Camino Portugués Coastal: the complete guide from Porto
Stages, the Caminha boat, where to start for the Compostela and how it differs from the central route.
Photo: Marcos Boente, CC BY-SA 4.0
Camino Portugués Coastal
Porto to Santiago de Compostela · 12 stages · 272 km
About 22.6 km a day on average. It adds up to 2,990 m of ascent, with a highest point of 266 m. Data checked in .
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The 12 stages of the Camino Portugués Coastal
How we rate difficulty
- Easy Easy: short with little climbing.
- Moderate Moderate: about 20–28 km or with a real climb.
- Demanding Demanding: long or with a lot of climbing.
We add the km plus 1 km for every 50 m of ascent.
- 01 Porto Vila do Conde Moderate 28.5 km
↑190 ↓240 · 7 h 15 min - 02 Vila do Conde Esposende Moderate 24.3 km
↑50 ↓70 · 6 h - 03 Esposende Viana do Castelo Moderate 25.2 km
↑290 ↓280 · 6 h 30 min - 04 Viana do Castelo Caminha Moderate 27.5 km
↑220 ↓230 · 7 h - 05 Caminha MougásGALICIA Moderate 24.7 km
↑260 ↓230 · 6 h 30 min - 06 Mougás A RamallosaGALICIA Moderate 17.9 km
↑280 ↓300 · 4 h 45 min - 07 A Ramallosa VigoGALICIA Moderate 22.1 km
↑300 ↓280 · 5 h 45 min - 08 Vigo RedondelaGALICIA Moderate 16.3 km
↑290 ↓300 · 4 h 30 min - 09 Redondela PontevedraGALICIA Moderate 18.2 km
↑330 ↓320 · 5 h - 10 Pontevedra Caldas de ReisGALICIA Moderate 22.9 km
↑180 ↓170 · 5 h 45 min - 11 Caldas de Reis PadrónGALICIA Moderate 18.8 km
↑190 ↓210 · 4 h 45 min - 12 Padrón Santiago de CompostelaGALICIA Moderate 25.2 km
↑410 ↓150 · 6 h 45 min
The coastal Camino Portugués follows the Atlantic from Porto to Caminha, crosses the Minho by boat to A Guarda and hugs the Galician coast through Baiona and Vigo until it joins the central route at Redondela.
Stages
12km
272highest point
266mDistances and elevations calculated on the official route; they may vary slightly with your GPS.
Plan your days
Choose where you start and how many days you have. We split the stages for you.
Your plan
From the town you pick in “Plan your days” to Santiago.
When to go in 2027?
A special year to walk the Camino. With a little planning, any month works.
Our favourites: May, June and September. Our favourite windows: May–June and mid-September to October. Good weather and real Camino spirit.
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January Fairly busy
Cold and rainy, short days. The Holy Door has just opened and the trails are calm: ideal if you seek silence.
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February Quiet
Cold and rainy. Few pilgrims and a quiet welcome; pack good rain gear.
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March Peak
Cool, first blossoms. Quiet most of the month; Holy Week brings a lively atmosphere.
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April Busy
Springlike, some showers. Spring wakes the Camino up; after Easter the buzz grows.
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May Busy · Recommended
Mild and green. Green fields and long days: one of the best months to walk.
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June Busy · Recommended
Mild, long days. Good weather and plenty of light: the Camino at its best.
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July Peak
Hot on the Meseta, mild in Galicia. European Youth Pilgrimage (15–18 July) and the feast of St James: Santiago in full celebration.
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August Busy
Hot; cool mornings in Galicia. Holiday month: great atmosphere; start early to beat the heat.
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September Busy · Recommended
Warm and settled. From mid-month, gentler heat and a wonderful atmosphere.
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October Fairly busy
Mild and autumnal. Golden autumn, mild temperatures and a little less busy: a gem.
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November Quiet
Cool and rainy. An intimate Camino and autumn landscapes; some places close.
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December Quiet
Cold and rainy. Christmas in Santiago and the close of the Holy Year: a very special finale.
Key dates
- Holy Door open all year (from 31 December 2026)
- Holy Week: 21–28 March
- 25 July, a Sunday: Feast of St James
Atmosphere estimated month by month from the Pilgrim’s Office monthly figures; not official data.
Will I get the Compostela?
Pick where you start and we will tell you if you reach 100 km.
The official rule: at least 100 continuous km on foot to Santiago, with a dated stamp at the start and end of every stage.
When to go
April to October. The north wind in summer is fresh; winter brings storms.
Getting to the start
Porto has an airport and trains. To start in Galicia, A Guarda and Baiona have buses from Vigo.
The Caminha boat
The Minho crossing depends on the tide and the boatman’s timetable; check the day before. Alternative: the Valença bridge on the central route.
Related guides
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Frequently asked questions
How many days from Porto on the coast?
12 to 14 days.
Can I start in Vigo?
Yes, but only just: about 101 km, no margin for detours. Starting in Baiona or A Guarda gives you room.
Is it harder than the central route?
No: it is flatter, but longer and exposed to wind and sun.
How long is the Camino Portugués Coastal route?
272 km from Porto, in 12 stages along the Atlantic. It crosses into Galicia by boat between Caminha and A Guarda. From Vigo, 101 km remain to Santiago.
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