DAY 1: LISBON
Today you will travel to Dublin Airport for your flight to Bilbao; talk to our travel team if you would like us to organise flights from a different airport/country. You will spend some time in the city enjoy a walking tour before spending a night in Estoril on the Lisbon coast.
DAY 2: LISBON TO FATIMA
The Camino de Santiago Coach Tour sees the group will leave the city behind and head to the Camino trail for the first walk of the week, approximately 90 minutes. This easy stretch of the Camino Portugues will take the group through the regions lush valleys following part of the famous Caminho de Fátima, before spending spending a night in Fatima, renowned for its religious significance.
DAY 3: FATIMA TO COIMBRA
Our Camino de Santiago Coach tour continues today after breakfast with a 2-hour walk on a lovely stretch of the historic Camino Portugues route, between Fatima and Coimbra, along tranquil country lanes by the banks of the Río Tejo, passing beautiful little villages and farmland.
After our morning walk, the group will continue to the beautiful city of Coimbra where you will be staying for the night and where you will enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. The city, once the capital of Portugal, is home to a magnificently preserved Gothic cathedral
DAY 4: COIMBRA TO PORTO
Today as we travel north towards Porto, we take some time to walk through beautiful vineyards before continuing to Porto for a night there. You will arrive around lunchtime so you have plenty of time to discover this stunning city.
The old city centre of Porto was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996, and its famous for its great cuisine and port wine. If you have the time in the afternoon, a trip on a riverboat on the Duoro is recommended.
DAY 5: PORTO, THE COAST AND BAIONA
Our next walk sees us follow the stunning coast north of Porto, finishing up in Baiona where you will have some time to explore before your overnight in an amazing hotel overlooking the bay in Nigran.
DAY 6: LAST WALKS TOWARDS SANTIAGO
Today is our last walking day and we will be driving to the town of Redondela to starting our walk there. As the meeting point of the Portuguese Way and the Coastal Way, and just under 100km from Santiago, this town has a great camino atmosphere.
In the afternoon, you will the choice to get off the coach on the outskirts of Santiago, from where you can choose to walk down into the city to experience the last few km of the Camino into the Cathedral, or you can board the coach to be transferred to your hotel. The group will then check in at the hotel in Santiago where we will spend two nights and enjoy dinner together there on the last evening.
DAY 7: EXPLORING SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Today, you will have the day free to explore Santiago de Compostela at your own pace. The city has been a destination for pilgrims for centuries and the capital of Galicia is a city full of wonders, with beautiful cobbled squares, arched streets, and cosy nooks and crannies. Originally built in the 9th century on the spot where the remains of Saint James were found, the Cathedral is the city’s most important landmark and monument but there are many other wonderful places not to be missed in Santiago’s Old Town such as the Abastos Market, the Alameda Park, the University Buildings and its many museums.
In the lively streets of the Old Town such as Rua do Vilar, Rua Nova, and Rua do Franco you will find a vibrant mix of pilgrims, locals, and students enjoying the many cafes, bars, and restaurants. Galicia’s traditional cuisine can be found everywhere; the famous Galician octopus, empanadas (savory pastries), Padrón peppers, caldo galego, Tarta de Santiago, and almond cake are just some of the region’s many unmissable delicacies you should sample.
Santiago city is split into two areas: the Old Town (Zona Vella), and the New Town (Zona Nova). You can also venture into the New Town, wrapped around the historic quarter and a short walk away where you will find many stores.
DAY 8: GUIDED CITY TOUR AND RETURN TO DUBLIN
On your last morning, you will have breakfast in the hotel and check out at 10 am. Your local guide will then meet you at the hotel to take you on a guided tour of the city; the best way to discover this magnificent UNESCO-listed Old Town.
You will then have a visit to the cathedral after the city tour. Your bags can be left at the hotel reception while you go on the tour.
Following the tour, you will have a little free time to get lunch and some last-minute souvenir shopping, before returning to the hotel to collect your bags. The group will then be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Dublin.
