Porto can be a hard city to leave. With a great variety of excellent food on offer, delicious wine drawn from the nearby Douro region, and wonderfully old-fashioned, maze-like streets to get lost in, it’s a place you could happily remain for years. And yet, there is an exciting route north that awaits.
Our first stage of the Portuguese Way on the Camino de Santiago winds about 105 km from Porto to the Galician town of Tui, just across the border in Spain, taking in the very best of northern Portugal – a part of the country many visitors never see.
When most people think of Portugal, they think of the Algarve – perhaps the country’s sultry capital Lisbon, but north, past Porto, it’s an entirely different world. A lush, green, fertile land filled with small, charming towns, wild rolling hills and mountains, hearty meals of traditional Portuguese cuisine, and a great adventure.
Stage 1 at a Glance
The central route on our Stage 1 trip covers about 105 km over five walking days, with 6 nights of B&B accommodation. Day 1 is for arriving in Porto, and a short private transfer on Day 2 takes you to the start of the walk at Vilar do Pinheiro, which skips the busy roads out of the city.
| Day | Route | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Porto | No walking |
| 2 | Vilar do Pinheiro to Arcos | 16 km |
| 3 | Arcos to Barcelos | 20 km |
| 4 | Barcelos to Ponte de Lima | 33 km |
| 5 | Ponte de Lima to Rubiães | 18 km |
| 6 | Rubiães to Tui | 20 km |
| 7 | Depart Tui or continue to Stage 2 | No walking |
Distances are estimates from town to town, so your day may be a little longer or shorter depending on where your hotel sits. Your trip includes breakfast each day, daily luggage transfers, walking notes, route maps, your Pilgrim Passport, and our 24/7 emergency support line. Flights, airport transfers, lunches, and dinners are not included, and travel insurance is compulsory. Check the Stage 1 trip page for current prices and the full list.
Camino Portugués Stage 1, Day by Day
Here’s what each day looks like, from your arrival in Porto to the bridge into Spain.
Day 1: Arrive in Porto
Welcome to Porto. As you might have guessed, we’re big fans of this hilly Portuguese city with enormous charm. Considering you will be walking for the next five days, there’s no need to go crazy after arriving in Porto. Airport transfers are not included in the standard package, but we can arrange a private transfer from Porto Airport to your hotel on request.
Take things slow and enjoy a casual stroll through the old streets, sample the local food – we recommend the Francesinha, in case you were wondering – visit the impressive Cathedral, or simply pull up a chair next to the river, order yourself a drink, and watch the world go by.
A quick word of warning, while Porto is a fabulous city, it’s also one that comes with some streets set at phenomenal inclines. This is one city that really tests your calves, so don’t overdo it on the first day. You’ve got a lot of walking to do.
Porto
Day 2: Vilar do Pinheiro to Arcos (16 km)
Now that you’re well rested – and hopefully well fed on Porto’s delights – it’s time to head north. A short private transfer takes you out of the city to Vilar do Pinheiro, where your walk begins, so you skip the busy roads around Porto.
You’ll pass through small towns and villages along the way, such as Sabariz. The first day of walking ends in the beautiful riverside town of Arcos, famous for its grand 12th Century bridge spanning the river. Time to take a load off and toast the opening day.
Day 3: Arcos to Barcelos (20 km)
Just north of Arcos lies Pedro de Rates, home to a beautiful small monastery built in the late 11th Century, making it one of Portugal’s oldest extant Romanesque churches. It’s well worth a stop, and why not enjoy a quick coffee while you’re in town?
From there, we continue north, passing through Pedra Furada and Pereira before finishing the day in Barcelos, a small but vibrant little town filled with history and wonderful folklore. All over Portugal, you’ll see colourful ceramic cockerels, a much-loved symbol of the country, and it’s here in Barcelos that it has its origins. It was once said that a cockerel saved the life of a wrongly accused traveller in the 15th century and is now the embodiment of the famous Portuguese love of life.
Romanesque church of St. Pedro de Rates
Day 4: Barcelos to Ponte de Lima (33 km)
The third day of walking is a big one but can be divided into two with an extra night, or some choose to take a taxi part of the way, which we can arrange when you book. That being said, it is a gorgeous walk through the beautiful landscapes of Northern Portugal, passing through Vila Boa and snaking between rolling hills.
We finish in the charming town of Ponte de Lima, famous for its old stone bridge over the River Lima and frequently referred to as the oldest town in Portugal.
Day 5: Ponte de Lima to Rubiães (18 km)
Today’s stage may be the shortest at 18 km, but it’s also the most challenging as much of it goes uphill until you reach Alto da Portela, the highest point on the Camino Portugués. The climb through the Labruja valley includes some steep sections, so allow extra time for the ascent.
Once you reach the cross at the summit, take a little time to look out over the spectacular green rolling landscape, safe in the knowledge that it’s all downhill from here – well, pretty much anyway.
The night is spent in the wonderfully quaint village of Rubiães – with yet another beautiful bridge – this time a Roman incarnation first built in the 2nd Century – and more delightful churches. If you’re picking up on a theme here, you’re very much right. Northern Portugal is awash with old stone bridges, but you’ll never get tired of them.
Panoramic view from the peak of the Alto da Portela
Day 6: Rubiães to Tui (20 km)
Your final day of walking sees you cross an international boundary – which is always more fun when you do so on foot. First, the route takes you through Fontoura, where Queen Isabella of Portugal stayed on her pilgrimage to Santiago.
Your time in wonderful Portugal ends with a final delight, the small town of Valença with its mighty old citadel. Walk along its ramparts and turn to face North. In front of you lies the River Miño (Minho in Portuguese), the official boundary between Portugal and Spain and the mystical land of Galicia. Walk across the bridge (and border), and you’ll finish your Camino Portugués walk in the small Spanish town of Tui.
View of Tui
Practical Tips for Stage 1
A few things worth knowing before you set off from Porto.
Getting to Porto
Porto Airport is linked to the city centre by Metro Line E, or a taxi takes around 20 to 25 minutes. If you would rather not deal with either after your flight, we can arrange a private transfer on request.
Luggage and Your Daypack
Leave your labelled bag at reception by 8 am, and it will be waiting at your next stop by the afternoon. We move one bag per person, up to 20 kg. During the day, a small 20 to 30 litre daypack is plenty: water, snacks, a light waterproof, basic first aid, your Pilgrim Passport, and some cash or cards.
Stamps and the Compostela
Collect stamps in your Pilgrim Passport at cafés, churches, and hotels as you go. Stage 1 finishes in Tui, so if you want to apply for the Compostela in Santiago, you can continue on our Stage 2 trip. Its included Day 2 transfer takes you from Tui to O Porriño, where you begin walking about 102 km to Santiago.
To qualify for the Compostela, you must walk at least the final 100 km on a recognised Camino route, collect at least 2 stamps each day over that stretch, and meet the Pilgrim’s Reception Office’s religious or spiritual purpose requirement. See our guide to Camino stamps and certificates for more details.
Where next?
That really depends on where you’re flying out from. If possible, we’d suggest flying from Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, or perhaps even A Coruña, which will give you another day or two in Galicia, enjoying the breathtaking coastlines, meandering estuaries (known locally as Rias), and seafood to die for.
Alternatively, go all out and book two U Walk Camino adventures back to back, as one 14-day walk from Porto to Santiago. From Tui, our second stage snakes north, passing through Galician towns steeped in history and still fiercely independently minded. This may be officially Spain, but make no mistake about it, this is Galicia.
If you would rather walk by the sea, the Portuguese Way also has a coastal route from Porto to Baiona. You will find both options on our Camino Portugués page.
