Walking the Portuguese Camino

Heading inland, walkers cross the Medieval Ponte Sampaio Bridge near Pontevedra, a spot marked by its Roman foundations and a notable battle in 1809. Days are broken up by visits to towns such as Redondela, framed by the Rias de Vigo, and Caldas de Reis, known for its Roman-era thermal springs. Each stage offers a steady mixture of rural scenery, stone-built villages and the quiet momentum of a pilgrim’s pace.

The final and longest stretch leads to Santiago de Compostela, where cathedral spires emerge after a demanding climb. This route involves point-to-point walking, with luggage transferred ahead, leaving the focus on the terrain and the towns that have long welcomed pilgrimage. The last day’s effort is rewarded with free time to see the cathedral or attend the Pilgrims’ Mass.

New to Portugal? Our Portugal guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.

Santiago de Compostela

These are the places the trip visits, in order. Explore Worldwide publishes the day-by-day itinerary on its own site.