Camino Portugués Coastal Way: Stage 1
- Enjoy a quieter Camino experience away from the crowds
- The vibrant UNESCO heritage city of Porto
- Spot birdlife such as mallards, grey herons and cormorants in the Natural Park of the Northern Portuguese Coast
- Explore the beautiful historical centre of Viana do Castelo
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive PortoArrive in the vibrant city of Porto, famous for it’s production of port wine. With its medieval old town, baroque churches and plentiful restaurants this is a wonderful place to start your trip. Take a wander through the narrow cobbled streets of the Ribeira district before enjoying dinner and perhaps sampling some delicious vintage Port.
Porto is easily accessible from London and many airports throughout Europe or you can also fly via Lisbon and take a train to Porto (2.5h).

Hotel Teatro has 74 rooms over six floors with Fitness Centre, free WIFI, private parking, 24 hour front desk and laundry among other services.
After breakfast, take a short metro journey to the town of Matosinhos, escaping some of the urban sprawl of Porto. From Matosinhos, start your walk along the coast visiting seaside villages such as Leca da Palmeira, Labruge and Vila do Conde before arriving at Povoa do Varzim. This beautiful city is home to the Cividade de Terrosso Fort, more than 3000 years old as well as an ancient aqueduct, and a charming old town.
Ascent: 72m (236ft) Descent: 88m (289ft)

This 4 star hotel located on the beach offers 208 air-conditioned rooms (including 12 suites) with simple but comfortable decoration and even some of them have private balcony with panoramic views. Each room has TV and minibar and a private bathroom with luxurious toiletries. In this accommodation also has free Wifi and it is also at your disposal a restaurant, bar, a terrace area. Other facilities in this hotel: private parking, swimming pool and tennis court.
Walk along the esplanade to the Chapel of San Andres before continuing via a wooden walkway to the Natural Park of the Northern Portuguese Coast. Home to many different wildlife habitats including pine forests, wetlands and river estuaries you should be able to spot plenty of birds such as mallards, grey herons and cormorants and more than 200 different species of flora. Cross the iron bridge over the Cavadoy river before arriving in the city of Esposende.
Ascent: 60m (197ft) Descent: 71m (233ft)

This accommodation integrated in a natural environment next to Río Cávado, with panoramic views to it and approx. 200 metres far to the Atlantic Ocean has 77 rooms, 11 suites, with private bathroom, telephone, mini-bar refrigerated, personal safe and television. Rooms also have Wifi, air conditioned. Other services in the hotel: room service, airport shuttle, private parking, laundry and dry cleaning. And at your disposal other facilities like restaurant, lobby bar with live piano, swimming pool, tennis court, playground, and gym.
Continue along the coastal plains, crossing expansive sandy beaches and dunes, the town of Marinhas, and Church of San Bartolome do Mar. Arriving at the mouth of the Neiva River, head inland briefly before returning to the coast and then walking along a forest path to the small port of Cabedelo. Cross the Eiffel Bridge into one of the most beautiful and best-preserved historical centres in Portugal, Viana do Castelo.
Here you can visit the Church of Our Lady of Conception, the Castle of Mino, the stunning cathedral and a traditional goldsmith’s museum.
Ascent: 303m (994ft) Descent: 294m (965ft)

With a friendly atmosphere this family-run accommodation built in 1970 and completely renovated in 2009 is situated in the historic aea of Viana. This No-smoking hotel has 26 modest furnishing rooms, equipped with cable TV and free internet access and also special facilities for disabled (visually impaired/deaf) and easy access for wheelchairs. Other services: multilingual personnel, Hotel safe, air conditioning in public areas, room service. It also has car park and a bar which offers tasty snack.
Before leaving Viana do Castelo, take time to climb the funicular to the eucalyptus-clad hill of Monte de Santa Luzia or visit the exquisite neo-Byzantine Temple to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for panoramic views of Viana. Heading out of the city, cross many beaches via wooden footbridges over the dunes and walk along sea promenades. Discover the Fort of Santiago de Barra as well as the impressive windmills of Montedor. Reach Praia da Ancora, where you can perhaps take a dip in the sea!
Ascent: 189m (620ft) Descent: 192m (630ft)

This hotel located just opposite to the beach offers rooms with fridge, air conditioning, TV, WiFi, full bathroom and heating. There is also a restaurant that serves tradicional Portuguese cuisine.
Not long after leaving the beach this morning you will arrive at the pretty town of Caminha, the last Portuguese city of your walk, located at the mouth of the Miño River. Take a short ferry crossing (must be booked in advance) to Camposancos where you begin the Spanish part of your journey through Galicia.
Arriving in A Guarda, explore its port, bustling town square with its impressive clock tower and the Church of Santa Maria.
Ascent: 119m (390ft) Descent: 91m (300ft)

Situated in the centre of this village, this accommodation is 12 minutes´ walk from the beach. It has 21 spacious rooms with simple decoration and with floor tiles. Also equipped with flat screen TV and private bathroom. The hotel also offers TV lounge, pub, playroom, laundry and a terrace for smokers.
Enjoy breakfast before checking out and making your way home.
This trip has a carbon score of 15kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 15kg is equivalent to 88.5 candy bars. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?This is a great alternative to the main Camino Portugues route if you are looking for a quieter trail away from the crowds. Graded moderate, you will walk for between 19 and 25km a day on mostly flat terrain. Overnight stays are in small hotels and guesthouses or larger hotels in the big cities. This is the first section of the walk from Porto to A Guarda and it should be noted that you are unfortunately not qualified for your Compostela certificate if walking this section.
Pilgrimages | For those looking to follow a path of self-discovery. Our Pilgrimage and Camino routes take you on a journey through diverse landscapes and local flavours, while meeting like-minded adventurers along the way.
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
6 nights accommodation is included in small rural hotels and hostels. You will always have a private room and en-suite bathroom. In the larger towns, you will stay in 3* hotels.
You can add extra nights at any point during your stay, and we particularly recommend extending your stay in Santiago.
Solo Walkers & Single Rooms
This trip is available to solo walkers for a supplement. Single rooms are also available for a supplement.
Meals
A local breakfast is included each morning which usually consists of a coffee and bread with jams. Lunch and dinner are not included as standard so you are free to choose from the available options.
The Camino Portuguese coastal route is not as well way-marked as the main Camino Portuguese. You can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information for straightforward navigation. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.
- Accommodation in small rural hotels and hostels in twin/double rooms with en-suite W/C
- Daily Breakfasts
- Daily Baggage Transfers
- Pilgrim Passport and shell
- Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
- All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
- 24/7 Emergency support
- Return travel to Portugal/Spain
- Lunches, snacks or drinks
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Equipment
- Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
- Metro on Day 2 to Matosinhos (approx €3)
- Ferry from Caminha over River Mino (approx €6 and must be booked in advance)
- Additional nights accommodation along the way.
You can start your walk anytime between the beginning of March and the end of October subject to availability. July and August can get very hot so please bear this in mind if walking at this time of year.
Ferry between Portugal and Spain
The short ferry between Caminha and A Guarda only takes 5-10 minutes and should be booked in advance. There are two companies which run it - Taxi-Mar who can be reached on +351 915 955 827 - and Xacobeo Transfer who can be reached on +34 613 011 226 or xacobeotransfer.com.
The best time to walk the Camino depends on your personal preference!
Spring (April to June) is a fantastic choice. Expect pleasant temperatures, blooming landscapes, and fewer crowds than summer. Be prepared for the potential of spring showers.
Summer (July and August) brings sweltering heat to much of Spain, but the northern regions remain refreshingly mild thanks to their coastal climates. If you're a social butterfly, this is your season! The trails are buzzing with fellow pilgrims, creating an unbeatable atmosphere for meeting people, local festivals, and sharing stories.
Autumn (September to early November) is another excellent time to go. You'll enjoy milder temperatures, stunning autumn colors, and quieter trails as the summer crowds dwindle. But, much like spring, there's still a chance of rain—because nature loves keeping us on our toes!
By Air: Porto is easily accessible from London and many airports throughout Europe on a direct flight or you can also fly via Lisbon and take a train to Porto (2.5h). Airlines flying to Porto include low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Easyjet and other options include British Airways, TAP, KLM and Lufthansa.
By Rail: Porto is one of the main railway hubs in northern Portugal and is therefore easily reached by train. It takes approx 3 hours by train from Lisbon to Porto.
By Road: Porto enjoys good connections by road to the rest of Portugal. It takes approx 7 hours to drive from Lisbon to Porto.
Ferry between Spain and Portugal: The short ferry between Caminha and A Guarda only takes 5-10 minutes and should be booked in advance. There are two companies which run it - Taxi-Mar who can be reached on +351 915 955 827 - and Xacobeo Transfer who can be reached on +34 613 011 226 or xacobeotransfer.com.
By Air: The closest airport to A Guarda is Vigo which you can reach by flights with Iberia via Madrid. The other option is to fly into Porto, but it is a 4-hour bus journey from there to A Guarda.
Baggage transfers are included (max 20kg per person). Your main bag will be transferred each day between your overnight accommodation so that you only need to walk with a day pack.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.
Online Documents
At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimize the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery.
On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website.
Pilgrim Passport & Compostela
Your Pilgrim Passport (Credencial del Peregrino) and scallop shell will be waiting at your first accommodation. The Passport isn’t just practical—it’s a beautiful record of your Camino journey, officially issued by the Church of St. James. Along the route, you'll collect stamps (sellos) from albergues, churches, cafes, and more. Each stamp is a colorful reminder of your journey. To earn your Compostela Certificate in Santiago, you must walk at least the final 100 km, with your stamps serving as proof of this accomplishment.
Good news! Your Pilgrim Passport (“Credencial del Peregrino”) and shell will be waiting for you at your first accommodation on Day 1. Think of the Pilgrim Passport as a record of your incredible journey along the Camino, issued by the Church of St. James. The Scallop Shell (or "Concha de Vieira") is an iconic symbol of the Camino and is like a badge of honor. You'll see fellow pilgrims proudly displaying theirs on backpacks or hanging them from walking sticks as a sign of their trek to Santiago.
But here’s where it gets fun—you’ll collect stamps (called "sellos") on your Passport at albergues, churches, cafes, and other stops along the route. To receive your Compostela Certificate at the end of your pilgrimage in Santiago, you need to walk at least the final 100km of the Camino. For other sections of the trail, the Passport serves as a stunning keepsake featuring all the colorful stamps you collect along the way.
Spring (April to June) is a fantastic choice with pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds for a relaxing experience. The northern regions remain refreshingly mild in July and August thanks to their coastal climates, especially in comparison to central and southern Spain. The trails are buzzing with fellow pilgrims during the summer months. Autumn (September to early November) is another excellent time to go, with stunning autumn colors, and quieter trails. During the spring and autumn, it's more likely to experience a shower here or there. There's really no bad time to travel on the Camino.
-
Save %10 Days 9 Nights
Camino Portugués Coastal Way: Stage 2
The final stage of the Camino Portugues Way, starting in A Guarda and finishing in Santiago.Highlights- The medieval towns of Baiona and Pontevedra.
- Feast on delicious Galician seafood.
- Arrive in Santiago and collect your Compostela.
-
Save %15 Days 14 Nights
Camino Portugués Coastal Way
Walk along the Atlantic coast on an interesting variation of the Camino Portuguese central route.Highlights- Spot varied birdlife along the coast.
- The medieval towns of Baiona and Pontevedra.
- Dine on fine seafood and sip on ruby port.
-
Save %7 Days 6 Nights
Algarve Coastal Trails
Walk the Algarve Coast from Lagos to Cabo Sao Vicente, Portugal's most southwest point.Highlights- Walk quiet coastal trails through the Algarve
- Cabo Sao Vicente, Portugal's most southwest point
- Feast on fresh seafood and a glass of Alentejo red