The Camino Portugués is currently the second most popular route on the Camino de Santiago, after the Camino Francés. Nine different Jacobean routes, some of which follow the footsteps of the Traslatio of the Apostle Saint James to his burial in what is now Compostela. The Portuguese Way is structured around central and coastal routes, to which can be added the Spiritual Variant, the most faithful to the Traslatio, which includes a boat trip through the Arousa Estuary.
Immerse yourself in the historical and spiritual richness of the Camino Portugués, one of the most fascinating routes for pilgrims. This route of the Camino de Santiago follows, in some sections, the footsteps of Theodore and Athanasius, the disciples of Saint James who carried his body to the ancient forest of Libredón, in present-day Santiago de Compostela, for burial. This historical event, known as the Traslatio of the Apostle James, can be experienced more faithfully on the Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portugués, either from Tui or Baiona.
The Camino Portugués is structured into two main routes: the central route and the coastal route, both with distinct options. The former takes us through beautiful landscapes and villages steeped in pilgrimage tradition, while the latter allows us to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Rías Baixas.
The stages of the Camino Portugués offer a unique experience where you can explore the authenticity of Portugal and Galicia while immersing yourself in the spirituality of the Camino de Santiago.
Your adventure on the Camino Portugués begins here! Buen Camino!
Other popular options include the Camino Portugués from Tui, which takes the inland route and covers 115 kilometers, or the Camino Portugués from Baiona along the coast, which is 126 kilometers.
If you prefer, you can also add to these routes from Tui or Baiona the Spiritual Variant, which follows the journey that the remains of Apostle James made in the 1st century, known as the Traslatio. This includes a part of the route along the Ría de Arousa by boat, sailing next to the only maritime Via Crucis in the world. If you take the Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portugués from Tui, it is 150 kilometers, and from Baiona, it is 163 kilometers.
All these variants of the Camino de Santiago Portugués exceed the one hundred kilometers needed by pilgrims to obtain the Compostela upon reaching Santiago.
However, if you decide to embark on one of the variants of the Camino Portugués that already start in Spain, departing from either Baiona or Tui, you have about eight days of the Camino de Santiago.
And if you have little time, the shortest route of the Camino de Santiago Portugués is the one from Vigo, which takes only seven days.
In Tui, we find its impressive cathedral and historic center, and in Baiona, the stunning fortress by the sea and its port.
Of course, when talking about towns on the Camino Portugués, perhaps the most significant town is Padrón, formerly known as Iria Flavia. This was where the remains of Apostle James arrived in the year 44 AD, and its current name, Padrón, comes from the “pedrón” (big stone) to which Teodor and Atanasio, disciples of Apostle James, tied the boat that brought him from Jerusalem.
On all the routes of the Camino de Santiago Portugués managed by Rutas Meigas, we offer the transfer of one piece of luggage per pilgrim, with a maximum limit of 20 kg per piece. If you need us to transport more than one piece of luggage, you can easily arrange this additional service at a very affordable cost.
Based on this, you can choose different starting points, the main ones being Porto, Tui, Baiona, or Vigo.
Of all the variants of the Camino Portugués, the most challenging is the inland route with the spiritual variant option.
From there, you can extend your journey, and if you start the Camino Portugués from Porto, it will be two weeks of pilgrimage.
