The Portuguese Way Central Route, Coastal Route and Spiritual Variant in Spain

The Portuguese Way

Central Route, Coastal Route and Spiritual Variant in Spain

go to the guides

The Portuguese Camino is one of the most frequented and beloved Jacobean routes by pilgrims from all over the world to reach the tomb of the Apostle James. It originates in Lisbon and stretches for 630 km to Santiago de Compostela. However, the most popular starting points are Porto in Portugal and Tui, the first town encountered in Spanish territory.The Portuguese Camino is an accessible route for everyone, with moderate elevations and an excellent network of services for pilgrims. Each variant offers a different experience, but all share the charm of an ancient route rich in history, spirituality, and natural beauty.

Map of The Portuguese Way

Download the map of The Portuguese Way

The Central Route, the main path, extends for 118 km and can be covered in about six days, connecting Tui to Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, it passes through charming towns such as O Porriño, Pontevedra and Padrón, offering a journey through nature and culture.

The Spiritual Variant, which leads from Tui to Santiago in a week, covers 158 km and passes through significant locations such as Pontevedra, Armenteira, and Vilanova de Arousa. This option includes a scenic boat journey along the estuary of the Arousa River, evoking the tradition that the body of Saint James was transported by sea to Padrón. For those who prefer to walk this section, the route continues through Carril and Vilagarcia de Arousa, two characteristic fishing villages. Upon reaching Pontecesures, it merges with the final stage of the Central Portuguese Camino.

The Portuguese Coastal Route, from A Guarda to Santiago, covers 202 km in nine stages. Starting from the Atlantic coast, the route winds through the beauty of the Galician coastline and inland areas, passing through picturesque towns such as Baiona and Vigo, before merging with the central path in Redondela. This route is characterized by a great variety of landscapes and an interesting blend of maritime culture and Jacobean tradition.

Plan your route with the The Portuguese Way App

With our guides you will be able to personalize duration and difficulty of the routes based on your own wishes and walking pace. In a few clicks you can create your personalized hiking guides. Choose your starting point, your arrival point and, if you wish, even a middle point where to take a break.

Download or print the PDF guide of The Portuguese Way

The Forwalk paper guide is an A5 format mini-book with all the information on your chosen paths, the detailed maps, the list of hotels and much more. It is very easy to consult and to carry along during your trip. This guide is completely personalized to your needs and made available to you digitally (Acrobat Reader PDF file), to be accessed through smartphones and tablets or printed by you. You can also order it already printed in color on glossy paper, and delivered to you as a finely bound book.

Download the gpx routes map of The Portuguese Way

GPX tracks are maps that you can download on GPS device to take with you on your walk. Our GPX tracks include routes with details of places such as shops, restaurants, lodgings, drinking fountains and springs.

Our GPX tracks are tested on the following devices : Garmin ETREX 22x, Garmin eTrex Touch 35, Garmin Oregon 700, Garmin GPS MAP 66