The Portuguese Camino from Porto has totally different routes; the Central Route, the Coastal Route, and the Litoral Manner. All routes begin at Se Cathedral in Porto. All three routes merge in Redondela, Spain, km earlier than Santiago de Compostela. It’s doable to mix all three routes or select one and stroll it from the begin to the tip. On this publish, I describe the primary stage of every of the three Camino de Santiago routes from Porto.
For a lot of pilgrims, the Portuguese Camino begins in Porto. The truth is, the route is for much longer as a result of it begins in Lisbon. The Lisbon to Porto a part of the Camino isn’t a very fashionable route.
What number of routes are on the Portuguese Camino from Porto?
There are Three routes on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago from Porto; the Central Route, the Coastal Route, and the Litoral Manner or Senda Litoral. The Litoral Manner is the one which goes alongside the coast from Porto. The Central and the Coastal routes go inland.
I walked out of Porto for Three consecutive days following the three totally different routes of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. The Litoral Manner is by far my favourite because it goes alongside the coast and affords spectacular surroundings. The Coastal Route from Porto is my least favourite as a result of it goes via some industrial areas and previous the airport. I wouldn’t say the stroll on the Coastal Route was ugly or disagreeable it was okay I simply preferred it the least, particularly the center half the place you stroll via the economic space and subsequent to the airport. Moreover the primary stage, the Coastal Route is one in every of our favourite Camino de Santiago routes.
Greatest locations to remain in Porto earlier than the Camino
The very best is to remain close to the Cathedral so in your first day on the Camino you can begin the stroll proper out of your resort and don’t must take the metro or a bus to get to the Cathedral first.
Albergue de Peregrinos de Porto is Three km away from the Cathedral on the Central/Coastal Camino routes. If you wish to keep there you are able to do the primary Three km from Se Cathedral to Albergue the day earlier than you begin your stroll so on the day you possibly can stroll out of the Albergue and proceed on the Camino. Should you’re going to stroll the Litoral Manner then you definitely’ll must get from the albergue to the Cathedral by public transport or taxi after which begin strolling.
Which Camino route from Porto is one of the best to stroll?
It relies on which route of the Portuguese Camino you need to stroll. Should you plan to stroll the Central Route I’d counsel following it from the beginning. You can too stroll out of Porto following the Senda Litoral, however in that case, you’ll have to modify to the Central Route in Vila do Conde which provides one additional day to your itinerary.
If you wish to stroll the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino I’d counsel strolling out of Porto following the Litoral Manner. For my part, it’s a extra lovely route and it makes extra sense to stroll alongside the coast since that’s what you need to do. The Litoral Manner and the Coastal Route take part Vila do Conde. From there they observe kind of the identical trajectory. The Litoral Manner sticks extra to the seaside whereas the Coastal Route typically goes via cities and villages.
The stroll from Porto to Vila do Conde on the Litoral Manner is Four km longer than on the Coastal Route; 33 km vs 29 km. You don’t must stroll it in at some point. Even 29 km in my view is an excessive amount of for the primary day on the Camino.
As an choice, you possibly can mix all three routes. Stroll out of Porto following the Litoral Manner, then proceed on the Coastal Route from Vila do Conde to Caminha from there stroll to Valença and proceed on the Central Path to Santiago de Compostela. You may add to your itinerary the Religious Variant of the Portuguese Camino from Pontevedra to Padrón.
What’s the most scenic route of the Portuguese Camino from Porto?
The Senda Litoray (Litoral Manner) is in my view probably the most scenic route of the primary stage of the Portuguese Camino from Porto. The Coastal and the Central routes have lovely components as effectively but it surely’s not as spectacular because the Litoral Manner. I particularly loved the final 10 km to Vila Cha which have been alongside the coast previous a number of lovely seashores.
Evaluating the three routes; Central Route vs Coastal Route vs Litoral Manner
Strolling floor
On each the Central and Coastal routes, you stroll solely on onerous surfaces with virtually half of the route being on cobbled stones that are identified to be robust in your ft.
On the Litoral Manner, half of the route goes on boardwalks that are simpler in your ft. There are not any cobbled stones on the route.
Strolling on or alongside busy roads
Once more, the Litoral Manner is the winner. You don’t stroll on the highway in any respect, not even 100 m. On the Central and Coastal routes you do stroll on the highway and subsequent to busy roads with a number of site visitors.
Straightforward to navigate
Regardless of the Litoral Manner not being marked for the primary 10 km in my view it’s the best path to stroll out of Porto. It’s very easy. You don’t want a map, indicators, or GPX.
Then again, the Central and the Coastal routes are marked however the first two kilometers via the historic middle are complicated resulting from too many distractions round you it’s tough to identify Camino indicators. After the primary 2 km, each routes are fairly simple to observe.
Surroundings
For me, the Litoral Manner is by far probably the most scenic route of the Portuguese Camino out of Porto. Sandy seashores, blue sea, fishermen’s villages, and wildflowers in spring months are the proper surroundings to begin the Camino with.
The primary 2 km on the Central and the Coastal routes via the historic middle of Porto is kind of spectacular. You get to see a number of the highlights of the town. On the Central Route, I loved the final 5 km via a quiet rural space and the forest. The Coastal Route has its magnificence too; you possibly can see some countryside and forest.
How busy are the routes?
I’d say to me it seemed just like the Litoral Manner was the busiest route out of Porto. I walked all three routes in July so I consider that point of the 12 months folks want strolling alongside the coast. The Central Route had a good quantity of pilgrims too. On the Coastal Route out of Porto, there have been only a few pilgrims. Thoughts, that July total is a much less busy month than Might or September. I walked some components of the Portuguese Camino in Might and there have been much more folks than in July. House owners of albergues and inns alongside the Camino route confirmed the identical.
When is one of the best time for strolling?
When is one of the best time to stroll the Camino will depend upon a number of components. I walked the Portuguese Camino from Porto in Might, June, and July. For me even in July on the Central Route, it wasn’t extraordinarily sizzling. I’d say from the climate viewpoint the spring/summer season months between Might and mid-October are one of the best time for strolling.
July and August are the busiest vacation months in Portugal and Spain however the Portuguese Camino route quite the opposite not as busy as in Might, June, and September. July and August could be a superb time to stroll the Central Route if you wish to escape the group on the Camino. There are lots of festivals and celebrations all through Portugal in July and August. It’s very probably you’re going to get to witness a few of them in the event you stroll the Portuguese Camino in one in every of these months.
It’s higher to not stroll the Coastal or the Litoral Manner in July and August if you wish to keep in personal rooms as a result of most locations by the ocean are fully-booked and the lodging costs improve rather a lot throughout these peak months. Should you’re planning on staying in albergues it shouldn’t be an issue. It would even be simpler to discover a dorm mattress in July and August than in Might and September.
The place in Porto do the Camino routes begin?
All Three routes begin at Se Cathedral within the historic middle of Porto. To be sincere I discover route marking from the Cathedral complicated and never very clear.
The Central and the Coastal Route
The Central and Coastal Routes begin on the stairs (Calçada de Don Pedro Pitões) throughout the sq. from the principle entrance to the Cathedral. There may be an official signal and a few yellow arrows pointing down. There’s a vacationer data workplace down the steps on the fitting the place you will get a map of Porto and inquire concerning the Camino route.
As soon as down the steps hold left you’ll see two yellow arrows painted on the backside of the wall pointing in reverse instructions. I took the fitting route however I consider each routes find yourself on the similar place R. das Flores, a pedestrian road. As soon as there it’s very tempting to observe this road however it’s important to take the primary left flip to Rua do Ferraz. From there it’s a bit simpler to observe the arrows.
If at some stage you lose the route one of the best shall be to search out Igreja do Carmo on Google. Maps and stroll there. From the church (Igreja do Carmo) the route is straightforward to observe. You’ll find a yellow arrow on the wall on the fitting aspect of the church (dealing with it).
Notice!!! There are a few extra steel planks with arrows pointing proper I attempted to observe them however they don’t go any additional than the sq..
The Central Route and the Coastal Route are the identical for the primary 7 km from the Cathedral. At 7 km (in Padrão da Légua) they cut up; the Central Route goes proper and the Coastal Route goes left in direction of the coast but it surely will get there solely in Vila do Conde.
The Litoral Manner
The Litoral Manner from the Cathedral goes alongside the river out of Porto to Matosinhos and from there continues alongside the coast. The best manner of discovering the route is to stroll from Se Cathedral all the way down to the river and proceed alongside it. The route isn’t marked and in the event you attempt to observe yellow arrows they could lead you in direction of the Central/Coastal Route.
Are the routes well-marked?
All three routes are marked with conventional yellow arrows painted on the bottom, partitions, poles, and many others. On occasion you see official route marking reminiscent of wood or stone indicators, and steel plaques on the bottom.
The Coastal and the Central Routes (the primary 7 km it’s the identical route) are marked fairly effectively ranging from the Cathedral. The primary 2 kilometers via the historic middle of Porto are a bit complicated as a result of there are various adverts, automobiles, folks, and many others. It’s a must to look cautious to not miss a yellow arrow.
The primary 10 km of the Litoral Manner usually are not marked. The route marking begins on the data workplace in Matosinhos. From there on you possibly can observe conventional Camino indicators. Regardless of not being marked the Litoral Manner is the simplest path to stroll out of Porto. From the Cathedral you go all the way down to the Douro River and observe it after which the coast for 10 km. It’s a really easy route.
The Central Route – Porto to Vilarinho, 27 km/16,7 mi
- Distance – 27 km/16,7 mi
- Time – 6 hours
- Ascent – 336 m
- Descent – 355 m
- Strolling floor – 14,5 km/9 mi – tar highway and asphalt, 12 km/7,Four mi – cobblestones, 500 m/0,Three mi – footpath
The primary 7 km/4,Three mi the Central and the Coastal route are on the identical path.
For the primary 15 km/9,Three mi, there are various eating places, cafes, and outlets to cease for breakfast or espresso. After then there are locations to cease however not as many as within the first half.
The Central Route from Porto GPX information
To make your stroll simpler you possibly can obtain our GPX information. The information are our courtesy and for personal use solely. No unauthorized public or business use is allowed.
The Central Route description
The primary 2 km/1,2 mi are via the historic middle of Porto from Se Cathedral to Igreja (church) do Carmo. It’s the most tough half to navigate particularly the primary 700 m from the Cathedral. Should you lose the path discover Igreja do Carmo on Google Maps and stroll there. From the church observe Rua de Cedofeida (the road on the fitting dealing with the church). From there the Camino route is kind of simple to observe it principally goes straight all the way in which to Vilarinho.
Between 2 km/1,2 mi and 5 km/3,1 mi, you stroll via the residential space of Porto.
2,Eight km/1,7 mi – Albergue de Peregrinos de Porto. Should you’re going to remain within the Albergue and planning to stroll the Central or the Coastal Route you possibly can stroll the half from the Cathedral to the Albergue a day earlier than so within the morning you possibly can stroll out of the Albergue and proceed on the Camino. In any other case, it’s important to take the metro to go to the Cathedral after which stroll previous the Albergue.
Between 5 km/3,1 mi and 11 km/6,Eight mi, the route goes via quiet neighborhoods.
6 km/3,7 mi – a few massive supermarkets (LIDL, Continente) the place you will get a well-priced meal.
7 km/4,Three mi – the cut up (on the left aspect of the road) in Padrão da Légua on the intersection of R. Nova do Seixo and R. Fonte Velha.
8,Four km/5,2 mi – a grocery store (ALDI)
11 km/6,Eight mi – 12 km/7,Four mi – alongside the highway (sidewalk) via the forest
12 km/7,Four mi – 14,5 km/9 mi – via cities alongside the busy roads
14,5 km/9 mi – a few massive supermarkets (LIDL, Pingo Doce)
15 km/9,Three mi – 16 km – industrial space however not a really busy one
16 km – 16,Four km/10 mi – on a highway
17 km/10,5 mi – a store and a bar
18,5 km/11,Four mi – Mosteiro, a small city with a restaurant
20 km/12,Four mi – Vila, a small city with a restaurant and a store
21 km/13 mi – 21,5 km/13,Four mi – on the highway
21,5 km/13,Four mi – Gião, a small city with a restaurant. You may stamp your Pilgrim’s Passport at a stand with a stamp on the left aspect of the road.
22,Four km/14 mi – a small grocery store
23 km/14,2 mi – on the Doce Giao cafe there’s a route cut up. I’d suggest following the choice route that turns proper and goes via a quiet space. The left route is on a busy slender highway it’s not a secure strolling choice. There’s a very good guesthouse Casa Mindela, 800 m from the Camino route. You may cease there as an alternative of strolling all the way in which to Vilarinho. We stayed there for a few days and we actually preferred it.
24 km/15 mi – a bar and a store
25 km/15,5 mi – an ATM and a restaurant
26 km/16,1 mi – Municipal Albergue do Mosteiro do Veirão.
26,5 km/16,Four mi – 27 km/16,7 mi – a footpath via the forest
27 km/16,7 mi – Vilarinho, a small city with a store, a restaurant, and a personal albergue/visitor home.
Locations to remain in Vilarinho
The Coastal Route – Porto to Vila do Conde, 29 km/18 mi
- Distance – 29 km/18 mi
- Time – 6-7 hours
- Ascent – 255 m
- Descent – 320 m
- Strolling floor – 17 km/10,5 mi – asphalt or tar highway and 12 km/7,Four mi – cobblestones
The Coastal Route from Porto GPX information
You should utilize our GPX information in your gadget to make your stroll out of Porot simpler. The information are for personal use solely.
The Coastal Route description
The primary 7 km/4,Three mi on the Coastal Route from Porto is similar as on the Central Route. For more information on that half verify the part above.
Between 7 km/4,Three mi and 9 km/5,6 mi, you stroll via a really quiet neighborhood of Porto with small homes lined up alongside the road.
9 km/5,6 mi – 11 km/6,Eight mi – the Camino route goes via a rural space.
11 km/6,Eight mi – 12 km/7,Four mi – via an industrial space with many vans. I walked it on Sunday so it was quiet I feel that on weekdays it’s busy.
13 km/Eight mi – a store and a restaurant
13,5 km/8,Three mi – a city with an ATM, cafe, and store. The subsequent place to cease for meals shall be at 22 km.
15,8/9,Eight mi – 17,5 km/10,Eight mi – strolling subsequent to Porto Airport
21 km/13 mi – 22 km/13,6 mi – a quiet highway via the forest
22 km/13,6 mi – an enormous shopping center (Vila do Conde Porto Style Outlet)
24 km/15 mi – Mindelo, a small city with a store and a restaurant
26 km/16 mi – a store, a restaurant, and a bar
29 km/18 mi – Vila do Conde
Locations to remain in Vila do Conde
The Litoral Manner (Senda Litoral) – Porto to Vila Cha, 29 km/16 mi
- Distance – 26 km/16 mi
- Time – 5-6 hours
- Ascent – 242 m
- Descent – 273 m
- Strolling floor – 15 km/9,Three mi – asphalt, 10 km/6,2 mi – boardwalks, 1 km/0,6 mi – cobbled
The Litoral Manner from Porto GPX information
You may obtain our GPX information and use them in your gadget to make navigation simpler. The information are our courtesy. No unauthorized public or business use is allowed.
The primary 10 km/6,2 mi on the Litoral Manner from the Cathedral in Porto to Matosinhos usually are not marked. It doesn’t imply it’s tough to search out the route in actual fact the Senda Litoral is the simplest path to observe out of Porto. From Se Cathedral get all the way down to the Douro River and observe it until you’re out of the town.
The route from the Cathedral to the river described in Brierley’s guidebook is the shortest manner however you don’t must observe any path simply stroll to the river and proceed alongside it in direction of Ponte da Arrabita (Arrabita Bridge) and the Atlantic Ocean. Thoughts, the guidebook says to observe orange arrows however, there are not any arrows perhaps there have been up to now.
As an choice, for the primary 5,5 km/3,Four mi, you possibly can take the well-known yellow tram (#1 and #18). It just about follows the identical route because the Camino. Passeio Alegre is the identify of the tram cease the place you get off.
For all the 26 km/16 mi, there are many cafes and eating places to cease at.
The Litoral Manner route description
For many of the first 6 km/3,7 mi, you stroll subsequent to the Douro River aside from a brief half simply earlier than Jardim do Passeio Alegre. You don’t have to fret about discovering the way in which simply observe the identical road and it’ll take you again to the river.
6 km/3,7 mi – São João Baptista da Foz Fortress and Barra do Douro Lighthouse
10,5 km/6,5 mi – Vacationer Info Workplace in Matosinhos. From there the Litoral Manner is well-marked with conventional yellow arrows and official Camino indicators. Some pilgrims take a bus/metro practice from Porto to Matosinhos and begin strolling from there. Bus #500 and metro line A go from Porto to Matosinhos.
10,5 km/6,5 mi – 13 km/Eight mi – the Camino goes via the town (Matosinhos). It’s the solely a part of the Litoral Manner the place it’s important to take note of the Camino indicators.
11,7 km/7,2 mi – go over the bridge Ponte móvel de Leça to the opposite aspect of the river. From there stroll again to the coast.
13 km/Eight mi – the data workplace the place you will get a stamp. They advised me there that you would be able to purchase a Credential (Pilgrim’s Passport) at one of many newspaper (tabaco) kiosks close by. Should you nonetheless don’t have it you possibly can inquire there and purchase your Credential on the way in which.
From 13 km/Eight mi you stroll alongside the coast all the way in which to Vila Cha. There are many cafes and eating places and a few supermarkets alongside the way in which.
15 km/9,Three mi – the start of the boardwalks. From there on you stroll virtually fully on boardwalks.
20 km/12,Four mi – an enormous grocery store (ALDI, 400 m away from the boardwalks)
24 km/15 mi – Labruge. There’s a personal albergue 900 m away from the Camino route.
26 km/16 mi – Vila Cha. The municipal albergue in Vila Cha is about 800 m away from the coast and the Camino route.
Locations to remain in Vila Cha
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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, liable for all our land adventures (climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack moderately than to do a 10 000 km highway journey (truly any highway journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
