7 Nts Portuguese Camino - Final Stretch

Day 1. Arrival Day

Walk from the Portuguese frontier all the way to Santiago de Compostela. With its vast walled fortress, Valença is one of the most impressive towns in northern Portugal. Strolling through its well-preserved medieval streets and visiting the stunning viewpoints overlooking the Minho river towards the Spanish city of Tui count among the town’s highlights. Take a relaxing tour of the fortress and look forward to the walking adventure ahead over a traditional evening meal.

Overnight: Valença do Minho

 

Day 2. Valença do Minho - Porriño (20.2 km)

Time to set off. Leave Valença via the cobbled streets of its vast fortress and immediately cross the International Bridge over the Minho River linking Portugal and Spain. Enter the old city of Tui and ascend towards the compact historic quarter boasting impressive monuments such as the wonderful 12th-century cathedral. Follow a wooded trail along the banks of the Louro River until you finally reach your destination, the town of Porriño.

Overnight: Porriño

 

Day 3. Porriño - Arcade (21.5 km)

From Porriño, continue your Camino journey along a river valley, encountering clustered villages, little farm holdings and native woods as you go along. At Redondela, you will be greeted with views of the spectacular Vigo Estuary and these will last all the way to Arcade, a town famous for its oysters and featuring a magnificent old bridge over the River Verdugo, where an important battle took place in 1809 during the Napoleonic Wars.

Overnight: Arcade

 

Day 4. Arcade - Pontevedra (11.9 km)

This is a short stage that starts off along cobbled medieval alleyways out of Arcade before entering sloping woods and small villages clustered together in valleys. A pretty river path ends in the fantastic city of Pontevedra, famous for its medieval heritage and vibrant atmosphere. Being a short stage, you will have plenty of time to explore the city and visit its historic churches and monuments such as the symbolic Church of La Peregrina.

Overnight: Pontevedra

Day 5. Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis (23 km)

After your night in Pontevedra, the Camino will pass through chestnut groves and run parallel to a railway line for a time. Stroll through the pretty villages of Alba, A Portela and Briallos, as well as charming vineyards and forests of eucalyptus and pine trees. Your destination today is the town of Caldas de Reis, which is well known for its hot springs and which sits at the confluence of the Bermaña and Umia rivers.

Overnight: Caldas de Reis

Day 6. Caldas de Reis - Padrón (18.5 km)

Leave Caldas de Reis and pass through more fields and quiet hamlets before descending to cross the river Fontenlo. Make your way through pine forests to today’s final destination: the town of Padrón, believed to be not only the place where the Apostle James preached in Spain, but also the place his body landed ashore when it was brought to Santiago de Compostela by his disciples—making Padrón one of the most symbolic towns along the entire Camino.

Overnight: Padrón

Day 7. Padrón - Santiago de Compostela (25.2 km)

Leave Padrón and walk through a number of small villages on your way to the historical sanctuary of A Esclavitude. Today you will also see some of the oldest wayside crosses in Galicia. Soon you will be able to see the spires of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Descend through the outskirts of the city, then weave through the narrow streets of the old town until you reach Plaza do Obradoiro and the beautiful Gothic façade of the Cathedral. Now it’s time to relax and explore this magnificent spiritual and cultural city.

Overnight: Santiago de Compostela

Day 8. Santiago de Compostela

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the end of your camino adventure. See you next time!