The Portuguese Way

Information on the Portuguese Way of St James

Are you thinking of doing the Portuguese Way of St James but you are confused about how to organise it?

In Tu Buen Camino, we tell you everything you need to know to start your journey...
Read on!

Hostels along the Portuguese Way

Do you want to do the Portuguese Way of St James and you don't know where to stay?

Don't worry, because we've got the perfect solution for you in Tu Buen Camino.
We offer you two plans so that you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

Premium Plan: Hiring our premium services, you will have access to hotels and rural houses with bathrooms and private rooms. Book it from €349/person for the route from Tui.

Adventure Plan: In this plan we offer you accommodation in the best private hostels along the Camino, for only €129/person on the route from Tui.

The Way of St James from Tui: Stages

Our route from Tui has six stages, with medium-low difficulty. During the different stages of this pilgrimage, you'll have the chance to savour the very best Galician cuisine and visit the region's most picturesque villages.

The Portuguese Way of St. James dates from the 12^th century, when the first pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela from the Iberian Peninsula started. At that time, the main route that was used was the one that crossed the Pyrenees and, later on, the French Way of St. James.

However, some chose to travel to Santiago through Portugal. This gave rise to the Portuguese Way of St. James, an alternative to the French Way that, starting in Porto or Lisbon, runs through Portugal as far as Santiago.

The fact that the Portuguese Way of St. James arose as an alternative to the French Way says a lot about the differences between both routes. While the French Way is the more popular, busier route, the Portuguese Way of St. James is a more peaceful, intimate alternative.

This is due, in part, the fact that the Portuguese Way of St. James is a less-known route. Moreover, we should bear in mind that the Portuguese Way of St. James is a more recent route since its use was not consolidated until the 12^th century.

For all these reasons, the Portuguese Way of St. James is the ideal option for those looking for a more genuine experience. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the Portuguese way is a less busy, more relaxing alternative route.

Why choose the Portuguese Way of St. James?

The Portuguese Way of St. James is a very popular choice among pilgrims that want to do the Camino de Santiago. You can start this route in Lisbon (600 km), Porto (280 km) or Tui (120 km).

Although the Portuguese Way of St. James usually begins in Lisbon, there is also an alternative starting point on the coast, which is the route that starts in Porto. This increases the pilgrimage’s flexibility and enables pilgrims to adapt the experience to their own preferences.

Although the Portuguese Way of St. James is the second-most popular route to Santiago de Compostela, it is still relatively peaceful. This provides the perfect balance between meeting new friends and the need for a little solitude during the trip.

The Portuguese Way of St. James is also well equipped with the necessary infrastructure to make the pilgrimage comfortable and safe. Accommodation and services are available all year round, which makes it easier to plan and undertake the journey.

Finally, the Portuguese Way of St. James is a good option for those looking for a relatively easy route. There are not many slopes, which makes it suitable for beginners, while the scenery is beautiful, featuring many green spaces and forests.

More reserved routes of the Portuguese Way of St. James

There are many reasons why the Portuguese Way of St. James is such a popular option among pilgrims wanting to do the Camino de Santiago.

The route is well signposted, there are many accommodation options available, and it is relatively easy to follow.

However, for those looking for a more challenging and gratifying experience, there are some lesser-known routes that are worth considering.

The Portuguese Way from Lisbon is an especially popular choice since it features impressive views of the coast, while running through some of Portugal’s most historic towns.

From here on, the route runs along the coast as far as Santiago de Compostela, passing through some of the most beautiful, unspoilt stretches of coastline in Europe.

The Portuguese Way from Santarem is another popular option, which pilgrims often overlook. This route begins in the town of Santarem, just north of Lisbon, and heads towards the city of Porto before turning inland on the way to Santiago de Compostela.

If you are looking for a more demanding route, the Portuguese Way from Coimbra is another good choice. This route begins in the town of Coimbra, in the centre of Portugal, and heads north towards Santiago de Compostela.

This route is quite demanding since you have to go up some steep slopes, but the reward makes it worthwhile.

Finally, the Portuguese Way from Porto is another great option for those looking for a more demanding route.

This route begins in the city of Porto, in the north of Portugal, and heads north towards Santiago de Compostela. The route is quite demanding, with some steep slopes and some long days of walking. However, the scenery is simply breath-taking.

In recent years, the Portuguese Way from Tui has become more and more popular since it is beautiful and easy to complete.

This pilgrimage route is about 100 kilometres long and takes pilgrims through some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in Galicia. The route goes through extensive areas of woodland, traditional farmland, small villages and rural towns, as well as some historic towns and cities.

One of the route’s most outstanding points is the city of Pontevedra. This historic city has a beautiful old town featuring wonderful architecture. Pontevedra is also the ideal place for trying the famous Albariño white wine, which is produced in the Rías Baixas region.

The last stop on the Portuguese Way of St. James before reaching Santiago de Compostela is the town of Padrón. This locality is the birthplace of the most famous Galicia poet of all times, Rosalía de Castro.

The Portuguese Way of St. James is a beautiful, varied pilgrimage route that gives pilgrims the chance to become better acquainted with Galicia.

The Portuguese Way of St. James’ degree of difficulty
 

The Portuguese Way of St. James is one of the easiest routes to travel along since it is mostly flat. However, some stretches run through completely natural surroundings and may be challenging for those who are not used to walking long distances.

The Portuguese Way of St. James’ accommodation infrastructure and signposting are adequate, especially from Porto onwards. However, the network of hostels is not so developed as in other routes, such as the French Way of St. James.

There are also some stretches of the Portuguese Way of St. James that run alongside the road. Although this may be a negative characteristic of the route, the wonderful views of the sea make it worthwhile.

In general, the Portuguese Way of St. James is a popular, beautiful route that is suitable for all types of pilgrims.

Best time of the year for doing the Portuguese Way of St. James

We would like to discuss the differences between doing the Portuguese Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela in winter and in summer.

We would also like to remind you that, thanks to Tubuencamino, it is possible to fulfil your dream of enjoying an unforgettable adventure at any time of year.

Spring

Spring is a season whose greatest handicap could be the weather. In fact, the weather may be more unstable, although the entire Portuguese route is well prepared for any eventuality.

On the other hand, one of the advantages of doing the Portuguese Way of St. James to Santiago at this time of the year is that it is not so busy, and it is easier to find accommodation.

Summer

In the north of Spain, the summer weather is usually very stable. While in the rest of the country it would be madness to go on a trek in summer, in this part of Portugal and in Galicia temperatures are very mild. This makes it very easy to do the Portuguese Way of St. James.

And although this is the time of year with the greatest number of pilgrims, we should remember that the Portuguese Way of St. James to Santiago is not overcrowded, so it is not a problem to find accommodation at this time of year.

Autumn

Autumn has a great advantage over other seasons: the beautiful landscapes along the Portuguese Way of St. James to Santiago during this time of year. However, the weather is more unstable than in summer. Even so, it is still a good time of year to do the Way of St. James from Portugal.

Winter

Winter can also be very pretty as regards the scenery we will come across in Portugal and Galicia. The cold and rain may be a problem, but they form part of the adventure and charm of the Portuguese Way of St. James.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Way of St. James

How long is the Portuguese Way of St. James?

As always, this depends on the route you choose. The route begins in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, and ends in Santiago, at the beautiful Galician cathedral. The total distance of the Portuguese Way of St. James is 620 kilometres from Lisbon or 280 kilometres from Porto. Doing the Portuguese Way of St. James by bike is another popular option.

Where does the coastal route of the Portuguese Way of St. James begin?

The route begins in Porto and heads north along the Portuguese coast, crosses the River Miño into Galicia at Caminha, and ends in Redondela, where it links up with the inland route of the Portuguese Way of St. James. It has a total length of 280 kilometres to Santiago and can be divided into 13 stages.

How many stages are there in the Way of St. James from Tui?

The Way of St. James from Tui has 7 stages; you can see the recommended route here.