Going forward, I advise you to book a bed one day in advance or to arrive early to your accommodation, especially if you’re walking during the busy summer season. If you’ve been enjoying the peace and quiet of the coastal route, you’ll need to adjust to walking with more pilgrims and busier albergues now. Redondela is where the coastal and central routes combine into one. HI Viana do Castelo – Pousada de Juventude (hostel)ĭay 9: Redondela to Pontevedra (19.64 km) Distance.Albergue de Santa Luzia (private albergue).Albergue de Peregrinos Sao Joao dos Caminhos (public albergue).There was music playing and a notebook where you could leave a message. The makeshift seating area had coolers with cold drinks, snacks, fresh fruit, and coffee. After exiting the forest, I stumbled upon a pilgrim’s dream – a rest stop that had been put together by a local. You’ll also walk through a lovely forest and cross the Rio Nieva. I loved seeing all the little Camino symbols and statues in and around the cathedral. You’ll come across the Igreja de Santiago de Castelo de Neiva, where you can get a stamp, use the bathroom, and stop to rest. The walk from Esposende to Viana do Castelo has a few climbs, but it’s one of the more memorable parts of the coastal route. HI Vila do Conde – Pousada de Juventude (hostel)ĭay 3: Esposende to Viana do Castelo (25.27 km) Distance.If all beds are full, they have extra mattresses they’ll pull out for pilgrims. The albergue takes pilgrims on a first-come, first-serve basis, so I recommend arriving before or as soon as they open to secure a bed. Also, outlets aren’t conveniently placed by every bed. There’s only a few showers, so you might have to wait your turn. There’s a nice rooftop to hang out on, a small kitchen, and a large dining area. Albergue de Peregrinos Santa Clara (public albergue) – I stayed here for €10 and the facilities were quite nice.You’ll enjoy boardwalks and coastal views while skipping all the concrete and roads that make up the coastal route on the first stage. It’s significantly longer but much more scenic and nicer to walk. You can also take the Senda Litoral to get out of Porto. I had lunch at Snack-Bar O Mundo in Areia, which was a much-needed rest and left me with just under 3 km to go until Vila do Conde. You can pop into any of the stores for air conditioning, pick up food at the Continente supermarket, or get lunch at one of the restaurants in the outlet mall.Īs I got closer to Vila do Conde, there were options to take a rest and grab a bite to eat. The outlets are the first place outside of the suburbs of Porto where it’d be good to make a stop. You’ll pass by Porto’s airport and a large outlet shopping, VC Fashion Outlet | Modivas. The bakery was the highlight of my walk this day because after that, the rest of the way to Vila do Conde was pretty boring. Although the place was packed with locals (always a good sign), the lady who served us was a delight. As the sun finally came up, I stopped at Molete Bread & Breakfast, one of the best Portuguese bakeries I visited on the Camino Portugués. The streets were quiet, empty of tourists, and the city was just starting to wake up. Heading out of Porto early in the morning was a special moment. Stages Day 1: Porto to Vila do Conde (28.57 km) Distance When choosing between the coastal route and the Senda Litoral variant, I recommend making your decision based on how much of the coast you want to see and how much distance you’d like to walk. So regardless of which one you take, you’ll stay in the same towns. However, the two routes merge throughout. As a result, the Senda Litoral is longer and you can go long stretches without any cafés, bars, or restaurants to fuel up. The Senda Litoral sticks to the coast, while the coastal route brings you inland in multiple spots. The Senda Litoral variantīefore you start planning your route, it’s important to know about the Senda Litoral variant. There will also be more pilgrims on the Camino, although the coastal route doesn’t get as busy as the central route. Sections of the coastal route that run next to the coast usually have no shade, so I recommend getting an early start. The peak of summer, July and August, can be really hot. Make sure you pack layers though, so you’re prepared for all types of weather. There’s less chance of rain and comfortable temperatures. The spring and fall will be the most pleasant times to do the coastal route. You want to avoid the winter, as you’ll battle rain and strong winds. The best time to walk the coastal route is during the spring, summer, and fall (from mid-April to October). When is the best time of year to walk the coastal route? If you decide to take the Senda Litoral variant or the unofficial parts that strictly follow the coast, your total distance will be more. The Camino Portugués coastal route is 268 km or 167 miles long, and it takes 12 to 14 days to complete.
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