A guidebook to walking the Camino Portugues (Portuguese Way), 620km from Lisbon in Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The book gives stage-by-stage directions for the Central Camino, starting from Lisbon, Porto or Tui, the Coastal Camino between Porto and Redondela, and the Spiritual Variant route from Pontevedra to Padrón. It also describes link routes that can be used to swap from one route to another.
Detailed route guidance and maps are accompanied by fascinating information about historic and religious sites passed along the way. It is packed with essential information for pilgrims, with advice on getting there, when to go, where to stay and equipment. An indispensable facilities table showing the availability of accommodation, refreshments, supermarkets, ATMs and pharmacies along the route, and a handy glossary, make this the complete guide to the Camino.
Since 1211 Santiago de Compostela has been a place of holy pilgrimage and the Camino Portugués is the second most travelled pilgrim route. The largely rural journey takes in four UNESCO World Heritage Areas - the Knights Templar Castle at Tomar, Portugal's oldest University at Coimbra, and the old towns of Porto and Santiago - culminating at the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela.
Seasons
April to October, although summer can be very hot especially in the south between Lisbon and Porto. Winter is usually wet with limited accommodation options so call ahead for reservations.Centres
Lisbon, Tomar, Coimbra, Porto, Vila do Conde, Barcelos, Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Valenca, Tui, Pontevedra, Padron, Santiago de CompostelaDifficulty
Although a straightforward journey, at over 600km the Portugués Camino is a long walk requiring good general fitness. No specialist equipment is requiredMust See
Four UNESCO World Heritage areas: Knights Templar Castle in Tomar, Coimbra University, and the old towns of Porto and Santiago. Roman roads, Roman Ruins of Conimbriga, ancient bridges, iron-age settlements, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Manueline and Baroque-style churches.