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Your guides for this tour will be Enrique (+34 696 54 60 88) and Remy (+34 610 85 03 97).
Gratuities for our guides are much appreciated to thank them for exceptional service, support, and expertise. The industry standard for each individual guest is 7.5-10% tip of the trip price at the end of the tour. Local currency is preferred.
Call the Bike Spain Tours office on +34 915 590 653, or out of office hours call +34 677 356 586. We will get you where you need to be and get you the help you need.
Your insurance policy number is XXXX. You can find your insurance documents here.
Please be aware that Spaniards follow a very particular routine in terms of their daily meals, and this is often strictly enforced by restaurant opening hours, especially in small towns!
You can expect restaurants to be open for lunch from approximately 1:30pm – 4pm. Remember that lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain.
Dinnertime in Spain is any time from 8pm onwards. Dinner in Spain is typically a lighter meal.
Cycling the Portuguese Camino is not only a spiritual and cultural journey but also a culinary adventure! Here’s a list of food and drinks to try along the way:
Porto
Carb-load before your Camino with a traditional francesinha: Porto’s famous sandwich made with layers of cured meats, steak, melted cheese, and a rich beer-based sauce. Our favourite place in Porto for a francesinha is Brasão Coliseu.
Portuguese cuisine is famous for its cod. One of the standout dishes is bacalhau à brás: a classic recipe of shredded cod with eggs, onions, and thin potato fries.
Citizens of Porto are nicknamed tripeiros because of their love of dishes made from tripe and offal! If you’re feeling brave, try tripas à moda do Porto: a traditional tripe stew with beans and sausage.
Although pastéis de nata are traditionally linked with the Belem district of Lisbon, these delicious custard tarts are enjoyed all over Portugal! Enjoy one or two with a cup of coffee for breakfast or a mid-morning snack.
Of course, you can’t leave Porto without trying some of the city’s famous port wine! Take a tour at one of the wineries in Vila Nova de Gaia, or ask for vinho do porto at one of the city’s many bars. Port wine is a sweet dessert wine, and the three main types are ruby, tawny and white.
Northern Portugal
As you continue up the coast, you’ll frequently come across beachfront restaurants and bars grilling fish fresh from the ocean. A popular option is sardinhas assadas: grilled sardines on a spit.
North of Porto, you’ll enter the vinho verde wine region. Pair this light, refreshing, slightly sparkling white wine with arroz do tamboril: a delicious dish made with rice and monkfish.
Crossing into Spain
The river Minho, which marks the border between Portugal and Spain, is famous for sável (shad), frequently served with rice.
As you cycle along the Spanish coast, you’ll spot artificial rockpools used to store captured crustaceans popular in local cuisine: bogavante (lobsters), buey de mar (brown crab) and centollo (spider crab).
Galicia is also very famous for pulpo a la gallega: “Galician-style” octopus, boiled and seasoned with paprika, olive oil, and sea salt.
Vigo and the Rías Baixas
In Vigo, the local speciality is chocos en su tinta: cuttlefish cooked in its own ink, served with rice or even in an empanada (similar to a Cornish pasty!). Just after Vigo, you’ll pass through the small town of Arcade, famous for ostras: oysters fresh from the Vigo estuary.
North of Vigo and towards Pontevedra, you’ll enter the Rías Baixas wine region, where you can try albariño wine: a delicious light white popular all over Spain.
The small town of Padrón is of course famous for pimientos de padrón: small green peppers that are usually served grilled and with plenty of salt. But be warned: “algunos pican, otros no” (some are spicy, some are not!)
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is a culinary gem! We highly recommend a tapas crawl to sample as much of the local cuisine as possible. The seafood is of course a highlight, although traditional Galician pork dishes such as raxó and zorza are also very popular. Round off your culinary adventure with a slice of tarta de Santiago: an almond cake dusted with icing sugar in the shape of the cross of St James.
In order to ensure that there is enough space for everyone to travel comfortably in the van, we ask that you bring only one standard hold luggage size suitcase and one rucksack per person.
Click here for our packing suggestions for a guided bike tour.
Click here for our recommendations for cycling safely and legally in Spain.
Saturday 17th May: Porto
Extra night: Janice and Bill
Accommodation: Hotel Wine and Books
Hotel services: Restaurant, rooftop bar, gym, spa, swimming pool, laundry
Arrival at leisure in Porto. You can check into the hotel from 2pm.
The city of Porto, built along the hillsides overlooking the mouth of the Douro river, is an outstanding urban landscape with a 2,000-year history. The historic centre, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar, are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Click here for our Google Maps recommendations in Porto!
Take the funicular up to the Batalha (old town) and explore the narrow streets and colourful buildings. Don’t miss the Sé, Porto’s fortress-like hilltop Cathedral (open daily 9am – 6:30pm).
Hop over the river to Vila Nova de Gaia and visit one of the myriad of port wine cellars to discover the secrets of the regional vintage. Popular options include Sandeman’s, Taylor’s and Cockburn’s.
Pay a visit to Livraria Lello, widely considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores (open daily 9am – 7:30pm), or climb the 225 steps of the nearby Clérigos tower (open daily 9am – 7pm) for fabulous views over the city.
Estação de São Bento: Porto’s train station is so much more than a transport hub! This former convent combines a Belle Epoque facade with an iconic interior decorated with 20,000 painted tiles.
Take a walk (or a tram) up to Foz de Douro, and enjoy an afternoon on the beach! This seaside district is full of fabulous restaurants serving up the freshest grilled seafood: try Restaurante Pedro Lemos for a Michelin star option (open Tues – Thu 7pm – 11pm and Fri and Sat 12:30pm – 3pm/7pm – 11pm) or Casa Vasco (open Tue – Sun 12:30pm – 3:30pm/7pm – 10:30pm).
Watch one of Europe’s most spectacular sunsets from one of Porto’s many miradouros (viewpoints). Popular options include Miradouro das Virtudes, Jardim do Morro and the Luis I bridge.
Set in the hilltop old town, Patio 44 serves up high-quality traditional Portuguese cuisine (open Tue – Sat 7pm – 11pm).
Visit Brasão Coliseu (open daily 12pm – 3pm/7pm – 11:30pm) to try a traditional Porto francesinha: an enormous sandwich made with a variety of meats and melted cheese!
Local favourite Restaurante Roma (open Mon – Sat 12pm – 3pm/7pm – 10pm) is a down-to-earth option where the daily menu is determined by the catch of the day.
Family-run Casa Expresso (open Mon – Sat 8:30am – 10:30pm) serves timeless Portuguese fare in a no-frills setting.
Porto classic Adega São Nicolau serves up delicious fresh seafood in the colourful riverfront district (open Mon – Sat 12pm – 1:30pm, prior reservation recommended).
Treat yourself to a special dinner at one of Porto’s seven Michelin star restaurants.
Sunday, 18th May: Porto
Accommodation: Hotel Wine and Books
Hotel services: Restaurant, rooftop bar, gym, spa, swimming pool, laundry
Meals included: Dinner
Welcome to the Camino, and the start of an amazing tour!
5pm: Your guide, Enrique and Sergio, will meet you in the lobby of your hotel for your welcome briefing. In case of any issues, call Enrique on +34 696 54 60 88.
After the briefing, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner together at a local restaurant.
Monday, 19th May: Porto – Ponte de Lima
Route: 46km/28.6 miles
Elevation: +656m/+2153ft
Accommodation: Paço Vitorino
Hotel services: Swimming pool, garden
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
After breakfast, we’ll skip the urban stretch out of the city and travel to Barcelos by van. Barcelos is the departure point of today’s cycle route, and from here we will pedal along the inland Portuguese Camino route towards Ponte de Lima. We’ll enjoy a pleasant ride through the bucolic Portuguese countryside, pedalling past the vineyards of the vinho verde wine region.
Ponte de Lima is one of the prettiest and most charming towns in Portugal. This village is located to the south of Lima river and it has been the main crossing point ever since the Romans built a bridge back in the year 1 B.C.
Tonight, 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’ll enjoy a delicous dinner of traditional local fare, accompanied by local vinho verde, at the hotel’s very own restaurant.
Tuesday, 20th May: Ponte de Lima – Viana do Castelo
Route: 59.6km/37.1 miles
Elevation: +743m/+2439ft
Accommodation: Paço Vitorino
Hotel services: Swimming pool, garden
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Tooday’s cycle route takes us along the River Lima to Ponte da Barca, a fairytale village in a stunning natural setting, whose star attraction is the well-preserved medieval bridge. The town has long been connected with the Camino de Santiago; in fact, its name refers to the barca (small boat) that once ferried pilgrims across the River Lima, before the construction of the bridge in the 14th century.
Next, we’ll cycle down the other side of the river towards the natural reserve of Lagoa, where we will finish today’s ride. We’ll enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, and a tour of the local area by van.
In the afternoon, we will visit Viana do Castelo, a picturesque former port town set on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
Dinner tonight is not included, so you have some free time to explore the beautiful town of Ponte de Lima. We highly recommend trying some Portuguese bacalau (cod) at one of the excellent local restaurants!
Wednesday, 21st May: Viana do Castelo – Baiona
Route: 61.9km/38.5 miles
Elevation: +492m/+1614 ft
Accommodation: Parador de Baiona
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, swimming pool, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today we’ll enjoy fabulous views as we continue to follow the coastline north, passing by ancient monasteries and small popular shrines, to the pretty fishing village of Vila Praia de Âncora, where we’ll enjoy a ride along the seafront boulevard, fininishing at the star-shaped Lagarteira fort, which has protected the town from sea attacks since the mid 17th century.
Heading out of Vila Praia de Âncora, we’ll pass by the clifftop chapel and cross of San Isidrio until we reach the medieval border town of Caminha. Don’t miss the rude gargoyle at the church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, a symbol of the historic enmity between Portugal and Spain!
In Caminha, you’ll take a boat across the River Miño to begin the Spanish portion of your journey! Your guide will take the long way around and meet you in the charming fishing village of A Guarda. Don’t forget that Portugal and Spain are in different time zones, so the time will leap forward by an hour once you cross the border.
In A Guarda, we recommend a brief stop to admire the colourful fishermen’s houses and the Plaza do Reló, the heart of the medieval old town.
OPTIONAL: Those interested in history might consider cycling up Monte de Santa Tegra to visit the fortified celtic town at the top of the hill, which dates back to the 4th century BC (this diversion entails an additional: 7km/+350m).
From A Guarda, you’ll follow a coastal cycle path along one of the wilder portions of Spain’s Atlantic coast. Along the way, you’ll pass by the beautiful beachfront Monastery de Santa María de Oia, which dates back to the 12th century, and the Bronze Age Castro de A Cabeciña. We also recommend a photo stop at the beautiful Vello de Silleiro lighthouse.
Once in Baiona, you can spend some time exploring the city’s atmospheric historic centre and quaint fishing port. The town’s most important historic building is the Castelo de Monterreal, a medieval fortress that still retains the cannons once used to defend the town from pirates, and which offers fabulous views over the bay from the parapet. Nowadays, it is a luxury hotel; your hotel for the night, in fact!
We’ll enjoy a delicious dinner together at the hotel, watching the sun set into the Atlantic Ocean.
Click here for our Google Maps list of recommendations in Baiona.
Once in Baiona, you can spend some time exploring the city’s atmospheric historic centre and quaint fishing port. The town’s most important historic building is the Castelo de Monterreal, a medieval fortress that still retains the cannons once used to defend the town from pirates, and which offers fabulous views over the bay from the parapet. Nowadays, it is a luxury hotel; your hotel, in fact!
Take a stroll around the seafront old town, exploring the corridor-like streets full of traditional palaces, built by Galicians who made their fortune in the New World centuries ago.
Baiona was, in fact, the first port in Europe to hear the news of the discovery of America, when La Pinta arrived there on 1st March 1492. A replica of this famous ship can still be visited in the port today (open daily 10:30am – 1pm/4:30pm – 7pm) as well as a sculpture dedicated to the historic encounter between the two worlds.
If your legs are up to it, we recommend the short hike up to the 17m tall sculpture of the Virxe da Roca, where you can ascend the spiral stairs and admire the views from the boat in the virgin’s right hand (open daily 11am – 2pm/4pm – 9pm).
You can also spend some time relaxing on the beach after your cycle ride.
Thursday, 22nd May. Baiona
Accommodation: Parador de Baiona
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, swimming pool, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Daytrip to Cies Islands National Park
Today, we’ll enjoy a boat trip to the beautiful Cies Islands, often called the “Galician Caribbean” due to their pristine white sand beaches. These islands, a refuge for pirates back in the day, are currently an uninhabited paradise. There are no cars, no hotels, and the number of visitors each day is restricted.
It is recommendable to wear comfortable clothing with an extra layer in case of wind, and sneakers with white rubber soles for better grip aboard the boat. You can also bring along a swimsuit and towel in case you decide to stop for a swim!
The Cíes Islands are a protected nature reserve; please note that bikes are not permitted, and please ensure that you bring your passports with you.
12pm: Boat departs from Baiona for the Cíes Islands.
A lunch of traditional Galician fare will be served on board the boat.
Enjoy a day at leisure on the Cíes Islands, relaxing on the beach (note: the average water temperature is 15C in summer!) or exploring one of the marked walking routes.
7pm (approx): Boat arrives back in Baiona.
In the evening, we’ll explore the tapas bars around Baiona’s popular port area.
Friday, 23rd May: Santiago de Compostela
Route: 49.2km/30.6 miles
Elevation: +481m/+1577ft
Accommodation: Hotel Palacio del Carmen
Hotel services: Restaurant, bar, laundry
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
The final day of our Portuguese Camino explores the “spiritual variant” of the Camino, which follows the Translatio: the legendary route taken by the remains of Saint James to the city of Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, we’ll also discover the Rías Baixas wine region, home to albariño wine, which has Protected Denomination of Origin status.
Our day begins with a transfer to the spectacular Monastery of Armenteira, a beautifully-preserved 12th century Cistercian abbey. From here, we’ll enjoy a beautiful cycling route through the forests and vineyards of the Rías Baixas, passing by Cambados, a fishing village that has been inhabited since the first century AD.
We’ll cycle over the bridge for a spin around the beautiful Illa de Arousa, before finishing our route at a charming winery, set in a historic Galician pazo (manor house), to enjoy a delicious lunch, paired with local albariño wine.
1pm: Guided visit and lunch at Pazo Granbazán.
After lunch, we’ll travel by van to the Parador de Santiago de Compostela, where we will share our experiences and joy with fellow pilgrims in Plaza Obradoiro.
We’ll enjoy a final dinner as a group at a local restaurant.
Gratuities
Gratuities for our guides are much appreciated to thank them for exceptional service, support, and expertise. The industry standard for each individual guest is 7.5-10% tip of the trip price at the end of the tour. Unless you want to tip separately, guides will divide tips among themselves. Local currency is preferred.
Click here for our Google Maps list of recommendations in Santiago de Compostela.
Santiago de Compostela was, without a doubt, the most important city in Christian medieval Spain. It’s world-renowned for its cultural and religious significance, and each year thousands of travellers come to visit.
Santiago Cathedral: The end of your pilgrimage and top of your tourist list is Santiago’s magnificent cathedral, which dates back to the 11th century and is one of the few catedrals in the world built over the tomb of an apostle. We highly recommend the cathedral rooftop tour (available daily from 10am – 8pm, reservation recommended). You’ll climb up the cathedral tower and out onto the roof for a once-in-a-lifetime angel’s eye view of Santiago, as well as a unique perspective of the stunning cathedral.
Take a stroll in Alameda Park for fabulous views of the cathedral and the rest of Santiago’s UNESCO World Heritage Site old town. Don’t forget to take a picture with the statue of As Marías, two elderly sisters who used to go for a walk in the park every day at 2pm, dressed in their finery, regardless of civil war, dictatorship or inclement weather!
For more insight into the history of the Camino, don’t miss the Pilgrimage Museum (open Tue – Fri 9:30am – 8:30pm, Sat 11am – 7:30pm and Sundays 10:15am – 2:45pm)
Also well worth a visit is the Museum of the Galician People (open Tue – Sat 11am – 6pm and Sun 11am – 2pm), which explores the unique culture and history of this little corner of Spain. The museum is housed in a former Dominican convent, set in beautiful grounds that are now a public park.
Mercado La Galiciana: This gastromarket is just a couple of years old, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy both local and foreign food. There is an amazing range of eateries, and the place itself is beautifully designed (open Sun – Thu 12pm – 12am and Fri/Sat 12pm – 1am)
For a more traditional experience, visit Mercado de Abastos (open Mon – Sat, 11:30am – 5pm). This historic market is extremely popular with locals, and contains a range of restaurants, traditional market stalls, and even a fishmonger that will cook your purchases for you while you wait!
Santiago de Compostela also has a fantastic tapas culture. You will receive one free tapa per drink purchased, so we recommend that you stick with small glasses of albariño wine! Some of our favourites are Bar La Tita (enormous portions of tortilla) Petiscos do Cordeal (seafood), Benboa (seafood), Viñoteca Ventosela (cheese and charcuterie), Raices Gallegas (traditional Galician dishes including zorza and raxo) and Orella (pig’s ear).
For a sit-down meal, we highly recommend O Sendeiro (open daily until 6pm, and Wed – Sun 8pm – 12am) or A Curtidoria (open Wed – Sat 1pm – 5pm/8:30pm – 12am, Tue and Sun 1pm – 5pm).
Saturday, 24th May. Santiago de Compostela
End of tour
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, our services will come to an end.
We hope that you had a wonderful experience with us on your Camino to Santiago!
Hotel Wine and Books
In Porto’s most fashionable area, the Wine & Books Porto celebrates the city’s cultural heritage while being incredibly contemporary. The classic yet modern interiors have a discreet luxury and provide timelessness to the atmosphere.
Relax at the hotel’s elegant spa, enjoy breathtaking views over Porto from the roopftop bar, or visit the hotel restaurant, Tasca da Memória for a modern take on traditional Portuguese cuisine.
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.
