Slow walk on Coastal Portuguese Camino

Sheena said:

Hello Yvonne.

We are a small group of older Pilgrims who are due to set foot in Portugal this May!
We tend to plan in advance because of the shorter distances we feel comfortable with, but there are so many 'free-spirits' who just go on Camino without a place to rest their heads anywhere.

Anyway, our itinerary is as follows -

Day 1. Porto – Matoshinos (Hotel Porto Mar) – 12kms

Day 2. Matoshinos – Vila Cha/Angeiras (Campismo Orbitur Angeiras) - 10kms

Day 3. Vila Cha – Povoa de Varzim (Grande Hotel) – 15kms

Day 4. P do V – Estella/Criaz(Hotel Contriz) – 15kms

Day 5. Estella – Esposende (Soave Mar)- 12kms

Day 6. Esposende – O. Castelo do Neiva (Qunita do Monteverde) - 13kms
This is a special treat!

Day 7. C do N – Viana do Castelo (Hotel Laranjeira) – 12kms

Day 8. V do C – Vila Praia de Ancora(Hotel Meira) – 18kms.

Day 9. VP do A – Caminha – 6kms, then take the ferry across river.
This ferry doesn't sail on Mondays or at low tides, so you have to plan carefully!
Continue to walk around the headland to A Guarda – distance here depends on route taken.
There is a shorter more direct route cutting across the headland.
Staying at the Hotel Eli Mar for two nights.

Day 10. Day free to explore Santa de Tecla and the mountain.

Day 11. A Guarda – Vigo by bus.
We're still exploring the available bus routes.
Staying for a very special early birthday treat at the NH Collection, Vigo for two nights.

Day 12. Free to explore Vigo.

Hoping this might help with your research.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you decide to do!
Bom Caminho / Buen Camino!
Sheena

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Sheena said:

Hi Yvonne.

We’ve just walked the CP from Lisbon to Coimbra!
Although the route out of Lisbon is rather industrial for a while, please don’t let that put you off, it doesn’t last that long and there are some fascinating old buildings too.

The landscape changes to a varied agricultural region interspersed with lovely Portuguese villages and their oh so friendly and helpful people!

It does have its hilly stretches but they’re more than manageable.

Because there is more accommodation springing up all the time, the daily distances can be much more easily split if that is something you need to do.

I hope you are enjoying the Camino de Frances and wish you well both for that and next year.

Sheena

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Sheena said:

Hi Yvonne.

We’ve just walked the CP from Lisbon to Coimbra!
Although the route out of Lisbon is rather industrial for a while, please don’t let that put you off, it doesn’t last that long and there are some fascinating old buildings too.

The landscape changes to a varied agricultural region interspersed with lovely Portuguese villages and their oh so friendly and helpful people!

It does have its hilly stretches but they’re more than manageable.

Because there is more accommodation springing up all the time, the daily distances can be much more easily split if that is something you need to do.

I hope you are enjoying the Camino de Frances and wish you well both for that and next year.

Sheena

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Sheena said:

Hi Yvonne.
Here's the route we took from Lisbon -

Day 1. Arrive Lisbon - Hotel Botanico.
Good hotel, great breakfast to start your day.

Day 2. Lisbon - Santa Iria de Azoia (26kms) - VIP Executive.
Good hotel overall. Vey helpful staff. Good food.

Day 3.. S I de A - Vila Franca de Xira (14kms) - Lezira Parque.
Great buffets, both in the evening and for breakfast. Lovely staff!

Day 4. V F de X - Azambuja (19kms) - Hotel Ouro.
This was changed to Residencial da Primavera.
Whilst the rooms were fine, they are very disorganised, do not speak any English, the food was very meagre indeed. I would not recommend the residencial at all

Day 5. Azambuja - Porto do Mugo (20kms) - Quinta do Burro.
Lovely restful stay with Paula, the Caminho Angel. Superb chocolate mousse!

Day 6. P do M - Santarem (16kms) - N1 Hostel Apartments.
Choice of private rooms or dormitories. The very best Pilgrims Dinner we have ever eaten! 4 Courses - €10, including water, wine and coffee!

Day 7. Santarem - Golega (31kms) - Lusitania Guest House.
Unusual set up. Accommodation superb, Meals taken at local restaurant and cafe by hotel voucher.

Day 8 Golega - Atalia (12kms) - Sonetos do Tejo.
Super place to stay!

Day 9. Atalia- Tomar (16kms) - Hotel Uniao.
Lovely old building. Great breakfast.
Wish we'd been able to stay two night so we could have explored tomar and surroundings better.

Day 10. Tomar - Alvaiazere (31kms) - Hotel O Bras. Not recommended at all!

Day 11. Alvaiazere - Ansiao (15kms) - Quinta Solar Raihna.
Needs a little TLC but the food was fabulous!

Day 12. Ansiao - Alvorge (11kms) - Casa Vale Florido.
House to ourselves just off the Caminho. Evening meal in bar 5 mins walk away.
Great couple who own both places.

Day 13. Alvorge - Conimbriga (19kms) - Poussada Condeixa a Novo.
Treat night! Looks very expensive, but the lovely red wine wasn't!

Day 14. Conimbriga - Coimbra (19kms) - Hotel Vale Gale.
Lots of places to lay your head in Coimbra.
This was good, ate out.
Close to bus station for trip back to Lisbon.

Day 15. Transfer back to Lisbon from Coimbra. Probably by bus.
Day 16. Free day to do touristy things in Lisbon.
Day 17. Depart Portugal.

Hope it's useful when you come to plan your walk.
Sheena

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