Hello!
We, a group of 3 young people from Finland and Portugal, are starting our very first camino in 1,5 weeks. Like usually, we are making plans on last moment! We are going to start from Coimbra, and from Porto onwards follow the Camino Littoral. We have limited amount of both time (21 days) and money, so we are on a tight budget (~10 e/day) and planning to spend most of the nights in a tent (albergue/official camping park every second or third night if we can find one) and cook a lot with a camping stove.
Since it is a bit hard to find information on this less walked route, I would like to ask about a couple of things. So,
1) How frequently can one find water points along the way? Is there a map/website that would list them? I am a bit worried about how much water we would have to carry to be sure it won't run out when spending the night in a tent.
2) How frequently are there villages with food stores, cafes and cash machines along the coast? Or houses at least, in case of some emergency? Are there long distances without any buildings? I guess on the beaches there are some restaurants, but they might be too expensive for us. I would like to have an idea if we need to stock up with food for several days or just one day at a time when we encounter a food store.
3) Is there a map/webpage that lists good free camping spots (why not also official camping parks, though they are usually pricey)?
And is there a ready made list of albergues along the Camino Littoral somewhere in the internet? I also read that the voluntary fire brigade (bombeiros) would let pilgrims stay in their stations for a couple of euros, is this true? And is there a list of these bombeiros stations who do this?
4) I guess it is possible to get the credencials from the cathedral here in Lisbon, even though starting the walk in Coimbra?
5) I read that all the cafes and bars along the route should give us stamps as well, in the case we are not visiting a church, an albergue or other more "official" place on a specific day? Is this true on the Littoral route as well? And, is it advisable to ask for 2 stamps a day when in Spain?
6) What color are the arrows on the Camino Littoral? I have read about green arrows and yellow footprints and it's quite confusing. We have maps though, and being a little lost probably will do no harm.
7) I guess the Coastal route has more villages, food stores and water points along the way than the Littoral route? Would you recommend taking that route instead when looking forward to camp a lot?
I am very grateful if someone has answers to any of my questions!
We, a group of 3 young people from Finland and Portugal, are starting our very first camino in 1,5 weeks. Like usually, we are making plans on last moment! We are going to start from Coimbra, and from Porto onwards follow the Camino Littoral. We have limited amount of both time (21 days) and money, so we are on a tight budget (~10 e/day) and planning to spend most of the nights in a tent (albergue/official camping park every second or third night if we can find one) and cook a lot with a camping stove.
Since it is a bit hard to find information on this less walked route, I would like to ask about a couple of things. So,
1) How frequently can one find water points along the way? Is there a map/website that would list them? I am a bit worried about how much water we would have to carry to be sure it won't run out when spending the night in a tent.
2) How frequently are there villages with food stores, cafes and cash machines along the coast? Or houses at least, in case of some emergency? Are there long distances without any buildings? I guess on the beaches there are some restaurants, but they might be too expensive for us. I would like to have an idea if we need to stock up with food for several days or just one day at a time when we encounter a food store.
3) Is there a map/webpage that lists good free camping spots (why not also official camping parks, though they are usually pricey)?
And is there a ready made list of albergues along the Camino Littoral somewhere in the internet? I also read that the voluntary fire brigade (bombeiros) would let pilgrims stay in their stations for a couple of euros, is this true? And is there a list of these bombeiros stations who do this?
4) I guess it is possible to get the credencials from the cathedral here in Lisbon, even though starting the walk in Coimbra?
5) I read that all the cafes and bars along the route should give us stamps as well, in the case we are not visiting a church, an albergue or other more "official" place on a specific day? Is this true on the Littoral route as well? And, is it advisable to ask for 2 stamps a day when in Spain?
6) What color are the arrows on the Camino Littoral? I have read about green arrows and yellow footprints and it's quite confusing. We have maps though, and being a little lost probably will do no harm.
7) I guess the Coastal route has more villages, food stores and water points along the way than the Littoral route? Would you recommend taking that route instead when looking forward to camp a lot?
I am very grateful if someone has answers to any of my questions!
)
