40+ Tips for First Time Pilgrims on the Camino Portugués

We’ve all been new on the Camino trail at some point. I had so many questions before my first Camino (and second and third…) so I thought it was time I put together all the tips and tricks I’ve learnt over the years to hopefully help any first time pilgrims about to embark on their journey.

I’ve written this with the Camino Portugués in mind as it’s the one I’ve walked the most but the majority of the tips are relevant to any of the other routes.

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Planning tips

1. Some people are planners while others are happy to just turn up and start walking. If you are a planner try and factor in some flexibility – not just for if things go wrong but for some spontaneity along the way. You can’t predict the weather, injuries, or what friendships you’ll strike up as you walk.
2. If you are a planner book accommodation with a free cancellation policy – just in case! When one of my Caminos was stopped in its tracks thanks to an injury, I had to cancel all the accommodation bookings I’d made, as well as my return flight, and book alternative travel home. Thankfully, I didn’t lose much money as most of my bookings had free cancellations.
3. Even if you are planning to take each day as it comes on your Camino, consider booking your accommodation at least a day or two ahead in peak season. On the Central route that’s late spring and autumn. On the Coastal route that also includes the summer months when holidaymakers flock to the seaside and accommodation might be at a premium.
4. Think about which route you want to take as the Central and Coastal routes are very different experiences. In fact, the Coastal route and Senda Litoral are totally different too despite both running next to or near the Atlantic Ocean. However, the joy of the Camino Portugués is that you don’t have to commit to one route – there are several places along the way where you can switch from the Coastal to the Central and vice versa. You can also switch between the Coastal and Senda Litoral along the way. You can read about the differences between the Central and Coastal routes in this post.
5. If you’re planning to walk the Spiritual Variant check the boat schedules from Vilanova de Arousa in advance and book tickets as soon as you know the date you’ll be travelling. They’re tide dependent and, if you get an early morning one, you can keep walking beyond Padrón to make your last day into Santiago a short one. You can read more about the Spiritual Variant here.
6. Learn a few basic Spanish and Portuguese phrases. No one will expect you to be fluent but having a few simple phrases will help and win you brownie points with the locals for making an effort. This post has lots of suggestions to help you learn some Spanish for the Camino.
7. Don’t skip travel insurance. You honestly never know what is going to happen and not having travel insurance can be more costly than you might realise.

Packing tips

8. Pack lighter than you think. Most first-time pilgrims pack too much. The oft-quoted rule is that your backpack should weigh around 10% of your body weight but that’s not set in stone. You can read my tried and tested packing list for the Camino Portugués for an idea of what to bring (or leave at home) but when in doubt, leave it out! Those ‘just in case’ items will weigh you down and, anyway, if you do forget something you should be able to buy it along the way.
9. Make sure the clothes you bring are quick drying as that way you can get away with packing just two sets – wash one, wear one, and repeat daily.
10. Bring flip-flops or sandals to change into at the end of each day – trust me, your feet will thank you for it! If you wear flip flops in communal showers don’t then wear them out and about too.
11. Use packing cubes or dry bags for your clothes. It makes packing and unpacking much easier and can help keep your belongings dry if you get caught in the rain.  
12. Don’t forget a first aid kit. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy but include blister plasters and painkillers as the bare minimum. If you run out along the way you’ll be able to pick more up in one of the many pharmacies you’ll come across. You can read what I packed in my first aid in this post.
13. Bring a small power pack. If you’re staying in albergues, charging outlets can be limited. It’s likely that you’ll be taking lots of photos with your phone and possibly using one of the Camino apps to check you’re on the right path so the last thing you want is for your phone to run out of juice before you finish for the day.
14. Make sure you train with your backpack before you set off. Before my first Camino when I hadn’t decided what I’d be taking I used to put the contents of my ironing basket in my backpack and go out walking just to get used to carrying a full pack.
15. Test all your gear before you leave. Your clothes might chafe when worn for long periods so you need to be sure that you’re not going to end the day in pain. Make sure you choose comfort over style. If you’re taking a poncho practice getting it on while you’re wearing your backpack – if it’s one that goes over your head rather than fastening up the front it’s not as easy as you might think.
16. Never start the Camino in brand-new shoes. Make sure you break them in well before you’re due to start just so that you can identify any potential hotspots. If you are buying new shoes to break in consider trail runners rather than hiking boots for the Camino Portugués and go a half size up as your feet will swell.

Last minute preparation tips

17. Download any offline maps or apps before you start and make sure you know how to use them. There are enough yellow arrows on most routes that you shouldn’t need an app for navigation but it can be handy on the Senda Litoral which isn’t as well marked. You’ll find yellow arrows on walls, trees, and lampposts as well as the official way markers but you can still miss them especially if you’re chatting to someone or even just admiring the views around you.
18. Write your name and contact details inside your credencial (pilgrim passport) before you set off. If you lose it along the way there’s a stronger chance someone will be able to get it back to you if you’ve filled in your personal details.
19. If you’re walking because you want some solitude think about starting midweek rather than on a weekend. I started my first Camino on a Thursday and, in terms of seeing other pilgrims en route, it was a very different experience to my next one when I left on a Sunday
20. If you have time, try and spend at least a day or two in Porto before you start walking.  If you’ve had a long flight it’s good to have a day or two to get over any jet lag so that you can start your Camino fully rested and refreshed.  

Tips for along the way

21. Remember that the Camino isn’t a race so start slowly for the first day or two and don’t push yourself too hard. This can be tricky if you’re taking the Senda Litoral out of Porto as there’s not much in the way of accommodation early on but an option is to start from Matosinhos (although you do miss the lovely walk out of Porto).
22. Always carry some cash. Although cards are accepted widely throughout Portugal and Spain you’ll find that in some shops and cafés in the smaller villages, as well as some albergues, cash is the only way to pay.
23. Keep your credencial to hand so you can easily access it to collect stamps along the way.  A waist bag is perfect for this so you’re not having to take your backpack on and off throughout the day.
24. Some stretches can feel very industrial (the walk into Vigo I’m looking at you!). The scenery is constantly changing though so don’t let the uglier side of the Camino get you down. Having said that, if you have the choice of two routes take the ‘complementario’ – it’s usually prettier and often much quieter.
25. The cobblestones on the Camino Portugués are tough on your feet so don’t underestimate them. They look pretty but walking long distances on them is brutal! Use rest stops to take your shoes off and get some air to your feet – within reason of course! I’m not suggesting you start airing your feet while sitting in a café. It’s also worth keeping a spare pair of socks in your backpack – handy on rainy days but even when it’s dry a change of socks can make a difference to the rest of your day’s walk.
26. Start early if you’re walking during the summer months. An early start means that you’re likely to be finished for the day by the time the midday heat kicks in. It also means that if you’re staying in a municipal albergue you’ll arrive early enough to get a bed for the night – maybe even a bottom bunk!
27. It’s more than likely that you’ll encounter rain at some point. The wooden boardwalks on the Coastal route and Senda Litoral get really slippery when wet so take care and slow down.
28. If you’re staying in dorms make sure you pack your bag the night before especially if you’re planning to make an early start so you can get up and go without disturbing everyone else.  

Food and drink tips

29. Eat more than usual as you’ll be burning a lot of calories. Second breakfasts on the Camino are the norm (and a hard habit to break when you get home!).
30. Always carry some snacks with you as on some stages it might be a while before you find a café for that second breakfast. Some muesli bars, nuts, or a bag of trail mix will tide you over and give you energy until you can find a bar or café.
31. Take plenty of breaks. Even if you don’t feel as though you need to stop it’s surprising what a difference a coffee and pastel de nata break can make! If there are no cafés to stop at just take fifteen minutes or so to sit and chill.
32. Drink plenty of water. Even in cooler weather it’s important to stay hydrated and if it’s a hot day drink before you feel thirsty so you don’t become dehydrated.
33. If you see a sign for a pilgrim menu or a menu del día you should definitely try it. They’re usually simple menus but, in general, you’ll get a starter, main, dessert, and a drink for a reasonable price.
34. The locals eat late in Spain and Portugal so you might find that a lot of restaurants don’t open in the evening until 8pm or later. Have an emergency snack stash if you’re not used to eating late.

Health and wellbeing tips

35. Treat any hotspots straightaway. It might not feel much at the start but a slight rubbing on your toes can quickly turn into a big blister. It only takes one blister to ruin your day or, if you’re really unlucky, end your Camino.
36. Similarly, if you get any kind of injury, such as a sprain, treat it as soon as you can. If you call into any pharmacy the staff will be able to advise you what the best course of action is.
37. Make sure you listen to your body and, if you need to, take a rest day. If something hurts for more than a few days it’s a sign that you need to take a rest day rather than plough on and potentially make things worse.
38. Walking poles can be a real help and not just on uphill sections. On descents (and there are some steep ones on the Camino Portugués) they can take some of the strain off your knees. If you’re not bringing poles with you, you can buy them when you arrive in Porto or, for a donation, you can pick up a pair at the Porto Pilgrim Office on Rua da Pena Ventosa.
39. Not every day on the Camino will be a magical experience. Be prepared for some days to feel tougher than others. The day I found hardest on my first Camino was actually my shortest walking day.
40. You’ll meet lots of people along the way but don’t compare your Camino to theirs as everyone walks for different reasons, and it doesn’t have to be a spiritual reason. While many are walking due to their faith, others are on the Camino to heal from grief, for fitness, adventure, or often just a break from their day to day life.
41. The Camino can be as social as you want it to be – be open to having conversations with strangers but, if you prefer to walk alone, that’s fine.
42. Put your phone away sometimes and be present in the moment. There are usually enough yellow arrows (or fellow pilgrims) that you don’t need to keep one eye on a map or an app. I use my phone to take photos and only look at it otherwise to check my bearings if I think I’ve gone a while without seeing a yellow arrow. Put it on silent and switch off notifications and enjoy the walk.
43. You might not expect it but the final walk into Plaza del Obradoiro is emotional. The feeling you get walking into Santiago de Compostela and standing in front of the Cathedral is hard to put into words. Make time to just soak up the atmosphere before you do anything else. This guide tells you all you need to know about what to do after you’ve arrived in Santiago from collecting your Compostela to attending pilgrim mass, and much more.
44. Don’t rush to leave – have a day or two in Santiago if you can or take a trip to Finisterre or Muxia.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this and it’s given you some food for thought ahead of your Camino. If you have any questions, or any tips of your own, you can pop a comment below or, even better, why not come and join the Camino Portugués Planning Facebook group where you can chat to others who are planning, or have already walked, the Camino.

Buen Camino!

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