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The Portuguese Camino from Porto has totally different routes; the Central Route, the Coastal Route, and the Litoral Means. All routes begin at Se Cathedral in Porto. All three routes merge in Redondela, Spain, km earlier than Santiago de Compostela. It’s potential to mix all three routes or select one and stroll it from the begin to the top. On this publish, 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. In reality, the route is for much longer as a result of it begins in Lisbon. The Lisbon to Porto a part of the Camino just isn’t 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 Means or Senda Litoral. The Litoral Means is the one which goes alongside the coast from Porto. The Central and the Coastal routes go inland.Â
I walked out of Porto for 3 consecutive days following the three totally different routes of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. The Litoral Means 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 favored it the least, particularly the center half the place you stroll by way of the commercial space and subsequent to the airport. Apart from the primary stage, the Coastal Route is one among our favourite Camino de Santiago routes.
Greatest locations to remain in Porto earlier than the Camino
The very best 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 may stroll out of the Albergue and proceed on the Camino. In the event you’re going to stroll the Litoral Means then you definately’ll must get from the albergue to the Cathedral by public transport or taxi after which begin strolling.
Which Camino route from Porto is the most effective to stroll?
It is dependent upon which route of the Portuguese Camino you need to stroll. In the event you plan to stroll the Central Route I’d counsel following it from the beginning. It’s also possible to 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 additional day to your itinerary.Â
If you wish to stroll the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino I’d counsel strolling out of Porto following the Litoral Means. In my view, it’s a extra lovely route and it makes extra sense to stroll alongside the coast since that’s what you need to do. The Litoral Means and the Coastal Route take part Vila do Conde. From there they observe roughly the identical trajectory. The Litoral Means sticks extra to the seashore whereas the Coastal Route generally goes by way of cities and villages.Â
The stroll from Porto to Vila do Conde on the Litoral Means is 4 km longer than on the Coastal Route; 33 km vs 29 km. You don’t must stroll it in at some point. Even 29 km for my part is an excessive amount of for the primary day on the Camino.Â
As an choice, you may mix all three routes. Stroll out of Porto following the Litoral Means, then proceed on the Coastal Route from Vila do Conde to Valença from there stroll to Caminha and proceed on the Central Path to Santiago de Compostela. You may add to your itinerary the Religious Variant of the Portuguese Camino from Pontevedra to PadrĂ³n.
What’s the most scenic route of the Portuguese Camino from Porto?
The Senda Litoray (Litoral Means) is for my part probably 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 however it’s not as spectacular because the Litoral Means. I particularly loved the final 10 km to Vila Cha which had been alongside the coast previous a number of lovely seashores.
Evaluating the three routes; Central Route vs Coastal Route vs Litoral Means
Strolling floor
On each the Central and Coastal routes, you stroll solely on exhausting surfaces with virtually half of the route being on cobbled stones that are identified to be robust in your ft.Â
On the Litoral Means, half of the route goes on boardwalks that are simpler in your ft. There aren’t any cobbled stones on the route.
Strolling on or alongside busy roads
Once more, the Litoral Means 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 loads of site visitors.
Straightforward to navigate
Regardless of the Litoral Means not being marked for the primary 10 km for my part it’s the best path to stroll out of Porto. It’s very simple. You don’t want a map, indicators, or GPX.Â
Then again, the Central and the Coastal routes are marked however the first two kilometers by way of the historic middle are complicated attributable to too many distractions round you it’s troublesome to identify Camino indicators. After the primary 2 km, each routes are fairly simple to observe.
Surroundings
For me, the Litoral Means is by far probably 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 right surroundings to begin the Camino with.Â
The primary 2 km on the Central and the Coastal routes by way of the historic middle 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 may see some countryside and forest.Â
How busy are the routes?
I’d say to me it seemed just like the Litoral Means was the busiest route out of Porto. I walked all three routes in July so I imagine that point of the 12 months individuals desire 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 general 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 individuals than in July. House owners of albergues and accommodations alongside the Camino route confirmed the identical.
When is the most effective time for strolling?
When is the most effective time to stroll the Camino will rely on 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 scorching. I’d say from the climate perspective the spring/summer season months between Could and mid-October are the most effective 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 time to stroll the Central Route if you wish to escape the gang on the Camino. There are numerous festivals and celebrations all through Portugal in July and August. It’s very seemingly you’ll get to witness a few of them if you happen to stroll the Portuguese Camino in one among these months.
It’s higher to not stroll the Coastal or the Litoral Means in July and August if you wish to keep in non-public rooms as a result of most locations by the ocean are fully-booked and the lodging costs enhance lots throughout these peak months. In the event 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 middle 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 principle 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 correct the place you may get a map of Porto and inquire concerning 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 correct route however I imagine each routes find yourself on the identical place R. das Flores, a pedestrian avenue. As soon as there it’s very tempting to observe this avenue 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 the most effective will probably be to seek out Igreja do Carmo on Google. Maps and stroll there. From the church (Igreja do Carmo) the route is simple to observe. You could find a yellow arrow on the wall on the correct facet of the church (dealing with it).
Observe!!! 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 PadrĂ£o da LĂ©gua) they cut up; the Central Route goes proper and the Coastal Route goes left in the direction of the coast however it will get there solely in Vila do Conde.
The Litoral Means
The Litoral Means from the Cathedral goes alongside the river out of Porto to Matosinhos and from there continues alongside the coast. The simplest manner of discovering the route is to stroll from Se Cathedral all the way down to the river and proceed alongside it. The route just isn’t marked and if you happen to attempt to observe yellow arrows they could lead you in the 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 many others. Sometimes you see official route marking akin to picket or stone indicators, and metallic plaques on the bottom.Â
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 middle of Porto are a bit complicated as a result of there are lots of adverts, automobiles, individuals, and many others. It’s a must to look cautious to not miss a yellow arrow.Â
The primary 10 km of the Litoral Means are usually not marked. The route marking begins on the info workplace in Matosinhos. From there on you may observe conventional Camino indicators. Regardless of not being marked the Litoral Means is the simplest path to stroll out of Porto. From the Cathedral you go all the way 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.Â
For the primary 15 km/9,3 mi, there are lots 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 recordsdata
To make your stroll simpler you may obtain our GPX recordsdata. The recordsdata are our courtesy and for personal use solely. No unauthorized public or business use is allowed.
The Central Route description
The primary 2 km/1,2 mi are by way of the historic middle 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. In the event 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 correct dealing with the church). From there the Camino route is kind of simple to observe it mainly goes straight all the best way 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. In the event you’re going to remain within the Albergue and planning to stroll the Central or the Coastal Route you may stroll the half from the Cathedral to the Albergue a day earlier than so within the morning you may 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 large supermarkets (LIDL, Continente) the place you may get a well-priced meal.
7 km/4,3 mi – the cut up (on the left facet of the road) in PadrĂ£o da LĂ©gua 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 large 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 – GiĂ£o, a small city with a restaurant. You may stamp your Pilgrim’s Passport at a stand with a stamp on the left facet 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 advocate 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 may cease there as an alternative of strolling all the best way to Vilarinho. We stayed there for a few days and we actually favored 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 VeirĂ£o.
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 recordsdata
You should utilize our GPX recordsdata in your machine to make your stroll out of Porot simpler. The recordsdata are for personal use solely.
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.Â
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 feel 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 subsequent place to cease for meals will probably 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 – a giant 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 Means (Senda Litoral) – Porto to Vila Cha, 29 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 Means from Porto GPX recordsdata
You may obtain our GPX recordsdata and use them in your machine to make navigation simpler. The recordsdata are our courtesy. No unauthorized public or business use is allowed.
The primary 10 km/6,2 mi on the Litoral Means from the Cathedral in Porto to Matosinhos are usually not marked. It doesn’t imply it’s troublesome to seek out the route in actual fact the Senda Litoral is the simplest path to observe out of Porto. From Se Cathedral get all the way down to the Douro River and observe it until you might be out of the town.
The route from the Cathedral to the river described in Brierley’s guidebook is the shortest manner however you don’t must observe any path simply stroll to the river and proceed alongside it in the direction of Ponte da Arrabita (Arrabita Bridge) and the Atlantic Ocean. Thoughts, the guidebook says to observe orange arrows however, there aren’t any arrows possibly there have been previously.Â
As an choice, for the primary 5,5 km/3,4 mi, you may take the well-known yellow tram (#1 and #18). It just about follows the identical route because the Camino. Passeio Alegre is the identify of the tram cease the place you get off.
For all the 26 km/16 mi, there are many cafes and eating places to cease at.
The Litoral Means route description
For many of the first 6 km/3,7 mi, you stroll subsequent to the Douro River apart 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 avenue and it’ll take you again to the river.
6 km/3,7 mi – SĂ£o JoĂ£o Baptista da Foz Fortress and Barra do Douro Lighthouse
10,5 km/6,5 mi – Vacationer Data Workplace in Matosinhos. From there the Litoral Means is well-marked with conventional yellow arrows and official Camino indicators. Some pilgrims take a bus/metro practice from Porto to Matosinhos and begin strolling from there. Bus #500 and metro line A go from Porto to Matosinhos. Â
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 Means the place you must take note of the Camino indicators.Â
11,7 km/7,2 mi – go over the bridge Ponte mĂ³vel de Leça to the opposite facet of the river. From there stroll again to the coast.
13 km/8 mi – the data workplace the place you may get a stamp. They informed me there that you may purchase a Credential (Pilgrim’s Passport) at one of many newspaper (tabaco) kiosks close by. In the event you nonetheless don’t have it you may 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 totally on boardwalks.
20 km/12,4 mi – a giant 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.Â
Locations to remain in Vila Cha
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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, liable for all our land adventures (mountain climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a toddler, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack slightly than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (truly any highway journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
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