Coastal Portuguese - Porto to Santiago but less distance walking

[Michiain]

My husband and I are planning our first Camino the Coastal Portuguese (or variation of coast and inland) in May/June 2025. Our plan is to start in Porto and finish in Santiago de Compostela but we want to cap our walking to 150-200km max all up due to time constraints (10 days). We want to experience different parts of Coastal and Variant rather than just walk the last 150km to Santiago.
Can anybody recommend how this could work? Which parts we could skip and catch bus or train in between towns from Porto to Santiago?
Any feedback or suggestions welcome

 

[KariC]

When I walked it, starting in Matosinhos just outside Porto, a French woman and I grabbed a cab on the near end of O Porriño through town and got out on the far side - it had the reputation of being very industrial. So we jumped about 4-5 miles. Then I did the Variante Espiritual, like you want to, and took the boat up the Río Ulla from Vilanova to Padrón, and that substituted for another full day of walking. I did it in 9 days, and it was about 125-140 miles.

 

[Michiain]

Outlined below is an AI generated itinerary without hyperlinks.
Seeking feedback and recommendations based on plan.

Day 1: Porto - Take a bus or train to Vila do Conde (approx. 1 hour by train)
Day 2: Vila do Conde to Apúlia - 18 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 3: Apúlia to Esposende - 25 km (approx. 6.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 4: Esposende to Viana do Castelo - 25.5 km (approx. 6.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 5: Viana do Castelo to Baiona - 27 km (approx. 7 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 6: Take a bus from Baiona to Vigo (approx. 30 min)
Day 7: Take a bus or train from Vigo to Pontevedra (approx. 30 min) -
Day 8: Pontevedra to Armenteira - 22 km (approx. 5.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 9: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa - 13.5 km (approx. 3.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 10: Ferry from Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón (approx. 2 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 11: Padrón to Teo - 20 km (approx. 5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 12: Teo to Santiago de Compostela - 17.5 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Total walking distance: Approximately 166 km
This itinerary balances walking and public transportation, covering the Coastal Route and Variante Espiritual while avoiding longer walks in highly urbanized areas.

Thank you

 

[Michiain]

When I walked it, starting in Matosinhos just outside Porto, a French woman and I grabbed a cab on the near end of O Porriño through town and got out on the far side - it had the reputation of being very industrial. So we jumped about 4-5 miles. Then I did the Variante Espiritual, like you want to, and took the boat up the Río Ulla from Vilanova to Padrón, and that substituted for another full day of walking. I did it in 9 days, and it was about 125-140 miles.

Thanks KariC that is very helpful. Just wondering if you mean 125-140 miles or km's? That is a big difference in distance. Do you use luggage service or carry everything in a pack with you?

 

[dougfitz]

Outlined below is an AI generated itinerary without hyperlinks.
Seeking feedback and recommendations based on plan.

Day 1: Porto - Take a bus or train to Vila do Conde (approx. 1 hour by train)
Day 2: Vila do Conde to Apúlia - 18 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 3: Apúlia to Esposende - 25 km (approx. 6.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 4: Esposende to Viana do Castelo - 25.5 km (approx. 6.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 5: Viana do Castelo to Baiona - 27 km (approx. 7 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 6: Take a bus from Baiona to Vigo (approx. 30 min)
Day 7: Take a bus or train from Vigo to Pontevedra (approx. 30 min) -
Day 8: Pontevedra to Armenteira - 22 km (approx. 5.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 9: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa - 13.5 km (approx. 3.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 10: Ferry from Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón (approx. 2 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 11: Padrón to Teo - 20 km (approx. 5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 12: Teo to Santiago de Compostela - 17.5 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Total walking distance: Approximately 166 km
This itinerary balances walking and public transportation, covering the Coastal Route and Variante Espiritual while avoiding longer walks in highly urbanized areas.

Thank you

That will work, although this route will not qualify you for a Compostela. IIRC, you would need to walk from Redondela if you walk the Variante Espiritual to qualify.

 

[Michiain]

That will work, although this route will not qualify you for a Compostela. IIRC, you would need to walk from Redondela if you walk the Variante Espiritual to qualify.

Thanks Doug, we would like to qualify for Compostela. Would this alternative work?
Day 1: Porto - Take a bus or train to Vila do Conde (approx. 1 hour by train)
Day 2: Vila do Conde to Apúlia - 18 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 3: Apúlia to Esposende - 25 km (approx. 6.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 4: Esposende to Viana do Castelo - 25.5 km (approx. 6.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 5: Viana do Castelo to Baiona - 27 km (approx. 7 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 6: Take a bus from Baiona to Redondela (approx. 1.5 hours by bus)
Day 7: Redondela to Armenteira - 22 km (approx. 5.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 8: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa - 13.5 km (approx. 3.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 9: Ferry from Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón (approx. 2 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 10: Padrón to Teo - 20 km (approx. 5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 11: Teo to Santiago de Compostela - 17.5 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Total walking distance: Approximately 168.5 km

 

[Michiain]

Thanks Doug, we would like to qualify for Compostela. Would this alternative work?
Day 1: Porto - Take a bus or train to Vila do Conde (approx. 1 hour by train)
Day 2: Vila do Conde to Apúlia - 18 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 3: Apúlia to Esposende - 25 km (approx. 6.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 4: Esposende to Viana do Castelo - 25.5 km (approx. 6.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 5: Viana do Castelo to Baiona - 27 km (approx. 7 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 6: Take a bus from Baiona to Redondela (approx. 1.5 hours by bus)
Day 7: Redondela to Armenteira - 22 km (approx. 5.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 8: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa - 13.5 km (approx. 3.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 9: Ferry from Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón (approx. 2 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 10: Padrón to Teo - 20 km (approx. 5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 11: Teo to Santiago de Compostela - 17.5 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Total walking distance: Approximately 168.5 km

Is it possible to do luggage transfers on this route or need to carry back pack for flexibility?

 

[Michiain]

This is an alternative route. Sorry if too many posts

Day 1: Porto - Take a bus or train to Vila do Conde (approx. 1 hour by train)
Day 2: Vila do Conde to Apúlia - 18 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 3: Apúlia to Esposende - 22 km (approx. 6 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 4: Esposende to Viana do Castelo - 22 km (approx. 6 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 5: Viana do Castelo to Baiona - 22 km (approx. 6 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 6: Take a bus from Baiona to Redondela (approx. 1.5 hours by bus)
Day 7: Redondela to Armenteira - 22 km (approx. 5.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 8: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa - 13.5 km (approx. 3.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 9: Ferry from Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón (approx. 2 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 10: Padrón to Teo - 20 km (approx. 5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 11: Teo to Santiago de Compostela - 17.5 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Total walking distance: Approximately 162 km

 

[auburnfive]

The above itinerary will not qualify you for a Compostela, - you are taking the Variant Espiritual. you must start walking from Vigo.

 

[Michiain]

Thank you for the replies. Very helpful.
Maybe no to Variant Espiritual and do Central instead after doing some of Coastal?
Open to suggestions and plenty of time to fine tune. But good to have rough plan to research and determine if we can do luggage transfer or carry backpack.

Day 1: Porto - Take a bus or train to Vila do Conde (approx. 1 hour by train)
Day 2: Vila do Conde to Apúlia - 18 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 3: Apúlia to Esposende - 22 km (approx. 6 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 4: Esposende to Viana do Castelo - 22 km (approx. 6 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 5: Viana do Castelo to Baiona - 22 km (approx. 6 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 6: Take a bus from Baiona to Redondela (approx. 1.5 hours by bus)
Day 7: Redondela to Pontevedra - 19.5 km (approx. 5 hours) - Central Route
Day 8: Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis - 22 km (approx. 5.5 hours) - Central Route
Day 9: Caldas de Reis to Padrón - 18.5 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Central Route
Day 10: Padrón to Teo - 10 km (approx. 2.5 hours) - Central Route
Day 11: Teo to Santiago de Compostela - 14.5 km (approx. 3.5 hours) - Central Route
Total walking distance: Approximately 170 km

 

[trecile]

Day 6: Take a bus from Baiona to Redondela

I think that this disqualifies you for a Compostela, since Redondela is less than 100 km from Santiago.

 

[Michiain]

Thanks. So looks like we walk from Bain’s or Vigo? Back to the plan

 

[woody66]

Hi Michiain!
Just to confuse you more i did the Coastal Senda and Spiritual in 2021!
Porto is worth a couple of days great place and atmosphere.
The second comment i would make is don't miss the Espiritual Variant it was the icing on the cake of the Camino beautiful walk. Make some space so you can walk Vigo to Santiago to include the variant!
Only my opinion other opinions are available
Buen Camino
Woody

 

[Michiain]

Hi Michiain!
Just to confuse you more i did the Coastal Senda and Spiritual in 2021!
Porto is worth a couple of days great place and atmosphere.
The second comment i would make is don't miss the Espiritual Variant it was the icing on the cake of the Camino beautiful walk. Make some space so you can walk Vigo to Santiago to include the variant!
Only my opinion other opinions are available
Buen Camino
Woody

Thanks Woody appreciate the feedback. Not confusing and very helpful. We have a couple of days in Lisbon and Porto before we start our walk. Looks like it’s back to the drawing board to look at walking from Vigo to Santiago via Espiritual Variant.
I’ve just ordered John Brierley’s Guide to Camino Portuguese so hope that helps

 

[auburnfive]

There is a local bus from Baiona to Vigo, that would save you a day or two. Some of the distances you have for the spiritual variante are incorrect. ( Armentiera to Vilanova de Arousa is approx 25km)

 

[Annetom]

I loved the coastal route from Porto! I walked each morning until about noon. Then I found somewhere to stay, had lunch and then explored the area. This, was because I wanted to see something of the country not only the Camino route and lodgings!
Bom Camino!

 

[dougfitz]

The above itinerary will not qualify you for a Compostela, - you are taking the Variant Espiritual. you must start walking from Vigo.

I apologize for any confusion that I created earlier. If you are walking the variante espiritual, you need to start in Vigo or Porrino. There is a note to this effect in the more recent credentials issued by the Catedral de Santiago that I have used.

 

[gkr]

My husband and I are planning our first Camino the Coastal Portuguese (or variation of coast and inland) in May/June 2025. Our plan is to start in Porto and finish in Santiago de Compostela but we want to cap our walking to 150-200km max all up due to time constraints (10 days). We want to experience different parts of Coastal and Variant rather than just walk the last 150km to Santiago.
Can anybody recommend how this could work? Which parts we could skip and catch bus or train in between towns from Porto to Santiago?
Any feedback or suggestions welcome

As you want to qualify for the compostela, you need to walk from Tui to Santiago. Skip the Variante Spiritual.
I would suggest taking the Metro from Porto to Matosinhos early in the morning and start walking from
1) Matosinhos > Vila do Conde and then
2) Coach/Taxi to Balugaes and then walk to Ponte de Lima,
3) Ponte de Lima > Rubiaes then taxi/coach to Valenca,
4) You want to walk into Espana (on the bridge across the Rio Minho). It is a great experience! Continue through Tui and onto O Porrino with further nights in Redondela, Pontevedra, Caldas de Reis and Padron before the final stage to Santiago.
You might want to have a rest night in Ponte de Lima or Ponteveda if time permits.

 

[dougfitz]

As you want to qualify for the compostela, you need to walk from Tui to Santiago. Skip the Variante Spiritual.

That is not correct. Both Vigo and Porrino are 100 km walking from Santiago.

Of course, walking from Tui will also qualify, but it is possible to start a little closer to Santiago.

 

[trecile]

As you want to qualify for the compostela, you need to walk from Tui to Santiago. Skip the Variante Spiritual.

Why not walk from Tui (or Porriño) and include the Spiritual Variant? It's completely doable in their time frame.

 

[CarolamS]

I am a fan of the Spiritual Variant too. I also think you will get a better pilgrimage experience if you don't chop up your walk. I haven't walked the coast but 10 days walking you could start in Barcelos and include the SV. The boat I took from Vilanova de Arousa left early morning so there was plenty of time to walk after it arrived. If it leaves in the evening you just stay in Padron rather than Vilanova.

There is an easy train connection from Porto Campanha Station to Barcelos.

 

[gkr]

Why not walk from Tui (or Porriño) and include the Spiritual Variant? It's completely doable in their time frame.

Yes, you could.
What I mean is that you would at least need to walk from Tui (or Porrino) to qualify for the Compostela. Add that time to the Porto to Tui (or Porrino) component which they are also keen to experience and I reckon you are cutting it a little thin. I feel it is practical to have a day spare for any eventualities.

 

[helena_jane]

Outlined below is an AI generated itinerary without hyperlinks.
Seeking feedback and recommendations based on plan.

Day 1: Porto - Take a bus or train to Vila do Conde (approx. 1 hour by train)
Day 2: Vila do Conde to Apúlia - 18 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 3: Apúlia to Esposende - 25 km (approx. 6.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 4: Esposende to Viana do Castelo - 25.5 km (approx. 6.5 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 5: Viana do Castelo to Baiona - 27 km (approx. 7 hours) - Coastal Route
Day 6: Take a bus from Baiona to Vigo (approx. 30 min)
Day 7: Take a bus or train from Vigo to Pontevedra (approx. 30 min) -
Day 8: Pontevedra to Armenteira - 22 km (approx. 5.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 9: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa - 13.5 km (approx. 3.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 10: Ferry from Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón (approx. 2 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 11: Padrón to Teo - 20 km (approx. 5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Day 12: Teo to Santiago de Compostela - 17.5 km (approx. 4.5 hours) - Variante Espiritual
Total walking distance: Approximately 166 km
This itinerary balances walking and public transportation, covering the Coastal Route and Variante Espiritual while avoiding longer walks in highly urbanized areas.

Thank you

While I highly recommend the Spiritual variant, I would not suggest these timelines. I walked from Combarro, past Armenteira and slept another 7 kms down the road. This was a big big day due yo the hills leaving Combarro. Leaving Armenteira, you walk through the most magnificent forest beside a creek. This took me ages - I slowed down to enjoy it but you will be scrambling over rocks and logs and dodging overhanging branches. Definitely slows you down.

 

[trecile]

A little off the topic of your itinerary, but if you will be using luggage transport check out Top Santiago. I researched this for a friend who walked the Litoral/Central/Espiritual and it seemed that it was the company that best provided service across all of the routes.

This is the WhatsApp conversation I had with them.

Support for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago | Carrying Backpacks on the Camino de Santiago | Luggage transfer for the Camino de Santiago | Transport your backpack on the Camino de Santiago from stage to stage, from accommodation to accommodation,

Support for pilgrims | Backpack transport | Luggage transfer | We transport your backpack on the Camino de Santiago from stage to stage, from accommodation to accommodation. Store your luggage for as long as you need during your pilgrimage. | TopSantiago, Walk with us, walk weightlessly. Book...

www.topsantiago.com

 

[sharonmonty]

All very helpful and I am now almost completely persuaded to add the espiritual to my plan for the coastal / central mix.

 

[Michiain]

All very helpful and I am now almost completely persuaded to add the espiritual to my plan for the coastal / central mix.

Agree, very helpful feedback. Our goal is to experience some Camino walking along Portugal and Spain coast, walk across border with Spain and also complete the last leg of a Camino to qualify. We have a couple of flex with days so can add some rest days if needed between long walk days. Loving this thread of advice

 

[trecile]

Maybe walk from Matosinhos to Vila do Conde (22.8km) to satisfy the coastal walking portion, then take a bus to Ponte de Lima to continue on the Central route + Spiritual Variant. Do you know how far you can/want to walk each day?

 

[Michiain]

Maybe walk from Matosinhos to Vila do Conde (22.8km) to satisfy the coastal walking portion, then take a bus to Ponte de Lima to continue on the Central route + Spiritual Variant. Do you know how far you can/want to walk each day?

Around 20km give or take on average but depends if we have luggage service or carry back pack

 

[auburnfive]

Also recommend Top Santiago for luggage transfer on your planned route. Accommodation in Armentiera is very limited - an option for the SV is to overnight in Combarro, then do the climb while you are fresh in the morning, take a break/ lunch in Armenteira then walk on to stay in Ribodumia at the small hotel Os Castanos. ( oscastanos@oscastanos.es)

 

[Bill from Canada]

Also recommend Top Santiago for luggage transfer on your planned route. Accommodation in Armentiera is very limited - an option for the SV is to overnight in Combarro, then do the climb while you are fresh in the morning, take a break/ lunch in Armenteira then walk on to stay in Ribodumia at the small hotel Os Castanos. ( oscastanos@oscastanos.es)

We just completed the Portuguese Camino which we started in Tomar on the central route and then did the coastal from Porto including the Espirutual Variante. We used Tops to transport our bag starting in Caminha. Note - the first day after Caminha is an extra charge because while you catch the ferry or Taxi Mar, Tops needs to travel farther. Also, while from Villanova de Arousa to Padron is a boat ride, Tops charges double because of the extra distance on land - not a big deal, just a heads up and confirmation of Tops service.
Also, the Espiritual Variante is well worth it but at the beginning of October it was tough finding accommodations.
I recommend take the bus from Biaona to Vigo, and if you do, you still have time to walk from Vigo to Redondela the same day. We spent a rainy day in Vigo and it seemed like a busy industrial city with not much to do, it’s only 17kms.