Leaving for Porto via Madrid on May 1

MarthaD said:

Wise Pilgrim Guide book talks about it briefly but doesn't show any service son the cross over route. What will I find?

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MarthaD said:

Any advise on places to stop/stay?

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MarthaD said:

any recommendations of where to stay in Porto?

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MarthaD said:

I am so happy to be on the Forum, as that means I am soon to be on my first Camino. I plan to walk the Camino Portuguese beginning a couple days after I get to Porto on May 2 (via Madrid, coming from LAX on 5/1!) I have some questions and am seeking any/all advice for this most amazing journey.

For starters, I just retired from teaching at the University, 67 years old, and I have started some training (6 miles a day so far) and plan to get up to 12 or 15 miles in a few weeks. I plan to walk the Coastal route and then cross over at Caminha to Valencia or Tui. First question ....that looks like a longer distance (for me) and would like any advise or heads up on walking that cross over, as my Wise Pilgrim Guide book talks about it briefly but doesn't show any service son the cross over route. What will I find?

I hope to stay on more of a walking route that much climbing as I am a good walker but don't like to climb. The route from Valencia/Tui to Santiago ....looks to be more my type of walk . Any advise on places to stop/stay?

Backing up....any recommendations of where to stay in Porto? I think I will take a couple days to explore and get my bearings , arriving on May 2, and then beginning my Camino on May 4, from Matasinhos. The Guide says there is public transportation out to Matasinhos. How does this sound?

I plan to spend a couple days in Santiago before going back to Madrid and flying home on May 19. How does this sound in terms of time? Also , any advise as to going from Madrid to Porto? I have not booked a flight but seem to have options to fly and that looks to be good.

I love this Forum...my husband shared it with me as he got ready to go on his Camino last October (Camino Primitivo) and I feel so official now that I have signed up! I am most grateful to be a peregrina!

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Anamya said:

Hi Martha! Welcome to the forum!
I walked the Portuguese Central route in 2017 and loved, hopefully I can help with some questions.




You will pass by a fair amount of small cities, so you should not have issues with services such as bars, etc. I have not walked that part, so would not be able to respond properly. There is also the option of taking the train to Valenca at Caminha - it is a 40 minute ride.



There are no climbs at any part of the Portuguese Camino, and going by the coast you will skip the main uphill (Alto da portela), so you will be fine. Look for any place in the Old City when you are in Pontevedra
In Caldas de Reis, there is a tavern downstairs of the main road that is quite old and serves amazing sardines and peppers.


Hotel Moov Centro was excellent, Ibis level but cheaper and in the old city. It was at the top of a hill though, so you may look for something closer to the Clerigos Tower if going uphill is not your thing. Totally worth it to explore the city for a few days, I highly recommend doing a Port wine tasting at one of the wineries across the bridge (in Gaia). Also, try the Francesinha, a local meat sandwich. It is quite something. As well as the amazing cod fish (bacalhau).

Santiago is also worth exploring after you finish. just wander around the city and let the experience sink in - it will be great, independently of what you do over there.

I flew from Barcelona to Porto, and there are indeed many options to fly Madrid Porto for very cheap prices. It is quite easy.

Have a great time, bom caminho!

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