Camino in March

[gm88173]

Hello - I’m planning to walk the Camino in March starting in Porto. Has anyone walked this route during this time and do you have any tips? I thought of using a local travel agency but unsure whether I should just wing it. Thoughts?

 

[henrythedog]

Hello - I’m planning to walk the Camino in March starting in Porto. Has anyone walked this route during this time and do you have any tips? I thought of using a local travel agency but unsure whether I should just wing it. Thoughts?

It’s a great time of year to walk. Unlike the Frances the majority of the accommodation is not focused exclusively on those walking to Santiago (in fact in Portugal the pilgrimage to Fatima is several times more important) and thus it’s not so seasonal. Obviously there’s a higher chance of rain than in the summer.

You really do not need an agent. If you have some desperate need to book ahead then email, WhatsApp and a translation app will sort that out and make it more of an adventure. There’s always booking.com if you must. We’ll still talk to you.

Learn a few words of Portuguese (and Spanish) beyond the simple greetings. It’ll be appreciated.

Lose some weight before arriving in Portugal. The cuisine is excellent and served in almost US portions. (Sorry I didn’t look where you’re from)

 

[Joe.Iozzi]

I walked that route in March 2016. It rained nearly every day, often very hard. Some roads and paths flooded. Also, days are short that time of year. Next year's weather may be different but I recommend you bring good rain gear and be prepared to walk through water several inches deep for short distances at times. On the other hand, albergues and cafes were open, they were not crowded, and people were friendly. Be sure to call ahead for reservations at Casa Fernanda in Vitorino dos Piães. It was the highlight of our camino.

 

[gm88173]

It’s a great time of year to walk. Unlike the Frances the majority of the accommodation is not focused exclusively on those walking to Santiago (in fact in Portugal the pilgrimage to Fatima is several times more important) and thus it’s not so seasonal. Obviously there’s a higher chance of rain than in the summer.

You really do not need an agent. If you have some desperate need to book ahead then email, WhatsApp and a translation app will sort that out and make it more of an adventure. There’s always booking.com if you must. We’ll still talk to you.

Learn a few words of Portuguese (and Spanish) beyond the simple greetings. It’ll be appreciated.

Lose some weight before arriving in Portugal. The cuisine is excellent and served in almost US portions. (Sorry I didn’t look where you’re from)

I read about some places being fully booked so I was nervous. I am know some Spanish and am practicing my Portuguese! I’m from Ontario, Canada. Looking forward to the walk and food! It’s very rainy here in March, so hopefully it won’t be a shock to me. Appreciate the response. Thank you so much for the tips!

 

[Bill905]

Henrythedog is quite correct. I walked the Portuguese Coastal in early April 2022 and we had quite a bit of rain. But this past April, 2024, I walked it a second time in the second half of the month, and never took my rain gear out, although friends of mine walked in the first part of April this year and had to buy additional rain gear while en route! We did not have any trouble finding albergues. I offer one suggestion, that you plan to stay your penultimate night in O Milladoiro. It makes for a short morning walk into Santiago.

 

[gm88173]

Henrythedog is quite correct. I walked the Portuguese Coastal in early April 2022 and we had quite a bit of rain. But this past April, 2024, I walked it a second time in the second half of the month, and never took my rain gear out, although friends of mine walked in the first part of April this year and had to buy additional rain gear while en route! We did not have any trouble finding albergues. I offer one suggestion, that you plan to stay your penultimate night in O Milladoiro. It makes for a short morning walk into Santiago.

I’ll be going in March, so I’ll have to make sure to bring good rain gear. Great tip on O Milladorio. Any other suggestions for a first timer?

 

[Bill905]

I’ll be going in March, so I’ll have to make sure to bring good rain gear. Great tip on O Milladorio. Any other suggestions for a first timer?

What I did a few times was ask the albergue owner for a recommendation for the next night's albergue, and for help in making a reservation. Get a good travel plan for your phone, or get a SIMM card when you get to Europe. A lot of albergue owners communicate by WhatsApp and/or email.

 

[lt56ny]

I read about some places being fully booked so I was nervous. I am know some Spanish and am practicing my Portuguese! I’m from Ontario, Canada. Looking forward to the walk and food! It’s very rainy here in March, so hopefully it won’t be a shock to me. Appreciate the response. Thank you so much for the tips!

I walked from Lisbon in 2017 and it rained for literally 2 minutes one evening. Last year I did three different caminos and finished in November on the CP Coastal. It rained like crazy just about every day. I was soaked. But on the second day I thought to myself. There is no where in the world I would rather be than walking a camino. I didn't melt and I loved it all even walking through 6 inches of rain sometimes. Predicting weather is a fool's errand, especially these days. A wonderful true Buddhist friend of mine taught me once. Be happy with what you could do today. If all you could do is nothing be happy with nothing. This advice is easily extrapolated out to the weather. Be happy you that the camino has given you the opportunity to walk on its earth. When it comes to where you will stay. Walk and let things unfold. This is only what I do, I am just suggesting. All you have is the step you are taking. Listen to your body and when it tells you to walk walk, stop then stop and eat when you should eat. From Porto there are many many albergues and hostels open. If you are worried you can always send a whatsapp message or even call. You would be amazed at how many Portugues people speak pretty good or good English. There are some wonderful albergues like Casa Fernanda. Towns like Ponte de Lima. In fact if you have time stay with Fernanda and then take the short walk to Ponte de Lima and stay there for the night and enjoy that beautiful town. Just walk and the more you do the further you will leave your worries and self doubt behind. Remember don't worry because worry is something we all do before our first camino! Join the club. In fact, I will be walking my 9th camino soon and I still always have some doubts!!!!! Buen Camino
The best travel agency to use is you. Because after this you will be an expert,