Recommendations for newly married couple

[Cristinabina]

Hello! My husband and I are planning on walking this route starting July 16 from Porto to celebrate our honeymoon! I would love any of this community’s recommendations on romantic scenery, restaurants, and/or accommodations. We have until August 1 so I believe we can afford to go slowly and go on side adventures!

 

[Grousedoctor]

First, congratulations newlyweds! I can think of no better thing to do together than walk a Camino!

Portugal and Spain are both beautiful, romantic countries. You will not have any difficulty finding the romance you’re looking for around nearly every corner.

Without knowing what type of accommodations you’re looking for, probably not bunk beds in an albergue, let me suggest that you 1) use Gronze.com to identify possible lodging at your planned stops, and 2) because your trip is not far off book ahead at least in Porto and Santiago.

I have now walked four Caminos with my wife. The very best thing about it is that you get to spend 4-6 hours together walking and talking. And then at the end of your walking day, you get to explore a new place every night and talk more about your day on the trail. It’s very special.

One hotel we very much liked in Santiago is the Hotel Rua Vilar. But again, it’s busy in Santiago so I would recommend booking a place as soon as possible. Bom Caminho!

 

[Cristinabina]

Thank you! I have booked in Porto but not in Santiago, so I will looked into your recommendation! We are doing a mix of lodging - we had a few friends pitch in to support us upgrading a few nights to a private room haha!

 

[Simperegrina]

I can’t think of anything more romantic than your husband always letting you have the bottom bunk tbqh

 

[CWBuff]

I can’t think of anything more romantic than your husband always letting you have the bottom bunk tbqh

 

[woody66]

Congratulations to you both have a wonderful walk together!
You don't say which route from Porto but i walked the Coastal Senda Littoral and Espiritual Variant this place below was wonderful and the owners were so kind and chatted in the garden by the pool!

Villa dos Corcéis​

Address:Rua do Ramalhão 7, 4740-364 Esposende, Portugal
Phone: +351 938 707 269
GPS Coordinates: N 041° 30.602, W 08° 46.259
And this one i have stayed in 3 timesCristina is fab and the double room spotless a short walk from the Cat hederal

 

[jungleboy]

You don't say which route from Porto

It’s in the central sub-forum.

@Cristinabina, if you don’t know this already, Spain and Portugal both have a government tourism project that turns historic buildings into hotels, which can be very romantic and special places to stay. They are called Paradores in Spain and Pousadas in Portugal.

These are the official sites in English:

Spain | Portugal

 

[ginniek]

It’s in the central sub-forum.

@Cristinabina, if you don’t know this already, Spain and Portugal both have a government tourism project that turns historic buildings into hotels, which can be very romantic and special places to stay. They are called Paradores in Spain and Pousadas in Portugal.

These are the official sites in English:

Spain | Portugal

I was going to make the same suggestion, and also add that maybe you could drop some subtle hints to people who haven't yet gotten together to make an appropriate gift.

 

[Robert Long]

Search out casa’s. They are often family farm houses reimagined into hostels. Great housing and the families are all
Buen Camino and congrats

 

[Steve900Hiker]

Congratulations! I really liked Ponte de Lima, a charming town worth spending a litle time.

 

[backpack45]

Loved Porto--beautiful city and so much to explore on foot! A couple of highlights--crossing the river to the old section where the port wine tasting rooms are. There are several, such as Burmester and Grahams Port Lodge. It's been too long since I was there, but the tastings, at that time were either free or very low cost.

You HAVE to see a Fado (some similarity to Flamenco) performance. We prefer the small intimate places where the staff basically comes out from behind the bar or food counter and we are transported to another world, but some people might prefer a large stage. All is good.

I don't know which route you are taking, but if the interior, rather than the one along the coast, you might consider taking a day off and doing a boat trip up the Douro River through the vineyards. We were so consumed with the walking part that we decided to skip this day trip, and I wish we had taken some time out.
Congratulations on your marriage and enjoy your special honeymoon!

 

[Aussiewanderer]

Hello! My husband and I are planning on walking this route starting July 16 from Porto to celebrate our honeymoon! I would love any of this community’s recommendations on romantic scenery, restaurants, and/or accommodations. We have until August 1 so I believe we can afford to go slowly and go on side adventures!

Congratulations. Get your luggage hooked up with a luggage transfer service. carry a lightweight day pack. Get a good Map and be prepared for big crowds. IT is HOT.. pay attention to footwear.. you will notice the affect of walking off road, on the road and cobblestones .. keep a good supply of electrolytes and sunscreen. Rest, eat and drink well , take a taxi .. every now and then.. IT IS your Honeymoon no need to have sour faces and bad attitudes.. you are just getting to know each other so be gracious and forgiving of each other. Don't let feeling override your journey.. Be open to experiencing what the Camino is in spirit and faith.. go to MASS... yes.. Go and sit and pray and be happy you have this amazing moment together... God Bless.

 

[AnneMarie1]

It’s in the central sub-forum.

@Cristinabina, if you don’t know this already, Spain and Portugal both have a government tourism project that turns historic buildings into hotels, which can be very romantic and special places to stay. They are called Paradores in Spain and Pousadas in Portugal.

These are the official sites in English:

Spain | Portugal

Also, there are discounts for pilgrims (15%, I think) and for Amigos de los Paradores.

 

[sinein]

For Paradores - You will find that you can join as an Amigo on the official website (no cost involved). It gives you access to special offers and also you are usually offered a welcoming drink of wine or beer.

 

[Cristinabina]

Loved Porto--beautiful city and so much to explore on foot! A couple of highlights--crossing the river to the old section where the port wine tasting rooms are. There are several, such as Burmester and Grahams Port Lodge. It's been too long since I was there, but the tastings, at that time were either free or very low cost.

You HAVE to see a Fado (some similarity to Flamenco) performance. We prefer the small intimate places where the staff basically comes out from behind the bar or food counter and we are transported to another world, but some people might prefer a large stage. All is good.

I don't know which route you are taking, but if the interior, rather than the one along the coast, you might consider taking a day off and doing a boat trip up the Douro River through the vineyards. We were so consumed with the walking part that we decided to skip this day trip, and I wish we had taken some time out.
Congratulations on your marriage and enjoy your special honeymoon!

Is there fado performances throughout Portugal or just big cities like Porto? I definitely don’t want to miss it - I worked for a year in Newark, NJ the U.S. “capital” for fado but sadly never got to go to a performance due to my commute.

I will keep that day trip in mind! Would you catch the river boat in Porto or elsewhere?

 

[woody66]

I stayed here ; not sure of vacancies for your dates but my best stay on the coastal! (it has an outdoor pool!) On booking.com wonderful hosts.

Villa dos Corcéis​

Address:Rua do Ramalhão 7, 4740-364 Esposende, Portugal
Phone: +351 938 707 269

 

[Cristinabina]

Love this recommendation! They have a room for the day we would need if we walk according to plan… seriously considering it!

 

[grdemedeiros]

My husband and I are almost wrapping up our first Camino, a combination of three routes. We frequently stayed in private rooms in hostels and were surprised at how nice some were, and inexpensive! (From a US lodging cost perspective.)

Some recommendations:

1. Casa Anabela in São Pedro de Rates, Portugal. Very chic! We were the only guests that night, but there are other rooms so it could be an opportunity to meet other pilgrims. Amazing breakfast.

2. Nossa Senhora del Camino in Combarro, Spain. A nice common room, mix of private rooms and dorm rooms, so you get to chat with others (or keep to yourselves!) This is a place we wished we had an extra day to explore, relax, and get to one of the local monasteries for a Pilgrims blessing.

3. Casa da Fernanda in Lugar do Corgo, Portugal. This is not romantic, per se, but it's an amazing pilgrim experience. That's where we met/created our Camino Family.

4. Residencial Porta do Sol in Valença, Portugal. I hesitate to recommend this place because it is very impersonal, but it is clean, comfortable, and private with a great bed . It's also right inside the fortress walls. Initially we'd planned a rest day in Valença to explore it and Tui. We didn't, but it's a super cool location and would have been fun to stick around.

Food in Porto: Taberna Santo Antônio! We went in April 2022 and back again last month.

The Mantegaria next to the Mercado Bolha for Pastel de Nsta.

 

[JillGat]

If there is any way to spend a night at Casa Fernanda, you will love it and I think she would be delighted to have newlyweds!

 

[grdemedeiros]

Casa da Fernanda: You have to call her directly (she speaks a bit of English). She doesn't use WhatsApp or any reservation sites (e.g. Booking.com). +351914589521