Where to start my Coastal Camino?

[Laura M]

Earlier this month, my husband and I completed the Portuguese Central from Valença, earned Compostelas, and absolutely loved the experience. We are already thinking about walking a portion of the Portuguese Coastal route in fall 2024. Due to limited time, we can spend no more than 7 days on the Camino. We are seniors and between us dealing with back and sleep issues so we’d like a route with beauty, mostly level paths, and ample amenities close to the Camino. We are not looking to visit Santiago again but to take in natural beauty, culture, and regional food along the way. We love walking along the beach and visiting fishing ports. We’re looking to keep our daily distance to 15km or less and our total walk to 90km or less. Could any veterans of the Coastal recommend good starting and end points, “must see” towns or attractions, or specific daily legs?

I might add that this year we visited the Pinhais sardine factory in Matosinhos this year (highly recommended!), but did not visit the beaches there.

 

[ElCee]

I think the stretch between Matosinhos to Oia is the best fit for your parameters following the Senda Litoral whenever available. But I haven’t actually walked the part between Vila do Conde and Viana da Castelo. We switched to the central for that part. We had exceptional seafood in Matosinhos, A Guarda and Oia. Oia is a particularly lovely fishing village with an incongruously large monastery and the Camino has a lot of road walking beyond there so it’s a good stopping point.
If you had extra time, the boat trip from Vilanova da Arousa to Pontecesures includes a stop at a mussel farming operation. It’s really interesting!

 

[kenwilltravel]

I agree with ElCee that Oia in Spain would make a good stopping point. And for a beginning point, you might consider Viana do Costello on the Portuguese side. One advantage of Viana is that you can take the train directly there from Porto. And the segment between there and Oia includes some of the nicest scenery on the Coastal.

 

[Laura M]

I think the stretch between Matosinhos to Oia is the best fit for your parameters following the Senda Litoral whenever available. But I haven’t actually walked the part between Vila do Conde and Viana da Castelo. We switched to the central for that part. We had exceptional seafood in Matosinhos, A Guarda and Oia. Oia is a particularly lovely fishing village with an incongruously large monastery and the Camino has a lot of road walking beyond there so it’s a good stopping point.
If you had extra time, the boat trip from Vilanova da Arousa to Pontecesures includes a stop at a mussel farming operation. It’s really interesting!

Thanks so much for this intriguing suggestion!

 

[Laura M]

I agree with ElCee that Oia in Spain would make a good stopping point. And for a beginning point, you might consider Viana do Costello on the Portuguese side. One advantage of Viana is that you can take the train directly there from Porto. And the segment between there and Oia includes some of the nicest scenery on the Coastal.

Thanks so much! I appreciate the suggestion. Already can't wait for our next trip!

 

[Elle Bieling]

For me personally, I like the stretch between Oia and Baiona (my website with lots of photos to see this stage), so I would stop in Baiona. It is a wonderful town, with a castle and glorious beaches. In fact, with seven days, you should be able to do Porto to Baiona, keeping to the Senda Litoral if your goal is to stay on the coast as much as possible! Enjoy and happy planning!

 

[winemakerfw51]

I didn't do the Camino Portuges in Portugal, but started in A Guarda. The Way between A Guarda and Baiona is an easy walk and is beautiful. It's about 2/3 walking on the road, but the ocean is always on your left. Because of hip issues, I didn't take the rocky trail over the ridge from Mougas but stayed on the road (good shoulder facing the traffic).

Don't miss the harbor in A Guarda. It's like a postcard with lots of restaurants and bars along the water. I had incredible seafood there. Baiona too is a pretty town with lot of food options, a well as history. There used to be a bus that ran between A Guarda and Vigo, stopping in Baiona. I'm not sure if and when it's running.

Buen Camino.

 

[Laura M]

I didn't do the Camino Portuges in Portugal, but started in A Guarda. The Way between A Guarda and Baiona is an easy walk and is beautiful. It's about 2/3 walking on the road, but the ocean is always on your left. Because of hip issues, I didn't take the rocky trail over the ridge from Mougas but stayed on the road (good shoulder facing the traffic).

Don't miss the harbor in A Guarda. It's like a postcard with lots of restaurants and bars along the water. I had incredible seafood there. Baiona too is a pretty town with lot of food options, a well as history. There used to be a bus that ran between A Guarda and Vigo, stopping in Baiona. I'm not sure if and when it's running.

Buen Camino.

Thank you, winemakerfw51.