Walking the Camino Portugues from Tui - JWT Travel

Walking the Camino Portugues from Tui

  • 7 Nights
  • From 635 Per Person
  • Flights available (optional)
  • Spain
This tour walking the Camino Portugues from Tui is a fantastic option if you are looking to experience a quieter route of the Camino de Santiago in just a week, giving you the chance to get your Compostela pilgrim certificate, having completed the 100kms required.

The Camino Portugues is the second most popular route, and while it is less busy than the Camino Frances, you will also meet pilgrims from all over the world on the trail, so you will experience the camaraderie that the Camino is famous for.

You will start your journey from the historic town of Tui, home to an impressive 12th century Cathedral Fortress. Located on the banks of the Minho River, the natural border with Portugal, Tui is connected with its ‘twin’ Portuguese town Valenca do Minho by the 19th century International Bridge, and it is worth taking a stroll across the border before setting off on your journey if you can.

Country lanes and forest tracks take you across the South of Galicia, into charming towns such as Redondela, Caldas de Reis, Padron… as well as the stunning historic city of Pontevedra.

Walking the Camino Portugues from Tui, you will encounter pilgrims from all over the world; make sure you greet pilgrims and locals with a smile and friendly ‘Buen Camino!’ or ‘Bon Camino!’, wishing them a safe and good journey. Your destination is Santiago de Compostela and its wonderful cathedral, a site of pilgrimage for centuries which attracts people from all over the world each year. 

The Camino Portugues from Tui self guided tour is completely flexible, let our travel specialists know if you would like to adapt this itinerary, adding more nights in Santiago de Compostela for instance. Enjoy every minute and every step of this wonderful journey, one to remember.

Walking the Camino Portugues from Tui

This tour walking the Camino Portugues from Tui is a fantastic option if you are looking to experience a quieter route of the Camino de Santiago in just a week, giving you the chance to get your Compostela pilgrim certificate, having completed the 100kms required.

The Camino Portugues is the second most popular route, and while it is less busy than the Camino Frances, you will also meet pilgrims from all over the world on the trail, so you will experience the camaraderie that the Camino is famous for.

You will start your journey from the historic town of Tui, home to an impressive 12th century Cathedral Fortress. Located on the banks of the Minho River, the natural border with Portugal, Tui is connected with its ‘twin’ Portuguese town Valenca do Minho by the 19th century International Bridge, and it is worth taking a stroll across the border before setting off on your journey if you can.

Country lanes and forest tracks take you across the South of Galicia, into charming towns such as Redondela, Caldas de Reis, Padron… as well as the stunning historic city of Pontevedra.

Walking the Camino Portugues from Tui, you will encounter pilgrims from all over the world; make sure you greet pilgrims and locals with a smile and friendly ‘Buen Camino!’ or ‘Bon Camino!’, wishing them a safe and good journey. Your destination is Santiago de Compostela and its wonderful cathedral, a site of pilgrimage for centuries which attracts people from all over the world each year. 

The Camino Portugues from Tui self guided tour is completely flexible, let our travel specialists know if you would like to adapt this itinerary, adding more nights in Santiago de Compostela for instance. Enjoy every minute and every step of this wonderful journey, one to remember.

Itinerary

Our walking the Camino Portugues from Tui self guided tour generally includes:

  • 7 nights in selected 3-star hotels and guesthouses
  • Breakfast each morning
  • Luggage transfers on walking days, so your luggage will be delivered to your next stop (One 20kg luggage piece per person)
  • Pilgrim travel pack with holiday information, pilgrim passport and route notes
  • Transfers to accommodation when required

OPTIONAL

  • Flights
  • Dinner
  • Airport pick up and transport
  • Travel insurance
  • Hotel upgrades to boutique and luxury hotels or paradores where available
  • Talk to our team if you require additional services

CAMINO PORTUGUES FROM TUI ITINERARY

DAY 1 – TUI

Today you will make your way to the town of Tui, in the South of Galicia to start your Camino adventure walking the last 100kms of the Camino Portugues. Make sure you pay a visit to the medieval fortress style Tui Cathedral built in the 12th century; where you should get your first stamp for the pilgrim passport, credencial.

If you arrive in town with plenty of time, explore its medieval old quarter and we also highly recommend walking across the international bridge over to the other side of the River Minho; to twinned town Valenca do Minho, in Portugal.

DAY 2 – WALKING FROM TUI TO O PORRINO – 18KMS

Today you will leave Tui’s lovely Old Town behind to start your journey on the Camino Portugues. It is 119kms to Santiago.

This walking stage is quite easy with no major difficulties, as pilgrims follow the Louro River along tracks and country roads. Getting into O Porriño, there is a scenic alternative path along the river and all the way into town, in order to avoid the town’s industrial estate which is on the traditional Camino trail. 

DAY 3 – WALKING FROM O PORRINO TO REDONDELA – 15KMS

From O Porriño, we have another relatively easy walking day to Redondela, passing small villages along the way and some great examples of Galician ‘pazos’, manor houses.

As you arrive into Redondela you will enjoy views of San Simon island in Vigo Bay. Your stop for the night is the market town of Redondela, which we recommend exploring on foot. The local Tourist Office has bicycles available for visitors, if you prefer exploring on two wheels and give your feet a break.   

DAY 4 – WALKING FROM REDONDELA TO PONTEVEDRA – 19KMS

Just outside Redondela you will catch a great panoramic view of Vigo Bay. On your way to beautiful Pontevedra 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 city where you should explore its magnificent 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 Santiago 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

Today you will have time to explore the wonderful UNESCO-listed Old Town in Santiago de Compostela before travelling back to the airport.

Find inspiration in our blog post Things to do and see in Santiago de Compostela.

Let our travel experts know if you’d like to spend an additional night in Santiago to explore this magnificent city. 

  • Price per person sharing, on a twin or double room with private bathroom
  • Single rooms available on request
  • A deposit is required to secure your booking
  • Please note this is a Camino Portugues from Tui self guided tour, if you are interested in joining a Camino guide group, you can find all the details on upcoming departures here: CAMINO GUIDED TOURS.

THINGS TO DO ON THE CAMINO PORTUGUES FROM TUI


  • Admire Tui’s medieval cathedral fortress
  • Cross the International Bridge into Portugal
  • Sample the local delicacies of the Rias Baixas
  • Get your Compostela certificate in Santiago
  • Meet and greet fellow pilgrims and locals with a ‘Buen Camino!’

Read more about the Camino de Santiago routes, its history and travel tips and advice on our TRAVEL BLOG.

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