Walking the last 100 kms of the Camino Portugués is the ideal choice if you want a Camino experience but don’t have the time or ability to walk the distance from Porto or Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela.
The last 100 kms of any of the Camino de Santiago routes is the minimum you need to walk in order to qualify for the Compostela certificate and if you’re thinking of walking the last 100 kms of the Camino Portugués you’re in for a treat.
A plus point of the Camino Portugués is that you have a choice of two routes – the Central route and the Coastal route. The last 100 kms on the Central route starts in Tui while the last 100 kms on the Coastal route starts in Vigo. Whichever route you decide to walk, both routes merge in Redondela so you’ll follow the same path for the last four stages to Santiago.
Having completed both the Central and Coastal routes from Porto I can tell you exactly what it’s like to walk each path to help you make the right decision.
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Walking the last 100 kms of the Camino Portugués from Tui
Tui is roughly 73 miles (118 kms) from Santiago and the most popular starting point for pilgrims walking the last 100 kms of the Camino Portugués. According to the most recent statistics from the Pilgrim Office, 32,861 pilgrims started in Tui during 2023.
The way from Tui is the more traditional of the two routes and features rural landscapes, mediaeval towns, and ancient paths including Roman roads.
Located on the Minho River which separates Spain and Portugal, it’s worth spending some time exploring Tui before you start your Camino.
As well as spending time in the Cathedral, there are other historical buildings which are worth a visit including Capela de San Telmo and Convento de Santa Clara where you can pay the nuns a visit and buy some of their traditional fish shaped cookies.
Accommodation in Tui
There’s plenty of choice in Tui whatever your budget. I stayed in Hotel A Torre do Xudeu which was a lovely historical building right on the Camino, and which had a great breakfast included in the price.
If you want to start your Camino in style you could stay at the Parador de Tui but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives including the popular Ideas Peregrinas.
Search for accommodation in Tui
If you want to say that you’ve walked part of the Camino in Portugal (you are walking the Camino Portugués after all) you could start your journey across the river in Valenca.
It’s only about two miles (3.5 kms) from Tui across the Ponte Internacional and means that you get to take a ‘one foot in Portugal one foot in Spain’ photo as you reach the halfway point of the bridge.
Even if you don’t start here it’s worth spending some time exploring the fortress so, if you have time before your Camino, think about taking a half day to see what Valenca has to offer.
Camino Portugués Stages from Tui to Santiago de Compostela
As it’s longer from Tui to Santiago it usually takes an extra day which is something to bear in mind if you have limited time. The most popular stages are:
- Tui to O Porriño – 16 kms
- O Porriño to Redondela – 15.8 kms
- Redondela to Pontevedra – 20.8 kms
- Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis – 21.5 kms
- Caldas de Reis to Padrón – 18.9 kms
- Padrón to Santiago de Compostela – 25.4 kms
The distances are taken from the Camino Ninja app and will be approximate depending on how close to the route you are staying, and any diversions you take.
Tui to O Porriño
Day one is a fairly short walk to break you in gently. Rather than just leave from your accommodation it’s worth heading to the Cathedral and setting off from there – it makes it seem more of an official start to the Camino.
It’s a fairly flat part of the Camino so it’s not too strenuous for the first day – the hills come later!
This part of the route is home to one of the most well-known images of the Camino Portugués – the mural of the old pilgrim (El Viejo Peregrino) at Orbenlle.
Shortly after the mural the road splits in two – the quick route to O Porriño through an industrial area, or the ‘complementario’ route. My motto when walking the Central route where there were a few of these alternative routes was always ‘when in doubt take the complementario’. They’re generally more scenic paths which, although a little longer, never usually add too many miles to the day.
Read more about the walk from Tui to O Porriño
Accommodation in O Porriño
There’s less choice here than in Tui but you should still have no problem finding somewhere to stay.
I stayed in Hostal Louro which was right on the path and close to shops and restaurants.
Search for accommodation in O Porriño
O Porriño to Redondela
This is another fairly short stage although, unlike the stage from Tui, there are some hills to contend with.
From the tiny village of Mos there’s a long uphill. It’s worth taking a coffee break in Mos so that you’re refreshed for the climb. It’s not steep but it’s long. Of course, what goes up must come down and, this time, it was steep. This is where you’ll be thankful of having hiking poles. The views from the top are stunning and definitely outweigh any pain you might be feeling in your knees from the downhill trek!
Read more about the walk from O Porriño to Redondela
Accommodation in Redondela
There’s plenty of choice in Redondela.
When I walked the Central route I stayed in A Boa Estrela, a small guesthouse right on the Camino route and, while doing the Coastal route I stayed in El Piso de la Placita, a clean and comfortable apartment in the town centre.
Search for accommodation in Redondela
As the routes merge in Redondela I’ll cover the remaining stages in detail in the next section.
Walking the last 100 kms of the Camino Portugués from Vigo
Vigo is around 63 miles (102 kms) from Santiago and, according to the most recent statistics from the Pilgrim Office, 9,715 pilgrims started in Vigo during 2023.
Although it’s on the Coastal route, there’s only one stage before it merges with the Central route so your opportunity to appreciate the coastal scenery is limited.
Vigo is a big modern city with a large port area. If you want to spend some time exploring before you start your Camino you could easily spend a few days there and include a visit to the Cies Islands which lie just off the coast.
If you’re interested in a trip to the Cies Islands my blogger friend Carolin has written a fantastic guide to them – Everything You Need to Know About the Hiking Trails in the Cies Islands.
Accommodation in Vigo
As it’s a big city there’s plenty of accommodation to choose from. However, precisely because it’s a big city, it may be difficult to find somewhere to stay that’s reasonably priced.
I stayed in B & B Hotel which, conveniently, was right on the Camino which meant that it was easy to find my way out of the city.
Search for accommodation in Vigo
Camino Portugués Stages from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela
The most popular stages from Vigo to Santiago are:
- Vigo to Redondela – 15.7 kms
- Redondela to Pontevedra – 20.8 kms
- Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis – 21.5 kms
- Caldas de Reis to Padrón – 18.9 kms
- Padrón to Santiago de Compostela – 25.4 kms
As before these distances are calculated using the Camino Ninja app and will be approximate depending on how close to the route you are staying, and whether you take any detours.
Vigo to Redondela
There’s a steep climb out of Vigo but if you take your time it’s not so bad. Alternatively, if you choose your accommodation wisely like we did, you can already be halfway up the hill when you start so it won’t feel like a slog to get on your way.
One of the plus points of the climb is that there are fantastic panoramic views of Vigo and the Cies Islands to enjoy – don’t forget to keep looking behind you as well as watching the views unfold in front of you.
There’s quite a bit of road walking at first but the path does eventually head into a wooded area where the trail threads through ferns and moss covered trees and past the occasional small waterfall.
As with the walk into Redondela from O Porriño on the Central route there’s a steep descent into Redondela and then an easy walk into the town itself. Keep your poles handy to protect your knees!
Accommodation in Redondela
You can see my Redondela choices in the Tui to Santiago section above.
Search for accommodation in Redondela
Redondela to Pontevedra
I’ve walked this route twice now – the second time I’d forgotten just how steep it was in places!
There’s some road walking to get out of Redondela but the path soon leads through forests before reaching the town of Arcade and over the bridge in Pontesampaio.
On this part of the route, if you’re lucky, you’ll come across pipers in the forest – there’s something very special about walking along a woodland trail and hearing a piper in the distance.
A short distance outside of Pontevedra there used to be a choice of following the official path or taking an alternative scenic route via the river. It was a lovely walk which I did on my first Camino but, on my second recent Camino, the Complementario way marker had been covered up. Hopefully this is only a temporary measure as it’s a much more pleasant walk than the official path into the city.
Accommodation in Pontevedra
Pontevedra is a big place so there’s plenty of choice for all budgets.
On my first visit I stayed in Dpaso Urban Hostel which is right on the Camino and has comfortable bunks.
The second time I stayed at Hotel Madrid which was close to the route and near the old town.
If you want a bit of luxury, Pontevedra is another city with a parador so why not treat yourself to a stay at the recently refurbished Parador de Pontevedra?
Search for accommodation in Pontevedra
Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis
My walk from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis was far from typical as Storm Kirk was battering northern Spain which meant a large portion of the route was impassable and we were advised by the local police to walk along the side of the N550. Not the most relaxing or pleasant day on the Camino!
There were some sections where we could join the official path but they were few and far between and once we reached Caldas de Reis it was flooded in parts so there was little opportunity for sightseeing!
Obviously this means that I’ll have to return to the Camino to walk this stage again under normal conditions!
The Spiritual Variant (or Variante Espiritual) is an alternative route from Pontevedra but it does add an extra day to the Camino. However, if you’re not strapped for time I can highly recommend it. You can find out everything you need to know about the Spiritual Variant in this post.
Accommodation in Caldas de Reis
I stayed in Campo da Torre, a gorgeous little apartment right on the Camino. The owner had thought of everything – water, beer, and soft drinks in the fridge, plenty of capsules for the coffee machine, a big fruit bowl, and a basket of snacks. What’s not to love?
Search for accommodation in Caldas de Reis
Caldas de Reis to Padrón
Much of this part of the Camino is through woodland and is a lovely walk along forest trails, past small chapels, and on paths that follow ancient Roman roads.
At Pontecesures, the Spiritual Variant rejoins the main route and there’s also the opportunity here to detour to stay in the monastery at Herbon. If you see red arrows painted on walls, these are the ones to follow if you wish to stay there.
While you’re in Padrón make sure you collect your Pedronia, a certificate given out by the Town Council to show that you’ve followed the route to where the body of St James was brought before it was carried through to Santiago.
Many pilgrims decide not to stay in Padrón so that they have a shorter walk into Santiago on their final day. On my first Camino I chose to carry on as I’d walked the Spiritual Variant, which meant that I only had a few miles to get from Pontecesures to Padrón and was there very early in the morning, so it made sense to continue.
Accommodation in Padrón
I stayed in Apartamento Salomé in the heart of Padrón but if you decide to continue beyond the town there are various places to stay including the wonderful Camiño da Vieira in Cruces.
Another popular choice is O Lagar de Jesus or, if you prefer a hotel stay, Hotel Scala. Both will mean you’re closer to Santiago on your final day.
Search for accommodation in Padrón and nearby
Padrón to Santiago de Compostela
The final stretch into Santiago is a curious mix of pleasant walks through quiet streets, country lanes and on forest trails, interspersed with less attractive sections near busy roads.
The number of pilgrims grows the closer you get to Santiago and it’s a lovely atmosphere as everyone is excited about reaching their final destination.
A few miles outside Santiago there’s a choice of path – having now walked both I would recommend taking the path to the right via Conxo – it’s slightly longer but it’s a much prettier walk to get to Santiago.
Arriving in Santiago and standing in front of the Cathedral in Plaza del Obradoiro is a special experience, whether it’s your first Camino or you’ve walked many times – make sure you stay awhile and watch other pilgrims arriving from other routes. It’s a joyous occasion all round.
Accommodation in Santiago de Compostela
My top choice for accommodation in Santiago is Hospederia San Martin Pinario. It’s a converted monastery, just a stone’s throw from Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral and, while you can book one of the modernised rooms, you can also choose to stay in one of the original monk’s cells which hasn’t been updated. Don’t let that put you off though – although basic you get a private room with ensuite bathroom, and breakfast is included.
The pilgrim rooms can only be booked directly with the Hospederia. You can e-mail them on reservas@sanmartinpinario.eu
For a treat there’s the Parador de Santiago (Hostal Reis Catolicos) which is not cheap but is right in the square next to the Cathedral – the perfect location to end your Camino.
Search for accommodation in Santiago de Compostela
Arriving in Santiago de Compostela – what next?
Even though you’re reached Santiago your journey doesn’t end there.
There’s a lot to see and do in Santiago de Compostela but, as a pilgrim, these are the most important.
Get the Compostela
The Compostela is the certificate that confirms that you’ve officially completed your pilgrimage. To get the certificate you have to show that you’ve walked at least the last 100kms (or travelled 200kms by bicycle) which is why collecting the stamps in your credencial along the way is so important.
The certificates are issued by the Pilgrim’s Office which is located close to the cathedral on Rua das Carretas.
The Pilgrim’s Office is open every day (except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) from 9am until 7pm.
The Compostela is written in Latin and, in keeping with the tradition, the pilgrim’s name is translated to Latin too.
The Compostela is free but for €3 you can also request a Certificate of Distance to show how far you’ve walked, and from where.
The system for obtaining the Compostela has been streamlined to avoid big queues and, after each Camino, I’ve never had to wait for longer than ten minutes. After my first Camino in 2022 my name was handwritten but all certificates are now printed which lacks the personal touch but makes the process much quicker.
- You can register in advance which will give you a QR code.
- Once at the pilgrim’s office you will need to present the QR code for entry to the office. If you haven’t registered in advance it’s not a problem as you can do it when you arrive.
- You then collect a ticket with another QR code – this is your line number. You can scan this to see how far you are from the front of the queue and how long you have to wait.
- Once your number is called you will need to show your credencial with all your sellos at which point you can collect your Compostela.
Pay your respects to St James for and thank him for keeping you safe on your journey
There are two ways of doing this. Firstly by taking the steps under the altar to visit his tomb. This small crypt contains the bones of St James and is accessed by a narrow staircase opposite the Holy Doors.
The second way is by heading up the steps behind the altar where this is a small statue of the saint – pilgrims can choose to either place a hand on him or embrace him from behind.
Attend pilgrim mass
There are special Pilgrim Masses four times a day (at 7.30am, 9.30am, 12 noon, and 7.30pm).
One of the things that most pilgrims want to witness when they come to Mass is the swinging of the ‘botafumeiro’ (incense burner). The botafumeiro in Santiago is one of the largest in the world and operates only on special occasions, unless you’re prepared to pay to see it. The official website of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela has a list of all the dates that you can witness the swinging of the botafumeiro plus the information you need if you wish to request it outside of these dates.
I’ve been fortunate to see the botafumeiro in action twice – once from a seat on the second row, and once standing in a crowd at the back of the cathedral. It honestly doesn’t matter where you are in the cathedral when it happens as it’s an amazing sight regardless.
Santiago de Compostela is a wonderful city – this blog post will give you an idea of just some of the things to do after the Camino.
Top Tips for the walking the last 100 kms of the Camino Portugués
When to walk the Camino Portugués
There’s never really a bad time to walk the Camino but, if you want to avoid the worst of the weather (whether that’s a wet and wild winter or a hot and humid summer) I’d recommend either spring or autumn.
Bear in mind though that, when it comes to the weather, there are no guarantees. I walked the Central route in April/May and had wonderful weather (just two days of rain out of fourteen), whereas when I walked the Coastal route in September/October I had the reverse, with only two really good days out of thirteen.
Of course, those times are also going to be the busiest on the Camino so it might be worth booking ahead for your accommodation.
If you’re planning to walk the Coastal route during the summer months bear in mind that there’ll be plenty of tourists so you might struggle for reasonably priced accommodation unless you book in advance.
If you plan to walk during the late autumn and into the winter months be aware that lots of services close for the season so, again, it’s worth booking ahead to be sure of a bed for the night. You might also struggle to find any bars and restaurants that are open so be prepared and always carry snacks with you just in case.
How to get to Tui or Vigo
There are international airports in Vigo and Santiago, or you may prefer to fly into Porto and travel to the start of your Camino from there.
By air
You can check flights on Trip.com to find good deals from your destination.
By train
Trains within Spain and Portugal are excellent. Trainline is a good site for finding trains within Europe while the Renfe website covers train travel within Spain, and Comboios de Portugal has trains from Porto to Vigo.
By bus
Take a look at the Omio website to find buses within Spain and Portugal.
How to get your Credencial
If you’re starting in Porto it’s easy to pick up your credencial (pilgrim passport) at the Cathedral. However, if you’re starting in either Tui or Vigo it may be easier to buy one in advance.
The website of the Pilgrim Office in Santiago has all the details of where you can buy one before you set off.
Don’t forget that for the last 100 kms of the Camino you have to collect a minimum of two stamps a day in your credencial if you want to collect a Compostela when you arrive in Santiago.
Luggage transfer on the last 100 kms of the Camino Portugués
If you decide to have your luggage transported, there are plenty of companies that can do that for you.
On my first Camino I carried my pack but, on my next one, I opted to use a luggage transfer service and went with Pilbeo and wasn’t disappointed. We had to have our luggage ready for collection by 8am each day and, without fail, it was already waiting for us in our next accommodation.
Other options I considered were Caminofacil and Tuitrans.
Which starting point should you choose?
If you can’t decide whether to start from Tui or Vigo here are a few things to consider.
How much time do you have?
It’s longer to walk from Tui than from Vigo so, if you’re sticking to the most popular stages that I outlined earlier you’ll need an extra day to complete it (six days from Tui compared to five days from Vigo).
How much of a challenge are you looking for?
Starting from Tui will break you into the Camino gently compared to climbing the big hill out of Vigo. However, as the routes merge in Redondela you’ll be walking the same route after one day if you start in Vigo.
Personally I would start from Tui if I only had time to walk the last 100 kms.
You can find more information on how to help you decide whether to walk the Central or the Coastal route in this post.
Whether you decide to start on the Central route in Tui or begin on the Coastal route in Vigo you won’t be disappointed as both have their own individual charm. If you still have any questions about which route to choose after reading this please contact me and I’ll be only too happy to help.
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!
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