Camino de Santiago: The Portuguese Way
Welcome to the Way of St. James, the Camino de Santiago. The Portuguese Route to Santiago is the second most traveled of the Camino routes that lead across Spain to the Cathedral and resting place of St. James.
This pilgrimage covers the last 100 km from the city of Vigo, Spain, to Santiago de Compostela. The 100 km distance (68 miles) is required to receive a certification of completion of pilgrimage; the “compostella” from the pilgrim office. Our journey includes time walking along the sea coast from Vigo onto the Spiritual Variant which follows the River Ulla into Padron. This pilgrimage skirts the edge of the sea, offering ocean and river views. It is known for its beauty and sense of spirituality.
To arrive in Vigo, flights connect from the U.S. for an overnight flight to Porto or Lisbon in Portugal or through Madrid or Santiago de Compostela, Spain. From your arrival city, a short flight, bus, or train would bring you to our starting point of Vigo a port city since the 16th century, the largest city in Galicia, Spain.
Upcoming Dates:
June 11-22, 2026 has been fully booked.
August 10-21, 2024 has been completed.
Itinerary and some history:
All of the Camino routes end at the Cathedral of St. James in the town of Santiago de Compostela (St. James in the Field of Stars). This is the final resting place of St. James, the patron saint of Spain. History tells us that the Apostle James was sent to preach in Spain and then was martyred in Jerusalem in 43 C.E. His body was returned to Spain and after several centuries was rediscovered in the area of Galicia that is now Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims have been completing this journey since the 9th century along paths that continue to this day. To earn a Certificate of Pilgrimage requires walking a minimum distance of 100 km on any Camino route, each path ending at the Cathedral of St. James.
Our Camino de Santiago, Portuguese Way, follows 100 km starting in Vigo, Spain. We begin with two nights in Vigo to prepare for our walking pilgrimage. We have seven days of hiking and a day of travel by boat to arrive in the town of Padron where St. James preached. The way of stone and water on this spiritual route is especially meaningful.
After our arrival in Santiago de Compostela, we have time to explore this city of pilgrims, visit the Cathedral, the pilgrim museum, numerous sites, and reflect on our journey.
On our last full day in Santiago de Copostela we will travel on a bus tour to Finisterre and Muxia, two small towns once considered to be the end of the world. This is also considered by many to mark the true end of any Camino pilgrimage.
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Arrive in Vigo, Spain. a large coastal, port city, dating to medieval times. This is where our pilgrimage begins!
Travel by taxi or perhaps on foot if arriving by bus, to our hotel and check in, rest, and relax.
Group Meeting at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner together.
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Breakfast meeting at our hotel, time to prepare and reflect for the journey ahead.
Walk to explore the town of Vigo; visit the Cathedral of St. James to obtain a pilgrim passport for the start of the Camino. Hike up the Monte de Castro for spectacular views and a light lunch.
Meeting at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner near the hotel.
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Start of the Camino Pilgrimage: traveling on foot from Vigo to Redondela, 15 k (9 ½ miles).
Breakfast meeting with the group and time to prepare for the day; group photo in the morning before we set out.
Today’s walk has coastal views and travels through woodlands. The terrain becomes increasingly rural as we leave the surroundings of Vigo.
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Breakfast meeting, reflections for the day followed by a group photo. Today’s walk from Redondela to Pontevedra is 20 km (12 1/2 miles)
We continue along the coastal area with some shady forested areas and several hills to traverse.
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Breakfast meeting before leaving Pontevedra, reflections for the day and group photo. Shorter walk today over some small hills and quiet lanes as we begin the Spiritual Variant of the Camino.
Passing rural villages and ancient churches, we have time to stop at the spectacular Monastery in Poio before continuing on our walk to arrive at Combarro early in the afternoon.
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Breakfast meeting, reflections for the day and a group photo before beginning our pilgrimage day. The walk from Combarro to Caroi/Armenteira is 11 km.
While this is a short walk day, we have our longest climb of the Camino today as we take our time passing through farmland and vineyards before arriving at our hotel. There are few facilities on this path so we will plan ahead to arrive early into Carol for lunch.
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We will now have completed the most challenging part of our Camino pilgrimage. Today our journey is a bit longer as we travel to Villanova de Arousa. This is it is one of the most beautiful stages of the Portuguese Camino, traveling along a forested stream and ending near a sandy beach as we arrive at Villanova de Arousa.
The Cathedral of Trees and Way of Stone and Water provide experiences to be savored. A long day, but not hilly. and not a day to be rushed over the 24 km of walking.
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We begin with breakfast and reflections of our day, taking time for a photo before beginning our travel to Padron. Perhaps just a 2 km walk to our boat on the Ulla River and after arriving. a short walk with plenty of time to explore Padron.
We may be boarding our boat just as the sun is rising or a bit later taking into account the weather and tidal conditions.
There are opportunities for reflection as we notice crosses stationed along the route and the peace of this waterway. Upon arrival, Padron offers its own Santiago Cathedral with striking images.. Padron is known as the arrival place for St. James during his lifetime to preach and where his body entered Spain after his martyrdom in Jerusalem.
We will arrive at our hotel with time to plan for our early morning walk for arrival into Santiago de Compostela.
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Today we arrive in Santiago de Compostela!
After gathering for breakfast we will plan our walk together to Santiago de Compostela, a 25 km day. While we have been walking at our own pace on the other days of our pilgrimage, today we will walk plan to walk into the Cathedral Square, Plaza de Obradoiro, to celebrate our arrival as a group.
This day is filled with emotion as our walking days come to an end. We will pass through the small village of Teo and enter woodland paths and city streets en route to Santiago. We will take time for lunch and a visit to a small chapel on the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela.
The entire city of "St. James in the Field of Stars" is a Unesco World Heritage site as there is so much history.
This evening we can attend the Pilgrim Mass at the Cathedral. Perhaps the bota fumeira (incense) will be raised overhead if we are fortunate to experience this! We will have a light dinner after mass and may discover dancing in the square before a well-earned rest.
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We have a relaxed breakfast at our hotel and an open day to explore Santiago de Compostela. The primary goal today is to obtain pilgrim credentials, certificates of completion from the Pilgrim Welcome Office.
There is time to visit the Cathedral and may other churches, monasteries, and other historic sites and museums; the Pilgrim Museum has wonderful history as does the museum of Galicia; discover the shops, cafes, tapas bars, and parks; stop by the Mercado market for a sample of fresh local food, spend time reflecting with other pilgrims at the Pilgrim Welcome Office or the Pilgrim House.
There are opportunities to attend church services of various religious denominations in addition to masses at the Cathedral.
We will plan dinner together to celebrate our completion of our Camino.
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After breakfast at our hotel we will walk to the start of our guided Bus Tour to Finisterre, Muxia, and other sites along the coast of Spain. We will spend time in a fishing village for lunch, visit a waterfall, discover a medieval bridge and small village, and spend time watching the sea and pilgrim arrivals in Finisterre and Muxia.
We will return in time for a light dinner and share reflections of our journey together.
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Farewell!
We are on our own for breakfast at our hotel as our Pilgrimage comes to an end. Depending on travel schedules, some may be leaving early while others may have a later departure time. Where will our next spiritual journeys take us? How will the Camino de Santiago continue to unfold when you return home?
There will be opportunities to have ongoing connection with your fellow pilgrims by zoom or an in person reunion.
Buen Camino!
Trip cost: $3,250
Camino Portuguese Per person cost for a shared twin room with private bath
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Single supplement for private room and bath: $900
Please note there are limited single rooms available for this trip.
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure a place on this trip
The remaining balance is to be paid in full 90 days prior to the start date of the pilgrimage. A refund of this payment is available until 60 days prior to the start date with a 50% refund available in the the 30-60 days before the Camino pilgrimage begins, after which time no refund is possible.
Travel insurance is highly recommended through Allianz, Travelex, or another trusted provider.
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Small group tour throughout the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage experience. Guided daily by Pilgrim at Heart with information provided about the history of the Camino, the culture of Spain, and spiritual resources for the journey.
Zoom meetings for the group to connect and information to be shared prior to the start of the pilgrimage
Pack lists, resources for the trip, travel information and assistance with planning individual and group experiences.
Group meetings daily throughout the pilgrimage in the morning and evening. Shared meals and support for the walking journey,
All hotel accommodations for the Camino pilgrimage from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela.
Luggage transfer by shuttle van between hotels on walking days.
Breakfast daily at our hotels.
Dinner 5 nights of our walking days at our hotels or nearby restaurants.
The Compostela; Certificate of Completion at the end of the Pilgrimage of St. James.
Day tour of Finisterre, Muxia and surrounding coastal areas by larger group tour by bus on the last full day in Santiago de Compostela.
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Airfare, transportation to and from the airport of arrival to the start in Vigo and from Santiago at the end of the Camino.
Any additional transportation by bus or taxi based on individual needs.
Camino passport and shell, available upon arrival in Spain. A Camino passport can be pre-ordered from the American Pilgrims on the Camino site.
Lunches and other snacks.
Dinner in Vigo, Santiago, and on one of the walking days in a larger town.
Entry fees for tourist sites.
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This section of the Camino de Santiago on the Portuguese route is considered moderate. The pace and the terrain varies by day. Each section offers a new experience of walking along the sea, through wooded areas, across open fields, or through small villages along the way. There are areas that are paved along roadways, areas across streams, and areas with dirt and gravel paths. Good footwear is essential.
Some days have more hills to climb than others the altitude is not usually an issue as we spend much of our time at sea level. Our highest climb will be at approximately 1200 feet near Armenteira.
