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Portuguese costal Camino versus French with kids

W

Walkerfamily

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2025
Hi there, we are looking to walk the Camino with our two 11 1/2 year old twins (they are super fit and great walkers). We previously walked a few days of the French walk from St Jean Pied de Porte (20 years ago!).

We heard the costal Portuguese route is good too.

Has anyone been on both? We are thinking July or September next year.

What are the differences, can we wing it and not book in advance, not organise a tour (so we can stop a day or two somewhere we like, be more spontaneous)…any recommendations?

I had read the French route has more Camino culture (does that mean history/pilgrimage or partying?!),more accomodation, more Roman artifacts, walking taps….

That the Portuguese route has pretty areas but more cobblestones/roadside paths…

Thank you!
 
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I think the biggest differences are:
- The Frances is the archetypical Camino. Several decades ago, it was commonly referred to as just "the Camino de Santiago" because no one outside of a few academics and enthusiasts were aware that there were any others. If you read any books or watch any movies, etc. set on a Camino, chances are very good that it is the Camino Frances they are set on. There is a much stronger feeling on the Camino Frances that you are walking in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims over centuries before you.
- That said, there is certainly history behind the Portugues, as well. There are documented accounts of pilgrims right back into the middle ages.
- Both the Camino Frances and the Camino Portugues have "Camino culture" (the community of pilgrims and a community of locals that support them). But some report that when walking the Camino Portugues Coastal in summer this culture is diluted by a lot of people who are there to enjoy the beaches and coast. I can't speak to this from personal experience, because I mostly walked the Central.
- The Camino Frances takes you through more of Spain, through a greater variety of landscapes (mountains, plains, etc.) and of course regional cultural differences. On the other hand, on the Portugues from Porto, half your walk will be in Portugal, a completely different country.
- In the same vein, on the Frances you enter Galicia from the east and walk through cattle country. On the Portugues, you enter from the south and walk through wine country. Your nose will notice the difference.
- A crucial difference is that , for many people, the Frances is seen as an 800 km route, which can take 4-6 weeks to walk. On the other hand, many see the Portugues as a 2 week walk from Porto. For me, that would be what would mostly determine the choice of which to walk.
- Both have a lot of pilgrim supporting infrastructure (at least, after Porto on the Portugues), making them excellent choices for first time pilgrims or pilgrims with children.
 
We have walked the Portuguese Coastal from Porto and finished last week. My boys are 16 and 14 now. Last year we did Ponferrada to Santiago.
My boys preferred the French way. We all found the distances felt longer on coast when your view doesn't change dramatically.
I liked the flatter Coastal route. We all caught the sun more on the coastal route.
We managed most days on both routes to find accommodation without booking. It was slightly harder on the Portuguese route and on some days it was clear there were no beds in Albergues at some of the stops if younarrived later in the day.
Probably slightly cheaper accommodation and food on the France way.
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
They have not been that interested in the history or architecture. They liked the views, the fountains, the animals and the water, rivers or ocean.
We much prefer deciding how far we went without too much planning. The boys loved choosing possible stops, often with pools. We are currently sitting at an Albergue on the French way near Sarria after finishing the Portuguese. Currently on day 3 here with a pool Casa Barbadello.
 
I walked the same route - Ponferrada to Santiago - last summer with my son-in-law and grandson who turned 10 the day we left. I agree the French is great because you have variety, lots of varied landscape, and most important many options for lodging and distance. Like your twins, my grandson was fit and energetic. He enjoyed all the cafes, roadside vendors, farm animals, and trails. After Sarria there were even a few kids we met. I am sure either route would work fine, but the French gives you many options which can be important for kids.
 
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