The 3 routes of the Portuguese Camino from Porto

The Portuguese Camino from Porto has totally different routes; the Central, the Coastal Route, and the Litoral Method. All routes begin at Se Cathedral in Porto. All three routes merge in Redondela, Spain, 85 km earlier than Santiago de Compostela. It’s attainable to mix all three routes or select one and stroll it from the begin to the tip. On this publish, I describe the primary stage of every of the three Camino de Santiago routes from Porto.

For a lot of pilgrims, the Portuguese Camino begins in Porto. The route is for much longer as a result of it begins in Lisbon. The Lisbon to Porto a part of the Camino isn’t a highly regarded route.

What number of routes are on the Portuguese Camino from Porto?

There are 3 routes on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago from Porto; the Central Route, the Coastal Route, and the Litoral Method or Senda Litoral. The Litoral Method is the one which goes alongside the coast from Porto. The Central and the Coastal routes go inland. 

I walked out of Porto for 3 consecutive days following the three totally different routes of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. The Litoral Method is by far my favourite because it goes alongside the coast and provides spectacular surroundings. The Coastal Route from Porto is my least favourite as a result of it goes via some industrial areas and previous the airport. I wouldn’t say the stroll on the Coastal Route was ugly or disagreeable it was okay I simply preferred it the least, particularly the center half the place you stroll via the commercial space and subsequent to the airport. Apart from the primary stage, the Coastal Route is certainly one of our favourite Camino de Santiago routes.

The map of the three Camino routes from Porto

Finest locations to remain in Porto earlier than the Camino

One of the best is to remain close to the Cathedral so in your first day on the Camino you can begin the stroll proper out of your resort and don’t must take the metro or a bus to get to the Cathedral first.

Albergue de Peregrinos de Porto is 3 km away from the Cathedral on the Central/Coastal Camino routes. If you wish to keep there you are able to do the primary 3 km from Se Cathedral to Albergue the day earlier than you begin your stroll so on the day you’ll be able to stroll out of the Albergue and proceed on the Camino. In the event you’re going to stroll the Litoral Method then you definately’ll must get from the albergue to the Cathedral by public transport or taxi after which begin strolling.

Which Camino route from Porto is the very best to stroll?

It is determined by which route of the Portuguese Camino you need to stroll. In the event you plan to stroll the Central Route I’d recommend following it from the beginning. It’s also possible to stroll out of Porto following the Senda Litoral, however in that case, you’ll have to modify to the Central Route in Vila do Conde which provides one additional day to your itinerary. 

If you wish to stroll the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino I’d recommend strolling out of Porto following the Litoral Method. For my part, it’s a extra stunning route and it makes extra sense to stroll alongside the coast since that’s what you need to do. The Litoral Method and the Coastal Route take part Vila do Conde. From there they observe kind of the identical trajectory. The Litoral Method sticks extra to the seaside whereas the Coastal Route generally goes via cities and villages. 

The stroll from Porto to Vila do Conde on the Litoral Method is 4 km longer than on the Coastal Route; 33 km vs 29 km. You don’t must stroll it in sooner or later. Even 29 km for my part is an excessive amount of for the primary day on the Camino. 

As an possibility, you’ll be able to mix all three routes. Stroll out of Porto following the Litoral Method, then proceed on the Coastal Route from Vila do Conde to Caminha from there stroll to Valença and proceed on the Central Path to Santiago de Compostela. You possibly can add to your itinerary the Non secular Variant of the Portuguese Camino from Pontevedra to Padrón.

What’s the most scenic route of the Portuguese Camino from Porto?

The Senda Litoray (Litoral Method) is for my part essentially the most scenic route of the primary stage of the Portuguese Camino from Porto. The Coastal and the Central routes have stunning elements as properly however it’s not as spectacular because the Litoral Method. I particularly loved the final 10 km to Vila Cha which had been alongside the coast previous a number of stunning seashores. There are some wonderful cities to go to on all 3 Camino routes.

Evaluating the three routes; Central Route vs Coastal Route vs Litoral Method

Strolling floor

On each the Central and Coastal routes, you stroll solely on laborious surfaces with virtually half of the route being on cobbled stones that are identified to be robust in your toes. 

On the Litoral Method, half of the route goes on boardwalks that are simpler in your toes. There aren’t any cobbled stones on the route.

Strolling on or alongside busy roads

Once more, the Litoral Method is the winner. You don’t stroll on the street in any respect, not even 100 m. On the Central and Coastal routes you do stroll on the street and subsequent to busy roads with quite a lot of site visitors.

Straightforward to navigate

Regardless of the Litoral Method not being marked for the primary 10 km for my part it’s the best path to stroll out of Porto. It’s very simple. You don’t want a map, indicators, or GPX. 

Alternatively, the Central and the Coastal routes are marked however the first two kilometers via the historic middle are complicated as a consequence of too many distractions round you it’s troublesome to identify Camino indicators. After the primary 2 km, each routes are fairly straightforward to observe.

Surroundings

For me, the Litoral Method is by far essentially the most scenic route of the Portuguese Camino out of Porto. Sandy seashores, blue sea, fishermen’s villages, and wildflowers in spring months are the right surroundings to begin the Camino with. 

The primary 2 km on the Central and the Coastal routes via the historic middle of Porto is sort of spectacular. You get to see among the highlights of town. On the Central Route, I loved the final 5 km via a quiet rural space and the forest. The Coastal Route has its magnificence too; you’ll be able to see some countryside and forest. 

How busy are the routes?

I’d say to me it appeared just like the Litoral Method was the busiest route out of Porto. I walked all three routes in July so I consider that point of the 12 months folks desire strolling alongside the coast. The Central Route had a good quantity of pilgrims too. On the Coastal Route out of Porto, there have been only a few pilgrims. Thoughts, that July general is a much less busy month than Could or September. I walked some elements of the Portuguese Camino in Could and there have been much more folks than in July. House owners of albergues and inns alongside the Camino route confirmed the identical.

When is the very best time for strolling?

When is the very best time to stroll the Camino will rely upon a number of components. I walked the Portuguese Camino from Porto in Could, June, and July. For me even in July on the Central Route, it wasn’t extraordinarily scorching. I’d say from the climate perspective the spring/summer season months between Could and mid-October are the very best time for strolling.

July and August are the busiest vacation months in Portugal and Spain however the Portuguese Camino route quite the opposite not as busy as in Could, June, and September. July and August is perhaps a great time to stroll the Central Route if you wish to escape the group on the Camino. There are various festivals and celebrations all through Portugal in July and August. It’s very possible you’ll get to witness a few of them in the event you stroll the Portuguese Camino in certainly one of these months.

It’s higher to not stroll the Coastal or the Litoral Method in July and August if you wish to keep in non-public rooms as a result of most locations by the ocean are totally booked and the lodging costs improve lots throughout these peak months. In the event you’re planning on staying in albergues it shouldn’t be an issue. It would even be simpler to discover a dorm mattress in July and August than in Could and September.

The place in Porto do the Camino routes begin?

All 3 routes begin at Se Cathedral within the historic middle of Porto. To be sincere I discover route marking from the Cathedral complicated and never very clear.

The Central and the Coastal Route

The Central and Coastal Routes begin on the stairs (Calçada de Don Pedro Pitões) throughout the sq. from the principle entrance to the Cathedral. There may be an official signal and a few yellow arrows pointing down. There’s a vacationer data workplace down the steps on the appropriate the place you may get a map of Porto and inquire in regards to the Camino route.

As soon as down the steps maintain left you’ll see two yellow arrows painted on the backside of the wall pointing in reverse instructions. I took the appropriate route however I consider each routes find yourself on the identical place R. das Flores, a pedestrian avenue. As soon as there it’s very tempting to observe this avenue however it’s important to take the primary left flip to Rua do Ferraz. From there it’s a bit simpler to observe the arrows.

If at some stage you lose the route the very best will probably be to search out Igreja do Carmo on Google. Maps and stroll there. From the church (Igreja do Carmo) the route is straightforward to observe. You’ll find a yellow arrow on the wall on the appropriate facet of the church (dealing with it).

Observe!!! There are a few extra steel planks with arrows pointing proper I attempted to observe them however they don’t go any additional than the sq..

The Central Route and the Coastal Route are the identical for the primary 7 km from the Cathedral. At 7 km (in Padrão da Légua) they cut up; the Central Route goes proper and the Coastal Route goes left in the direction of the coast however it will get there solely in Vila do Conde.

The Litoral Method

The Litoral Method from the Cathedral goes alongside the river out of Porto to Matosinhos and from there continues alongside the coast. The best means of discovering the route is to stroll from Se Cathedral all the way down to the river and proceed alongside it. The route isn’t marked and in the event you attempt to observe yellow arrows they could lead you in the direction of the Central/Coastal Route.

Are the routes well-marked?

All three routes are marked with conventional yellow arrows painted on the bottom, partitions, poles, and many others. Now and again you see official route markings resembling wood or stone indicators, and steel plaques on the bottom. 

The Coastal and the Central Routes (the primary 7 km it’s the identical route) are marked fairly properly ranging from the Cathedral. The primary 2 kilometers via the historic middle of Porto are a bit complicated as a result of there are a lot of advertisements, vehicles, folks, and many others. You must watch out to not miss a yellow arrow. 

The primary 10 km of the Litoral Method will not be marked. The route marking begins on the data workplace in Matosinhos. From there on you’ll be able to observe conventional Camino indicators. Regardless of not being marked the Litoral Method is the simplest path to stroll out of Porto. From the Cathedral you go all the way down to the Douro River and observe it after which the coast for 10 km. It’s a really simple route.

The Central Route – Porto to Vilarinho, 27 km/16,7 mi

Distance – 27 km/16,7 mi

Time – 6 hours

Ascent – 336 m

Descent – 355 m

Strolling floor – 14,5 km/9 mi – tar street and asphalt, 12 km/7,4 mi – cobblestones, 500 m/0,3 mi – footpath

The primary 7 km/4,3 mi the Central and the Coastal route are on the identical path. 

For the primary 15 km/9,3 mi, there are a lot of eating places, cafes, and retailers to cease for breakfast or espresso. After then there are locations to cease however not as many as within the first half.

The Central Route from Porto GPX recordsdata

To make your stroll simpler you’ll be able to obtain our GPX recordsdata. The recordsdata are our courtesy and for personal use solely. No unauthorized public or business use is allowed.

PDF recordsdata of the route

The Central Route description

The primary 2 km/1,2 mi are via the historic middle of Porto from Se Cathedral to Igreja (church) do Carmo. It’s the most troublesome half to navigate particularly the primary 700 m from the Cathedral. In the event you lose the path discover Igreja do Carmo on Google Maps and stroll there. From the church observe Rua de Cedofeida (the road on the appropriate dealing with the church). From there the Camino route is sort of straightforward to observe it goes straight to Vilarinho.

Between 2 km/1,2 mi and 5 km/3,1 mi, you stroll via the residential space of Porto.

2,8 km/1,7 mi – Albergue de Peregrinos de Porto. In the event you’re going to remain within the Albergue and planning to stroll the Central or the Coastal Route you’ll be able to stroll the half from the Cathedral to the Albergue a day earlier than so within the morning you’ll be able to stroll out of the Albergue and proceed on the Camino. In any other case, it’s important to take the metro to go to the Cathedral after which stroll previous the Albergue.

Between 5 km/3,1 mi and 11 km/6,8 mi, the route goes via quiet neighborhoods.

6 km/3,7 mi – a few huge supermarkets (LIDL, Continente) the place you may get a well-priced meal.

7 km/4,3 mi – the cut up (on the left facet of the road) in Padrão da Légua on the intersection of R. Nova do Seixo and R. Fonte Velha.

8,4 km/5,2 mi – a grocery store (ALDI)

11 km/6,8 mi – 12 km/7,4 mi – alongside the street (sidewalk) via the forest

12 km/7,4 mi – 14,5 km/9 mi – via cities alongside the busy roads

14,5 km/9 mi – a few huge supermarkets (LIDL, Pingo Doce)

15 km/9,3 mi – 16 km – industrial space however not a really busy one

16 km – 16,4 km/10 mi – on a street

17 km/10,5 mi – a store and a bar

18,5 km/11,4 mi – Mosteiro, a small city with a restaurant

20 km/12,4 mi – Vila, a small city with a restaurant and a store

21 km/13 mi – 21,5 km/13,4 mi – on the street

21,5 km/13,4 mi – Gião, a small city with a restaurant. You possibly can stamp your Pilgrim’s Passport at a stand with a stamp on the left facet of the road.

22,4 km/14 mi – a small grocery store

23 km/14,2 mi – on the Doce Giao cafe there’s a route cut up. I’d advocate following the choice route that turns proper and goes via a quiet space. The left route is on a busy slim street it’s not a protected strolling possibility. There’s a very good guesthouse Casa Mindela, 800 m from the Camino route. You possibly can cease there as an alternative of strolling to Vilarinho. We stayed there for a few days and we preferred it.

24 km/15 mi – a bar and a store

25 km/15,5 mi – an ATM and a restaurant

26 km/16,1 mi – Municipal Albergue do Mosteiro do Veirão.

26,5 km/16,4 mi – 27 km/16,7 mi – a footpath via the forest

27 km/16,7 mi – Vilarinho, a small city with a store, a restaurant, and a personal albergue/visitor home.

Locations to remain in Vilarinho

The Coastal Route – Porto to Vila do Conde, 29 km/18 mi

Distance – 29 km/18 mi

Time – 6-7 hours

Ascent – 255 m

Descent – 320 m

Strolling floor – 17 km/10,5 mi – asphalt or tar street and 12 km/7,4 mi – cobblestones

The Coastal Route from Porto GPX recordsdata

You should use our GPX recordsdata in your gadget to make your stroll out of Porot simpler. The recordsdata are for personal use solely.

PDF recordsdata of the route

The Coastal Route description

The primary 7 km/4,3 mi on the Coastal Route from Porto is identical as on the Central Route. For more information on that half test the part above.

Between 7 km/4,3 mi and 9 km/5,6 mi, you stroll via a really quiet neighborhood of Porto with small homes lined up alongside the road. 

9 km/5,6 mi – 11 km/6,8 mi – the Camino route goes via a rural space.

11 km/6,8 mi – 12 km/7,4 mi – via an industrial space with many vans. I walked it on Sunday so it was quiet I feel that on weekdays it’s busy.

13 km/8 mi – a store and a restaurant

13,5 km/8,3 mi – a city with an ATM, cafe, and store. The following place to cease for meals will probably be at 22 km.

15,8/9,8 mi – 17,5 km/10,8 mi – strolling subsequent to Porto Airport

21 km/13 mi – 22 km/13,6 mi – a quiet street via the forest

22 km/13,6 mi – a giant shopping center (Vila do Conde Porto Vogue Outlet)

24 km/15 mi – Mindelo, a small city with a store and a restaurant

26 km/16 mi – a store, a restaurant, and a bar

29 km/18 mi – Vila do Conde

Locations to remain in Vila do Conde

The Litoral Method (Senda Litoral) – Porto to Vila Chã, 26 km/16 mi

Distance – 26 km/16 mi

Time – 5-6 hours

Ascent – 242 m

Descent – 273 m

Strolling floor – 15 km/9,3 mi – asphalt, 10 km/6,2 mi – boardwalks, 1 km/0,6 mi – cobbled

The Litoral Method from Porto GPX recordsdata

You possibly can obtain our GPX recordsdata and use them in your gadget to make navigation simpler. The recordsdata are our courtesy. No unauthorized public or business use is allowed.

The primary 10 km/6,2 mi on the Litoral Method from the Cathedral in Porto to Matosinhos will not be marked. It doesn’t imply it’s troublesome to search out the route in truth the Senda Litoral is the simplest path to observe out of Porto. From Se Cathedral get all the way down to the Douro River and observe it until you might be out of town.

The route from the Cathedral to the river described in Brierley’s guidebook is the shortest means however you don’t must observe any path simply stroll to the river and proceed alongside it in the direction of Ponte da Arrabita (Arrabita Bridge) and the Atlantic Ocean. Thoughts, the guidebook says to observe orange arrows however, there aren’t any arrows perhaps there have been up to now. 

As an possibility, for the primary 5,5 km/3,4 mi, you’ll be able to take the well-known yellow tram (#1 and #18). It just about follows the identical route because the Camino. Passeio Alegre is the identify of the tram cease the place you get off.

For the whole 26 km/16 mi, there are many cafes and eating places to cease at.

The Litoral Method route description

For many of the first 6 km/3,7 mi, you stroll subsequent to the Douro River aside from a brief half simply earlier than Jardim do Passeio Alegre. You don’t have to fret about discovering the way in which simply observe the identical avenue and it’ll take you again to the river.

6 km/3,7 mi – São João Baptista da Foz Fortress and Barra do Douro Lighthouse

10,5 km/6,5 mi – Vacationer Info Workplace in Matosinhos. From there the Litoral Method is well-marked with conventional yellow arrows and official Camino indicators. Some pilgrims take a bus/metro practice from Porto to Matosinhos and begin strolling from there. Bus #500 and metro line A go from Porto to Matosinhos.  

10,5 km/6,5 mi – 13 km/8 mi – the Camino goes via town (Matosinhos). It’s the solely a part of the Litoral Method the place it’s important to take note of the Camino indicators. 

11,7 km/7,2 mi – go over the bridge Ponte móvel de Leça to the opposite facet of the river. From there stroll again to the coast.

13 km/8 mi – the knowledge workplace the place you may get a stamp. They instructed me there which you could purchase a Credential (Pilgrim’s Passport) at one of many newspaper (tabaco) kiosks close by. In the event you nonetheless don’t have it you’ll be able to inquire there and purchase your Credential on the way in which.

From 13 km/8 mi you stroll alongside the coast all the way in which to Vila Cha. There are many cafes and eating places and a few supermarkets alongside the way in which.

15 km/9,3 mi – the start of the boardwalks. From there on you stroll virtually completely on boardwalks.

20 km/12,4 mi – a giant grocery store (ALDI, 400 m away from the boardwalks)

24 km/15 mi – Labruge. There’s a non-public albergue 900 m away from the Camino route.

26 km/16 mi – Vila Cha. The municipal albergue in Vila Cha is about 800 m away from the coast and the Camino route. 

Locations to remain in Vila Cha

Portuguese Camino planning sources

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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, accountable for all our land adventures (climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a toddler, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack reasonably than to do a ten 000 km street journey (truly any street journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.