Porto to Santiago

Susan Detlefsen · Aug 19, 2016

i plan to set out from the cathedral in Porto September 15. Is Vairao s good stopping point for my first night?

robert562016 · Aug 19, 2016

I am thinking of doing a portuguese camino at the same time. Not sure about where I will start yet though. I did find some good resources here:
http://www.csj.org.uk/planning-your-pilgrimage/routes-to-santiago/the-route-in-portugal/

On that page are links to the downloadable pdf of the csj guide to caminhos portuguese and to the vialusitana site which has a list of accommodation along the route. Put it together with a map and you're sorted.

amourier · Aug 19, 2016

Susan,

I run tours on the Camino Portuguese, both on the Traditional and Coastal Routes. We stay in Porto for two nights before beginning the actual walking. But the route out of the city is industrial and busy, it is much nicer to begin walking on the first day at a quieter less busy path.

On the Coastal route I transport my group to Matosinhos as our starting point and walk the first day to Vila do Conde, approximately 24 km. On the Traditional route I transport the group to Vilar do Pinheiro walking to Arcos, approximately 18 km.

As a guidebook, I would suggest John Brierley's book for the Traditional Route. For the Coastal route I would suggest the Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela, My Way which can be purchased in Porto at many of the shops or through this link https://credencialdoperegrino.shopk.it/product/the-portuguese-way-to-santiago-de-compostela-my-way

I hope this helps.

Arlène

BeatriceKarjalainen · Aug 19, 2016

Susan Detlefsen said:
i plan to set out from the cathedral in Porto September 15. Is Vairao s good stopping point for my first night?

How long stages/long time do you want to walk for? I had my first stop after Porto in São Pedro de Rates 39,24 km from Porto a nice albergue with a good shop next doors. But that might be too long for you? I know that a lot of people stop in Vilarinho when they have started in Porto. I used JB:s book I found it useful.

Rainerbernd · Aug 19, 2016

Susan,

I did the Caminho Português six times on various ways and i work every year (4 to 6 weeks) as hospitaleiro in Angeiras My suggestion: Take the way from Porto cathedral along the cost to the Parque de campismo Angeiras (Lavra). The distance is about 24 km along a beautiful coastline with a lot of nice bars and restaurants. So the next day to Rates will be in a shorter distance and you avoid the industrial area on the traditionel way. The way along the coast is well marked, you can never got lost, the ocean is always to your left. The way from Angeiras , Vila do Conde to Rates is also well marked. There is only on thing: passing the bridge entering Vila do Conde the way splits. To the right to Rates and to the left further on along the coast.

In Angeiras, pilgrims can stay in nice bungalows for about 9€ to 13€. The swimming pool is free for pilgrims. You can have a very good pilgrim´s menu for only 5 € at the Restaurant Mira Pargue, 30 meters outside the campsite. Except mondays they serve fresh fish. Btw 1/2 a litre of wine is inluded. If you want to do a reservation, send an email to: infoangeiras@orbitur.pt with all data and don´t forget the word "pilgrim".
You´ll find the orbitur campsite in the internet, but do not book over their site. Doing so, they charge you the normal price.

Best wishes e bom caminho

Rainer

Anemone del Camino · Aug 19, 2016

I don't see how the yellow book can help as it's for the France's. I used the 2016 Brierley and it is perfect for both coastal and central.

Unless there is a reason you want to walk all the Central from Porto I recommend starting in Matoshinos as well (Mercado metro stop, cross over the bridge, keep straight for a couple hundred meters, then take a left - you will see the arrow there).

To say you walked from Porto, why not spend a first day in Porto, perhaps getting over jetlag, and walk from the cathedral over to the wineries by crossing the iron bridge by foot, walk towards the ocean, and jump on a little shuttle boat when you arrive to the first little dock on the river. Then follow the coast to Matoshinos and head back to the Albergue by metro.

I have heard excellent things about the camping site. If that's not far enough, walk to Albergue Santa Clara in Vila do Conde, take a look at the convent, funny chapel and aqueduct. It would be a short day to Rates an Albergue with a great court yard, washing machine, kitchen, small shop 100 meters away and a fabulous home cooked meal at the restaurant 200 meters away. And I mean fabulous: hearty soup, salmon steak, desert and wine for 6€!

AML · Aug 19, 2016

Rainerbernd said:
Susan,

I did the Caminho Português six times on various ways and i work every year (4 to 6 weeks) as hospitaleiro in Angeiras My suggestion: Take the way from Porto cathedral along the cost to the Parque de campismo Angeiras (Lavra). The distance is about 24 km along a beautiful coastline with a lot of nice bars and restaurants. So the next day to Rates will be in a shorter distance and you avoid the industrial area on the traditionel way. The way along the coast is well marked, you can never got lost, the ocean is always to your left. The way from Angeiras , Vila do Conde to Rates is also well marked. There is only on thing: passing the bridge entering Vila do Conde the way splits. To the right to Rates and to the left further on along the coast.

In Angeiras, pilgrims can stay in nice bungalows for about 9€ to 13€. The swimming pool is free for pilgrims. You can have a very good pilgrim´s menu for only 5 € at the Restaurant Mira Pargue, 30 meters outside the campsite. Except mondays they serve fresh fish. Btw 1/2 a litre of wine is inluded. If you want to do a reservation, send an email to: infoangeiras@orbitur.pt with all data and don´t forget the word "pilgrim".
You´ll find the orbitur campsite in the internet, but do not book over their site. Doing so, they charge you the normal price.

Best wishes e bom caminho

Rainer

Thank you, this is great information

Rainerbernd · Aug 19, 2016

Anemone, i have cancelled my posting about the yellow book. I made a mistake, because it´s for the Frances.
The Albergue Santa Clara in Vila do Conde opened in march this year. I was at the opening ceremony. It´s as you described. They charge only 6 €.

I can recomend another way. 5 Minutes from the cathedral down to São Bento Station. Take the bus 500 (Matosinhos Mercado) to Passeio Alegre near the castelo da Foz. Their begins the beautiful way along the rocky coast. The bus 500 leads to Matoshinhos (Mercado). So you can take other stops as you like.

Or go down to the River Douro and turn right to the place called Infante. Take the old tram number 1 to Passeio Alegre. The price is 2,50 € now.

Any questions about Porto and where to stay? I guess you arrive at the airport. There is a metro and buses to the city. If you take the bus 601 you´ll get to Cordoaria, right above the old town. I know a lot of cheap and good hostels near the bus stop. For instance the Porto Wine Hostel, Pensão França and Pensão Duas Nações. They are all in the internet. Many cafes around for breakfast.

Well, I used to live in Portugal for many years and Porto is my second home. If you need more information about Porto and the way, please don´t hesitate to ask.

Bom caminho

Rainer

Susan Detlefsen · Aug 24, 2016

BeatriceKarjalainen said:
How long stages/long time do you want to walk for? I had my first stop after Porto in São Pedro de Rates 39,24 km from Porto a nice albergue with a good shop next doors. But that might be too long for you? I know that a lot of people stop in Vilarinho when they have started in Porto. I used JB:s book I found it useful.

Thank you Beatrice. Yes Rates is too far for me. Vairos sounds like a good story for my first night. But then Rates is not that far. I suppose I might have to plan as I go. I can walk 20-30 km a day depending on my energy level. Thanks and buen Camino!

Rainerbernd · Aug 24, 2016

BeatriceKarjalainen said:
How long stages/long time do you want to walk for? I had my first stop after Porto in São Pedro de Rates 39,24 km from Porto a nice albergue with a good shop next doors. But that might be too long for you? I know that a lot of people stop in Vilarinho when they have started in Porto. I used JB:s book I found it useful.

Olá Beatrice,

the "old" way via Vilarinho is still in guide books. I did this way three times, but now I switch to the coastal route in the beginning Porto > Angeiras >Vila do Conde > Rates. Allright, there is a beautiful scenery at Ponte d ´Ave, but the rest is a kind of dangerous. Narrow roads with high walls on each side, speeding lorries and overdoing cars. Therefore only a few pilgrims take this route now. Almost all of them have JB:s book.

Bom caminho

Rainer

Ern · Dec 1, 2016

[QUOTE="
Well, I used to live in Portugal for many years and Porto is my second home. If you need more information about Porto and the way, please don´t hesitate to ask.

Bom caminho

Rainer[/QUOTE]

Hi Rainer, do you know about how long does it take to walk the Inland route from Viseu to SdC? I should be able to do about 25-30km a day.

Rainerbernd · Dec 1, 2016

Olá Ern, the Caminho Interior is about 400 kms, 208 kms in Portugal and 192 kms in Spain. You can do it in 14 days. For better planing, here is a link: http://www.urcamino.com/camino-portugues-interior

Bom caminho, Rainer

Ern · Dec 2, 2016

Thanks, Rainer. Yes I did try to use that link you gave. Strangely, no matter what distance (ave km per day) I keyed in, it shows I can complete it in 6 days and that puzzled me.

Rainerbernd · Dec 2, 2016

Olá Ern, there is something I don´t understand. I opened the link, clicked on the route and it showed me 35 towns and 44 accommodations. Below the map there is the exact distance between the towns. Where is written that you can do it in six days? I know there is another page showing 6 days, but it is only from Viseu to the spanish border. I found this page earlier but at the moment it is out of my mind. I used the planer on the side and the result was 16 days from Viseu to Santiago by 25 kms each day.

Ern · Dec 2, 2016

Thanks, Rainer, I used the Planner option, keyed in the required input fields and that's where it give 6 days.
Yes I saw the Route option you mentioned now, showing all the towns and accommodation. I was hoping that the link would help me plan where's the appropriate stopping points for each day, and that's where it gave me 6 days.

It's alright, I shall take a look again at the link. Thanks very much

whiteduke · May 31, 2017

Rainerbernd said:
Anemone, i have cancelled my posting about the yellow book. I made a mistake, because it´s for the Frances.
The Albergue Santa Clara in Vila do Conde opened in march this year. I was at the opening ceremony. It´s as you described. They charge only 6 €.

I can recomend another way. 5 Minutes from the cathedral down to São Bento Station. Take the bus 500 (Matosinhos Mercado) to Passeio Alegre near the castelo da Foz. Their begins the beautiful way along the rocky coast. The bus 500 leads to Matoshinhos (Mercado). So you can take other stops as you like.

Or go down to the River Douro and turn right to the place called Infante. Take the old tram number 1 to Passeio Alegre. The price is 2,50 € now.

Any questions about Porto and where to stay? I guess you arrive at the airport. There is a metro and buses to the city. If you take the bus 601 you´ll get to Cordoaria, right above the old town. I know a lot of cheap and good hostels near the bus stop. For instance the Porto Wine Hostel, Pensão França and Pensão Duas Nações. They are all in the internet. Many cafes around for breakfast.

Well, I used to live in Portugal for many years and Porto is my second home. If you need more information about Porto and the way, please don´t hesitate to ask.

Bom caminho

Rainer

Hi Rainer, I was planning to start from Matosinhos and spend the 1st night there. any suggestions where to stay? thanks susanne

Rainerbernd · Jun 1, 2017

olá susanne, there is Senhor de Matosinhos-pensão, Rua de Godinho 634 near metro station Brito Capelo , phone +351 229 380 548.
Web: http://www.senhordematosinhos.net/en/index.html

whiteduke · Jun 1, 2017

Rainerbernd said:
olá susanne, there is Senhor de Matosinhos-pensão, Rua de Godinho 634 near metro station Brito Capelo , phone +351 229 380 548.
Web: http://www.senhordematosinhos.net/en/index.html

Obrigado Rainer, unfortunately they don't have any rooms available. I will be there on the 25th August 2017 - I guess it's a busy time!!

JackyG · Jun 18, 2017

Rainerbernd said:
Anemone, i have cancelled my posting about the yellow book. I made a mistake, because it´s for the Frances.
The Albergue Santa Clara in Vila do Conde opened in march this year. I was at the opening ceremony. It´s as you described. They charge only 6 €.

I can recomend another way. 5 Minutes from the cathedral down to São Bento Station. Take the bus 500 (Matosinhos Mercado) to Passeio Alegre near the castelo da Foz. Their begins the beautiful way along the rocky coast. The bus 500 leads to Matoshinhos (Mercado). So you can take other stops as you like.

Or go down to the River Douro and turn right to the place called Infante. Take the old tram number 1 to Passeio Alegre. The price is 2,50 € now.

Any questions about Porto and where to stay? I guess you arrive at the airport. There is a metro and buses to the city. If you take the bus 601 you´ll get to Cordoaria, right above the old town. I know a lot of cheap and good hostels near the bus stop. For instance the Porto Wine Hostel, Pensão França and Pensão Duas Nações. They are all in the internet. Many cafes around for breakfast.

Well, I used to live in Portugal for many years and Porto is my second home. If you need more information about Porto and the way, please don´t hesitate to ask.

Bom caminho

Rainer

Hi, this thread was great because I am planning my own (first) trip from Porto to Santiago on 2nd of September, I just wanted to ask, that albergue you mentioned in Vila de Conde looks great and I think I will head out that way then on to Rates from there, would you say I'd have to book it though or could you just turn up?.. Sorry if it's an obvious question/answer I am an absolute novice thanks in advance, Jacky

Rainerbernd · Jun 19, 2017

Olá JackyG,

just turn up there, no booking in advance, because it´s a communal albergue . Well, in September it´s always a bit more quiet on the coastal way. Don´t worry and enjoy your way.

JackyG · Jun 19, 2017

Rainerbernd said:
Olá JackyG,

just turn up there, no booking in advance, because it´s a communal albergue . Well, in September it´s always a bit more quiet on the coastal way. Don´t worry and enjoy your way.

Thanks a mill

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