Portuguese Way

The Portuguese route is a beautiful Jacobean route that connects Portugal with Santiago de Compostela. With approximately 610 kilometers from Lisbon or 240 kilometers from Porto, this historical route crosses lovely Portuguese cities before crossing the border into Galicia, Spain.

This route, which was used by Portuguese kings and nobles for centuries, offers a tour full of cultural wealth, historical monuments, delicious gastronomy and spectacular landscapes that combine the Atlantic coast with the green valleys and vineyards of northern Portugal and Galicia.

The Portuguese Way is the second most popular route after the French Way, but remains less crowded, allowing you to enjoy a quieter experience. Some of the advantages of this route are:

• Perfect balance: Good balance between the number of pilgrims and the accessibility of the route.
• Diversity of options: You can choose between the inner route or the variant on the coast, which will allow you to live a more personalized experience.
• Excellent infrastructure: Especially in the Spanish part, which facilitates the organization of the trip and ensures a good level of services.
• Spectacular landscapes: Highlighting forests, rivers and green areas, ideal for nature lovers.
• Low level of difficulty: With routes suitable for beginners or people who prefer a less demanding tour.

The Portuguese Way route passes through 8 districts (Lisbon, Santarém, Leiria, Coimbra, Aveiro, Porto, Braga and Viana do Castelo) and 2 Galician provinces in Spain (Pontevedra and A Coruña).

Unlike the French Way, the profile of the Portuguese Way is flatter and without steep slopes, making it ideal for those looking for an accessible route or for those traveling by bicycle.

Throughout the tour, the pilgrim will pass through charming villages such as Coimbra or Pontevedra, as well as historical monuments such as the Sampaio bridge.

As for infrastructure, the Portuguese way is well prepared, especially from Porto, where more developed hostels and services are found. Although in he section from Lisbon to Porto, the accommodations are more limited, the route crosses populated areas where it is easy to find accommodations and services.

The signage is clear and adequate, improving as Galicia progresses, where the cairns indicate the exact distances to Santiago. However, some sections cross main roads, such as the N-550 between Vigo and A Coruña, which requires attention from the pilgrims.

The duration of the Portuguese route depends on the starting point, but in general, the route from Lisbon can be done in 6 days, while from Santarem is required about 8 days. The stages vary in difficulty, but in general, the route is accessible to most pilgrims. Some of the stages include:

• Lisboa – Santa Iria de Azoia (17 km)
• Porto - Fajoze (26 km)
• Padrón - Santiago de Compostela (26 km)

Regardless of the available time, you can always adapt the route to adjust to the needs of each pilgrim.

The Central Route of the Portuguese Way, like all Camino de Santiago routes, its full of remarkable sights and cultural treasures. Some of the highlights along this route include:

• Cities of interest:
  • Lisbon
  • Santarem
  • Coimbra
  • Porto
  • Pontevedra
  • Santiago de Compostela
• Charming towns:
  • Golegã, hometown of José Saramago
  • Tomar, Templar City
  • Rabaçal, Roman Villa
  • San Pedro de Rates
  • Barcelos
  • Tui
  • Padrón, famous for its peppers
• Other highlights:
  • The Ruins de Conimbriga
  • Roman bridges and roads
  • Lush forests
  • Views of the Galician Rías

The Portuguese Coastal Way begins in Porto and follows the Atlantic cost before reaching Santiago de Compostela. It is one of the least busy routes, with less than 5% of pilgrims choosing it every year.

• Stages of the tour: The full tour covers 12 stages, starting in Porto and ending in Santiago de Compostela. The stages are:

  • Stage 1: Porto to Povoa de Varzim

  • Stage 2: Povoa de Varzim a Esposende

  • Stage 3: Spose to Viana do Castelo

  • Stage 4: Viana do Castelo A Ancora

  • Stage 5: Ancora a Guarda

  • Stage 6: Save Baiona

  • Stage 7: Baiona Vigo

  • Stage 8: Vigo A Redondela

  • Stage 9: Round to Pontevedra

    It crosses the central Portuguese road

  • Stage 10: Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis

  • Stage 11: Caldas de Reis A Padrón

  • Stage 12: Padrón to Santiago de Compostela

• Main characteristics:

  • It crosses three districts of Portugal and two Galician provinces

  • It offers beautiful views of the Portuguese coast and cliffs

  • Includes enigmatic monasteries and places with mysterious legends

  • Provides magnificent views about Galician estuaries

• Services and Infrastructure:

  • Accommodation:

    A varied range of accommodations, from hotels and rural houses to coastal lodgings in charming fishing villages

  • Signage:

    Clear and reliable, following the coastline, it’s almost impossible to get lost

  • Services:

    Broad services available in tourist villas

The lower number of pilgrims can be an inconvenience for those who seek more activity and company like that found on the French Way.

During your pilgrimage on this route, you can enjoy various places of interest, including:

• Porto: Prominent city at the beginning of the road
• Vigo: Important port city on the route
• Pontevedra: Historical city where road routes converge
• Santiago de Compostela: Final Pilgrimage Destination
• Ruins of Castro de São Paio
• Mindelo Ornithological Reserve
• Beaches and dunes along the route
• Castelo do Neiva
• Viana do Castelo
• Baiona
• Monastery of Santa María de Oia
• Views from the Cíes Islands
• Padrón

Each of these places offers a unique and enriching experience for the pilgrim, combining nature, history and culture.

The Portuguese Way attracts pilgrims for several reasons:

• Discovery of two countries: Travel through Portugal and northern Spain on a single route.
• Economic experience: Portugal offers more affordable prices than Spain.
• Easy to follow: The Central Portugues Way crosses the main cities of Portugal.
• Ideal for bicycle: The Central Portuguese Way is especially suitable for cycling, with flat terrain and good infrastructure.
• Less massified: Compared to the French Way, it offers a quieter experience.
• The coastal option: For those who enjoy walking by the sea, but without the difficulty of the Northern Way.

These features make the Portuguese Way an attractive and versatile option for different types of pilgrims.

Each season of the year offers a unique experience on the Portuguese Way:

• Spring: The weather can be unpredictable, but there are fewer pilgrims, making it easier to find accommodation.
• Summer: Warm and stable weather, ideal for walking. Although it’s the busiest season, the Portuguese Way is still less crowded than other routes.
• Autumn: Beautiful scenery and pleasant temperatures, though occasional rain is more common.
• Winter: Offers peaceful landscapes, though colder temperatures and rain add a special charm to the journey.

The best time to walk depends on your personal preferences — whether you value mild weather, lively company, or the tranquility of quieter paths.

These are some places that you cannot miss on the Portuguese Way:

• Cathedral of Santa María de Tui: An impressive Romanesque-Gothic building of the twelfth century located at the top of the city.
• San Simón Island: Located in the Vigo estuary, it was an important medieval religious center.
• Caldas de Reis River and Gardens: A beautiful botanical garden on the banks of the Umia River.
• Padrón: Famous for its peppers, but also with a lot of history and landscape beauty.

Each of these locations offers an enriching pause during your pilgrimage.

The Portuguese way has its origin in the discovery of the remains of Santiago in the ninth century. Although in the Middle Ages it was not the busiest route, it acquired importance since the 12th century, being an axis for trade and cultural exchanges.

Kings, nobles and famous figures such as Santa Isabel de Portugal (s. XIV) and Don Manuel I of Portugal (S. XVI) traveled this route, leaving an important historical legacy.

The Portuguese way retains hermitages, symbols and sculptures that recall the importance of this route in European history.

The appearance of the Virgin of Fatima to three shepherds in the twentieth century caused the sanctuary in Fatima to gain prominence, yet the Portuguese Way continues to be widely walked by pilgrims from around the world.

A famous legend tells that a Galician pilgrim, unfairly condemned to gallows in Barcelos, was saved by a rooster that he sang before his execution, demonstrating his innocence. This rooster is now a popular symbol of Portugal.

According to the legend, the pilgrim invoked Santiago affirming his innocence, and said that as proof, the roast rooster who was at the judge's table would sing at the time of his hanging. Miraculously, this happened.

The "Galo de Barcelos" has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Portugal and Portuguese folklore, representing faith, justice and good luck.

Good Way Santiago offers everything you need to enjoy a unique experience on the Portuguese way:

• Quality accommodation: In carefully selected hotels and rural houses.
• Luggage transfer: So you can walk without additional weight.
• 24-hour assistance: Always available for any unforeseen.
• Personalized planning: Adapted to your needs and preferences.
• Complete documentation: All the necessary information for your pilgrimage.

With Good Way Santiago, your only concern will be to enjoy the way and live an unforgettable experience.

Numerous pilgrims have lived an unforgettable experience with Good Way Santiago, highlighting the care in the details and quality of the service, making this path one of the most rewarding experiences of life.

"My experience with Good Way Santiago was simply perfect. From planning to the last day of the Portuguese road, everything was organized impeccably. The accommodations were lovely and the transfer of luggage worked without problems. I would recommend this service to any pilgrim."

- María L., Madrid

"Making the Portuguese path from Tui with Good Way Santiago was a successful decision. The team was always available to solve any questions or need. The accommodations exceeded my expectations and I could enjoy the way without worries."

- Roberto C., Buenos Aires

These experiences reflect Good Way Santiago's commitment to offer a quality service that allows pilgrims to focus on what really matters: living the way.