Deciding to walk the Camino Portugués is an easy decision. Deciding when to walk is a bit more difficult unless, of course, you’re a teacher and can only walk during school holidays or you have other restrictions on when you can take time off work.
Overview of the Camino Portugués
There are two main routes on the Camino Portugués.
The Central route goes inland from Porto and passes through small historic towns along the way while the Coastal route/Senda Litoral follows the Atlantic coastline.
Both routes merge in Redondela and continue inland to Santiago de Compostela.
Your choice of route is likely to have some bearing on when you walk (or vice versa) so if you haven’t yet decided which route to take this post ‘Camino Portugués – Central or Coastal Route’ should help.
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Walking the Camino Portugués by season
In all honesty, there isn’t one single perfect month to walk the Camino but there are seasonal differences which can affect and influence your decision so in this post I’m going to break down the positives and negatives of each season to help you decide the best time to walk.
Spring (March – May)
Spring on the Camino Portugués generally means mild weather, with some rainfall and fewer pilgrims than during the summer months.
Early on in the season it can be chilly but spring is when you’ll get to see the countryside at its finest with lush green fields dotted with wildflowers. If you’re a nature lover, then spring is definitely the season for you!
Weather in spring
Temperatures in spring are generally between 12°c and 22°c which makes it one of the best times to walk.
If you’re walking on the Coastal route you’ll most likely have a see breeze blowing in off the Atlantic so it may feel quite fresh compared to walking the Central route.
I walked the Central route from Porto in April/May 2022 and would start the day wearing a jacket which I’d take off after around an hour of walking to finish the day in a t-shirt.
Whichever route you choose there’s likely to be the odd rain shower so you’ll need to pack rain gear.
The Weather Channel is a good website for checking long term forecasts.
Festivals and holidays in spring
The main holiday during the spring months is Easter. Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Spain and Portugal is a real spectacle so if your walk coincides with Easter you’re in for a treat.
On the flip side, if you’re going to be on the road at this time you may struggle to find accommodation so think about booking ahead.
May Day (1st May) is also a public holiday so some shops and services might be closed. However, you’ll also get to experience local celebrations like the Maio festival in Galicia.
Is spring the best time to walk the Camino Portugués?
If you decide to walk in spring you’ll likely have good weather which makes it much more comfortable to cover longer distances, the scenery will be at its best particularly on the Central route, and it won’t be too crowded so you won’t necessarily have to book ahead if you want to just take each day as it comes.
Summer (June – August)
Summer on the Camino Portugués means longer days and is the most popular time to walk. The long daylight hours mean you can start walking early and have plenty of time to explore the towns and villages you pass through along the way.
Weather in summer
Summer temperatures can be anywhere between 18°c and 30°c which can make long days of walking feel arduous with a real risk of heat exhaustion.
Of course, if you’re walking the Coastal route or Senda Litoral then the sea breeze is going to cool you down but on the long stretches by the ocean there’s absolutely no shade so you’ll need to be prepared with plenty of water and lots of suncream.
If you’re walking the Central route you’ll have more shade but it’s likely to feel much hotter inland so, again, carry lots of water and wear a hat.
Walking in summer also means that the risk of forest fires is very real and is something that has affected pilgrims walking in both Portugal and Spain in recent years.
Festivals and holidays in summer
Every day during summer in Portugal and Spain can seem like a holiday as the locals love to party and there are festivals and ferias happening throughout both countries.
The festival of São João in Porto is a huge celebration on 23rd and 24th June, while on 25th July Santiago celebrates the feast of St James with music and fireworks.
There’s also a big music festival in Santiago in early June each year so be aware that you may need to book your accommodation well in advance if you’re going to be walking during the early summer months.
Is summer the best time to walk the Camino Portugués?
Summer is a great time to walk the Camino Portugués if you’re happy to walk in what can be intense heat. However, the long days are perfect for early starts so you can be finished before the sun gets too hot.
During the summer months you’re likely to also be vying with tourists for accommodation particularly if you’re walking the Coastal route. The seaside towns along this route are very popular summer holiday destinations so prices will be higher and you’re more likely to need to book ahead. Even if you’re staying in albergues the number of pilgrims is much higher which is something to consider.
If you want to walk the Camino but don’t know where to begin I’ve written this Camino Portugués planning guide which tells you everything you need to know and outlines all the steps you need to take to get you on your way.
Autumn (September – November)
Autumn on the Camino Portugués generally means good weather, especially at the start of the season. As well as a drop in temperature from the heat of summer the number of pilgrims is also lower so the paths are quieter meaning less need to book ahead for your accommodation.
Weather in autumn
Temperatures in autumn are generally between 14°c and 25°c which are ideal for walking, although later in the season it can feel much cooler and, of course, there’s more chance of rain.
I walked the Coastal route/Senda Litoral in September/October 2024 and it was wet!! In fact, except for the first two days out of Porto I had to wear my rain gear every day! The wind blowing in off the Atlantic along that route on a wet day can be quite challenging too so, if you’re undecided on your route, it may be better to walk the Central route especially during late autumn.
Festivals and holidays in autumn
After a riotous summer of festivals the autumn months are quieter.
1st November is All Saints’ Day which means many places may be closed for business but this is much more low key than other holidays throughout the year.
Is autumn the best time to walk the Camino Portugués?
Autumn is the best time to walk if you’re looking for a relatively peaceful Camino but with enough facilities still open and with generally good weather (although there are no guarantees of course!). Of the autumn months September and October tick those boxes with enough daylight hours to walk without having to rush to your destination.
Winter (December – February)
Winter on the Camino Portugués means lower temperatures, frequent rainfall and, as you would expect, far fewer pilgrims along the way.
Many albergues close for winter, and it’s likely that many bars and restaurants along the way will be closed too, particularly if you walk the Coastal route.
Daylight hours are also much shorter in winter so you may find yourself walking in the dark at either the start or end of the day which is something to bear in mind if you’re travelling on your own.
This post has lots of practical tips for staying safe on the Camino.
Weather in winter
Temperatures in winter are generally between 8°c and 15°c but can be lower and you should expect frequent rain and possibly frost once you reach Galicia.
All that rain can lead to flooding on some parts of the Camino, particularly on the Central route, so you need to be prepared for wet and muddy paths which means packing your waterproofs and expecting to get a lot of use out of them!
Festivals and holidays in winter
If you’re walking during the winter months then you’ll be able to enjoy the Christmas celebrations. Towns and villages along the way will be decorated for the festive season with lights and nativity scenes and if you’re walking early in the new year you may be lucky to witness the Three Kings’ Parades which take place on 5th January.
Is winter the best time to walk the Camino Portugués?
If you decide to walk in winter it’s likely to be a solitary experience and you may find yourself walking entire stages alone or with only one or two other pilgrims. Walking in winter does mean that accommodation is generally cheaper, and travel to and from Portugal and Spain will be cheaper too.
However, that needs to be balanced out by the fact that there are likely to be limited services along the way and the weather will be unpredictable.
Final thoughts
In my opinion spring and autumn are the optimal times to walk as the weather is usually fine, it’s not too crowded along the way, and the longer days mean you have more time to enjoy the walk or explore your destination.
However, when it comes to the weather nothing is guaranteed – you can have rain in the summer and sunny days in the winter so make sure you’re prepared for every eventuality.
I hope that this post will help you decide the best time to walk but if you still have any questions pop them in the comments below. If you still can’t make your mind up after reading this far, why not come and join the Camino Portugués Planning Facebook group and see what others have got to say?
Buen Camino!
Other posts you might like
🥾 Walking the Central Route of the Camino Portugués – a 14 Day Itinerary
🥾 Walking the Coastal Route of the Camino Portugués – a 13 Day Itinerary
🥾 Walking the Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portugués
🥾 Camino Portugués – Central or Coastal Route
🥾 Camino Portugués – Coastal Route or Senda Litoral
🥾 Walking the Last 100 kms of the Camino Portugués
🥾 Camino Portugués Central Route Accommodation Guide
🥾 Camino Portugués Coastal Route Accommodation Guide
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