Camino At Your PacePortuguese Way from Tui

Make your way to Tui by private taxi, bus or train from Oporto Airport, approximately one hour away by car, or Vigo Airport, around 20 minutes away. You will spend the next two nights at the lovely 4-star Parador de Tui, an elegant historic property overlooking the River Miño. If your arrival time allows, visit Valença do Minho across the Portuguese border, approximately three hours’ walk return. Its impressive 13th-century fortress offers wonderful views and recalls the battles fought for control of this strategic river. To reach it, cross the remarkably photogenic International Bridge between Spain and Portugal.

Your pilgrimage begins beneath Tui’s hilltop Cathedral before leading through its historic streets and into the Galician countryside. Quiet villages, woodland paths and stretches beside the River Louro make this a gentle introduction to the Portuguese Way. Near O Porriño, follow the newer Camino Natural through forest and along the riverbank, avoiding the older route through the industrial area. End your walk in Pontellas, where your arranged transfer will return you to the Parador de Tui for a second evening overlooking the River Miño.

Return to Pontellas and continue through the old center of O Porriño before climbing gradually into quieter countryside. Along the way, discover traditional Galician villages, the church of Santa Eulalia del Monte and the historic Pazo de los Marqueses in Mos. Finish in Vilar da Infesta, approximately 5 km before Redondela. Your arranged transfer will then take you across the Ría de Vigo to a charming country guesthouse, where you will spend two nights surrounded by gardens and peaceful coastal scenery.

After returning to Vilar da Infesta, follow peaceful lanes and forest paths toward Redondela, known as the Town of Viaducts for the great railway bridges rising above its streets. Beyond Redondela, climb through woodland and traditional villages, with beautiful views across the Ría de Vigo, before descending toward Arcade, a small town renowned for its oysters. Your stage ends shortly before the historic bridge of Ponte Sampaio, and an arranged transfer returns you to your tranquil guesthouse for a second night.

Begin by crossing Ponte Sampaio, where local forces defeated Napoleon’s troops during the Spanish War of Independence. Continue through small stone villages before entering a peaceful oak forest and tackling the day’s principal climb, followed by a welcome descent. Your destination is Pontevedra, an elegant riverside city with a beautifully preserved pedestrian center. After exploring its lively squares and scallop-shaped Church of the Pilgrim Virgin, settle into the 4-star Parador de Pontevedra, a distinguished 16th-century palace in the heart of the Old Town.

Leave directly from the Parador and follow the Portuguese Way north from Pontevedra. The city soon gives way to vineyards, chestnut groves, eucalyptus woodland and small rural chapels. Remain on the main Camino when the Spiritual Variant branches away to the left. Your shorter stage ends around A Portela or A Cancela, where an arranged transfer returns you to Pontevedra. Enjoy a second night at the Parador, with time to wander through the historic center or relax in one of its inviting squares.

Return to Portela and continue through one of the loveliest rural sections of the Portuguese Way. The trail winds between vineyards, chestnut groves and eucalyptus forests, passing small hamlets and centuries-old stone crosses. Arrive in Caldas de Reis, a spa town celebrated since Roman times for its thermal waters. Stop at the public spring to soothe your feet before an arranged transfer takes you to a peaceful historic manor beside the river, where gardens, stone terraces and the sound of flowing water create an idyllic end to the day.

After a short transfer back to Caldas de Reis, follow the Camino through the beautiful Bermaña Valley beneath centuries-old trees. The Camino continues through woodland, farmland and quiet villages before descending toward the River Ulla and Pontecesures. From here, an arranged transfer takes you to an elegant historic mansion near Padrón. Surrounded by peaceful grounds, it provides a refined base from which to discover this town associated with the arrival of the Apostle’s remains and famous throughout Spain for its small green peppers.

Return to Pontecesures and follow the Camino through Padrón and Iria Flavia, both closely connected to the story of Saint James. Continue past the imposing Baroque sanctuary of A Escravitude as the route leads gradually north through peaceful countryside. Your stage ends near Faramello, where a guided visit to its historic pazo is planned, subject to availability. An arranged transfer will then return you to your elegant historic mansion near Padrón for a second night, allowing you to relax in its peaceful grounds before your final walk into Santiago.

Only 14 km remain between you and Santiago. Walk through peaceful hamlets, vineyards and oak and eucalyptus woodland as the city draws closer and the Cathedral towers begin to appear on the horizon. Enter the historic center and follow the Camino to Praza do Obradoiro for an unforgettable arrival beneath the Cathedral façade. After celebrating the completion of your journey, settle into an exceptional 4-star hotel housed in a beautifully restored historic building near the Old Town. You may then collect your Compostela, attend Pilgrim Mass and explore Santiago at your own pace.

Your Camino journey ends after breakfast. You may choose to extend your stay in Santiago, spend more time exploring the Cathedral and old town, enjoy a guided visit, or continue onward to Finisterre and the Atlantic coast. A wise pilgrim once told us, “The real Camino starts where the Camino de Santiago finishes, but I will not be afraid because the Camino will always be there for me.” We hope the Camino has brought you whatever you were looking for, and we hope to see you again soon.