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The Portuguese Way gained relevance during the 12th century after the Portuguese independence. Our bike tour from Porto begins inland and makes its way to the Atlantic Ocean.
We ride along the coast through ancient Roman paths, such as Via XIX, built in 1st century AD, which linked the cities of Braga and Astorga through Ponte de Lima, Tui, Pontevedra, Santiago and Lugo.
Day 1: Porto
Accommodation: Hotel Eurostars das Artes
Our trip starts with our arrival in Porto, the second biggest and most populated city in Portugal, just after Lisbon. Its population its about 250,000 inhabitants within its urban center and 1,5 million in its metropolitan area.
Once settled in Porto, we will visit the Cathedral, the Tower “de los Clérigos”, Church do Carmo, Plaza de la Libertad and, of course, the popular Duero river with its several bridges. Don Luis I is the most famous bridge between all of them. We will be staying in Eurostars das Artes hotel, a four-star hotel which is surrounded by museums and iconic art galleries. Within walking distance, you can the Lello Bookshop, Crystal Palace, Soares dos Reis Museum, and concert halls like “Casa de la Música”, Rivoli Theather or Calos Alberto Theather.
Before dinner at a local restaurant we meet at the hotel’s lobby to brief about the tour.
Day 2: Porto – Ponte de Lima
Route: 39.7km
Elevation: +605m
Accommodation: Paço Vitorino
After breakfast, we will be transferred to Barcelos by van. Barcelos is our cycling departure point, where we will pedal through the mainland route until reaching Ponte de Lima.
Ponte de Lima is one of the prettiest and more charming towns in Portugal. This village is located south of Lima river and it has been the main crossing point since the Romans built a bridge in the year 1 b.C.
We will be staying at the beautiful hotel Paço Vitorino, a manor house dating back to the 16th century. The hotel is surrounded vineyards and lush forest. The hotel offers a pool and visits to their winery. We will enjoy a local dinner right at the hotel.
Day 3: Ponte de Lima – Viana do Castelo
Route: 48.1 km
Elevation: +577m
Accommodation: Paço Vitorino
The third day of our trip we will complete a cycling tour from the hotel upstream to Ponte da Barca, a small village with a medieval bridge. We will continue through the other side of the river down to Lagoa, a natural reserve where we will finish the ride. Lunch in a local restaurant and a brief tour in the van is included.
In the afternoon, we will visit Viana do Castelo,an old port town. Dinner is not included, but we highly recommend trying the cod at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Viana do Castelo – Baiona
Route: 36km
Elevation: +523m
Accommodation: Parador de Baiona
We will start our route by the coastline towards the border town of Caminha. In Caminha we will take a boat and cross into Spain. Once we reach Spain we ride through the Santa Tecla mountains and can even take a lift up to take in the beautiful views. Our hotel for the night, Parador of Bayona, is part of a fantastic, traditional Galician mansion and boasts impressive views of the sea. We will have dinner at the hotel overlooking the ocean.
Day 5: Baiona
Accommodation: Parador de Baiona
Daytrip to Cies Islands National Park
The fifth day of the tour includes a trip to Cies Islands. In the morning we bike around Baiona to visit the main tourist attractions and afterwards we jump on a ferry to the Cies Islands, well known for its crystal clear waters and panoramic views. These islands, a refuge for pirates back in the day, are currently an uninhabited paradise. There are no cars, no hotels, and they restrict the number of visitors per day.
After having enjoyed the islands, we will have time to rest back in our hotel Parador de Baiona. Dinner is included.
Day 6: Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation: Hostal Reyes Católicos
On the last day of our Portuguese Camino, we will have a transfer out of Baiona to Portonovo (a small town in Pontevedra province). Portonovo is a small coastal town located in the Rías Baixas wine region of Galicia. From Portonovo, we begin the route passing by Cambados, a fishermen village inhabited by Celts settlements in 5 and 6 AD. We will keep cycling through various wineries and eventually stop for a visit of the Rubianes Palace. A palace that dates back to 1411. After lunch, we will be transferred to the Parador de Santiago, where we will share our experiences and joy with fellow pilgrims in Plaza Obradoiro. We will enjoy our last group dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7: Departure
Whether your plan is to return home or continue your travels in Europe, Santiago is a great stepping off point. Its small but new international airport is very well connected to Spanish destinations and to nearby European cities like London and Paris. Flights out are generally very well priced for those who plan in advance. Meanwhile, for those of us who do not choose to part ways in Santiago, after breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to our Camino adventure and return to Madrid by van (7 hours).
OPTIONAL: One extra day to the Galician coast. Finesterre was thought to be where the world ended when the sunset on the horizon over the Atlantic. It has remained significant over the centuries for the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Surrounded by brilliant blue waters and an authentic fishing village, Finesterre and its lighthouse is the km 0 of Camino. It is a valuable reward to end your trip by including an extra night in the Parador Santiago. Ask for a price quote.
Eurostars das Artes
The Eurostars Das Artes Hotel comprises two buildings, one historical and the other modern, and has a sky-blue tiled facade to welcome guests.
This hotel is located in the center of Porto. It is surrounded by art and culture and it’s the perfect place for someone looking to enjoy a good port wine. Elegance and good taste invade all corners of the hotel.
Paço Vitorino
This hotel perfectly preserves the classic style of the palace with gardens, fountains, fruit trees, reading rooms and a cellar.
Near the Lima river is the manor house, Paço Vitorino. With modern rooms, a pool and vineyard views it is a very cozy place to relax and unwind.
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Parador de Baiona
Al sur de las Rías Baixas, se alza la península de Monterreal, donde aguarda el Parador de Baiona.
La elegancia es una característica clave de cada habitación del Parador. Ofrece amplias habitaciones con vistas al mar y una espectacular escalera de piedra en la entrada. Un ambiente íntimo, una decoración exquisita y unos cuidados jardines hacen de éste un lugar verdaderamente único.
Parador de Santiago – Hostal Reis Catolicos
The Parador de Santiago is a blend of history, art and tradition. It is the dream stay for pilgrims and the emblem of Santiago.
The hotel is located in Obradoiro Square near the cathedral, creating an area of spectacular beauty in one of the most visited provincial capitals in the world. A stay at this Parador means a visit to a truly unique and exclusive location.
3.620,00€ – 3.820,00€
On our Portuguese Camino de Santiago route, you will pedal over the border from Portugal to Spain, discovering the disctinct culture, landscapes and gastronomy of two distinct countries on the way to Santiago de Compostela.
Minimum group size for guaranteed departure at this price: 4 people.
Other dates and group size options available upon request.
| Dates | 9 Jun 2024, 7 Jul 2024, 15 Sept 2024, 29 Sept 2024, 13 Oct 2024 |
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