Interesting sites along the Portuguese Caminos

[ElCee]

Inspired by a thread on the Frances forum, I thought we could share interesting sites - architectural, historical, art, food, culture - that we saw on our Portuguese caminos. Since so many people are doing combined routes, let's not limit this to coastal or central. It might help people choose, as well. Personally, my focus was the camino so I didn't go very far a field or spend a long time. I'll start.

Matosinhos fish market - fish mongers selling every creature from the sea plus prepared food stalls where you can get oysters, snails, etc.
Vila do Conde municipal market (Saturday mornings) - produce, meat, cheese, fish, bakeries, candy, nuts, dried fruit. plants, hardware, textiles
Parque de Merendas da Sra. Das Neves - this is a little park just a few kilometres before you get to Pontevedra. There are benches in the shade, a band stand and stone steps going down to a little river where you can soak your feet in absolute tranquility.
Viana do Castelo, Igreja da Misericórdia - an over the top baroque church with blue and white tiled walls and a million gold cherubs. Small admission fee, maybe 2 euro?
Parador de Baiona - The medieval ramparts that surround the 19th century hotel are open to the public for free. You can walk all the way around. The views over the town and out to the Cies Islands are really lovely. And you can see the camino you just walked in the hills beyond Baiona.
Mosteiro de San Xoán de Poio - On the Variante Espiritual, this is an early stop. It's a working Benedictine monastery with lovely 16th century cloisters and a HUGE granary (horrero). There is also a beautiful modern mosaic mural depicting the towns on the Camino Frances. We didn't do the tour but I've heard it's very good. It was just a few euros to see the cloisters and murals. They also operate a hospederia.
Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Armentiera - This monastery is also on the Spiritual variant. There is a community of nuns living here. They make wonderful soaps and creams with local herbs available in the gift shop. It's only officially open to the public during services but it's a beautiful building even if you just walk around the outside. The church is 10th century, the lovely rose window is from the 12th century and the cloisters, like Poio, are 16th c.

Now your turn. What did you find?

 

[David Tallan]

The albergue in Rates, in addition to having a nice two-toned stamp and claiming to be the first of the Camino Portugues albergues, is situated with a museum to the local linen industry.

 

[Vacajoe]

The padron in Padron! It’s located beneath the altar and viewable whenever the church is open and Mass is not being held. It’s interesting to see where the river used to run and the original level of the shoreline.

 

[ElCee]

The albergue in Rates, in addition to having a nice two-toned stamp and claiming to be the first of the Camino Portugues albergues, is situated with a museum to the local linen industry.

Ooo, that sounds so interesting! I'd love to hear more about what areas/towns are famous for. We walked right past Arcade not knowing it is famous for oysters. We did go to Calle de las Ostras (Oyster Street) in Vigo but no one was serving oysters. One place said they'd had an on line complaint about bad oysters so they weren't serving them any more. I have a lot of experience with oysters and it's pretty easy to NOT serve bad ones so we went elsewhere.

 

[mazzarina]

If you are interested in Spanish literature, the Casa-Museo Valle Inclán in Vilanova da Arousa (on the Variante Espiritual) is a lovely little place to visit with some fascinating artefacts. It's open till 9pm in the summer, so it's a nice activity once you've got in and had a shower. Or in the morning, if you're taking a boat in the afternoon.
https://museos.xunta.gal/en/museos/valle-inclan-house-museum

 

[Anthony Rocco]

The padron in Padron! It’s located beneath the altar and viewable whenever the church is open and Mass is not being held. It’s interesting to see where the river used to run and the original level of the shoreline.

...and I would add the shrine/park high up the hill across the river in Padron. It is lovely and inspirational. Nice place for a picnic as well. It requires taking a couple of hours away from the camino, but we are glad we did.

 

[David Tallan]

...and I would add the shrine/park high up the hill across the river in Padron. It is lovely and inspirational. Nice place for a picnic as well. It requires taking a couple of hours away from the camino, but we are glad we did.

This is where St. James is said to have preached to the Iberians. Padron is also famous for its peppers.

 

[maruska89]

Inspired by a thread on the Frances forum, I thought we could share interesting sites - architectural, historical, art, food, culture - that we saw on our Portuguese caminos. Since so many people are doing combined routes, let's not limit this to coastal or central. It might help people choose, as well. Personally, my focus was the camino so I didn't go very far a field or spend a long time. I'll start.

Matosinhos fish market - fish mongers selling every creature from the sea plus prepared food stalls where you can get oysters, snails, etc.
Vila do Conde municipal market (Saturday mornings) - produce, meat, cheese, fish, bakeries, candy, nuts, dried fruit. plants, hardware, textiles
Parque de Merendas da Sra. Das Neves - this is a little park just a few kilometres before you get to Pontevedra. There are benches in the shade, a band stand and stone steps going down to a little river where you can soak your feet in absolute tranquility.
Viana do Castelo, Igreja da Misericórdia - an over the top baroque church with blue and white tiled walls and a million gold cherubs. Small admission fee, maybe 2 euro?
Parador de Baiona - The medieval ramparts that surround the 19th century hotel are open to the public for free. You can walk all the way around. The views over the town and out to the Cies Islands are really lovely. And you can see the camino you just walked in the hills beyond Baiona.
Mosteiro de San Xoán de Poio - On the Variante Espiritual, this is an early stop. It's a working Benedictine monastery with lovely 16th century cloisters and a HUGE granary (horrero). There is also a beautiful modern mosaic mural depicting the towns on the Camino Frances. We didn't do the tour but I've heard it's very good. It was just a few euros to see the cloisters and murals. They also operate a hospederia.
Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Armentiera - This monastery is also on the Spiritual variant. There is a community of nuns living here. They make wonderful soaps and creams with local herbs available in the gift shop. It's only officially open to the public during services but it's a beautiful building even if you just walk around the outside. The church is 10th century, the lovely rose window is from the 12th century and the cloisters, like Poio, are 16th c.

Now your turn. What did you find?

Thank you for posting these highlights! I will be walking the coastal and spiritual route in May and will definitely put these on my itinerary options.

 

[Kasee]

The monastery in Herbon (4 km) outside of Padron is an amazing stay. It was a highlight of my Camino Portugues.

 

[Fred2a]

On the central way, in Conimbriga, there is a nice roman site (Museo Monografico). The ruins are not the most impressive, as they aren’t big monuments but this is the biggest roman site in Portugal and the mosaics are superbs.
It’s on the camino, at the end of a great stage, and the albergue is only a kilometer away. The next day will get you to Coimbra.

 

[debstruzyna]

In Viana do Castelo:
1. Hospital Velho - medieval building originally built to house pilgrims (peregrinos) in the 1400s, once again serving peregrinos as a place to relax. You can tour the original rooms on the second floor, too. Located in center of historic district.
2. Cidade Velha or Citânia de Santa Luzia - located on that big hill behind the historic center, behind the church and the pousada/hotel. Bit of a walk to the entrance but a fascinating view of a prehistoric settlement (castro).. Basically "just" the stone foundations of a small village from the Iron Age. Brilliant reminder that Portugal has been continuously inhabited for a very long time. (There's also a tiny museum related to this Castro and early Viana history back down in the historic center: Casa dos Nichos. Small stone building from the 1400s, free entrance.)

Central Portugal: Others have already mentioned Conímbriga, once a major Roman town in central Portugal.

 

[laurenligreci]

Thank you for posting these highlights! I will be walking the coastal and spiritual route in May and will definitely put these on my itinerary options.

Hello! I’ll be walking the coastal and spiritual in June. Bom Caminho!

 

[Kasee]

Hello! I’ll be walking the coastal and spiritual in June. Bom Caminho!

The Spiritual Variant is magical!

 

[trecile]

Padron is also famous for its peppers.

Ironically one of the only places I didn't have pimientos de Padrón!

Another interesting (but new) place to see is the little donativo campsite with chapel before Conimbriga described in this post: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/my-most-spiritual-experience-today.77666/

Here's the Google Maps location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/R...76591!4d-8.4605954!16s/g/11hyzb03_s?entry=ttu

 

[ShoshTrvls]

If one is not staying at the Hebron Monastary, is it still worth a visit just to see it?

 

[laurenligreci]

The Spiritual Variant is magical!

That’s so wonderful to know! I’m trying to marry the Senda Littoral + Spiritual maybe with some of the central? No idea what I am doing LOL.

 

[Kasee]

If one is not staying at the Hebron Monastary, is it still work a visit just to see it?

It’s a beautiful place with a lovely pilgrim’s mass in the evening. There is sometimes a tour for pilgrims staying there—who knows, maybe they’d let you tag along. I’d highly recommend staying there if you can. One of the best pilgrim experiences of my three Caminos.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

It’s a beautiful place with a lovely pilgrim’s mass in the evening. There is sometimes a tour for pilgrims staying there—who knows, maybe they’d let you tag along. I’d highly recommend staying there if you can. One of the best pilgrim experiences of my three Caminos.

It does sound enticing but because we're doing a winter camino, we decided to stay in private rooms and aren't bringing backpacks, towels, etc. I am thinking about going back in a different season in order to do the spiritual variant, and if so, I'll definitely plan on staying there.

 

[trecile]

That’s so wonderful to know! I’m trying to marry the Senda Littoral + Spiritual maybe with some of the central? No idea what I am doing LOL.

This site has some good information about the different routes in Portugal and how to connect them.

The 3 routes of the Portuguese Camino from Porto - STINGY NOMADS

A detailed description of three different routes on the Camino Portuguese from Porto. The Central Route, the Coastal Route, and Senda Litoral

stingynomads.com

 

[Kasee]

It does sound enticing but because we're doing a winter camino, we decided to stay in private rooms and aren't bringing backpacks, towels, etc. I am thinking about going back in a different season in order to do the spiritual variant, and if so, I'll definitely plan on staying there.

It does sound enticing but because we're doing a winter camino, we decided to stay in private rooms and aren't bringing backpacks, towels, etc. I am thinking about going back in a different season in order to do the spiritual variant, and if so, I'll definitely plan on staying there.

The albergue isn’t open in winter, and I’m not sure about the rest of the monastery. You might want to check with the Tourist Office in Padron to see if they’re doing tours in the winter before heading out there.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

The albergue isn’t open in winter, and I’m not sure about the rest of the monastery.

yes, the main reason we are booking ahead is my fear that someplace I think is open is not (although now that I check, Gronze does note it is closed).

 

[Carla M.]

Inspired by a thread on the Frances forum, I thought we could share interesting sites - architectural, historical, art, food, culture - that we saw on our Portuguese caminos. Since so many people are doing combined routes, let's not limit this to coastal or central. It might help people choose, as well. Personally, my focus was the camino so I didn't go very far a field or spend a long time. I'll start.

Matosinhos fish market - fish mongers selling every creature from the sea plus prepared food stalls where you can get oysters, snails, etc.
Vila do Conde municipal market (Saturday mornings) - produce, meat, cheese, fish, bakeries, candy, nuts, dried fruit. plants, hardware, textiles
Parque de Merendas da Sra. Das Neves - this is a little park just a few kilometres before you get to Pontevedra. There are benches in the shade, a band stand and stone steps going down to a little river where you can soak your feet in absolute tranquility.
Viana do Castelo, Igreja da Misericórdia - an over the top baroque church with blue and white tiled walls and a million gold cherubs. Small admission fee, maybe 2 euro?
Parador de Baiona - The medieval ramparts that surround the 19th century hotel are open to the public for free. You can walk all the way around. The views over the town and out to the Cies Islands are really lovely. And you can see the camino you just walked in the hills beyond Baiona.
Mosteiro de San Xoán de Poio - On the Variante Espiritual, this is an early stop. It's a working Benedictine monastery with lovely 16th century cloisters and a HUGE granary (horrero). There is also a beautiful modern mosaic mural depicting the towns on the Camino Frances. We didn't do the tour but I've heard it's very good. It was just a few euros to see the cloisters and murals. They also operate a hospederia.
Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Armentiera - This monastery is also on the Spiritual variant. There is a community of nuns living here. They make wonderful soaps and creams with local herbs available in the gift shop. It's only officially open to the public during services but it's a beautiful building even if you just walk around the outside. The church is 10th century, the lovely rose window is from the 12th century and the cloisters, like Poio, are 16th c.

Now your turn. What did you find?

This is a great thread. I am planning the Litoral + Variante Espititual in end September and I appreciate all the info. Hope to contribute afterwards

 

[Former member 22438]

That’s so wonderful to know! I’m trying to marry the Senda Littoral + Spiritual maybe with some of the central? No idea what I am doing LOL.

The Coastal ends up in Redondela . From there you will be on the Central route to Santiago so three experiences for the same price .

 

[Former member 22438]

There are so many interesting sites among others
In Lisbon. The Tile museum
Tomar the Templars Convention
Coimbra the Fado center with Fado rehearsals

Too many to be named.

 

[coco27]

Inspired by a thread on the Frances forum, I thought we could share interesting sites - architectural, historical, art, food, culture - that we saw on our Portuguese caminos. Since so many people are doing combined routes, let's not limit this to coastal or central. It might help people choose, as well. Personally, my focus was the camino so I didn't go very far a field or spend a long time. I'll start.

Matosinhos fish market - fish mongers selling every creature from the sea plus prepared food stalls where you can get oysters, snails, etc.
Vila do Conde municipal market (Saturday mornings) - produce, meat, cheese, fish, bakeries, candy, nuts, dried fruit. plants, hardware, textiles
Parque de Merendas da Sra. Das Neves - this is a little park just a few kilometres before you get to Pontevedra. There are benches in the shade, a band stand and stone steps going down to a little river where you can soak your feet in absolute tranquility.
Viana do Castelo, Igreja da Misericórdia - an over the top baroque church with blue and white tiled walls and a million gold cherubs. Small admission fee, maybe 2 euro?
Parador de Baiona - The medieval ramparts that surround the 19th century hotel are open to the public for free. You can walk all the way around. The views over the town and out to the Cies Islands are really lovely. And you can see the camino you just walked in the hills beyond Baiona.
Mosteiro de San Xoán de Poio - On the Variante Espiritual, this is an early stop. It's a working Benedictine monastery with lovely 16th century cloisters and a HUGE granary (horrero). There is also a beautiful modern mosaic mural depicting the towns on the Camino Frances. We didn't do the tour but I've heard it's very good. It was just a few euros to see the cloisters and murals. They also operate a hospederia.
Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Armentiera - This monastery is also on the Spiritual variant. There is a community of nuns living here. They make wonderful soaps and creams with local herbs available in the gift shop. It's only officially open to the public during services but it's a beautiful building even if you just walk around the outside. The church is 10th century, the lovely rose window is from the 12th century and the cloisters, like Poio, are 16th c.

Now your turn. What did you find?

Thank you for sharing! I will be walking the Portuguese route in September and hoping to experience much of this!

 

[coco27]

It’s a beautiful place with a lovely pilgrim’s mass in the evening. There is sometimes a tour for pilgrims staying there—who knows, maybe they’d let you tag along. I’d highly recommend staying there if you can. One of the best pilgrim experiences of my three Caminos.

Any advice on how to make sure to get a spot in the monastery? Do you just have to show up or can you book ahead of time? I would love to stay there!

 

[Walkalong]

Convento de Cristo in Tomar. The Templars continued to operate in Portugal as the Order of Christ. Here's more on the Knights Templar in Portugal.

The Caminho goes through the Coimbriga Ruins.

Biblioteca Joanina in Coimbra.

 

[Enzed]

So many sights/sounds/experiences which can be interesting/memorable.

Keeping it simple - the sounds of roosters and church bells, spring wild flowers, half abandoned villages, stone walls, morning mist and sun rise, local churches with their unique archecture, different styles of tiles, talking with the locals, a well needed cafe/WC stop, old bridges, the sense of adventure and not knowing where the arrows will lead you next...all that good stuff and more.

Getting more bigger - the old bridge near Arcade, Barcelos Thursdays markets, Tomar and the convent Cristo, seeing the students perform in the streets in Coimbra, the view from the bridge in Porto, the stairs and views from bom Jesus in Braga, the lookout from the hill climb variante before Barcelos, the communial meal at casa fernadas, the walk between ponte lima and Rubiaes, climbing the stairs in the pilgrim church in Pontevedra, the view behind you as you climb up the hill from Combarro, leaving Arousa by boat in the early morning... and let's not forget walking into the cathedral square for the first time.

So much to discover along the way, depending on what path you choose.