxury Option: Torel Avantgarde offers a truly luxurious experience with its beautiful rooms and pool with views of the Douro River. If you want a really relaxing stay before starting your Camino, consider this hotel.

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 Camino Passport

You’ll want to carry a Camino passport with you, sometimes referred to as a pilgrim passport or credencial. This passport serves as proof that you’re a pilgrim, allowing you to stay in pilgrim-only accommodations along the way. It also provides proof of your journey if you want to get a Compostela certificate at the end to commemorate your experience.

In Porto, you can get your passport for 2 euros at the cathedral entrance ticket desk. Look for a line coming out of the white painted building with steps.

At the ticket desk, you can also purchase a scallop shell for 2 euros for your pack and a ticket to visit the cathedral for 3 euros. If you have the time, I highly recommend a visit to the cathedral. You can see some incredibly detailed blue painted azulejo tiles and even go up in one of the towers for spectacular views of the city.

Keep in mind that the line for the cathedral entrance can be long at times. I recommend buffering in some extra time to be safe. You may also consider going shortly before the cathedral closes as I found the line to be shorter as it got later in the day.

Here are the hours for the cathedral:

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

You have a few options when it comes to dealing with extra baggage before your Portuguese Coastal Camino. If you’ll be returning to Porto afterwards, you can store your luggage in the city.

I recommend Radical Storage for luggage storage. You can find locations all over Porto open at various hours. I personally used Radical Storage in New Zealand and had a great experience.

➡️ Book luggage storage in Porto here.

If you won’t be returning to Porto, then you should ship any extra baggage to Santiago de Compostela for you to pick up when you finish. For shipping ahead, I recommend Pilbeo. You can message them over WhatsApp to make a booking: +34 670 64 80 78.

Pilbeo makes the process really easy, picking up your luggage from your accommodation in Porto and then dropping it off at your accommodation in Santiago de Compostela. I coordinated everything with them over WhatsApp, and they were very responsive and helpful. To ship a large checked size suitcase and a small personal item-sized bag, it cost me €104.54.

Camino Portugués Coastal path stretching ahead through some grass with views of the ocean below and a trail marker next to the path. — Stage 6 is my favorite among the Portuguese Camino Coastal route stages with views like this of the water down below the path.

Portuguese Camino Coastal Route Stages for 12 Days

Most people complete this Camino in 12-14 days. I actually completed it in 14 days for a few reasons:

I took a rest day since it was my second Camino in a row (started just two days after finishing the Camino Portugués Central route in 10 days)
I did the Spiritual Variant, an alternate route between Pontevedra and Padrón, adding one more day

I’m not including those for the purposes of this article because I want to show you my walking stages for walking the standard Coastal route and then the Central route from Redondela onwards. I’ll be writing a separate article on the Spiritual Variant, so you can stay tuned for more info to come there!

Know that even if you think you may hike this route in shorter or longer time, this itinerary should still be helpful for you! By no means do you have to follow these stages exactly. Throughout this article, I’ve noted other locations where you could consider staying so you can use this to build your own itinerary.

Now let’s dive into the Portuguese Camino Coastal route stages for 12 days.

Mikala smiling in a selfie sitting along a bench next to the ocean where the river out of Porto meets the ocean. — From Porto on the Coastal route, you follow the river west until you reach the ocean.

Stage 1: Porto to Vila Chã

Official Distance: 16.2 miles (26.0 km)

Elevation Gain: 669.6 ft (204.1 m)

Elevation Loss: 851.1 ft (259.4 m)

Leaving any big city often means walking along busy roads for a while and Porto is no different. The plus side is that taking the Litoral Way out of the city to the Coastal route involves following the Douro River out of the city until it meets the ocean, meaning you at least have lovely views along the way.

Note that this route of the Portuguese Way out of Porto is not very well marked, so I definitely recommend downloading a Camino app with a map, like Wise Pilgrim or Buen Camino. I didn’t see a single Camino marker until I was almost in Matosinhos, about 6.6 miles (10.6 km) into my walk. That said, it is fairly easy to follow the river and then the coastline for a while.

Much of the way during this stage involves walking right along the coast next to a fairly busy road and through built up towns. The walking path tends to be busy along this stretch as well with many locals out walking along the route.

That night I stayed in the municipal albergue in Vila Chã, which turned out to be one of the nicest municipal albergues I’ve ever stayed in. Definitely don’t expect all municipal albergues to be this nice!

A coffee, toasted ham and cheese sandwich, and pastel de nata on a table with a view of the ocean along the Camino Portugués Coastal route. — On my first day, I had this lovely breakfast by the sea at iBar Praia do Aquário. It turned out it cost about double than what I usually paid, just because of the sea view. I didn’t often experience this on the Coastal route but did a few times. You gotta pay for the view I guess!

Stops Along the Way*

Foz do Douro (3.5 miles/5.7 km from previous stop)
Matosinhos (3.3 miles/5.3 km from previous stop)–South of Matosinhos, iBar Praia do Aquário is a cafe with incredible ocean views (be prepared to pay extra though). Some people take the metro out of Porto to Matosinhos and start the Camino here. Caruma Surf Hostel here is highly rated.
Boa Nova Lighthouse (2.4 miles/3.8 km from previous stop)
Obelisco da Memória (2.4 miles/3.9 km from previous stop)–This obelisk stands in memory of the place where King Pedro IV and 7,500 men in his army landed before traveling to Porto and putting the city under a siege to end the absolutist regime as part of the “War of the Two Brothers.”
Angeiras (2.3 miles/3.7 km from previous stop)–There are a number of great restaurants to stop for a bite in this fishing village.
Río Onda (0.7 miles/1.2 km from previous stop)
Labruge (0.1 miles/0.2 km from previous stop)–Some people stay here. People rave about Smiling Places guest house. There’s a large municipal albergue here as well with about 100 beds.
Castro de São Paio (0.7 miles/1.2 km from previous stop)

After Castro of Sampaio, it’s 0.7 miles/1.2 km to Vila Chã.

*Please note that in this article I’ve listed all the places you’ll pass through according to the Wise Pilgrim app (Apple | Android). This does not necessarily mean every place listed will have accommodations or places to get food.

Rainbow colored painted boat that says Vila Chã on the beach with the ocean in the background along the Camino Portugués Coastal route. — Vila Chã is a small beach town that some pilgrims choose to stop in for the first night.

Guide to Vila Chã

Where to Stay: Albergue São Mamede de Vila Chã (municipal albergue–shared rooms), Trendy Villas (private albergue–shared rooms), Mãe Maria House (guest house–shared and private rooms)
Where to Eat: Pizzaria Ardéchoise for pizza, Estaleiro for meat and seafood dishes
Things to Do: Visit the beach at Praia da Congreira

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Boardwalk on the Camino Portugués Coastal route stretching ahead with two pilgrims walking along it in the distance, sand dunes on both sides, and sunny clear blue skies above. — During stage 2, you follow boardwalks like this for much of the way, sometimes with views of the ocean but sometimes a little more inland.

Stage 2: Vila Chã to Aguçadoura

Official Distance: 11.2 miles (18.0 km)

Elevation Gain: 363.1 ft (110.7 m)

Elevation Loss: 365.5 ft (111.4 m)

Similar to the first day, you’ll continue up along the coast for much of the way. However, the path gets a bit quieter on this day as you get farther out from Porto.

There are a number of lovely boardwalks you walk along on this day. At one point I could hear a ton of frogs croaking. I stopped to listen and a sweet older Portuguese gentleman stopped to talk to me about the frogs—I didn’t really know what all he was saying, but he seemed really excited to tell me about them.

After Vila do Conde, you have the option of staying on the main route or diverting to the Senda Litoral, which follows more closely along the ocean. I stuck with the main route but wish I had taken the Senda Litoral because the main path was very urban for a while without much to see.

For the second day in a row, I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the municipal albergue here is. Note that it can fill up quickly sometimes, so you may want to make a reservation a couple days in advance by messaging them over WhatsApp: +351 962 601 239

Grassy area with two tall trees and buildings in the background in Vila do Conde along stage 2 of the Camino Portugués Coastal route. — Vila do Conde is a lovely place to stop for food or even spend the night on the Camino Portugués Coastal route.

Stops Along the Way

Mindelo (1.6 miles/2.5 km from previous stop)
Ávore (1.6 miles/2.5 km from previous stop)
Azurara (1.1 miles/1.8 km from previous stop)
Vila do Conde (0.5 miles/0.8 km from previous stop)–This is a cool town that some people choose to stay in–check out HI Vila do Conde. For a lovely breakfast, visit Humble Anchor Coffee Roasters. Note that this is one place where you can switch to the Central route.
Povoa de Varzim (2.4 miles/3.8 km from previous stop)–On your way to Povoa de Varzim from Vila do Conde, I recommend taking the Litoral Way instead of staying on the Coastal route. Povoa de Varzim is a popular beach vacation spot for the Portuguese. Casa Fragosa is a nice albergue right by the beach.
A Ver-O-Mar (2.4 miles/3.8 km from previous stop)
Santo André (1.1 miles/1.8 km from previous stop)

After Santo André, it’s 1.1 miles/1.7 km to Aguçadoura.

Guide to Aguçadoura

Where to Stay: Albergue de Aguçadoura
Where to Eat: Nortada Café for a quick bite, Café Maranhão for a pilgrim menu
Things to Do: Visit the beach at the Praia da Aguçadoura

Concrete pillar with a yellow arrow painted on it next to a cobblestone road running through the woods along the Camino Portugués Coastal route. — South of Apúlia, you have the option to continue along the Coastal route, which turns inland and goes through some wooded areas like this, or you can follow the Litoral Way along the coastline.

Stage 3: Aguçadoura to Esposende

Official Distance: 8.1 miles (13.0 km)

Elevation Gain: 966.6 ft (294.6 m)

Elevation Loss: 860.9 ft (262.4 m)

Day 3 has a nice change of scenery moving a bit more inland and into the woods for a bit. You can continue along the coast via the Litoral Way for this entire stage if you prefer, but I found the variety of landscapes to be refreshing, at least until my allergies started killing me and I switched back to the coastline.

Many people choose to walk a bit farther and stop in Marinhas. That was my initial plan, but as I looked into accommodation the night before, I didn’t find much that appeared available there.

Instead, I decided to stay in Esposende where I found such a lovely private albergue with a pool! It ended up being one of my favorite places I stayed on the route, so I’m glad I stopped there instead.

Boardwalk on the Camino Portugués Coastal route on the right side of the image stretching ahead with beaches and the ocean to the left. — Leaving Aguçadoura, you walk along boardwalks like this for a little bit.

Stops Along the Way

Apúlia (4.3 miles/7.0 km from previous stop)–South of Apúlia, you’ll have the option to continue on the Coastal route through the woods or to take the Litoral Way more closely along the coast. Both are quite nice. In Apúlia, Cafetaria Pão Quente Feliz is a good place to stop for breakfast.
Fão (2.3 miles/3.7 km from previous stop)–Family Coffee is a nice place to get a quick bite. People also rave about Café Sport.

After Fão, it’s 1.4 miles/2.3 km to Esposende.

Mikala's left hand holding a small Super Bock beer in front of a bright blue pool at Sea Soul albergue in Esposende along the Camino Portugués Coastal route. — I loved staying at Sea Soul in Esposende and enjoying this pool!

Guide to Esposende

Where to Stay: Sea Soul (private albergue with a pool–shared and private rooms), Hostel Eleven (private albergue–shared rooms), Esposende Guesthouse (guesthouse–private rooms)
Where to Eat: Salão de Chá e Pastelaria Rio Doce for a quick bite to eat, Marine Lounge for a meal or snack and craft beer
Things to Do: Visit the lighthouse

Wall on the left with a yellow arrow pointing left for the Camino Portugués Coastal route and a blue arrow pointing right for the Camino de Fátima with the Igreja Paroquial de Caastelo do Neiva church in the background on the right side. — Following arrows along the Camino Portugués Coastal route leaving Castelo do Neiva. Along the way, you sometimes see blue arrows pointing in the opposite direction for the Camino de Fátima. The Camino de Santiago arrows are always yellow.

Stage 4: Esposende to Viana do Castelo

Official Distance: 16.2 miles (26.0 km)

Elevation Gain: 1,253.7 ft (382.1 m)

Elevation Loss: 1,179.0 ft (359.4 m)

Initially I thought about doing the hike from Porto to Viana do Castelo in three days instead of four. The stages over four days were a little shorter at times. But then I thought, why rush?

I was tired from doing the Central Camino Portugués route before this and wanted to enjoy the coastline. I’m glad I did because walking along the coast here really is so lovely and it can be harder to enjoy if you have such long days.

On stage 4, there’s another change in scenery as you walk through many quiet villages with the ocean off in the distance. There are some stretches that go through the woods as well.

It all feels very tranquil until you got closer to Viana do Castelo and have to walk along some busy roads.

If you want an early rest day, Viana do Castelo could be a wonderful place to stop. There’s a lookout point up on a big hill with a church that’s supposed to be really nice. I really wanted to go up there but couldn’t muster the energy.

View of a village down below with the ocean in the distance and trees all around the buildings. — For much of the way on stage 4, you’re hiking a bit farther away from the ocean but sometimes get cool views of it in the distance like this.

Stops Along the Way

Marinhas (2.9 miles/4.7 km from previous stop)–Initially I had planned to stay here but a lot of accommodations were booked up already. Hostel Costa Selvagem is supposed to be a nice albergue.
Belinho (2.3 miles/3.7 km from previous stop)–Gato Guloso is a cute cafe with great food.
Antas (0.5 miles/0.8 km from previous stop)
Ponte do Sebastião (1.6 miles/2.6 km from previous stop)–From here it is possible to switch to the Litoral Way and follow the beach more closely, but this section is not well maintained and I’ve heard people recommend sticking to the regular Coastal route instead.
Castelo do Neiva (1.2 miles/1.9 km from previous stop)
Mosteiro de São Romão de Neiva (2.1 miles/3.4 km from previous stop)–This monastery looks really cool but didn’t appear open when I walked by.
Chafé (0.6 miles/1.0 km from previous stop)–Stop at Café/Pastelaria São Sebastião for a quick bite to eat. For a place to stay here, check out the highly rated Casa do Campo do Forno.
Anha (1.5 miles/2.4 km from previous stop)–Igreja Matriz da Paróquia de São Tiago is a nice church with some Camino imagery that you can pop into. Casa de Carolina is a nice place to stay here.
Ponte Eiffel (2.5 miles/4.0 km from previous stop)–This long bridge was designed by the maker of the Eiffel Tower. It can be quite busy with cars passing through and for me, it was slightly freaky as I’m scared of heights. The views are lovely though, and there is a sidewalk for pedestrians.

After Ponte Eiffel, it’s 0.9 miles/1.5 km to Viana do Castelo.

Ponte Eiffel bridge on the right leading into Viana do Castelo over bright blue green water and with the city in the distance built up on a big hill. — To enter Viana do Castelo, you have to walk over this bridge designed by the man who designed the Eiffel Tower. It provides really cool views of Viana do Castelo ahead and the surrounding water.

Guide to Viana do Castelo

Where to Stay: Albergue de Peregrinos Sao Joao dos Caminhos (municipal albergue–shared rooms), HI Viana do Castelo (private albergue–shared and private rooms), Hotel Fabrica do Chocolate (chocolate themed hotel–private rooms)
Where to Eat: Viana Aromáticas & etc for a menu of the day, O Pescador for seafood, Ribeiro’s Brewers for craft beer
Things to Do: Take a cable car to the Miradouro de Santa Luzia for spectacular views of the city and ocean, visit the old fortress Forte de Santiago de Barra, enjoy the beach at Praia do Coral

Narrow cobblestone path on the Camino Portugués Coastal route with stone walls on both sides and lush green plants growing in the path and overhead. — After leaving Viana do Castelo on the Coastal route, you navigate through a number of small villages, many with cool stone walls along the path like this.

Stage 5: Viana do Castelo to Caminha

Official Distance: 17.4 miles (28.0 km)

Elevation Gain: 1,342.2 ft (409.1 m)

Elevation Loss: 1,359.4 ft (414.3 m)

It takes a few miles to get out of the busy Viana do Castelo, but once you do, it’s quite a lovely walk. You’ll find yourself meandering through small villages with views of the ocean off in the distance if you stay on the Coastal route.

Alternatively, you can take the Litoral Way along the coastline all the way to Vila Praia de Âncora, and I’ve heard it’s quite nice.

There aren’t very many places to stop along the Coastal route, especially earlier in the day, so if you see somewhere, I recommend stopping and getting something to eat.

Once you reach Vila Praia de Âncora, you’ll follow the coastline for a bit again until spending the last few miles alongside a busy road into Caminha.

If you’re getting into Caminha in the afternoon and planning to continue on via the Coastal route, it’s best to stop there for the night. To continue onwards, you’ll have to take a water taxi and they don’t typically run later in the day.

Brown metal sign with the Camino scallop shell symbol and a pilgrim that says "Bom Caminho Vila Praia de Âncora" nex to a path along the coast. — For the start of stage 5, the Coastal route is more inland until Vila Praia de Âncora. From there, you follow the coast for much of the way until you get closer to Caminha.

Stops Along the Way

Areosa (3.0 miles/4.9 km from previous stop)–Leaving Viana do Castelo, you can either take the Litoral Way or continue via the Coastal. If you take the Litoral Way, you’ll bypass these first few towns until the route reconnects with the Coastal in Vila Praia de Âncora.
Carreço (2.2 miles/3.6 km from previous stop)–Bar Cafe Central is the first cafe I saw on this stage. It’s a good place to stop for breakfast, and there’s a small supermarket next door. Albergue Casa do Sardão here is highly rated.
Cruzeiro (3.4 miles/5.4 km from previous stop)–A few kilometers before the cruzeiro (cross), you’ll find Cafe de Cabanas, which has incredible baked goods and cooked dishes with a lovely outdoor area to sit and enjoy your food. As you approach the cross, there will be some uphill hiking in the woods.
Vila Praia de Âncora (2.5 miles/4.1 km from previous stop)–There are some bench swings here that are quite lovely for taking a break and taking in the ocean views.
Moledo (3.0 miles/4.8 km from previous stop)

After Moledo, it’s 2.2 miles/3.5 km to Caminha.

View of the water and mountain in the distance from Bom Caminha albergue in Caminha along the Camino Portugués Coastal route. — View of the water and Spain from Bom Caminha albergue’s outdoor terrace in Caminha.

Guide to Caminha

Where to Stay: Bom Caminha (private albergue–shared and private rooms), Arca Nova Hostel (private albergue–shared rooms), Design & Wine Hotel (hotel–private rooms)
Where to Eat: Canto do Lobo for dinner, Sebastião for Italian food, Pastelaria Caminhense for breakfast
Things to Do: Explore the old town, visit the Igreja Matriz de Caminha church, walk along the waterfront area

Bright blue ocean meeting the rocky coastline with some small mountains in the distance along stage 6 of the Camino Portugués Coastal route. — One of the many incredible ocean views along stage 6 of the Camino Portugués Coastal route. Most of the way that day offers views of the ocean like this where you’re not very far from the water, but you’re high up above it.

Stage 6: Caminha to Viladesuso (Crossing Into Spain)

Official Distance: 13.0 miles (21.0 km) + a boat ride

Elevation Gain: 924.0 ft (281.6 m)

Elevation Loss: 880.5 ft (268.4 m)

Stage 6 is my favorite of all the Portuguese Camino Coastal route stages. First off, you start the day by taking a little boat to cross into Spain. Then you spend much of the day hiking alongside but high up above the ocean.

Unfortunately, there is some walking alongside a major highway every so often, but the views make it so worth it.

Note that when you enter Spain, the time changes to one hour ahead. Keep that in mind as you’re thinking about timing for your hike.

Mikala taking a selfie smiling with the ocean, a mountain, and walking path behind her outside of A Guarda, Spain. — Hiking along the coast after leaving A Guarda on the Camino Portugués Coastal route.

Stops Along the Way

Water Taxi (0.5 miles/0.8 km from previous stop)–From Caminha, you have to take a water taxi if you want to continue along the Coastal route of the Portuguese Way. I recommend using the only official water taxi provider, Xacobeo Transfer (read about my experience here!).
Camposancos (1.1 miles/1.7 km from previous stop)–Here you have the option to take the Litoral Way to follow the coastline to A Guarda. I decided to do that here per a local’s recommendation and loved it. Stop at Cafetería Restaurante El Molino for a nice breakfast with views of the water.
A Guarda (2.2 miles/3.5 km from previous stop + 2.5 miles/4 km via Litoral Way)–A Guarda is a lovely seaside town and could be a cool place to spend a night. Albergue O Peirao and Hotel Monumento Convento de San Benito are highly rated places to stay.
Area Grande (0.7 miles/1.2 km from previous stop)
Portecelo (3.5 miles/5.6 km from previous stop)–Explanada do Horizonte has good food and incredible ocean views. The fresh tortilla de patatas I had was to die for!
Oia (3.7 miles/6.0 km from previous stop)–This town right on the water looks like such a cool place to stay or at least grab a bite to eat. La Cala Inn and Casa Picota are highly rated. The church here looked like it was open and probably neat to visit, but it’s slightly off the Camino.

After Oia, it’s 2.8 miles/4.5 km to Viladesuso.

Sunset over the water with some bushes, a road, and power line in front in Viladesuso along the Camino Portugués Coastal route. — Sunset over the ocean in Viladesuso. Many stops along the Camino Portugués Coastal route have views of the ocean, providing opportunities to see beautiful sunsets like this.

Guide to Viladesuso

Where to Stay: Albergue da Estrela (private albergue–shared rooms), Hotel Glasgow (hotel–private rooms)
Where to Eat: Cafe-Bar Sal de Mar for a quick bite and drinks, Restaurante Lorena for a nice meal

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Small mountains along the coastline just south of Mougás, Spain along the Camino Portugués Coastal with rough waves coming in and a mist in the air. — View of the small mountains along the coastline just south of Mougás on stage 7 of the Portuguese Camino Coastal route.

Stage 7: Viladesuso to Baiona

Official Distance: 8.3 miles (13.3 km)

Elevation Gain: 934.4 ft (284.8 m)

Elevation Loss: 916.0 ft (279.2 m)

You spend this day continuing to walk along a main highway or near it through some small villages. Again, the highway walking isn’t so great, but the views continue to be spectacular. You spend some time walking in the forest as well before you get closer to Baiona.

Some pilgrims continue hiking on past Baiona because this isn’t a very long day. However, I highly recommend stopping here. Baiona was my favorite stop on the Camino Portugués Coastal route.

Baiona is a beautiful town right on the water with a charming medieval city center. It’s quite historic too as it was the first town in Europe to learn of Christopher Columbus’s successful journey to the New World.

Visiting the old fortress in Baiona is a must, and you can even stay there if you want!

Pile of painted rocks next to a Camino trail marker with a building and the ocean in the distance north of Viladesuso on the Camino Portugués Coastal route. — Pile of painted rocks just north of Viladesuso on the Camino Portugués Coastal route. On the Camino de Santiago, you will often find areas where pilgrims and locals have left special mementos like this, but I’ve never seen one with such beautifully painted items like this.

Stops Along the Way

Mougás (1.2 miles/2.0 km from previous stop)
As Mariñas (3.3 miles/5.3 km from previous stop)
Baredo (1.2 miles/1.9 km from previous stop)–Grab a quick bite to eat or a drink at A Casa do Peixe. As you leave Baredo, there will be some steep uphills but you’ll be rewarded with amazing views.

After Baredo, it’s 1.6 miles/2.5 km to Baiona.

A small piece of land with an old fortress on it jutting out into the water in Baiona, Spain along the Camino Portugués Coastal route. — Walking around this fortress that sticks out into the water in Baiona along the Coastal route was one of my favorite parts of both my Portuguese Caminos.

Guide to Baiona

Where to Stay: Hostel Albergue Baionamar (private albergue–shared rooms), Parador de Baiona (hotel in the old fortress–private rooms), Hotel Pinzon (hotel–private rooms)
Where to Eat: A Taberna do Abrente for a menu of the day
Things to Do: Walk around the old fortress Fortaleza de Monterreal, enjoy the beach at Praia da Barbeira, explore the old town

Dirt path in the forest leading straight ahead lined with grass and many trees with an opening ahead and views of the ocean along the Camino Portugués Coastal route to Vigo. — On the way into Vigo, there’s a stretch where you’re more inland and in the woods for a bit. Suddenly you get to this point and see the ocean again. It was so unexpected I couldn’t control myself in exclaiming “holy s***” when I saw it.

Stage 8: Baiona to Vigo

Official Distance: 16.8 miles (27.1 km)

Elevation Gain: 1,461.5 ft (445.5 m)

Elevation Loss: 1,422.5 ft (433.6 m)

It’s a little urban for a while as you leave Baiona but gets quieter at times after Ramallosa. There are some stretches where you walk through forests and small villages.

The directions on this day can get a little confusing as there are so many different ways to go. My understanding is there is no “official way” to get to Vigo, which is why there are so many different options.

I continued along the Portuguese Coastal route for most of the way until I reached a river where I cut west to get to the beach in Samil. From there, I followed the coastline, walking along some of the nicest beaches in the area to Vigo. It’s a lovely way to go until you get closer to Vigo where it gets more industrial.

Vigo is one of Spain’s largest cities and a great place to spend a rest day if you need one. I decided to take one here because I felt I could use the rest and after studying Spain for so long, I was excited to finally visit this city.

Gray and white checkered walkway along a beach with palm trees in Samil outside of Vigo along the Litoral Way. — There are a few ways to get to Vigo while hiking the Camino de Santiago. I recommend taking the more inland route until you reach the Rego Lagares river. From there, turn west to reach this Playa de Samil beach and follow the coastline to Vigo.

Stops Along the Way

Sabarís (2.6 miles/4.2 km from previous stop)–Hotel Arce is highly rated. Panadaría Yajoma has great breakfast options.
Ramallosa (0.3 miles/0.5 km from previous stop)–Here there’s an option to switch to the Litoral Way, which you can take all the way to Vigo.
Nigrán (2.4 miles/3.8 km from previous stop)–Keep an eye out for the “Banco do Peregrino del Paco” bench for pilgrims with a stamp somewhere in Nigrán. There’s a cute little guest book you can sign too.
Iglesia de San Salvador de Corujo (1.9 miles/3 km from previous stop)–Shortly after the church, grab a quick bite for lunch at Panaderia D’Casal. When you reach a river a bit after that, it’s recommended to turn left and follow the coast into Vigo.
Castrelos Park (9.2 miles/14.8 km from previous stop)–If you don’t want to spend the night in Vigo, Hotel O’Pazo here is supposed to be quite nice.

After Castrelos Park, it’s 2.4 miles/3.8 km to Vigo.

Boats on the water in Vigo with other towns built up on hills visible in the distance. — Vigo is the biggest city you’ll see on any Camino Portuguese route. It’s bigger than any of the cities on the Francés as well.

Guide to Vigo

Where to Stay: Gran Hotel Nagari (hotel with a spa and rooftop hydrotherapy pool–private rooms), Albergue Público de Peregrinos de Vigo Juan Manuel López-Chaves (municipal albergue–shared rooms), Hotel Arsus (hotel–private rooms)
Where to Eat: Mesón Compostela for seafood, Tapería Boas Tapas for tapas, La Artesata for some of Galicia’s best sandwiches, 100 Montaditos for a quick bite, Around for breakfast
Things to Do: Take a day trip to the Cíes Islands, visit the Castelo do Castro fortress ruins with views over the city, see the Concatedral – Basílica de Santa María de Vigo

Mikala smiling in a selfie with a viewpoint of the area surrounding Vigo below with lots of buildings, water, and small mountains. — As you leave Vigo, you hike up some steep hills but are rewarded with awesome views like this.

Stage 9: Vigo to Pontevedra

Official Distance: 20.6 miles (33.2 km)

Elevation Gain: 2,623.0 ft (799.5 m)

Elevation Loss: 2,435.4 ft (742.3 m)

The first few miles out of Vigo are pretty urban walking alongside major roads. After you get out of the city, this stretch of the Camino is one of my favorites with some intense uphills but lots of time spent in the woods and with views of the water below you.

There are very few places to stop until you reach Redondela, so I recommend getting breakfast somewhere on your way out of Vigo. I stopped at a cafe called A Ponte.

After you ascend some of the big hills leaving Vigo, keep an eye out for El Mirador de Nerea. It’s a cute little family run stop where you can get drinks, snacks, Camino shells, and bracelets for a donation.

Many pilgrims spend the night in Redondela, which I recommend you consider instead of going all the way to Pontevedra. While it’s doable to do the full hike in one day, it’s a really long day with a lot of elevation gain too. It was really hot the day I did it, and I was absolutely exhausted by the time I got in.

Plus, Pontevedra is a really special stop on this Camino, and it’s nice to have more time and energy to explore all the city has to offer.

In Redondela the Coastal route joins the Camino Portugués Central route. With the joining of the two routes and reaching less than 100 km left to Santiago de Compostela, you’ll likely find the trail getting much more crowded.

The best way to avoid crowds from here on out is to stay off stage–which means spending the night in towns not recommended by guidebooks–or to take the Spiritual Variant after Pontevedra.

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

Redondela (8.1 miles/13 km from previous stop)–Don Vinarius is a good spot to stop for a quick bite. Albergue Avoa Regina and Rubín 21 are highly rated places to stay here.
Cesantes (2.2 miles/3.5 km from previous stop)–North of Cesantes, you’ll have to cross a major highway at a crosswalk. A little bit farther past that, you’ll turn onto a side road where there’s a nice park called Parque Loureiro. With picnic tables and shade, it’s a great place to take a break before you continue hiking uphill.
Arcade (2.4 miles/3.9 km from previous stop)–This town sits right by the water and could be a great place to stay. I wanted to stay here initially but didn’t find anything in my budget that was available when I looked just a few days before. On your way out of the town, be sure to stop at the Camiño dos Soños store for one of the coolest Camino stamps!
Pontesampaio (0.9 miles/1.5 km from previous stop)–Here you cross over a medieval bridge to enter the town. As you walk through town, keep an eye out for tables set out by residents with Camino memorabilia for sale. I got a pin here that looks like a yellow arrow and says “Camino Portugués 2023.”
Cacheiro (1.2 miles/1.9 km from previous stop)–Before you reach this town, the path gets a bit rocky and has some uphill sections. There’s a lovely place to stop in the woods with tents (and sometimes sweet dogs!) called A Parada do Camiño. There you can purchase drinks, snacks, and even a Camino souvenir.
O Pobo – Santa Marta (3.2 miles/5.2 km from previous stop)–Just south of O Pobo, you can take a short detour off the Camino for a quick bite at Bar Casa Fermín. Note that a little 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

Where to Stay: Bulezen Urban Hostel (private albergue–shared rooms), Hostel Charino (private albergue–shared and private rooms), Albergue Virxe Peregrina (municipal albergue-shared rooms)
Where to Eat: Kamelia Taberna for Spanish tapas
Things to Do: Attend pilgrims mass at Igrexa da Virxe Peregrina (Monday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m.), explore the Ruínas de San Domingos old ruins

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 can get quite crowded, especially after the Coastal and Central routes come together in Redondela.

Stage 10: 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: After Pontevedra, you have the option to divert away from the Central route and take what’s called the Spiritual Variant (Variante Espiritual).

The Spiritual Variant is special because it involves a boat ride that follows the same route as the boat that allegedly returned the remains of Saint James to Galicia. This route tends to be less traveled too, so it’s a great for avoiding the crowds that are common as you get closer to Santiago.

This route also reminded me of my favorite parts of both the Central and Coastal routes, so if you’re torn deciding between the two, it could be a good option for you.

This article does not include stages for the Spiritual Variant. Read this separate article for stages for that detour to Santiago de Compostela.

The scenery during this stage is quite nice with the path passing through the woods and along quiet roads passing farms and vineyards. However, this stage often gets quite crowded.

I myself felt a little frustrated with the crowds at times on this stretch. Usually crowds don’t bother me much, but there were just SO many people and some completely ignored me when I said “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)–Stop at the most charming cafe A Pousada do Peregrino for breakfast.
A Portela – Barro (0.6 miles/0.9 km from previous stop)–There’s an optional detour here that takes you to some waterfall views. It’s not well marked from the road and I unfortunately missed it myself, so keep a close eye on your map.
Briallos (4.2 miles/6.8 km from previous stop)–Stop by Oasis for a quick bite to eat just south of Briallos. Albergue de Peregrinos de Briallos here is highly rated.
Tivó (1.8 miles/2.9 km from previous stop)–Visit O Cuberto just south of Tivó for a quick bite.

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

Where to Stay: Albergue As Pozas Termais (private albergue–shared rooms), Albergue de Caldas de Reis Urraca (private albergue–shared rooms), Pensión Fornos (private pensión–private rooms)
Where to Eat: Meson Bermaña or other nearby tapas bars for dinner
Things to Do: Soak in the hot springs at Hotel Balneario Davila–it’s discouraged to enjoy the hot springs in any of the public spaces, and this hotel experience is better and affordable (see pricing here)

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 11: 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)

Day 11 involves walking through the woods and small villages until it gets more urban as you approach Padrón.

If it weren’t for the chemical plant there, Padrón would be beautiful. Padrón is a prominent stop on the Camino since it’s where the boat carrying Saint James’s remains into Galicia allegedly docked. It’s worth a visit to the church there that has the granite pillar where the boat supposedly docked.

I continued on past Padrón because I didn’t want such a long day to Santiago de Compostela the next day. However, some pilgrims choose to spend the night there.

After leaving the city, you walk alongside some busy roads for a short while before turning off and walking through a series of small villages with stone walls along the narrow roads. It’s so charming and one of my favorite sections of the trail.

A Escravitude doesn’t have too much going on, but it has a really nice new albergue that opened in 2025 and has a pool. It was one of the best albergues on either Camino Portuguese route that I stayed in.

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)–You can get a great breakfast at Café-Bar Esperon.
Casalderrique (1.1 miles/1.8 km from previous stop)–Fogar do Peregrino is a nice cafe here.
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 bars here that are well rated.
Pontecesures (2.1 miles/3.3 km from previous stop)–Pilgrims who take the boat via the Spiritual Variant rejoin the Central route here.
Herbón (1.7 miles/2.7 km from previous stop)–This is an optional detour that adds some distance, but people say the albergue at the Monastery of Herbón is incredible and one of their favorite albergues on the Camino.
Aduana (0.9 miles/1.4 km from Pontecesures)–A Ponte do Peregrino is a great cafe for a quick bite right after the bridge.
Padrón (1.2 miles/1.9 km from Aduana, 1.9 miles/3.0 km from Herbón)–Check out the Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol de Padrón church to see the pillar where legend says the boat that brought the remains of Saint James docked. Many pilgrims spend the night here 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)–You can get a quick bite or a drink at Cafeteria Camiño Portugues. It’s your last stop for a little while.
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

Where to Stay: Albergue Villa Vieira (private albergue–shared and private rooms), Casa Grande de Capellania (hotel–private rooms), Camiño da Vieira (located in Angueira de Suso, private albergue–shared rooms)
Where to Eat: Reina Lupa for dinner, Café – Bar Rianxeira for a quick bite or drink
Things to Do: Visit Igrexa da Escravitude church

Mikala smiling with her arms up in the air holding her trekking poles in front of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela after finishing her Portuguese Coastal Camino route stages. — Celebrating finishing the Camino Portugués Coastal route–my third Camino–in Santiago de Compostela.

Stage 12: 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)

The last stage goes through the woods for a bit until going through town after town as you get closer to Santiago de Compostela. You will encounter some hills and may even spot the cathedral at a distance while you’re still a few kilometers away.

When you arrive in Santiago, take some time to enjoy the moment. Capture photos in the cathedral square and take in the emotions of all the pilgrims around you.

When you’re done, you may want to pick up your Compostela certificate at the pilgrim’s office and visit the cathedral for pilgrim’s mass. Outside of mass, it’s worth checking out the cathedral as well for a closer look at everything inside. Entry is free, and you can see the alleged remains of Saint James and even hug a statue of him at the altar.

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)–Albergue Camiño da Vieira is supposed to be quite a nice place to stay.
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)–You can get a decent bite to eat at Lar, Breakfast & Meals.
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)–For an even shorter last day on the Camino de Santiago, consider stopping at Albergue Milladoiro. I stayed there after I did the Spiritual Variant. 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

Where to Stay: Hostal Real de Santiago de Compostela Parador Hotel (hotel–private rooms, such a treat if you want to splurge!), Santiago KM-0 (private albergue–shared rooms), Hostal Alda Catedral (hotel–private rooms); read this article for more about the best places to stay in Santiago
Where to Eat: Cáscara Café for lunch or brunch, Abastos 2.0 for Michelin-recognized but affordable dining, Taberna O Gato Negro for tapas and Galician cuisine
Things to Do: Check out this article on the top things to do in Santiago after the Camino

Mikala smiling in a selfie while hiking on the Camino Portugués Coastal route with a wooden fence and grass behind her with the ocean behind. — Hiking along the Camino Portugués Coastal route south of Portecelo on stage 6.

Conclusion: Stages for the Camino Portugués Coastal Route

There you have it! I hope you find this article helpful as you think about your Portuguese Camino Coastal 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 Coastal Route Stages PDF

Want a condensed version of this 12-day Camino Portugués Coastal 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 Central route.

Read About the Best Albergues on the Portuguese Camino Routes

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

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