Camino Portugues

[Yankee]

I would like to walk the Camino Portugues in either August or September 2025. In 2023 I walked the Camino France and made lasting friendships. Which route, Coastal or Central, has the most pilgrims walking and cities to see in my planned Summer months? I would like start in Porto. My thought is to spend two days in the major cities (Porto, what other cities?, and Santiago) on the way to Santiago. During my 2023 Camino I was more interested in getting to the next location and not interested in see the historical sights. For example, I saw the outside of the cathedral in Burgos but never saw El Cid's burial place. I don't want to make the same mistakes again.

 

[naplesdon]

It definitely depends on your specific interests; i.e., history, culture or food/wine. A trip up the Douro Valley is definitely worth a day for a touristic visit, whether it is by rail or boat. Along the coast there are some lively resort towns and Viana do Castelo is a great place for a rest day, Pontevedra has some interesting historic sites. The interior route has Ponte de Lima which is a great stop and on the day before a stop at one of the best albergues on any Camino Casa Fernanda. There are some sites to explore around Padron. Study your guidebook.

 

[trecile]

For example, I saw the outside of the cathedral in Burgos but never saw El Cid's burial place. I don't want to make the same mistakes again.

I wouldn't call that a mistake - it was just how your Camino developed that time.