Camino Portugués Coastal Way: Stage 1

This is a great alternative to the main Camino Portugues route if you are looking for a quieter trail away from the crowds. Graded moderate, you will walk for between 19 and 25km a day on mostly flat terrain. Overnight stays are in small hotels and guesthouses or larger hotels in the big cities. This is the first section of the walk from Porto to A Guarda and it should be noted that you are unfortunately not qualified for your Compostela certificate if walking this section.

Pilgrimages | For those looking to follow a path of self-discovery. Our Pilgrimage and Camino routes take you on a journey through diverse landscapes and local flavours, while meeting like-minded adventurers along the way.

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

This walk is graded as easy-moderate overall and includes daily walks of between 19 and 31km on mostly flat terrain. You will follow a mixture of coastal paths, wooden walkways, dirt tracks and some roads closer to the bigger cities and towns.

6 nights accommodation is included in small rural hotels and hostals (a name used to describe small Spanish hotels and guesthouses). You will always have a private room and en-suite bathroom. In the larger towns, you will stay in 3* hotels.

You can add extra nights at any point during your stay, and we particularly recommend extending your stay in Santiago.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This trip is available to solo walkers for a supplement. Single rooms are also available for a supplement.

Meals

A local breakfast is included each morning which usually consists of a coffee and bread with jams. Lunch and dinner are not included as standard so you are free to choose from the available options.

The Camino is largely well signposted and relatively easy to follow. Yellow shells and arrows guide you along the way. However, the Camino Portugues Coastal Way still has some gaps in the signage. Therefore, pay attention at crossroads and use your route descriptions, which are provided in a detailed information pack at your first accommodation. You can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information for straightforward navigation. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.

You can start your walk anytime between the beginning of March and the end of October subject to availability.  July and August can get very hot so please bear this in mind if walking at this time of year.

Ferry between Portugal and Spain

The short ferry between Caminha and A Guarda only takes 5-10 minutes and should be booked in advance. There are two companies which run it - Taxi-Mar who can be reached on +351 915 955 827 - and Xacobeo Transfer who can be reached on +34 613 011 226 or xacobeotransfer.com.

The best time to walk the Camino depends on your personal preference!

Spring (April to June) is a fantastic choice. Expect pleasant temperatures, blooming landscapes, and fewer crowds than summer. Be prepared for the potential of spring showers.

Summer (July and August) brings sweltering heat to much of Spain, but the northern regions remain refreshingly mild thanks to their coastal climates. If you're a social butterfly, this is your season! The trails are buzzing with fellow pilgrims, creating an unbeatable atmosphere for meeting people, local festivals, and sharing stories.

Autumn (September to early November) is another excellent time to go. You'll enjoy milder temperatures, stunning autumn colors, and quieter trails as the summer crowds dwindle. But, much like spring, there's still a chance of rain—because nature loves keeping us on our toes!

By Air: Porto is easily accessible from London and many airports throughout Europe on a direct flight or you can also fly via Lisbon and take a train to Porto (2.5h). Airlines flying to Porto include low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Easyjet and other options include British Airways, TAP, KLM and Lufthansa.

By Rail: Porto is one of the main railway hubs in northern Portugal and is therefore easily reached by train. It takes approx 3 hours by train from Lisbon to Porto.

By Road: Porto enjoys good connections by road to the rest of Portugal. It takes approx 7 hours to drive from Lisbon to Porto.

Ferry between Spain and Portugal: The short ferry between Caminha and A Guarda only takes 5-10 minutes and should be booked in advance. There are two companies which run it - Taxi-Mar who can be reached on +351 915 955 827 - and Xacobeo Transfer who can be reached on +34 613 011 226 or xacobeotransfer.com.

By Air: The closest airport to A Guarda is Vigo which you can reach by flights with Iberia via Madrid. The other option is to fly into Porto, but it is a 4-hour bus journey from there to A Guarda.

Baggage transfers are included (max 20kg per person). Your main bag will be transferred each day between your overnight accommodation so that you only need to walk with a day pack.