Porto or Santiago

[Mfed]

4 of us, over 60s, are walking Porto to Santiago in early October. We will travel back to Porto from Santiago for our flight to Toronto. We are scheduling an extra night before our flight. Given all the considerations, where should we spend it, in Santiago or Porto?

 

[natefaith]

Hi Mfed,
This may just be me, but it would be very difficult to walk in to Santiago and then have to get back to Porto the same day. If I were you I'd spend your extra night in Santiago and that way you can have margin to say proper goodbyes to Camino friends, stand in line for your Compostela, and visit the Cathedral and/or other places that others may have told you about.

If you have extra time before your Camino starts, I think walking around Porto would be a great thing then. It's a beautiful city.

What do others think?

Enjoy all the planning and Buen Camino!
Faith

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hi Mfed , as Faith already stated I also would stay in Santiago .
It’s a lovely city to walk around in .
Enjoy yourself and I wish you a wonderfull Camino , Peter

 

[Kiwi-family]

If you can possibly manage it I would stay a night in Santiago and then two more in Porto!

 

[onwayhome]

Theres much to be seen in both cities. In my opinion it's good to properly absorb and celebrate completion of a pilgrimage before setting off on the journey home. I'd suggest staying in Santiago, particularly if this is your first Camino. Having said that I'd personally like to explore Porto more!

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

If we're honest, BOTH cities are beautiful, and worth spending a couple of days in. But don't rush your camino. Take your time, enjoy the walking as well as the start and end.
On a purely personal basis, I would spend a bit more time in Porto, simply because I've been to Santiago so often!!
Buen camino!

 

[lt56ny]

Porto is beautiful as is Santiago. But being in Santiago for at least a couple of days after your Camino is a time to cherish. You will want to get your credential, go spend time and go to the Pilgrim mass in our Cathedral. I always try to find a quiet place to just sit in the Cathedral, although it is getting tougher to find anywhere meditative in the main Cathedral. But maybe most importantly to meet friends you met along the way for one last coffee or dinner.
I will bet just about anything that when you arrive in Santiago you will feel the same as me and just about every other person here. As others have said fly to Porto a couple of days early and remove all doubt.

 

[bmcbride]

Hi Mfed,
This may just be me, but it would be very difficult to walk in to Santiago and then have to get back to Porto the same day. If I were you I'd spend your extra night in Santiago and that way you can have margin to say proper goodbyes to Camino friends, stand in line for your Compostela, and visit the Cathedral and/or other places that others may have told you about.

If you have extra time before your Camino starts, I think walking around Porto would be a great thing then. It's a beautiful city.

What do others think?

Enjoy all the planning and Buen Camino!
Faith

I would totally agree with these comments. Spend a night in Santiago and enjoy / celebrate. If you can spare the time, spend a few days in Porto before you begin.

 

[pipello]

4 of us, over 60s, are walking Porto to Santiago in early October. We will travel back to Porto from Santiago for our flight to Toronto. We are scheduling an extra night before our flight. Given all the considerations, where should we spend it, in Santiago or Porto?

I echo all the other comments here. We are walking from Porto to Santiago and though I've been in Santiago three times previously, I still look forward to post Camino mingling and savoring.