The Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino - a 2026 guide
The Coastal Route is one of the trails of the Portuguese Camino from Porto. The total distance of the route is 274 km/170 mi. It starts in Porto and goes along the coast till Vigo. It merges with the Central Route in Redondela. In 2025 a half of pilgrims who completed the Portuguese Camino walked the Coastal Route. The Portuguese Camino is getting increasingly popular, and many pilgrims choose this route as an alternative to the Camino Frances.
Despite the name only 30% of the route (between Porto and Redondela) is along the coast. If you want to walk by the sea as much as possible the Litoral Way (80% along the coast) might be a better option.
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Coastal Route PDFs
To make your planning easier we created downloadable PDF files for the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino. One file is with walking stages from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. One has a list of places to stay (municipal and private albergues, hotels, and guesthouses) along the route.
- Portuguese Camino Coastal Route - walking stages PDF Download
- Portuguese Camino Coastal Route - places to stay PDF Download
Portuguese Camino planner
You can use our free Portuguese Camino planning tool. Combine routes, add the Spiritual Variant, choose the daily distance, and a starting point get a customized itinerary with recommended places to stay.
GPX files of the route
If our PDFs and GPX files helped you plan your Camino, consider buying us a coffee ☕ — it’s a small gesture that means a lot and helps us keep creating quality content for fellow pilgrims!
The Coastal Camino - route overview
- Distance – 274 km/170 mi
- Number of days (stages) – 12-15 days
- Starting point – Sé Cathedral, Porto, Portugal
- Finishing point – Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Spain
- Difficulty level – moderate
- Total ascent – 3990 m
- Total descent – 3716 m
- Walking surface 155 km/96 mi - asphalt/tar; 29 km/18 mi - cobblestones; 65 km/40.3 mi - footpath/gravel road; 24 km/15 mi - boardwalk; 1 km/0.6 mi - beach.
- Walking along the coast - 77.5 km/ out of 274 km/170 mi. The last 86 km/53.4 mi to Santiago are inland on the Central Route.
- Average cost – 30 euros per person per day if staying in albergues, from 50 euros pp. if staying in hotels.
Travel Insurance for the Camino
Walking like any other outdoor activity involves a risk of getting an injury or losing some of the gear. The Portuguese Coastal Camino is not a high-altitude hike through remote areas but it's still a physically challenging experience. Light traumas like blisters, knee pain, shin splints, etc. are quite common. Read more about Camino travel insurance or get an instant personalized quote from two companies right here. And decide which one works best for you.
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
How long is the Coastal Route?
The total distance of the Coastal Route from Porto to Santiago (Porto - Vigo - Redondela - Santiago) is 274 km/170 mi. It takes 12-15 days on average to complete the route. If you incorporate the Litoral Way into your walk the total distance will be around 280 km/173 mi. The stages stay the same but your daily distances might vary.
How to combine the Coastal and Central Route?
You can easily combine the Coastal and Central routes. There are two places along the Coastal Route of the Camino Portugues where pilgrims can switch to the Central Route.
- Vila do Conde - about 30 km from Porto (the second stage for most pilgrims). There is a route from Vila do Conde to Rates, that connects the Coastal Camino/Litoral Way with the Central Route.
- Caminha - about 107 km from Porto (the fifth stage for most pilgrims). The connecting route from Caminha goes along the Minho River to Valença where it merges with the Central Route.
There is another split on the Portuguese Camino after Redondela. From Pontevedra, there are two routes: the Spiritual Way and the main route of the Portuguese Camino.
If you want to know the difference between the two routes you can read our detailed post where we compare the Coastal and Central Route.
What is accommodation like on the route?
Like any other Camino de Santiago route the Coastal Way has public and private albergues, hotels, guesthouses, and a couple of campsites along the route.
Albergues are hostels for pilgrims. They usually have dormitory rooms with bunk beds and shared ablution facilities. Albergues can be public (run by a local municipality) and private.
Comparing public (municipal) and private albergues
| Features | Public albergues | Private albergues |
|---|---|---|
| Only for pilgrims | yes | no |
| Need a credential to stay | yes | no |
| Can be booked ahead | no | yes |
| Can stay as long as you want | only 1 night | yes |
| Price | 10-12 Euro | 20 Euro |
| Accept backpack delivery | usually no | yes |
Public albergues are the cheapest accommodation option on the Camino de Santiago. To stay in public albergues you'll need a Credential.
You can find public (municipal) albergues on the Coastal Route in
- Labruge (1st stage)
- Vila Chã (1st stage)
- Vila do Conde (2nd stage)
- Póvoa de Varzim (2nd stage)
- Aguçadoura (2nd stage)
- Marinhas (3rd stage)
- Castelo do Neiva (4th stage)
- Viana do Castelo (4th stage)
- Caminha (5th stage)
- A Guarda (5th stage)
- Vigo (8th stage)
- Redondela (9th stage)
The campsites on the Coastal Portuguese Camino can be found in
- Labruge
- Vila Cha
- Caminha
- A Guarda
- Baiona
- A Ramallosa
- Vigo
The cost of walking
The Portuguese Camino can be done on a different budget from 30 to 50+ Euros per person per day depending on how much comfort you need. The average cost of walking the Coastal Route is 35-45 Euro per person per day. We have a detailed post on the cost of the Portuguese Camino where you can find a lot of information for planning your estimated Camino budget.
Walking the Camino Portugues with 30, 40, and 50+ Euro per person, per day
| 30 Euro | 40 Euro | 50+ Euro |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ||
| Public albergues, 10 Euro | Private albergues, 15-20 Euro | Private room, from 50 Euro pp. |
| Food | ||
| Cooking, 10 Euro | Eating Menu del Día, 10-12 Euro | Eating out twice a day, 20-25 Euro |
| Backpack delivery (optional) | ||
| 7 Euro | 7 Euro | 7 Euro |
| Extra (entrance fees, coffee, laundry, etc.) | ||
| 8 Euro | 8 Euro | 8 Euro |
What to pack for the Camino?
It's important to remember not to overload your backpack, make sure to bring only the necessary stuff. The two most important items to bring are good walking shoes and a comfortable backpack.
If you're planning on using a backpack delivery service (see the next paragraph) then you can pack as much as you wish.
For more details on what to pack for the Coastal Portuguese Camino for men and women for different seasons read our packing list for the Portuguese Camino post.
Best guidebooks
I believe Camino de Santiago guidebooks by John Brierley are the best. We used his A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Portugués Lisbon – Porto – Santiago: including Camino Central, Variente Espiritual, Camino da Costa, & Senda Litoral on the Coastal Route and it was very helpful.
Looking for some interesting reading on the Camino? See our reviews of some of the Top Novels on the Camino de Santiago.
Coastal Route apps
- Camino Ninja. One of the pilgrims' favorite apps. Free. Available for Android and Apple
- Portuguese Way Premium. Free. Available for Android and Apple.
- Buen Camino de Santiago. Free. Available for Android and Apple.
Luggage transfer
If you don't want to walk with a heavy backpack you can use one of the luggage transfer services on the Camino. Tuitrans, Correos, and Pilbeo offer luggage delivery on the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino.
It works very easily a car picks up your backpack at your hotel or albergue in the morning and drops it off at your next accommodation place by lunchtime. The service costs 7 Euros per backpack per stage. If you decide to use the delivery service keep in mind that you'll have to stay in private albergues or hotels. Public albergues usually don't accept backpack delivery.
If you have some extra luggage that you won't need on the Camino you can send it directly to Santiago de Compostela using one of the above companies.
Porto, the beginning of the route
Porto is an amazing place to reserve a couple of days before or after the Camino to explore the city.
Tours & Activities in Porto
If you have extra time to stay in Porto before you start walking the Camino you can do a tour or a guided walk to discover this beautiful city.
- Porto Historic City Center walking tour
- Fado Show with Port Wine
- Douro Valley Wine Tour Including Lunch and River Cruise
- Half Day - Private TukTuk All Around Porto
Places to stay in Porto
There are many albergues in the city including one municipal albergue N.S. do Rosario de Vilar and one private albergue Albergue de Peregrinos do Porto.
If you rather stay in the center there are several options from hostels to luxury hotels depending on your budget.
- Low-end | CATS Porto Hostel | Onefam Ribeira |
- Mid-range | Portuense Alojamento Local | A Portuguesa Guest House |
- High-end | Maria da SÉ Historic House |
How to walk out of Porto: Coastal vs Litoral route?
You can walk out of Porto following the Litoral Way or the Coastal Route. Both routes start from Se Cathedral. The main difference is that the Litoral Way follows the coast from the beginning when the Coastal Route goes inland till Vila do Conde. Both routes merge in Vila do Conde and from there continue along the coast.
I've walked both routes and prefer walking out of Porto following the Litoral Way. It's a lot more scenic than the first stage of the Coastal Route. We have a detailed post on the 3 different routes of the Portuguese Camino from Porto.
The distance on the Litoral Way to Vila do Conde is longer than on the Coastal Route; 33 km/20.5 mi vs 29 km/18 mi. I'd suggest stopping in Labruge (24 km/15 mi) or Vila Cha (26 km/16 mi) instead of walking to Vila do Conde.
We have a detailed post comparing the Litoral Way and Coastal Route.
Coastal Route walking stages
Stage 1. Se Cathedral, Porto to Vila Chã, 26 km/16 mi
Porto - Matosinhos - Lavra - Labruge - Vila Chã
- Distance – 26 km/16 mi
- Time – 5-6 hours
- Accumulated ascent – 242 m
- Accumulated descent – 273 m
- Walking surface – 15 km/9.3 mi – asphalt; 10 km/6.2 mi – boardwalks; 1 km/0.6 mi – cobbled
- Walking along the coast - 23.5 km/14.6 mi are along the Douro River and coast
It’s a beautiful walking stage along the river and later the coast with plenty of restaurants and cafes.
The described stage is technically the Litoral Way, not the Coastal Route but most pilgrims (including myself) choose this route to walk out of Porto.
The first sage on the official Coastal Route from the Cathedral to Vila do Conde is inland. The route exists. It’s well-marked but the scenery is not as spectacular as on the Lirotal Way. In my opinion, the only reason to choose it is the distance. From Se Cathedral to Vila do Conde on the Coastal Route is 29 km/18 mi and on the Litoral Way is 32.5 km/20 mi.
Challenges
The route marking on the first 10 km/6.2 mi from the Cathedral is non-existent. It’s not difficult to find the way, just follow the river till you get to the information office in Matosinhos (10 km) from there you can follow the yellow arrows.
Relatively long distance for the first day on the Camino. There are towns and places to stay before Vila Chã you can shorten your first walking day.
Highlights
- Se Cathedral in Porto, the starting point of the Coastal Route.
- Walking along the Douro River
- Walking along the coast and past beautiful beaches
Stage 1 route description
0-6 km/0-3.7 mi along the Douro River. You can take the famous yellow tram (#1 and #18) for the first 5.5 km/3.4 mi. It follows the same route as the Camino. Passeio Alegre is the name of the tram stop where you get off.
6 km/3.7 mi – São João Baptista da Foz Fortress and Barra do Douro Lighthouse
10.5 km/6.5 mi – Tourist Information Office in Matosinhos. They sometimes sell Credentials. You can get a stamp here. From there the route is well-marked. Some pilgrims get to Matosinhos by bus or metro train. Bus #500 and metro line A go from Porto to Matosinhos. If you do so you can easily walk to Vila do Condo which is 22 km from Matosinhos.
10.5–13 km//6.5-8 mi – the Camino goes inland through Matosinhos. It is the only part of the stage where you have to pay attention to the Camino signs.
11.7 km/7.2 mi – go over the bridge Ponte móvel de Leça to the other side of the river.
13 km/8 mi – the information office where you can get a stamp.
From 13 km/8 mi you walk along the coast to Vila Cha.
15 km/9.3 mi – the beginning of the boardwalks. From here the walk is almost entirely on boardwalks.
20 km/12.4 mi – a big supermarket (ALDI, 400 m away from the boardwalks)
24 km/15 mi – Labruge, a small beach town with cafes, guesthouses, and a municipal albergue 900 m away from the Camino route. You can stop here instead of walking another 2 km/1.2 mi to Vila Chã. Then your next day's walk will be 20 km/12.4 mi instead of 18 km/11 mi. It's a good option if you don't want to stay in the public albergue as accommodation options are quite limited in Vila Chã.
Places to stay in Labruge
- Parque de Campismo Orbitur (1 km/0.6 mi before Labruge)
- Blue Beach Apartment – Caminhos de Santiago (1 km/0.6 mi before Labruge)
- Casa da Praia Labruge
- Municipal Albergue de S.Tiago (900 m inland away from the Camino)
26 km/16 mi – Vila Chã, another small beach town with two or three restaurants and guesthouses. The municipal albergue in Vila Chã is about 800 m from the coast and the Camino route. There are not many accommodation options in the village if you walk another 1.5 km/0.9 mi to Mindelo Beach you'll find more places.
Places to stay in Vila Chã
- Municipal Albergue de S.Mamede in Vila Chã
- Parque do campsimo in Vila Chã
Places to stay in Mindelo, 1.5 km/0.9 mi past Vila Chã
Stage 2. Vila Chã to Aguçadoura, 18 km/11 mi
Vila Chã - Vila do Conde - Póvoa de Varzim - Aguçadoura
- Distance – 18 km/11.1 mi
- Time – 4-5 hours (moving time)
- Accumulated ascent – 119 m
- Accumulated descent – 116 m
- Walking surface – 7.7 km – boardwalk; 4 km - tar road; 6 km – cobblestones; 300 m – sand
- Walking along the coast - 12 km/7.4 mi out of 18 km/11 mi
It’s a relatively short and easy walking day with plenty of places to stop for coffee and lunch.
From Villa Chã the marked route goes parallel to the coast through the town but you can walk along the sea on the boardwalk from the start. After 2 km/1.2 mi the marked route continues on the boardwalk.
At 6 km the Camino trail turns inland across the bridge. It takes you through the towns of Vila do Conde and Póvoa de Varzim and returns to the coast at 12 km/7.4 mi.
Challenges
- Short parts of the boardwalk are covered in sand you walk on dunes which is more tiring
- Walking through the cities (Vila do Conde and Póvoa de Varzim) between 6 km/3.7 mi and 12 km/7.4 mi.
Highlights
- A beautiful walk along the coast between Vila Chã and Vila do Conde
- The historical center of Vila do Conde
- A picturesque coastal walk between Espozende and Aguçadoura
Stage 2 route description
0-6 km/0-3.7 mi - walking along the coast on the boardwalk
2.5 km/1.5 mi - Mindelo, a bar and a cafe
4.8 km/3 mi - Praia do Árvore, hotels, restaurants, cafes, a shop
5.6 km/3.4 mi - a restaurant
6 km/3.7 mi - the Coastal Route turns inland
6-12 km/3.7-7.4 mi - the route goes inland. It’s possible to continue along the coast. After crossing the bridge in Vila do Conde go to Avenida do Brasil.
7.5 km/4.6 mi - Vila do Conde. It’s a big town with many cafes, shops, restaurants, hotels, and a public albergue. From Vila do Conde you can switch to the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino and walk to Rates following the river or the aqueduct route.
7.5-12 km/4.6-7.4 mi on the Litoral Way (along the coast). From Vila do Conde to Póvoa de Varzim the Coastal Route goes inland. It’s possible to continue along the coast. After crossing the bridge in Vila do Conde get to Avenida do Brasil and continue walking along the coast. You’ll see Camino signs again on the promenade in Póvoa de Varzim. Note! You have to go through Vila do Conde to cross the river.
11 km/6.8 mi - Póvoa de Varzim. It is another big town with cafes, shops, and hotels.
12-18 km/7.4-11 mi - the Camino goes along the coast.
18 km/11 mi - Aguçadoura, a small beach town with a public albergue, a couple of guesthouses, shops, and restaurants.
Places to stay in Aguçadoura
Stage 3. Aguçadoura to Marinhas, 18 km/11 mi
Aguçadoura - Praia Estela - Apúlia - Fão - Esposende - Marinhas
- Distance – 18 km/11 mi
- Time – 5 hours
- Accumulated ascent – 81 m
- Accumulated descent – 72 m
- Walking surface – 6 km/3.7 mi – boardwalk; 4.7 km/2.9 mi - tar road/asphalt; 5.4 km/3.3 mi – cobblestones; 2 km/1.2 mi – footpath
- Walking along the coast - 7 km/4.3 mi out of 18 km/11 mi.
It’s another easy and short walking day on the Coastal Route. The first half is on the boardwalk along the beach, the second half is inland except for the walk on the promenade in Esposende.
Challenges
- Nothing, in particular, an easy walk along the beach and through towns with no hills or walking on the sand.
Highlights
- A beautiful walk along the beach between 0 km and 4 km.
- A beautiful small church in Apulia
- The small historical center of Fao
- The historical center and the promenade in Esposende.
Stage 3 route description
0-4 km/0-2.4 mi - on the boardwalk along the beach
4 km/2.4 mi - a bar and a route split. The left route continues on the boardwalk close to the coast, the right route goes inland. Both routes join after about 1,2 km. It’s recommended to take the left route and stay on the boardwalk. The right route goes along the road.
7.5 km/4.6 mi - a small church where you can get a stamp. Apulia, is a small town with a private albergue, guesthouses, cafes, restaurants, and shops.
7.5-12 km/4.6-7.7 mi on the Litoral Way. You can walk from Apulia to Fão along the coast instead of going inland through the forest. In Apulia go to Avenida da Colonia, and continue along the coast till Rua Capital Jorge Larcher. Turn right at the Rua and head to the bridge. The coastal route from Apulia to Fão is 1.5 km longer than the official Coastal Route.
8.7-10.3 km/5.4-6.4 mi - walking on a footpath through the forest.
11 km/6.8 mi - a small church where you can get a stamp. Fão is a small town with a couple of hostels, restaurants, cafes, and shops
11.5 km/7.1 mi - a metal bridge across the Cadavo River
12 km/7.4 mi - a cafe
12.8 km/7.9 mi - Hotel Rio Cavado/restaurant
13 km/8 mi - Esposende, a bigger town with hostels, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, bars, and ATMs.
13-14.5 km/8-9 mi on the Litoral Way. In Esposende the Camino goes inland through the town for 1.5 km. You can continue walking along the coast. At the runaround after Hotel Mira Rio continue walking along the river and the cycling road (soon you’ll see a boardwalk). You’ll start seeing the Camino signs again after 1.5 km.
14.5-15.5 km/9-9.6 mi - walking along the coast
15 km/9.3 mi - Aparthotel Pinhal da Foz, Hotel Suave Mar
16 km/10 mi - a restaurant, the Coastal Route turns inland
17.5 km/10.8 mi - Vila Ribeiro Guesthouse
18 km/11 mi - Public Albergue in Marinhas. There is a shop, a pharmacy, and a couple of restaurants near the albergue. There is a tap with drinking water outside.
Places to stay in Marinhas
Stage 4. Marinhas to Viana do Castelo, 21 km/13 mi
Marinhas - Castelo do Neiva - Chafé - Viana do Castelo
- Distance – 21 km/13 mi
- Time – 5 hours
- Accumulated ascent – 346 m
- Accumulated descent – 361 m
- Walking surface – 7.5 km/4.6 mi - tar road/asphalt, 8 km/5 mi – cobblestones, 5.5 km/3.4 mi – footpath
- Walking along the coast - 0 km, the entire stage is inland
The walk today from the start to the end is inland. Unlike the previous 3 stages that are flat, today's walk has some ascents and descents. In one day you total ascents more than in the first three days combined.
Challenges
- Several ascents and descents along the route
- Walking on hard surfaces e.g. cobbled stones which are tougher on your feet
- Walking on the sidewalk along a busy road for the last 2 km/1.2 mi to Viana do Castelo
Highlights
- A spectacular forest with a river between 6.4 km/3.9 mi and 7.7 km/4.7 mi. One of the most beautiful forest walks on the Portuguese Camino.
- Several beautiful churches where you can get stamps
- A nice forest walk between 9.2 km/5.7 mi and 10.6 km/6.5 mi
- The historical center of Viana do Castelo
Stage 4 route description
Between 3 km/1.8 mi and 5 km/3.1 mi, there are several cafes and small shops
Between 6.4 km/3.9 mi and 7.7 km/4.7 mi - walking on a footpath through the lush green forest next to the river
8 km/5 mi - Public albergue Don Nausti, Castelo do Neiva
9 km/5.5 mi - the church of St.Iago where you can get a stamp
9.2-10.6 km/5.7-6.5 mi - a nice forest walk
10.5 km/6.5 mi - a food stop
13.5 km/8.3 mi - a cafe
16 km/9.9 mi - the small town of Anha with restaurants, cafes, a couple of hotels, and a shop
18.5-20.5 km/11.5-12.7 mi - walking along a busy street with many cars
20 km/12.4 mi - the Eiffel Bridge across the Lima River
21 km/13 mi - The Public Albergue of Viana do Castelo. The Albergue is about 500 m away from the historical center.
Places to stay in Viana do Castelo
Stage 5. Viana do Castelo to Caminha, 28 km/17.3 mi
Viana do Castelo - Carreço - Vila Praia de Âncora - Caminha
- Distance – 28 km/17.3 mi
- Time – 6-7 hours
- Accumulated ascent – 391 m
- Accumulated descent – 385 m
- Walking surface – 16.5 km/10.2 mi - tar road/asphalt, 8.5 km/5.2 mi – cobblestones, 3 km/1.8 mi – footpath
- Walking along the coast - 4 km/2.4 mi out of 28 km/17.3 mi are along the coast
It’s a long and challenging walking day with several ascents and descents. You often can see the sea but not from close by. The route goes through peaceful towns, small villages, forests, and fields. The Camino gets to the coast after Vila Praia de Âncora.
Challenges
- A long walking day, over 28 km/17.3 mi
- Several ascents and descents
- Walking on hard surfaces (tar roads, cobblestones) for most of the day
Highlights
- Narrow cobbled streets with high stone walls in the first half of the walk
- 6th-century convent Sao Joao de Cabanas, 30min. walk Carreço
- 14 km/8.6 mi - a wonderful cafe in the middle of the forest with outside tables and chairs
- A beautiful forest in the middle part
- The historical part of Vila Praia de Âncora
- The walk along the coast between 20.5 km/12.7 mi and 24.5 km/15.2 mi
- The historical center of Caminha
Stage 5 route description
The Camino route loops around Viana do Castelo. The easiest way to get from your accommodation place to the route is to walk to Igreja dos Santos Martires and continue on Rua Dom Moises Alves Pinho.
0-4 km/0-2.4 mi - the route goes through the town and neighborhoods
4-10 km/2.4-6.2 mi - the Camino passes small villages and fields
10 km/6.2 mi - Carreco, a small town with a private albergue Casa do Adro, a shop, an ATM, and cafes.
11 km/6.8 mi - our favorite Albergue on the Coastal Route Casa do Sardão
Between 12 km/7.4 mi and 13 km/8 mi - walking through a beautiful forest
14 km/8.6 mi - a wonderful cafe in the forest by the river with good coffee and nice desserts. It’s a perfect place to stop for a light lunch or coffee.
17 km/10.5 mi - a bar
18 km/11 mi - Vila Praia de Âncora, a town with hotels, restaurants, shops, and cafés.
20.5-24.5 km/12.7-15.2 mi - a beautiful walk along the coast and past several beaches
24.5 km/15.2 mi - the route turns inland and goes through the town of Moledo
25.5-27.3 km/15.8-17 mi - a long straight stretch on the sidewalk along the road
28 km/17.3 mi - Caminha. The end of the Portuguese part of the Coastal Route. From Caminha you can continue on the Coastal Route or switch to the Central Route. To cross from Caminha to A Guarda (Coastal Route) pilgrims can use a boat. Instead of continuing on the Coastal Route and taking a boat, you can walk from Caminha to Valença/Tui and do the last 100 km from Tui to Santiago on the Central Route.
Places to stay in Caminha
Stage 6. Caminha (Portugal) to Viladesuso (Spain), 21 km/13 mi
Caminha - A Guarda - Oia - Viladesuso
- Distance – 21 km/13 mi
- Time – 5-6 hours
- Accumulated ascent – 375 m
- Accumulated descent – 360 m
- Walking surface – 11 km/6.8 mi - tar road/asphalt; 10 km/6.3 mi – footpath/gravel road
- Walking along the coast - 14 km/8.6 mi out of 21 km/13 mi
It's a beautiful walking day that starts with a boat ride across the river, then the Coastal Route goes through the forest to Caminha, and after the town continues along the coast.
First, you take a boat to the other side of the Minho River. There are several departures scheduled throughout the day depending on tides. You can buy a ticket and find departure times online. Tickets can be purchased at the pier as well. The price is 9 euros per person, 10 euros per person with a bicycle. The ride is around 10 minutes.
After a short boat ride you arrive at the pier in A Pasaxe. Keep in mind the time difference, Spain is 1 hour ahead of Portugal. Once you’re on the other side of the river it’s 1 hour later than in Caminha.
Challenges
- A steep ascent from A Pasaxe (the pier)
- It’s a relatively easy walking day mostly along the coast with short parts along the road on the cycling route with coastal views.
Highlights
- A beautiful forest walk from A Pasaxe
- The historical center and beaches in A Guarda
- The spectacular coastal scenery from A Guarda
- The Monastery of Oia
Stage 6 route description
0-2.2 km/0-1.3 mi - the route climbs up
1.2-2.2 km/0.7-1.3 mi - a beautiful forest walk
3 km/1.8 mi - A Guarda, a small beach town with a public albergue, hotels, restaurants, and shops
3-5 km/1.8-3.1 mi - walking through the town
4 km/2.4 mi - a public albergues
5 km/3.1 mi - Praia de Area Grande, a small sandy beach. The Coastal Route and the Litoral Way merge there.
5.2 km/3.2 mi - a restaurant
8-9.6 km/5-6 mi - on a cycling route along the road
11 km/6.8 mi - Portecelo, a small town with hotels and restaurants. Loft As Casetas Peregrinos has excellent reviews.
12.5 km/7.7 mi - Casa Alicia holiday house
14 km/8.6 mi - A Marinha guesthouse
17 km/10.5 mi - Oia, a small beautiful town with a famous monastery
20 km/12.4 mi - Viladesuso, a small coastal town stretched along the road with hotels and restaurants. Loft Oia hotel
20.7 km/12.8 mi - Hotel/restaurant Glasgow, Albergue Caminho Portugues
21 km/13 mi - Albergue da Estrela
Stage 7. Villadesuso to A Ramallosa, 19 km/11.8 mi
Viladesuso - Mougas - Baiona - A Ramallosa
- Distance – 19 km/11.8 mi
- Time – 5-6 hours
- Accumulated ascent – 344 m
- Accumulated descent – 362 m
- Walking surface – 15.5 km/9.6 mi - tar road/asphalt; 3.5 km/2.2 mi – footpath/gravel road
- Walking along the coast - 9 km/5.5 mi
It is a short and easy walking day with several ascents in the second half of it. Unfortunately, if you follow the official Coastal Route you walk inland most of the day. If you want to walk along the coast at 8 km/5 mi continue following the cycling road instead of turning inland.
Challenges
- Several steep ascents in the second half of the day
Highlights
- Beautiful coastal views
- A picturesque forest walk between 8 km/5 mi and 9.5 km/5.9 mi
- The historical center of Baiona
- The Old Bridge at the entrance to A Ramallosa
- The historical center of A Ramallosa
Stage 7 route description
2.6 km/1.6 mi - Aguncheiro Albergue/cafe
4 km/2.4 mi - a campsite/restaurant O Muiño
7 km/4.3 mi - Soremma hotel/cafe, camping Mougas
8 km/5 mi - a right turnoff, the Camino route goes over the hill
8-19 km/5-11.8 mi on the Litoral Way. You can continue walking along the coast on a cycling route to Baiona. The distance is about the same as on the official Coastal Route with no hills. In Baiona you can follow Avenida Montreal to Ladeira Beach. From the beach continue on Avenida Praia Ladeira to A Ramallosa. If you choose this route your entire walk will be along the coast without the hills.
8-9.5 km/5-5.9 mi - a beautiful forest walk with a steep ascent
11 km/6.8 mi - a restaurant
14 km/8.6 mi - Baiona, a coastal town with a nice historical center, many bars and cafes
17.5 km/10.8 mi - Sabaris, a neighborhood
19 km/11.8 mi - A Ramallosa, a nice town with beautiful beaches and a promenade along the river
Placesto stay in Sabaris/A Ramallosa
- Albergue Playa de Sabaris
- Hotel Vasco Da Gama
- Hospedaria Paso Pias (they have a special price for shared rooms, not available for online booking)
Stage 8. A Ramallosa to Vigo, 21.5 km/13.3 mi
- Distance – 21.5 km/13.3 mi
- Time – 5-6 hours (moving time)
- Accumulated ascent – 381 m
- Accumulated descent – 345 m
- Walking surface – 13.5 km/8.3 mi - tar road/asphalt; 8 km/5 mi – footpath/gravel road
- Walking along the coast - 0 km the entire stage is inland
This stage of the Coastal Route is not my favorite. The entire route goes inland you get to the sea only in Vigo. You walk bits and parts through the forest but most of it you walk through towns, neighborhoods, and next to roads.
I’ve walked this stage twice following two routes and prefer the Litoral Way over the Coastal Route. It goes along the coast, offers breathtaking scenery, and less walking through industrial areas and near busy roads. For me, the advantage of the Coastal Route is that it’s better marked.
Highlights
- A forest walk between 10 km/6.2 mi and 12 km/7.4 mi
- A beautiful waterfall at 11 km/6.8 mi
Challenges
- Walking along a busy road between 12 km/7.4 mi and 14 km/8.6 mi
- Walking through the city for 4 km/2.4 mi at the end of the stage
- The lack of route marking in Vigo
Stage 8. Route description
After 1 km/0.6 mi you’re out of the town, walking in the forest.
From 1 km/0.6 mi to 12 km/7.4 mi the Coastal Route goes through the forest and villages/towns, sometimes along the road.
1.6 km/1 mi - a bar
4 km/2.4 mi - a cafe, a restaurant
8 km/5 mi - Albergue San Xurxo, a cafe
Between 10 km/6.2 mi and 12 km/7.4 mi walking on a footpath through the beautiful forest.
11 km/6.8 mi - a route split, the left route goes to the road, the right route continues through the forest
11.3 km/7 mi - a small waterfall
11.6 km/7.2 mi - another route split; the right route goes to an Albergue in Freixo (which is 5 km/3.1 mi away from the Coastal Route), and the left route continues to Vigo
12-14 km/7.4-8.6 mi - the Camino goes on a sidewalk along a busy road
14 km/8.6 mi - left turn, you’ll see the Camino sign
14.3 km/8.8 mi - right turn at the small red bridge, follow the river
14.3-17.5 km/8.8-10.8 mi - along the river through the forest and then the city
17.5-21.5 km/10.8-13.3 mi - through Vigo
Places to stay in Vigo
Stage 9. Vigo to Redondela (the Central Route), 16.5 km/10.2 mi
- Distance – 16.5 km/10.2 mi
- Time – 4-5 hours (moving time)
- Accumulated ascent – 203 m
- Accumulated descent – 210 m
- Walking surface – 11.5 km/7.1 mi - tar road/asphalt; 5 km/3.1 mi – footpath/gravel road
- Walking along the coast - 8 km/5 mi (between 5 km/3.1 mi and 13 km/8 mi) beautiful coastal views from the route
The last 100 km on the Coastal Route start in Vigo so there might be more people on the route.
It’s a short and easy walking stage. The most difficult part is to find the Coastal Route in Vigo as there are very few Camini signs in the city. The easiest is to get to Rua de Urzaiz from your accommodation place and follow that street till the end (the last part is pedestrian). At the end turn left to Rua de Toledo (you’ll see yellow arrows). From there you can follow the Camino signs.
Challenges
- Finding the Camino route in Vigo
- No place to stop for coffee or food once you’re out of Vigo till you reach Redondela
Highlights
- The historical part of Vigo
- Spectacular views of the coast, the bay, and the bridge from the route
- A beautiful waterfall in the forest
- The historical part of Redondela
Stage 9 route description
0-3 km/0-1.8 mi - through the city
5-13 km/3.1-8 mi - on a slope of the hill with beautiful views of the coast
9 km/5.6 mi - a picturesque waterfall in the forest
14 km/8.6 mi - the beginning of a steep descent
16.5 km/10.2 mi - Redondela. Here the Coastal Route merges with the Central Route. Expect to see a lot more pilgrims.
Places to stay in Redondela
Stages 10-13. Redondela to Santiago
You can follow our itinerary from Redondela to Santiago HERE.
Coastal Route planning resources
- The Portuguese Camino de Santiago – a detailed guide
- Comparing the Coastal and Central Route of the Portuguese Camino
- Coastal vs Litoral Way of the Portuguese Camino
- The Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Camino
- How to switch from the Coastal Route/Litoral Way to the Central Route in Vila do Conde?
- Switching from the Coastal Route to the Central Route in Caminha
Questions or Comments?
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The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.
Hello,
Great information. I am beginning to do my research for a Camino trip in 2026. I am thinking we may go the Litoral Way after a short trip to Fatima. Is the Litoral Way conducive to biking/cycling? Are there opportunities in Porto to rent e-bikes for the entire trip to Santiago?
Hello Denise. Thank you for the comment. Most of the Litoral Way can be cycled though the part between Esposende and Vila do Conde is not good for cycling because it partially goes on the rocky beach. As for bike rental I suggest you check this company https://gocyclingportugal.com/. They rent e-bikes and have several pick up and drop off points in Portugal and Spain including places on the Portuguese Camino.
Buen Camino
Hello,
Thanks for all the information! Its priceless. We plan to arrive in Porto on July 19th very early in the AM and start walking. I see they will be swinging the Botafumeiro on July 25th. Do you know if its possible for us to get into the mass, and should we just uber from our location on the 25th and then back to finish the route, or should we just do a 6 day route? Thank you for any help you can offer.
Hello Sue. Thank you for the comment. If you want to do the Coastal Route and walk the last 6 days then you will miss most of the coast as the last part of the route is inland. If you really want to walk along the coast then walk from Porto, take a bus to Santiago and back. If you just want to walk the Camino and not to worried about walking by the sea then do the last 6 days of the route. Just make sure on the last day you arrive a couple of hours before the Botafumeiro to have enough time to drop off your backpack (you're not allowed with a big backpack in the Cathedral) and to get a good spot, there will be hundreds of people.
Buen Camino
Hello,
Thanks for the great information, it's worth a lot more than the cup of coffee. My wife and I are planning to walk the Litoral Route from June 4th to the 20th. Can you give me an idea of the temperatures to expect to help us with our clothing list? Also, since we are in our 70's, we would like to use a baggage service but we also want to be able to add rest days as needed. Is it possible to use a baggage service on a daily basis without having booked rooms ahead of time?
Thanks again, Tom Leonard
Hello Tom. Thank you for the comment. It is usually warm and sunny and June but not too hot like in July and August. It is a good time to walk the Coastal Route before the holiday season.
As for the luggage transfer I believe you can use it on a daily basis without booking the entire route long in advance but you still have to book it at least a day in advance for them to have enough time to plan. I suggest contacting one of the companies to check with them how long in advance you should book a luggage transfer.
Buen Camino
Hello - I only have 6 days to walk and would like to do the coastal walk in Portugal to the church in Spain. How can I get some information on this. Thank you
Hello Nay. Thank you for the comment. You can find all the information in this post. If you have only 6 days and want to walk the Coastal Route you can start in A Ramallosa. The standard itinerary takes 6 days to walk from A Ramallosa to Santiago de Compostela. You can find a detailed itinerary in the post and follow it.
Buen Camino
Do you have a recommendation for purchasing SIM cards or eSim cards?
Hello , Can you let me know if there is a PDF map for distance and accommodation on the Litoral route . Thanks
Hello Kevin. Thank you for the comment. For now we have a PDF for the Coastal Route. The start and the end of the stages on the Litoral and Coastal are the same, you can use the PDF with places to stay on the Coastal Route to plan your Litoral Way. maybe later this year we add a separate PDF for the Litoral Way.
Buen Camino
@Stingy Nomads,
Bonsoir
Déjà un grand merci pour toutes les infos que vous partagez à travers ce site! C'est fabuleux!
Je souhaite me lancer sur le chemin Litoral début Mai 2025 et ce qui me freine un peu, c'est l'absence de balisage (sauf erreur de ma part). Comment se repérer alors ? Mis à part qu'on doit longer l'océan ....il y a certainement des sentiers ou voies tout le long et c'est là que j'aimerais savoir en l'absence de balisage, quoi emprunter.
J'ai bien compris que le début et de la fin des étapes sur le Litoral et le Côtier sont les mêmes....comme vous le rappelez à Kévin en réponse à ses interrogations.
Merci beaucoup de votre aide
Les personnes ayant suivi le chemin du Litoral peuvent également me partager leur expérience.
Bonjour Nadine. Merci pour le commentaire. Je viens de publier un nouvel article sur le Chemin Litoral. Vous pouvez le trouver ici https://stingynomads.com/litoral-way-portuguese-camino/.
Vous pouvez utiliser l'une des applications Camino pour trouver votre chemin. J'ai utilisé Camino Ninja et c'était assez précis. Nous ajouterons bientôt des fichiers GPX à la publication que vous pourrez télécharger et utiliser sur votre téléphone/montre GPS.
Buen Camino
Thanks so much for this information, it's so detailed and helpful.
Hello Siobhan. Thank you for your comment.
Buen Camino
Hi! Can you recommend any amps for the Coastal route please. I’m starting from A Guarda and would like to walk along the coast as much as possible!
Thanks you
Hello Kate. Thank you for your comment. We never use apps on the Camino but I know people say good things about Camino Ninja.
Buen Camino
Hello and thanks for the excellent information.
I am starting from Porto in September but I have 10 days for the route. So I was thinking about skipping some stages by taking public transportation. What do you recommend if you have 10 days but you do not want to skip the best parts? I have to say that having the certificate stamped in Santiago is not a must for me.
Thanks!
Hello Ariel. Thank you for the comment. The suggested itinerary of the Coastal Route is 13 days. If you aren't worried about the certificate you can skip 3 stages in the last part of the route from Redondela to Santiago. This part is inland. You can see how many days you have when you are in Vigo. If you still have a couple of days then you can walk the part of the route to Santiago e.g. the last 1-2 days that you actually walk to Santiago. The Porto to Vigo part takes 9 days on average depending on your daily distances. You get to walk the entire Coastal Route and then skip the inland part.
Buen Camino
@Stingy Nomads,
Thank you very much for the response and the excellent information on your site
Hello, thank you for the very informative information about the coastal walk. I plan to do this walk next year around the end of May. I’d like to book my journey myself without using a company or travel agent. The one question I have : can you recommend a baggage transporter, I need to travel during the day with a day backpack only ?
Trudi
Hello Trudi. Thank you for the comment. We recommend luggage transfer companies in this post. Please, check again following the link https://stingynomads.com/portuguese-coastal-camino-stages/#Luggage_transfer
Buen Camino
Hi
Biking the Camino from Valenca to Santiago. Does anyone know if we can use bikes on any of the coastal route of the Camino? Thanks. Going in late Aug 2024
Hello Nick. Thank you for the comment. Yes, you can cycle the Coastal Route. There are some parts where you go on a footpath but there is usually a cycling route along the coast that you can follow. I've seen many cyclists on the Coastal Route.
Buen Camino
An incredible guide. This page was more or less all I needed for the trip. Thank you Stingy Nomads!
Hello Nancy. Thank you for the comment. I just finished walking the Coastal Route for the second time and will update the post based on the new information I collected along the route.
Buen Camino
Hello, I am flying to Spain in 2 weeks time and still deciding between walking 2 weeks of Camino Norte or the Portugese Coastal Camino (with Litoral and Spiritual Variant).
Given the short planning time, do you recommend one over the other? I love coastal scenery and would prefer to avoid industrial areas and bigger towns. I have also looked at the GR 221 - is this a walk you have done? I am so nervous about my lack of planning. I fly into Madrid, and will bus to either Porto or San Sebastian (unless you recommend a different section of the Norte? Travelling with my 14 year old.
Hello Sally. Thank you for the comment. I'd suggest doing the Portuguese Coastal Camino. The route has better facilities for pilgrims, there are more places to stay, and 2 weeks it enough to complete the route from Porto with Spiritual Variant. From Madrid you can take a bus to Porto and start walking from there. We did like the Camino del Norte but accommodation on the route is a lot more expensive especially in coastal towns and there are not many hotels/hostels catering for pilgrims.
We haven't done the GR 221 route in Mallorca.
Buen Camino
I am learning so much from you! Thank you.
I am taking the Portuguese Coastal trail in September.
Ideally for 10 days if I can do parts of it by bike, ferry, and walking.
Would you have any recommendations for this.
TIA
Hello Cheryl. Thank you for the comment. You can do the Coastal Route by bike or walking starting in Porto and walk for the 10 days. If you cycle most of the route 10 days will be enough to finish in Santiago. As for ferries there is only one stage on the Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Camino where you can take a boat. If you want to combine walking and cycling you'll have to arrange bicycle transfer on the days you walk. It's not a problem there are many companies that offer luggage delivery on the route.
Buen Camino
Hi and thanks for such a detailed description of the different Caminos in Portugal. We are going to be walking in September and will be ending up by taking the Spiritual Route. We are not spring chickens - but we will be walking about 10 miles a day. I noticed that the last leg of the Spiritual Camino is almost 15 miles and I am hoping that it isn't too much for me. Do you know if there are Ubers or Bolts that we could call to get us to Vilanova de Arousa if I can't make the 15 miles? Thanks, Nancy
Hello Nancy. Thank you for the comment. We often use Uber in Spain and Portugal you should be able to get one to Vila Nova de Arousa. Otherwise you can ask at one of the cafes or bars along the route to call a taxi for you.
Buen Camino
Hi there and thansk for the great info. I'll be walking from about May 10 to the end of May - are there any places to swim along the way?
Hello Marie-Louise. Thank you for the comment. There are several beaches along the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino suitable for swimming but the water is quite cold even in summer. On a warm day you can go for a quick dip swimming in May will be quite cold.
Buen Camino
I can’t thank you enough for this information, so helpful! My only question is, if I want to stay in hostels and auburges, do I need to book my travel ahead of time, or will I be okay to book as I go? I want to have the freedom to stop where I want and not be tied to a schedule, but I also don’t want to show up and have everything already booked up.
Hello Christiana. Thank you for the comment. If you're planning to stay in public (municipal) albergues those can't be booked in advance; it's first come first serve principle. Private albergues can be booked in advance online. Availability depends the month if you walk in May or September which are the most popular months for the Portuguese Camino it might be a good idea in small towns with limited options to book a bed a couple of days in advance especially if there is no public albergue.
We usually book private rooms in advance because there are not that many options. We never had a problem of finding a bed in public albergues but we walked quite fast and arrive first.
Buen Camino
Thanks for a great and helpful article! I’m in the big research stage of planning a potential trip late April to early May 2024.
A couple questions:
1. From the US, where is it best to fly in and out of? Should I try to fly into Lisbon or Porto? Should I try to fly out of Madrid?
2. How is cell reception on the Coastal route? I am a woman traveling alone, so while I don’t plan to be using my phone a lot, having it work in an emergency would be comforting for me as well as my family back home. I would be using my international plan from T Mobile.
3. My hope is to have a tentative plan for where I will stay each night, but few reservations in order to allow flexibility in my walking each day. I like the idea of being able to stop when I feel like it or keep going if I want. If I plan to hike in late April/early May on the coastal, should I be able to find a place to sleep each night without reservations? (I do plan to have nights reserved in Santiago for the end and Porto for the beginning, but hoping to “freestyle it” the rest of the way.)
Thanks for the advice!
My wife and I are planning to walk the Coastal Route in early May this year. How should we best prepare for temps and precipitation?
Hello Eric. The weather in May especially in the second half of it is usually good without many rainfalls. I'd suggest packing a rain poncho and having a rain cover for your backpack just in case. Other than that just pack your normal hiking clothes and shoes. It should be enough for walking the Coastal Route in May.
Buen Camino
I need to hire a driver to drive me and 2 friends (and luggage) from Santiago back to Porto on Sept. 24, 2024. Are there any companies that offer such a service?