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The Portuguese Camino from Porto has totally different routes; the Central, the Coastal Route, and the Litoral Manner. All routes begin at Se Cathedral in Porto. All three routes merge in Redondela, Spain, 85 km earlier than Santiago de Compostela. It’s doable to mix all three routes or select one and stroll it from the begin to the tip. On this put up, I describe the primary stage of every of the three Camino de Santiago routes from Porto.
For a lot of pilgrims, the Portuguese Camino begins in Porto. The route is for much longer as a result of it begins in Lisbon. The Lisbon to Porto a part of the Camino will not be a very fashionable route.
What number of routes are on the Portuguese Camino from Porto?
There are 3 routes on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago from Porto; the Central Route, the Coastal Route, and the Litoral Manner or Senda Litoral. The Litoral Manner is the one which goes alongside the coast from Porto. The Central and the Coastal routes go inland.
I walked out of Porto for 3 consecutive days following the three totally different routes of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. The Litoral Manner is by far my favourite because it goes alongside the coast and affords spectacular surroundings. The Coastal Route from Porto is my least favourite as a result of it goes by way of some industrial areas and previous the airport. I wouldn’t say the stroll on the Coastal Route was ugly or disagreeable it was okay I simply preferred it the least, particularly the center half the place you stroll by way of the economic space and subsequent to the airport. Apart from the primary stage, the Coastal Route is considered one of our favourite Camino de Santiago routes.
The map of the three Camino routes from Porto
Greatest locations to remain in Porto earlier than the Camino
The perfect is to remain close to the Cathedral so in your first day on the Camino you can begin the stroll proper out of your resort and don’t must take the metro or a bus to get to the Cathedral first.
Albergue de Peregrinos de Porto is 3 km away from the Cathedral on the Central/Coastal Camino routes. If you wish to keep there you are able to do the primary 3 km from Se Cathedral to Albergue the day earlier than you begin your stroll so on the day you’ll be able to stroll out of the Albergue and proceed on the Camino. Should you’re going to stroll the Litoral Manner then you definitely’ll must get from the albergue to the Cathedral by public transport or taxi after which begin strolling.
Which Camino route from Porto is one of the best to stroll?
It relies on which route of the Portuguese Camino you wish to stroll. Should you plan to stroll the Central Route I’d recommend following it from the beginning. You may as well stroll out of Porto following the Senda Litoral, however in that case, you’ll have to modify to the Central Route in Vila do Conde which provides one further day to your itinerary.
If you wish to stroll the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino I’d recommend strolling out of Porto following the Litoral Manner. In my view, it’s a extra lovely route and it makes extra sense to stroll alongside the coast since that’s what you wish to do. The Litoral Manner and the Coastal Route take part Vila do Conde. From there they observe kind of the identical trajectory. The Litoral Manner sticks extra to the seashore whereas the Coastal Route typically goes by way of cities and villages.
The stroll from Porto to Vila do Conde on the Litoral Manner is 4 km longer than on the Coastal Route; 33 km vs 29 km. You don’t must stroll it in sooner or later. Even 29 km in my view is an excessive amount of for the primary day on the Camino.
As an choice, you’ll be able to mix all three routes. Stroll out of Porto following the Litoral Manner, then proceed on the Coastal Route from Vila do Conde to Caminha from there stroll to Valença and proceed on the Central Path to Santiago de Compostela. You’ll be able to add to your itinerary the Religious Variant of the Portuguese Camino from Pontevedra to Padrón.
What’s the most scenic route of the Portuguese Camino from Porto?
The Senda Litoray (Litoral Manner) is in my view essentially the most scenic route of the primary stage of the Portuguese Camino from Porto. The Coastal and the Central routes have lovely components as effectively but it surely’s not as spectacular because the Litoral Manner. I particularly loved the final 10 km to Vila Cha which had been alongside the coast previous a number of lovely seashores. There are some wonderful cities to go to on all 3 Camino routes.
Evaluating the three routes; Central Route vs Coastal Route vs Litoral Manner
Strolling floor
On each the Central and Coastal routes, you stroll solely on arduous surfaces with virtually half of the route being on cobbled stones that are recognized to be powerful in your ft.
On the Litoral Manner, half of the route goes on boardwalks that are simpler in your ft. There are not any cobbled stones on the route.
Strolling on or alongside busy roads
Once more, the Litoral Manner is the winner. You don’t stroll on the highway in any respect, not even 100 m. On the Central and Coastal routes you do stroll on the highway and subsequent to busy roads with numerous site visitors.
Simple to navigate
Regardless of the Litoral Manner not being marked for the primary 10 km in my view it’s the best path to stroll out of Porto. It’s very simple. You don’t want a map, indicators, or GPX.
Alternatively, the Central and the Coastal routes are marked however the first two kilometers by way of the historic heart are complicated resulting from too many distractions round you it’s troublesome to identify Camino indicators. After the primary 2 km, each routes are fairly straightforward to observe.
Surroundings
For me, the Litoral Manner is by far essentially the most scenic route of the Portuguese Camino out of Porto. Sandy seashores, blue sea, fishermen’s villages, and wildflowers in spring months are the proper surroundings to begin the Camino with.
The primary 2 km on the Central and the Coastal routes by way of the historic heart of Porto is kind of spectacular. You get to see among the highlights of the town. On the Central Route, I loved the final 5 km by way of a quiet rural space and the forest. The Coastal Route has its magnificence too; you’ll be able to see some countryside and forest.
How busy are the routes?
I’d say to me it seemed just like the Litoral Manner was the busiest route out of Porto. I walked all three routes in July so I consider that point of the yr folks favor strolling alongside the coast. The Central Route had an honest quantity of pilgrims too. On the Coastal Route out of Porto, there have been only a few pilgrims. Thoughts, that July total is a much less busy month than Could or September. I walked some components of the Portuguese Camino in Could and there have been much more folks than in July. Homeowners of albergues and motels alongside the Camino route confirmed the identical.
When is one of the best time for strolling?
When is one of the best time to stroll the Camino will depend upon a number of components. I walked the Portuguese Camino from Porto in Could, June, and July. For me even in July on the Central Route, it wasn’t extraordinarily sizzling. I’d say from the climate standpoint the spring/summer time months between Could and mid-October are one of the best time for strolling.
July and August are the busiest vacation months in Portugal and Spain however the Portuguese Camino route quite the opposite not as busy as in Could, June, and September. July and August is perhaps a great time to stroll the Central Route if you wish to escape the gang on the Camino. There are a lot of festivals and celebrations all through Portugal in July and August. It’s very doubtless you’ll get to witness a few of them if you happen to stroll the Portuguese Camino in considered one of these months.
It’s higher to not stroll the Coastal or the Litoral Manner in July and August if you wish to keep in non-public rooms as a result of most locations by the ocean are absolutely booked and the lodging costs enhance rather a lot throughout these peak months. Should you’re planning on staying in albergues it shouldn’t be an issue. It’d even be simpler to discover a dorm mattress in July and August than in Could and September.
The place in Porto do the Camino routes begin?
All 3 routes begin at Se Cathedral within the historic heart of Porto. To be trustworthy I discover route marking from the Cathedral complicated and never very clear.
The Central and the Coastal Route
The Central and Coastal Routes begin on the stairs (Calçada de Don Pedro Pitões) throughout the sq. from the primary entrance to the Cathedral. There’s an official signal and a few yellow arrows pointing down. There’s a vacationer info workplace down the steps on the suitable the place you will get a map of Porto and inquire in regards to the Camino route.
As soon as down the steps hold left you’ll see two yellow arrows painted on the backside of the wall pointing in reverse instructions. I took the suitable route however I consider each routes find yourself on the similar place R. das Flores, a pedestrian road. As soon as there it’s very tempting to observe this road however you must take the primary left flip to Rua do Ferraz. From there it’s a bit simpler to observe the arrows.
If at some stage you lose the route one of the best might be to seek out Igreja do Carmo on Google. Maps and stroll there. From the church (Igreja do Carmo) the route is straightforward to observe. You could find a yellow arrow on the wall on the suitable aspect of the church (going through it).
Word!!! There are a few extra metallic planks with arrows pointing proper I attempted to observe them however they don’t go any additional than the sq..
The Central Route and the Coastal Route are the identical for the primary 7 km from the Cathedral. At 7 km (in Padrão da Légua) they cut up; the Central Route goes proper and the Coastal Route goes left in direction of the coast but it surely will get there solely in Vila do Conde.
The Litoral Manner
The Litoral Manner from the Cathedral goes alongside the river out of Porto to Matosinhos and from there continues alongside the coast. The best method of discovering the route is to stroll from Se Cathedral right down to the river and proceed alongside it. The route will not be marked and if you happen to attempt to observe yellow arrows they could lead you in direction of the Central/Coastal Route.
Are the routes well-marked?
All three routes are marked with conventional yellow arrows painted on the bottom, partitions, poles, and so forth. Occasionally you see official route markings resembling picket or stone indicators, and metallic plaques on the bottom.
The Coastal and the Central Routes (the primary 7 km it’s the identical route) are marked fairly effectively ranging from the Cathedral. The primary 2 kilometers by way of the historic heart of Porto are a bit complicated as a result of there are a lot of adverts, automobiles, folks, and so forth. You must watch out to not miss a yellow arrow.
The primary 10 km of the Litoral Manner usually are not marked. The route marking begins on the info workplace in Matosinhos. From there on you’ll be able to observe conventional Camino indicators. Regardless of not being marked the Litoral Manner is the simplest path to stroll out of Porto. From the Cathedral you go right down to the Douro River and observe it after which the coast for 10 km. It’s a really simple route.
The Central Route – Porto to Vilarinho, 27 km/16,7 mi
Distance – 27 km/16,7 mi
Time – 6 hours
Ascent – 336 m
Descent – 355 m
Strolling floor – 14,5 km/9 mi – tar highway and asphalt, 12 km/7,4 mi – cobblestones, 500 m/0,3 mi – footpath
The primary 7 km/4,3 mi the Central and the Coastal route are on the identical path.
For the primary 15 km/9,3 mi, there are a lot of eating places, cafes, and retailers to cease for breakfast or espresso. After then there are locations to cease however not as many as within the first half.
The Central Route from Porto GPX information
To make your stroll simpler you’ll be able to obtain our GPX information. The information are our courtesy and for personal use solely. No unauthorized public or industrial use is allowed.
PDF information of the route
The Central Route description
The primary 2 km/1,2 mi are by way of the historic heart of Porto from Se Cathedral to Igreja (church) do Carmo. It’s the most troublesome half to navigate particularly the primary 700 m from the Cathedral. Should you lose the path discover Igreja do Carmo on Google Maps and stroll there. From the church observe Rua de Cedofeida (the road on the suitable going through the church). From there the Camino route is kind of straightforward to observe it goes straight to Vilarinho.
Between 2 km/1,2 mi and 5 km/3,1 mi, you stroll by way of the residential space of Porto.
2,8 km/1,7 mi – Albergue de Peregrinos de Porto. Should you’re going to remain within the Albergue and planning to stroll the Central or the Coastal Route you’ll be able to stroll the half from the Cathedral to the Albergue a day earlier than so within the morning you’ll be able to stroll out of the Albergue and proceed on the Camino. In any other case, you must take the metro to go to the Cathedral after which stroll previous the Albergue.
Between 5 km/3,1 mi and 11 km/6,8 mi, the route goes by way of quiet neighborhoods.
6 km/3,7 mi – a few huge supermarkets (LIDL, Continente) the place you will get a well-priced meal.
7 km/4,3 mi – the cut up (on the left aspect of the road) in Padrão da Légua on the intersection of R. Nova do Seixo and R. Fonte Velha.
8,4 km/5,2 mi – a grocery store (ALDI)
11 km/6,8 mi – 12 km/7,4 mi – alongside the highway (sidewalk) by way of the forest
12 km/7,4 mi – 14,5 km/9 mi – by way of cities alongside the busy roads
14,5 km/9 mi – a few huge supermarkets (LIDL, Pingo Doce)
15 km/9,3 mi – 16 km – industrial space however not a really busy one
16 km – 16,4 km/10 mi – on a highway
17 km/10,5 mi – a store and a bar
18,5 km/11,4 mi – Mosteiro, a small city with a restaurant
20 km/12,4 mi – Vila, a small city with a restaurant and a store
21 km/13 mi – 21,5 km/13,4 mi – on the highway
21,5 km/13,4 mi – Gião, a small city with a restaurant. You’ll be able to stamp your Pilgrim’s Passport at a stand with a stamp on the left aspect of the road.
22,4 km/14 mi – a small grocery store
23 km/14,2 mi – on the Doce Giao cafe there’s a route cut up. I’d suggest following the choice route that turns proper and goes by way of a quiet space. The left route is on a busy slender highway it’s not a secure strolling choice. There’s a very good guesthouse Casa Mindela, 800 m from the Camino route. You’ll be able to cease there as an alternative of strolling to Vilarinho. We stayed there for a few days and we preferred it.
24 km/15 mi – a bar and a store
25 km/15,5 mi – an ATM and a restaurant
26 km/16,1 mi – Municipal Albergue do Mosteiro do Veirão.
26,5 km/16,4 mi – 27 km/16,7 mi – a footpath by way of the forest
27 km/16,7 mi – Vilarinho, a small city with a store, a restaurant, and a non-public albergue/visitor home.
Locations to remain in Vilarinho
The Coastal Route – Porto to Vila do Conde, 29 km/18 mi
Distance – 29 km/18 mi
Time – 6-7 hours
Ascent – 255 m
Descent – 320 m
Strolling floor – 17 km/10,5 mi – asphalt or tar highway and 12 km/7,4 mi – cobblestones
The Coastal Route from Porto GPX information
You should utilize our GPX information in your machine to make your stroll out of Porot simpler. The information are for personal use solely.
PDF information of the route
The Coastal Route description
The primary 7 km/4,3 mi on the Coastal Route from Porto is identical as on the Central Route. For more information on that half examine the part above.
Between 7 km/4,3 mi and 9 km/5,6 mi, you stroll by way of a really quiet neighborhood of Porto with small homes lined up alongside the road.
9 km/5,6 mi – 11 km/6,8 mi – the Camino route goes by way of a rural space.
11 km/6,8 mi – 12 km/7,4 mi – by way of an industrial space with many vans. I walked it on Sunday so it was quiet I believe that on weekdays it’s busy.
13 km/8 mi – a store and a restaurant
13,5 km/8,3 mi – a city with an ATM, cafe, and store. The following place to cease for meals might be at 22 km.
15,8/9,8 mi – 17,5 km/10,8 mi – strolling subsequent to Porto Airport
21 km/13 mi – 22 km/13,6 mi – a quiet highway by way of the forest
22 km/13,6 mi – an enormous shopping center (Vila do Conde Porto Style Outlet)
24 km/15 mi – Mindelo, a small city with a store and a restaurant
26 km/16 mi – a store, a restaurant, and a bar
29 km/18 mi – Vila do Conde
Locations to remain in Vila do Conde
The Litoral Manner (Senda Litoral) – Porto to Vila Chã, 26 km/16 mi
Distance – 26 km/16 mi
Time – 5-6 hours
Ascent – 242 m
Descent – 273 m
Strolling floor – 15 km/9,3 mi – asphalt, 10 km/6,2 mi – boardwalks, 1 km/0,6 mi – cobbled
The Litoral Manner from Porto GPX information
You’ll be able to obtain our GPX information and use them in your machine to make navigation simpler. The information are our courtesy. No unauthorized public or industrial use is allowed.
The primary 10 km/6,2 mi on the Litoral Manner from the Cathedral in Porto to Matosinhos usually are not marked. It doesn’t imply it’s troublesome to seek out the route in truth the Senda Litoral is the simplest path to observe out of Porto. From Se Cathedral get right down to the Douro River and observe it until you’re out of the town.
The route from the Cathedral to the river described in Brierley’s guidebook is the shortest method however you don’t must observe any path simply stroll to the river and proceed alongside it in direction of Ponte da Arrabita (Arrabita Bridge) and the Atlantic Ocean. Thoughts, the guidebook says to observe orange arrows however, there are not any arrows possibly there have been previously.
As an choice, for the primary 5,5 km/3,4 mi, you’ll be able to take the well-known yellow tram (#1 and #18). It just about follows the identical route because the Camino. Passeio Alegre is the title of the tram cease the place you get off.
For the whole 26 km/16 mi, there are many cafes and eating places to cease at.
The Litoral Manner route description
For many of the first 6 km/3,7 mi, you stroll subsequent to the Douro River aside from a brief half simply earlier than Jardim do Passeio Alegre. You don’t have to fret about discovering the best way simply observe the identical road and it’ll take you again to the river.
6 km/3,7 mi – São João Baptista da Foz Fortress and Barra do Douro Lighthouse
10,5 km/6,5 mi – Vacationer Info Workplace in Matosinhos. From there the Litoral Manner is well-marked with conventional yellow arrows and official Camino indicators. Some pilgrims take a bus/metro prepare from Porto to Matosinhos and begin strolling from there. Bus #500 and metro line A go from Porto to Matosinhos.
10,5 km/6,5 mi – 13 km/8 mi – the Camino goes by way of the town (Matosinhos). It’s the solely a part of the Litoral Manner the place you must take note of the Camino indicators.
11,7 km/7,2 mi – go over the bridge Ponte móvel de Leça to the opposite aspect of the river. From there stroll again to the coast.
13 km/8 mi – the knowledge workplace the place you will get a stamp. They advised me there that you could purchase a Credential (Pilgrim’s Passport) at one of many newspaper (tabaco) kiosks close by. Should you nonetheless don’t have it you’ll be able to inquire there and purchase your Credential on the best way.
From 13 km/8 mi you stroll alongside the coast all the best way to Vila Cha. There are many cafes and eating places and a few supermarkets alongside the best way.
15 km/9,3 mi – the start of the boardwalks. From there on you stroll virtually solely on boardwalks.
20 km/12,4 mi – an enormous grocery store (ALDI, 400 m away from the boardwalks)
24 km/15 mi – Labruge. There’s a non-public albergue 900 m away from the Camino route.
26 km/16 mi – Vila Cha. The municipal albergue in Vila Cha is about 800 m away from the coast and the Camino route.
Locations to remain in Vila Cha
Portuguese Camino planning sources
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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, answerable for all our land adventures (mountain climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack relatively than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (really any highway journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
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