Which is better for a first-time Camino experience: Portugués or Frances?

[Kjack2222]

Hello all! I will be walking the Camino for the second time this summer, but a friend will be accompanying me who is new to the Camino. I know typically people walk the Camino Frances first, but I'm not sure if anyone has any feedback about the Portugués way being someones first Camino experience? It's the route I would prefer, however I want to be sure my friend has a good experience as well. Any thoughts/feedback are welcome!

 

[Liana]

Hello all! I will be walking the Camino for the second time this summer, but a friend will be accompanying me who is new to the Camino. I know typically people walk the Camino Frances first, but I'm not sure if anyone has any feedback about the Portugués way being someones first Camino experience? It's the route I would prefer, however I want to be sure my friend has a good experience as well. Any thoughts/feedback are welcome!

Hello there, My first camino was the Portuguese central and it was an amazing camino. Though we were short on time, it gave me an opportunity to re-do the following year with my son. We did the coastal and again was amazing. My third was on the CF starting in Burgos, again was awesome, but did have struggles on all 3. As long as you go with an open mind, heart and spirit, you can't go wrong on any camino. I found the Portuguese to be a good way to get "your feet wet" and start with the shorter camino (9-12 days) and the people were AMAZING! You are able to walk between the central/coast as your body dictates and time allows. My 4th camino has been on hold since June of 2020, but God willing, I continue to train knowing that I am ready and able to go very soon! Let your heart show you which way to walk without any stress. Just know how blessed you are to just be able to make the camino, while others live through all of our stories.

 

[Phoenix]

Hello all! I will be walking the Camino for the second time this summer, but a friend will be accompanying me who is new to the Camino. I know typically people walk the Camino Frances first, but I'm not sure if anyone has any feedback about the Portugués way being someones first Camino experience? It's the route I would prefer, however I want to be sure my friend has a good experience as well. Any thoughts/feedback are welcome!

Walking up the Portuguese coast is one of my favorite experiences, and I look forward to walking the litoral/coastal route again. Porto is a great city to see/explore before starting.

If unfamiliar with Efrén González and his videos (known for the great drone footage) of Caminos, perhaps you (and your friend) could take a look to have a better idea if that is the route you want to take.

Efrén's Camino Portugués vlogs

 

[G_NYC]

I walked the Camino Portuguese Coastal/Senda Littoral for my first Camino this past Oct/Nov after watching Efrén's videos. I had a wonderful experience, and the fact that it's pretty flat at the beginning gives your body time to adjust to the walking before you ever see a hill (aside from Porto).

Although I want to do other Caminos in the future, I don't have anything else to compare it to yet. But if I had to bring a newbie, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one.

 

[kenwilltravel]

I don't have any experience on the CF but based on my own experiences on the Portuguese Coastal and what I've read (and other people have said in this forum thread), the Portuguese would definitely work well for a first-timer. It's generally flat, with great scenery and plenty of services.

 

[Tom Hagger]

Hello, Kjacck2222! The Portuguese Camino is certainly a lovely introduction to Camino walking, particularly in busy periods, when on the Camino Francés the scramble rush to ensure that you get a bed often means that you find yourself with insufficient time to enjoy the many interesting villages and towns on the way. This won't be a problem in Portugal, although if you start from Lisbon, a wonderful city to spend at least a couple of days, you may find that you need to walk a fair distance to reach accommodation on the first few stages. After that, it is rather easier. If you start from Porto, accommodation is plentiful. I would make two recommendations. Firstly, the detour of two days to Fatima is well marked (with blue arrows). If there is a religious or other spiritual element to your pilgrimage, this is certainly worthwhile; you can rejoin the Camino at Tomar, a very interesting town, or a little further on. Secondly, like Phoenix above, I would recommend the coastal section immediately after Porto. Buen Camino! Tom

 

[Fred2a]

I walked the Portuguese for my first, and only so far, camino. I was fulfilled.
You should ask him what are his expectations. Socialising with loads of people, walking with a camino family, or experiencing a more intimate journey, with less pilgrims on the way. Walking in a more urban environment or preferably in the countryside ?
Once you know that, it should be easier to make a choice.
You will find accommodation all along the way easily, even from Lisbon. Not to mention the restaurants !!
But if you start from Lisbon, you must be aware that there is a lot of asphalt walking.
If you don’t mind, like me, go for it.

 

[sharonmonty]

So pleased to hear all of this as my first Camino is May this year from Tui

 

[Tom Hagger]

A superb place to start, Sharonmonty. If you are spending a whole day there (recommended!), you could consider popping over the International Bridge into Portugal so that you can explore the small old town section of Valença and the old fortress, through which the Camino passes. Only a ten-minute walk from Tui and wonderful views of the river and of Spain. Buen Camino! Tom

 

[Bradypus]

@Tom Hagger Absolutely! Valença is too good to miss. And I always enjoy crossing international borders on foot. As an insular Brit it always feels a slightly exotic thing to do

 

[rogersoncharles1951]

Hello all! I will be walking the Camino for the second time this summer, but a friend will be accompanying me who is new to the Camino. I know typically people walk the Camino Frances first, but I'm not sure if anyone has any feedback about the Portugués way being someones first Camino experience? It's the route I would prefer, however I want to be sure my friend has a good experience as well. Any thoughts/feedback are welcome!

Both have there advantages if you decide Porto to Santiago then definitely include the Camino espiritual after pontefrdra to Santiago fantastic alternative that is getting more popular each year.myself I'll be back this year hopefully to do my 18th Camino trip prob a 3 week part of France's again .70 years young and can't shake bug.hope you have great experience experience whatever one you choose buen Camino.

 

[Albertinho]

I walked the Caminho Português 4 times, 1 time the camino Inglès.
I followed the Camino Francês from saint Jean Pied de Port to Burgos by car what was really beautiful and further on stayed in some places like Sagahun So felt the atmosphere .However, I chose for the Portuguese caminho.
I like the Portuguese way of living , the very kind people , the food, the vinho verde (means young wine) and the pasteís de nata (world famous sweet pastries from Portugal) I walked from Lisbon once , 3 times from Porto , along the coast, the central route and a combination of both.
All 4 times and many times more I stayed in the private albergue Casa da Fernanda in Vitorino dos Piães between Barcelos and Ponte de Lima on the central route.
This is a must do experience you never will forget in your live.
I hope to visit Fernanda and her family to see again this year. Can’t wait to go back to Portugal
best regards from the Netherlands
Albertinho

ps n my avatar picture I am at Fernanda’s Fernanda is the lady right in the frontline with the red blouse

 

[Macoleman0]

Hello all! I will be walking the Camino for the second time this summer, but a friend will be accompanying me who is new to the Camino. I know typically people walk the Camino Frances first, but I'm not sure if anyone has any feedback about the Portugués way being someones first Camino experience? It's the route I would prefer, however I want to be sure my friend has a good experience as well. Any thoughts/feedback are welcome!

I did the Portugues in the spring of 2019 from Lisbon. It is a very flat and as I stayed on the coast, beautiful. I would recommend it as a first camino not only for its beauty but is less crowded, well marked with ample services and accommodations.

 

[sharonmonty]

A superb place to start, Sharonmonty. If you are spending a whole day there (recommended!), you could consider popping over the International Bridge into Portugal so that you can explore the small old town section of Valença and the old fortress, through which the Camino passes. Only a ten-minute walk from Tui and wonderful views of the river and of Spain. Buen Camino! Tom

Thank you so much! Love this forum and so helpful. We expect to arrive in Tui in the late morning and stay overnight before starting our first days walk.

A superb place to start, Sharonmonty. If you are spending a whole day there (recommended!), you could consider popping over the International Bridge into Portugal so that you can explore the small old town section of Valença and the old fortress, through which the Camino passes. Only a ten-minute walk from Tui and wonderful views of the river and of Spain. Buen Camino! Tom

we are meeting our friend at Valenca before going to Tui so will have a look!

 

[sharonmonty]

@Tom Hagger Absolutely! Valença is too good to miss. And I always enjoy crossing international borders on foot. As an insular Brit it always feels a slightly exotic thing to do

I get that!

 

[Karl Oz]

I walked from Porto in 2017, and enjoyed it. Quite different to the CF, inasmuch as I found it more urban. There always seemed to be a town, village or hamlet nearby, unlike stretches of the CF. And as someone above mentioned, there are no mountains to tackle...

 

[David Tallan]

I have read lots of people having success with the CP as a first Camino. Personally, my first choice would still be the CF for a first Camino, but I wouldn't hesitate to choose the CP if available time was an important factor. I might also choose it for someone really daunted by the mountains on the CF.

 

[Bradypus]

I might also choose it for someone really daunted by the mountains on the CF.

I have suggested the Portugues to several potential first-timers for just that reason. A far more gentle route. Matching routes to people's experience and preferences is important. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. I would want to ask what sort of experience someone was hoping for/imagining before I would recommend the Frances these days.

 

[Kjack2222]

Hello there, My first camino was the Portuguese central and it was an amazing camino. Though we were short on time, it gave me an opportunity to re-do the following year with my son. We did the coastal and again was amazing. My third was on the CF starting in Burgos, again was awesome, but did have struggles on all 3. As long as you go with an open mind, heart and spirit, you can't go wrong on any camino. I found the Portuguese to be a good way to get "your feet wet" and start with the shorter camino (9-12 days) and the people were AMAZING! You are able to walk between the central/coast as your body dictates and time allows. My 4th camino has been on hold since June of 2020, but God willing, I continue to train knowing that I am ready and able to go very soon! Let your heart show you which way to walk without any stress. Just know how blessed you are to just be able to make the camino, while others live through all of our stories.

Thanks so much for your feedback!