Best rest day locations on the Coastal Route

[dalessandrodd]

We are completing or Camino from Lisbon to Porto tomorrow. We plan to start walking the coastal route the following day but we are trying to find 2 locations along the coastal route that would be good location for a rest day but still be interesting enough to see some nice sights on our days off. Could fellow pilgrims that have walked this route provide us with some recommendations for 2 rest day locations.
Thank you all in advance!
Don

 

[Grousedoctor]

The two places with the most to see and do on rest days would be Vigo and Pontevedra. However, they’re only two walking days apart so you might not need a second rest day so close to the first one. So, I might suggest a day off in Baiona instead of Vigo. Certainly not as large as Vigo or with as much to do but, the center of town is quite pleasant.

 

[Marbe2]

If you stop in Esposende , we stayed at Hotel SuaveMar. It is right across from The ocean. It is a great place to enjoy for a beach day. They have a terrific breakfast that starts at 7:30 am and have an outdoor pool. Depending on your budget, and when you are book, it was of great Value IMO. We paid about €80…booked ahead, it included breakfast included eggs, bacons, sausage, beans, cheese, yogurt, fresh fruit cups, ham, croissants, rolls, cereals, 3 coffee machine, tea, OJ, other fruit juices for persons Great value! Lovely room, great air-con. Town is small. Our hotel was full of pilgrims, Ithink mostly groups.

 

[monizcristina]

We are completing or Camino from Lisbon to Porto tomorrow. We plan to start walking the coastal route the following day but we are trying to find 2 locations along the coastal route that would be good location for a rest day but still be interesting enough to see some nice sights on our days off. Could fellow pilgrims that have walked this route provide us with some recommendations for 2 rest day locations.
Thank you all in advance!
Don

Hello, Firstly, I would recomment Viana do Castelo, the Historical Center is very interesting, The Church, etc. I am not sure the Albergue there how it is, the private accommodation can be pricy, in any case worth googling and consdering. If you fancy something even quiter but nice before Viana, I recommend Vila do Conde, nice beaches, nice old quiet Center, Manueline church, look out points, the Renda de Bilrros Museum *Bilrros lace museum, nice architecture, the Albergue is near the center and small. I live in Vila do Conde and will collect my passport at the market Square tomorrow 17th, to start my Camino on the 18th. Near the beach Casa Sonia, Arvore has very good recommendations and is a private alternative to the Albergue. If you stay there you can wal up to the bakery Serra to have a coffee and bakery. Buon Camino!

 

[monizcristina]

If you stop in Esposende , we stayed at Hotel SuaveMar. It is right across from The ocean. It is a great place to enjoy for a beach day. They have a terrific breakfast that starts at 7:30 am and have an outdoor pool. Depending on your budget, and when you are book, it was of great Value IMO. We paid about €80…booked ahead, it included breakfast included eggs, bacons, sausage, beans, cheese, yogurt, fresh fruit cups, ham, croissants, rolls, cereals, 3 coffee machine, tea, OJ, other fruit juices for persons Great value! Lovely room, great air-con. Town is small. Our hotel was full of pilgrims, Ithink mostly groups.

Yes, Suave Mar is lovely, for Pilgrims also. Be careful with the waves if the weaher is not good. We are expecting bad weather on the 17th / 18th June 2024.

 

[monizcristina]

The two places with the most to see and do on rest days would be Vigo and Pontevedra. However, they’re only two walking days apart so you might not need a second rest day so close to the first one. So, I might suggest a day off in Baiona instead of Vigo. Certainly not as large as Vigo or with as much to do but, the center of town is quite pleasant.

Indeed, I am starting the Camino from Vila do Conde on the 18th of June and Plan a bit of time to Savor Baiona, and indeed Puntevedra is great too. I have studied the itinerary and have this feelng too.

 

[JacquelineA]

Viana do Castelo in Portugal is a very nice town. Don’t miss out on the cataplana de mariscos (a steamed fish dish with veg and rice. Restaurant el pescador near a church is a bit more expensive but has excellent cataplana)
If I’m correct you can also go to the beach there.

Also in Pontevedra (Spain) you can easily spend an extra day. It’s bigger than Vila del Conde and there’s lots to see. Lovely town.

 

[woody66]

Viana do Castelo and Baiona get my vote!!
Spend an extra day in Porto if you can loved it.
Buen Camino
Woody

 

[Silvermomma]

If you stop in Esposende , we stayed at Hotel SuaveMar. It is right across from The ocean. It is a great place to enjoy for a beach day. They have a terrific breakfast that starts at 7:30 am and have an outdoor pool. Depending on your budget, and when you are book, it was of great Value IMO. We paid about €80…booked ahead, it included breakfast included eggs, bacons, sausage, beans, cheese, yogurt, fresh fruit cups, ham, croissants, rolls, cereals, 3 coffee machine, tea, OJ, other fruit juices for persons Great value! Lovely room, great air-con. Town is small. Our hotel was full of pilgrims, Ithink mostly groups.

Oh, I remember how wonderful this place was! The day was rainy (May 2022), but what a lovely spot and not crowded at all.

 

[Phil&Barb]

We are completing or Camino from Lisbon to Porto tomorrow. We plan to start walking the coastal route the following day but we are trying to find 2 locations along the coastal route that would be good location for a rest day but still be interesting enough to see some nice sights on our days off. Could fellow pilgrims that have walked this route provide us with some recommendations for 2 rest day locations.
Thank you all in advance!
Don

I would highly recommend Viana do Castelo. It's a lovely city with some interesting museums, great food and nice accomodations. There is a beautiful hilltop Cathedral, Confraria de Santa Luzia that is well worth visiting for the panaramic view of the coastline and Lima River. It can be accessed by taxi (there is a funicular near the train station that was not running when we were there but may be operating now). We also visited the original pilgrim hostel, hospital velho, built in 1468, which is now a pilgrim's museum whose docent was full of excellent advise about the Camino. There is also supposed to be a wonderful street market in Viana do Castelo on Fridays, which we missed as we were not there on the right day.

 

[Walkingat70]

We are completing or Camino from Lisbon to Porto tomorrow. We plan to start walking the coastal route the following day but we are trying to find 2 locations along the coastal route that would be good location for a rest day but still be interesting enough to see some nice sights on our days off. Could fellow pilgrims that have walked this route provide us with some recommendations for 2 rest day locations.
Thank you all in advance!
Don

Consider Pontevedra and Tui

 

[lt56ny]

When you are tired and your body tells you it needs a rest.

 

[lgj]

We are completing or Camino from Lisbon to Porto tomorrow. We plan to start walking the coastal route the following day but we are trying to find 2 locations along the coastal route that would be good location for a rest day but still be interesting enough to see some nice sights on our days off. Could fellow pilgrims that have walked this route provide us with some recommendations for 2 rest day locations.
Thank you all in advance!
Don

I stayed in Viana do Castelo up on top of the mountain in the albergue next to the cathedral. It was very nice with a large kitchen. We cooked a meal there bc you are on the mountain & no restaurants up there. Agree that Pontevedra is excellent rest day - so historical & lots of places to eat.