Anyone starting the Portuguese Camino in late March/early April?

[KayVee]

Hello,

I'm thinking of walking the Camino Portuguese at the end of March (starting in Porto around March 28th) and finishing up before Semana Santa. Anyone else starting/ reaching Porto around the same time? I would love to have some company.

And those of you that have walked this route around this time, what have your experience been with the weather and crowd sizes?

Thanks a lot

 

[Former member 22438]

We start from of 8th April in Valença so maybe see you around.so if you donot walk that fast maybe you'll meet us. April 6th and 7th we will be at Casa da Fernanda

 

[MagOne]

I will be starting my Camino June 5th. We arrive at Oporto Airport at 7:00 pm. Any suggestions of where to stay in order to start our Camino the next morning? Not quite sure where a starting point would be near the airport? Would we need to take the train into town? Thank you in advanced!

 

[redgoonerinoz]

I will be starting my Camino June 5th. We arrive at Oporto Airport at 7:00 pm. Any suggestions of where to stay in order to start our Camino the next morning? Not quite sure where a starting point would be near the airport? Would we need to take the train into town? Thank you in advanced!

I hope you realise that Portugal play Switzerland in a semi final of the nations cup on the 5th June. In Porto. I think accommodation might be hard to come by.

 

[MagOne]

Thank you for the heads-up. I will be pre-booking a couple of nights.

 

[Anamya]

HI MagOne!

And those of you that have walked this route around this time, what have your experience been with the weather and crowd sizes?

I walked this route in April 217. Locals told me it is usually very rainy, but I got most days of lovely weather, around 20 degree celsius.

There were no crowds at all, not even close to Easter. That said, I had pre-booked my first two nights in Porto. From there, I started walking and, based on how I felt, I would book the next day's accommodation as I reached the albergues/inns.

Be aware for holidays (easter, from thursday to monday) and Soccer (Nation's Cup, UEFA), as Portugal teams are doing well and may atract many extra tourists to some areas.

It was a great experience and i highly recommend the Portuguese.
Bom caminho!

 

[Former member 22438]

I will be starting my Camino June 5th. We arrive at Oporto Airport at 7:00 pm. Any suggestions of where to stay in order to start our Camino the next morning? Not quite sure where a starting point would be near the airport? Would we need to take the train into town? Thank you in advanced!

You could stay at the Park hotel at the airport and take a taxi to the Central caminho which is not far from there . And depending on your pace you will end up in Vairão, Vilarinho or even São Pedro de Rates.

 

[Just_Me]

Arriving in Porto on 3 April, walking straight from airport to the coast and start the following day from there

 

[KayVee]

We start from of 8th April in Valença so maybe see you around.so if you donot walk that fast maybe you'll meet us. April 6th and 7th we will be at Casa da Fernanda

I usually give the turtles a run for their money..so hopefully will run into you along the way.

 

[KayVee]

Thank you @Anamya. I'm hoping it won't be too lonely though. Any recommendations on guides/ apps to use? (I get lost very easily).

 

[KayVee]

Arriving in Porto on 3 April, walking straight from airport to the coast and start the following day from there

Maybe I will see you along the way..I'm hoping to walk to Vila do Conde and then turn inland.

 

[Red Rose]

If all goes well I will start from Lisboa on March 26. Maybe our paths will cross.

 

[Pilger99]

If you have never visited Porto, plan to stay there some time. The Porto turist tax (2€) does not apply to the airport area (Maia) , but staying in town is much more pleasant and there are many inexpensive hostels in town. Starting point in Porto is the cathedral close to Sao Bento station. You can get the pilgrims passport and stamp there.
The turism offices have information to the central and coastal route and maybe something about the way to Fatima. There was no information about the route to Braga.
If you want to be a pilgrim from the beginning take the tram/metro to Senhora da Hora and stay there in the pilgrims refuge. Some people in the now closed german forum recommended the AirPorto Hostel. You can walk there from the Airport and they give you all the information you need.

The week before Easter sunday (Semana Santa) brings a lot of Spaniards to the turistic cities in Portugal. It was really surprising to me, that Spanish was the main language on the streets and I had some some trouble to find inexpensive accommodation in that week 2018, but yes it's not far to them and still an unexpensive destination.
Easter Sunday was one of the rare days on which even supermarkets are not open. Continente opened half day (till 2pm), but I guess that's more an exception than a rule.

I'd expect that the way from Tui north will be packed with pilgrims in that week. It would be wise to make a reservation for Santiago, if you arrive before easter monday.

The way along the coast is not known to be very crowded till June. Other Europeans might thing the sea is nice and warm at that time, but at least that's not what the locals expect. So the busy summer season starts in June and ends in September. From Mid October it becomes harder for pilgrims since most restaurants, bars and hotels are closed during winter. Heating is a luxury that you'll not find everythere.

 

[Pilger99]

@redrose: Lisbon->Porto takes about 2 weeks. Several days are planned as >30km stages. I highly recommend to avoid such long stages at least in the first days.
The first stage of 10-15km does the Lisbon inner city part to Parque das Nacoes. Close to the end you have markers to a "Igreja dos Navegantes". You can ask for a stamp and information about the Caminho there even late in the afternoon. A bus is passing by that brings you back to Est. Oriente. The last bus stop is 1km more north close to the main Caminho. It's still another km to walk till you cross a bridge and see the first distance marker.

If you are sure that you can stay in Alpriate it is OK to walk all the way out of Lisbon to Alpriate in one turn. It´s ~25km. If you have to continue to Alverca it's rather long following the arrows + a detour from the Caminho to the Pensions. It's much shorter to take the N-10 walking (3km vs. 10km, most of the 3km you have a sidewalk). There are plenty of buses, so you can move back as well if you want.
The Pensions in Alverca are inexpensive but all 4 are located within a 100m along a busy road. To tell something about benefits of that place: You are close to a comercial area with big supermarkets (Jumbo, Continente) and sport stores (Decathlon, sports direct).

I didn't like the official caminho along the N-10 from the end of Alverca (Pingo Doce) to Alhandra. No sidewalk and heavy traffic. I'd rather take the bus next time.

 

[KayVee]

Wow! @Pilger99 thanks for all the info. One more question - if I walk along the coast to Vila do Conde, how easy is it to find the route to Central the next day? Is it well marked?

 

[Red Rose]

[

@redrose: Lisbon->Porto takes about 2 weeks. Several days are planned as >30km stages. I highly recommend to avoid such long stages at least in the first days.
The first stage of 10-15km does the Lisbon inner city part to Parque das Nacoes. Close to the end you have markers to a "Igreja dos Navegantes". You can ask for a stamp and information about the Caminho there even late in the afternoon. A bus is passing by that brings you back to Est. Oriente. The last bus stop is 1km more north close to the main Caminho. It's still another km to walk till you cross a bridge and see the first distance marker.

If you are sure that you can stay in Alpriate it is OK to walk all the way out of Lisbon to Alpriate in one turn. It´s ~25km. If you have to continue to Alverca it's rather long following the arrows + a detour from the Caminho to the Pensions. It's much shorter to take the N-10 walking (3km vs. 10km, most of the 3km you have a sidewalk). There are plenty of buses, so you can move back as well if you want.
The Pensions in Alverca are inexpensive but all 4 are located within a 100m along a busy road. To tell something about benefits of that place: You are close to a comercial area with big supermarkets (Jumbo, Continente) and sport stores (Decathlon, sports direct).

I didn't like the official caminho along the N-10 from the end of Alverca (Pingo Doce) to Alhandra. No sidewalk and heavy traffic. I'd rather take the bus next time.

Thanks for all the great info @Pilger99 We usually walk about 20-26 kilometers a day so I am looking at all alburgue options along the route and the distances. Since Lisbon is our starting point we will probably spend our first night there to get past the jet lag and time difference.

 

[Red Rose]

@redrose: Lisbon->Porto takes about 2 weeks. Several days are planned as >30km stages. I highly recommend to avoid such long stages at least in the first days.
The first stage of 10-15km does the Lisbon inner city part to Parque das Nacoes. Close to the end you have markers to a "Igreja dos Navegantes". You can ask for a stamp and information about the Caminho there even late in the afternoon. A bus is passing by that brings you back to Est. Oriente. The last bus stop is 1km more north close to the main Caminho. It's still another km to walk till you cross a bridge and see the first distance marker.

If you are sure that you can stay in Alpriate it is OK to walk all the way out of Lisbon to Alpriate in one turn. It´s ~25km. If you have to continue to Alverca it's rather long following the arrows + a detour from the Caminho to the Pensions. It's much shorter to take the N-10 walking (3km vs. 10km, most of the 3km you have a sidewalk). There are plenty of buses, so you can move back as well if you want.
The Pensions in Alverca are inexpensive but all 4 are located within a 100m along a busy road. To tell something about benefits of that place: You are close to a comercial area with big supermarkets (Jumbo, Continente) and sport stores (Decathlon, sports direct).

I didn't like the official caminho along the N-10 from the end of Alverca (Pingo Doce) to Alhandra. No sidewalk and heavy traffic. I'd rather take the bus next time.

I forgot to mention that there are a few things we will be doing in Lisbon before we start. We never walk the stages so that we avoid the crowds.

 

[Former member 22438]

Wow! @Pilger99 thanks for all the info. One more question - if I walk along the coast to Vila do Conde, how easy is it to find the route to Central the next day? Is it well marked?

Arriving in Vila do Conde you are walking on a bridge. Turn right after the bridge and follow the river for about one km. Pass the metro line You are on your way to the central by then it is waymarked. There is another route to the central. You'll see an aquaduct. By following that long construction there must be an alternative route but I have never walked that one

As soon as you are over the same bridge mentioned above directly after TWO METERS ! There is also a waymarker that leads underneath the bridge to the other side on the road if you follow the next waymarker you are on the coastal caminho .so there you can make up your mind where to go

Passa bem e bom caminho

 

[KayVee]

Thank you so very much @Albertinho.. I’m thinking of starting with shorter distance days. So Day 1, Porto to Matosinhos, Day 2, Matosinhos to Vila do Conde, Day 3, Vila do Conde to Sao Miguel de Arcos. Are there albergues in these towns I could stay in in these towns?

 

[Former member 22438]

Thank you so very much @Albertinho.. I’m thinking of starting with shorter distance days. So Day 1, Porto to Matosinhos, Day 2, Matosinhos to Vila do Conde, Day 3, Vila do Conde to Sao Miguel de Arcos. Are there albergues in these towns I could stay in in these towns?

In Matosinhos is no albergue. In Vila do Conde is an albergue but I have never been there.
São Miguel de Arcos I do not know. There is an alternative route , following the aquaduct in Vla do Conde leading to Arcos. We walked the original way to São Pedro de Rates.
Except for Porto and its suburb Matosinhos furthermore there are not many towns on the caminho Português central, Barcelos is a town and Ponte de Lima (even the oldest "town of Portugal) also Valença do Minho on the border is a town.

 

[Pilger99]

Many Germans start at Porto Cathedral, walking down the steps. Down there you follow the road along the river (or taking the tram) and then you follow the coast line to Matosinhos.
It's not marked in the beginning, but you can hardly miss it. From Matosinhos tram stop Mercado you will find the yellow arrows for sure.
The first official stop is Labruge, but at least the german guide book recommends the Orbitur campsite in Angeiras with small bungalows (toilets/shower a bit apart).

Other places to stay: https://www.gronze.com/camino-portugues-costa

 

[FrankWall]

We will be starting from Lisbon very early April. It’s our first Camino and we are very much looking forward to it and meeting others along the Way.

 

[Nadya0104]

Hey @KayVee. I'm planning to start on March 28th. Don't have any real plans yet, but a one way ticket to Porto and just getting started to organize myself a bit.

 

[Moonbeamzz]

@redrose: Lisbon->Porto takes about 2 weeks. Several days are planned as >30km stages. I highly recommend to avoid such long stages at least in the first days.
The first stage of 10-15km does the Lisbon inner city part to Parque das Nacoes. Close to the end you have markers to a "Igreja dos Navegantes". You can ask for a stamp and information about the Caminho there even late in the afternoon. A bus is passing by that brings you back to Est. Oriente. The last bus stop is 1km more north close to the main Caminho. It's still another km to walk till you cross a bridge and see the first distance marker.

If you are sure that you can stay in Alpriate it is OK to walk all the way out of Lisbon to Alpriate in one turn. It´s ~25km. If you have to continue to Alverca it's rather long following the arrows + a detour from the Caminho to the Pensions. It's much shorter to take the N-10 walking (3km vs. 10km, most of the 3km you have a sidewalk). There are plenty of buses, so you can move back as well if you want.
The Pensions in Alverca are inexpensive but all 4 are located within a 100m along a busy road. To tell something about benefits of that place: You are close to a comercial area with big supermarkets (Jumbo, Continente) and sport stores (Decathlon, sports direct).

I didn't like the official caminho along the N-10 from the end of Alverca (Pingo Doce) to Alhandra. No sidewalk and heavy traffic. I'd rather take the bus next time.

Hi @Pilger99, am planning to start my Camino in Lisbon on Wednesday 6 March and walk to Alpriate as a reasonable first day. Unfortunately it appears the alburgue in Alpriate does not commence operations till 15 March. Any suggestions on alburgues not too far from Alpriate. Cheers

 

[Paul Wilson]

I’m starting from Valenca on 10th April might see some of you along the way

 

[KayVee]

Hey @KayVee. I'm planning to start on March 28th. Don't have any real plans yet, but a one way ticket to Porto and just getting started to organize myself a bit.

Terrific! Will likely run into you along the way..starting on March 28th from Porto.

 

[NESTA]

Hi. I'm going to start to Porto 30.03.2019. I will be glad to fellow travelers.

 

[Former member 22438]

Hi. I'm going to start to Porto 30.03.2019. I will be glad to fellow travelers.

Probably meet us . 6 and 7th we are staying at Casa da Fernanda in Vitorino dos Piães (18 kms after Barcelos on the way to Pont de Lima) .

 

[KayVee]

Just got back after the Caminho Portugues..a thousand thanks @Albertinho and @Pilger99 and everyone who helped out by answering questions, giving directions etc. Except for the cobblestones giving me blisters, it was a lovely trip.

 

[fernandn]

Hi, We did the Sarria to Santiago camino last year and love it. We are thinking about doing the Baiona to Santiago in April of 2019. Any tips or advice on this route? Last time we used a Camino Tour company, should we use a company or book it ourselves? If we do, any Albergues recommendations along the route for Baiona, Vigo, Redondela, Pontevedra, Caldas de reis, Padron, Santiago de Compostela? Luggage transfer recommendations? What about transportation from Vigo to Baiona? Is Vigo the best place to fly into?

Best,
Nick