COASTAL CAMINO PORTUGUES FROM BAIONA ITINERARY
DAY 1 – BAIONA
Today you will make your way to Baiona, a lovely pretty seaside town by the bay of the same name. Explore the cobbled historic quarter and go for a stroll along the seafront promenade to the iconic Monterreal Castle-fortress, which is today a luxury Parador hotel.
Take your swimming gear if the weather is warm and go for a swim in one of the beaches by the castle.
To reach Baiona, you can take the train from Santiago to Vigo and there take the bus to Baiona. Alternatively, our travel experts can organise an airport pick up for you. Let us know.
DAY 2 – WALKING FROM BAIONA TO VIGO – 24KMS
On your first walking day, the Coastal Camino Portugues from Baiona to Vigo offers pilgrims again the option of heading a bit inland or following the coast all the way to Vigo.
We highly recommend following the lower route, taking you along beach promenades for most of the day, until you reach the city harbour, having left the city’s famous Samil Beach behind. Plenty of opportunities to go for a swim today, if travelling in the Summertime.
Vigo city is one of Galicia’s biggest and an important port. Make sure you explore the old town and go for a stroll by the harbour. If you are taking a rest day, we recommend taking a ferry to the magnificent Cies Islands.
DAY 3 – WALKING FROM VIGO TO REDONDELA – 16KMS
Leaving Vigo city behind by the Senda da Auga, pilgrims on the Coastal Camino Portugues route will take in wonderful views of Vigo Bay and the city below. Today’s stage is relatively short and takes you to the town of Redondela, where the trail joins the classic Camino Portugues route and where you are likely to encounter more pilgrims than any of the stages before.
DAY 4 – WALKING FROM REDONDELA TO PONTEVEDRA – 19KMS
Today, you will be walking the traditional Camino Portugues trail to the wonderful city of Pontevedra. Along the way you will pass Arcade, famous for its oysters and the Romanesque bridge of Pontesampaio.
While the Camino trail doesn’t take you to Arcade harbour, you can take a small detour to enjoy a break there. From there, it is back to forest tracks and small country roads lanes all the way to Pontevedra.
It is a relatively short stage so you will have plenty of time to explore and admire the beauty of Pontevedra’s Old Town.
DAY 5 – WALKING FROM PONTEVEDRA TO CALDAS DE REIS – 21KMS
From beautiful Pontevedra’s Old Town you will head for the spa town of Caldas de Reis, passing many small little hamlets and villages on your way, back to rural tracks.
Caldas de Reis is named after its hot springs that you can see in the historic part of town and that can also be enjoyed the traditional ‘balneario’.
DAY 6 – WALKING FROM CALDAS DE REIS TO PADRON – 18KMS
After Caldas de Reis the Camino Portugues trail takes pilgrims back to oak forests, paths among vineyards and tiny villages with pretty Romanesque churches, such as the Church of Santa Mariña de Carracedo.
The stop for tonight is the town of Padrón, which is believed to be the place where the body of Saint James first landed when it was brought back Santiago de Compostela by boat after the Apostle’s death. It is also the home of ‘Padron peppers’ and Galicia’s most illustrious poet: Rosalia de Castro.
Explore the old quarter, its churches and quaint squares; and don’t leave without tasting its world famous peppers.
DAY 7 – WALKING FROM PADRON TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – 25KMS
Today is your last day walking the Camino Portugues as you leave Padron and walk the last 25kms into Santiago de Compostela. It’s both the least and the most exciting day of the journey, as pilgrims must leave the countryside behind and navigate the city suburbs as you near Santiago. It is also the most exciting day of the journey as today you will finally reach Santiago de Compostela and its cathedral.
You will enter the Old Town by the Alameda Park and down Rua do Franco, always lively and vibrant with students, pilgrims and locals. The atmosphere as you arrive in Praza do Obradoiro and the Cathedral, is of pure joy and elation as pilgrims hug, smile and celebrate their achievement. You have arrived! Enjoy this magic moment.
DAY 8 – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Make sure you explore the Old Town in Santiago de Compostela before you head back to the airport for your flight home.
Let our travel experts know if you’d like to spend an additional night in Santiago to explore this magnificent city.
The Coastal Camino Portugues from Baiona self guided tour is flexible can can be tailored to suit your preferences and needs, talk to our travel experts for advice.
