Portuguese Way SignatureSelf-Guided 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 Camino begins beneath Tui’s hilltop cathedral before descending through the old town toward the River Louro. The route soon leaves the city behind, leading through small villages, woodland and peaceful Galician countryside. For the final approach, follow the Camino Natural signs along the river, a pleasant alternative that avoids the former route through the industrial area and leads into O Porriño.

A short transfer returns you to O Porriño. Continue through Mos, passing traditional homes, small churches and the Pazo de Mos before climbing into peaceful woodland. The descent toward Redondela reveals wonderful views over the Vigo estuary and, on clear days, the distant Cíes Islands. Continue beyond the town to Soutoxuste, where you will be transferred to a beautifully restored former wine estate overlooking the estuary (if available). Surrounded by vineyards, with its own wine cellar and outdoor swimming pool, it is a wonderfully peaceful place to relax at the end of the day.

Return to the Camino in Soutoxuste and continue above the Vigo estuary toward Arcade, with views across the water and San Simón Island. Cross the historic Ponte Sampaio, where local forces defeated Napoleon’s army during the Spanish War of Independence. Woodland paths and an ancient stone-paved trail then lead toward Pontevedra. Choose the peaceful riverside approach for the final kilometres into one of Galicia’s most appealing cities, known for its elegant squares and pedestrian old town.

Today’s stage is one of the most beautiful of the Portuguese Way and the longest of this journey. Walk through vineyards, small rural villages, chestnut groves and eucalyptus forests. Around 8 km before reaching Caldas de Reis, take a short 500-meter detour to visit the waterfalls and historic watermills of Barosa, a beautiful natural setting with a lovely restaurant. This stage can also be divided over two days by spending an extra night in Pontevedra. You will walk approximately 11 km each day, with short included transfers back to Pontevedra after the first walk and to the Camino the following morning.

The Camino enters the green Bermaña Valley, following woodland paths, country lanes and small rural villages toward Padrón. According to tradition, this is where the boat carrying the remains of the Apostle Saint James reached Galicia and was moored to the ancient stone known as the Pedrón. The town is also celebrated for its peppers and its connection to some of Galicia’s most important writers. Continue to nearby Lestrove, where you will stay in a 16th-century pazo once used as a country retreat by the archbishops of Santiago, a memorable setting for your final evening before reaching the City of the Apostle.

Your final walk begins in the quiet landscapes of the Sar Valley, passing through Iria Flavia and a succession of villages, woodland paths and peaceful countryside. Beyond Milladoiro, Santiago draws gradually closer until its historic streets carry you toward the Cathedral. Step into Plaza del Obradoiro and take in the moment: the journey, the landscapes crossed and the days spent following the Portuguese Way have brought you here on foot. Collect your Compostela, the Certificate of Accomplishment of the Camino, before settling into your hotel, a beautifully restored historic building offering a peaceful retreat in the heart of Santiago.

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.