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Portugal and Spain, 8 Days · Tailor-made
Camino de Santiago by bike: from Porto to Santiago de Compostela
Discover the Portuguese Camino de Santiago
The Portuguese side of the world-famous Camino is one of the most popular options for the pilgrimage to the city of Santiago de Compostela. The suggested route snakes its way for some 240 kilometres through hills, along part of the Portuguese coastline and then across the Rías Baixas estuaries in Galicia. The Spanish part starts off as such in the village of Tui and ends in Santiago, home to the tomb of St. James (Santiago, in Spanish). All in all, this is a fascinating route to cover part of the pilgrimage, where at the end you'll be rewarded by your personal 'compostela', a certificate in Latin to prove completion of the Camino de Santiago.
Departure date
Departures from November 2024 till October 2025
From
London, Manchester, Edinburgh...
Travel details
City of origin - Porto
Departure with destination Porto. Arrival and self-transfer to hotel. When you arrive at the hotel, you'll be given your bike (see important notes). Overnight stay.
Porto - Esposende (Stage 1 - 51.6 km)
Breakfast. First long stage but with low technical difficulty, ideal for admiring the coastal views throughout. Once in Vila Do Conde, you can stroll through its picturesque historic quarter or around the Santa Clara Monastery, as well as the mouth of the Ave River. Today's stage winds its way through cobblestoned villages such as Apúlia or pocket-sized coastal towns such as Póvoa de Varzim. Once in Esposende, you can enjoy the North Coast Nature Park, blessed with a chain of river and maritime beaches featuring reefs, dunes, pine forests, oak groves, farmland and countless streams that flow directly into the sea. Overnight stay in Esposende.
Esposende - Caminha / A Guarda (Stage 2 - 53.6 km)
Breakfast. The first stage of the Camino today runs through the North Coast Nature Park to the Church of San Bartolomé Do Mar. Meanwhile, the second and shorter stretch follows the coastline until reaching the mouth of the Limia River. And after you cross the Eiffel Bridge, you'll enter the town of Viana Do Castelo. Beside the six bridges that cross the Miño River, there's a ferry here that for a quarter of a century has been linking Caminha to A Guarda, i.e. the nations of Portugal and Spain. And the major attraction in the first town on Galician lands is the Castro de Santa Trega, an archaeological site that reveals a whole host of information about the life of ancestors here. And that very same ferry will be taking you over to Caminha or A Guarda, depending on where your accommodation is located. Please note that ferry schedules vary according to the season. Overnight stay in Caminha / A Guarda.
Caminha - Baiona (Stage 3 - 34.3 km)
Breakfast. First stage through Galician territory, following the coastline and passing by archaeological sites and the fantastic Royal Monastery of Santa María de Oia. This stage boasts an array of attractions, such as the Sobreiras do Faro nature reserve. There are two recommended activities once you get to Baiona. The first is a stroll along its waterfront promenade and the second is a visit to the 16th-century Monterreal Castle, which was once the target of attacks by pirates and the Portuguese army but is now the Parador Conde de Gondomar luxury hotel. Overnight stay in Baiona.
Baiona - Redondela (Stage 4 - 40.6 km)
Breakfast. The twenty-plus kilometres of today's stage are lined with many 'pazos', typical manor houses of the Galician nobility from medieval times. What's more, you'll cycle further across the Ría de Vigo estuary, discovering unique natural viewpoints to admire the stunning beauty of Galicia's southern coast. Once in Vigo, you can admire its famous fishing port or its beautiful old quarter, brimming with spectacular churches and countless monuments. Next stop on the route is Redondela, famous for its railway viaducts (Viaduct of Madrid and Viaduct of Pontevedra) built at the end of the 19th century, which since 1978 have been listed as cultural heritage sites. Overnight stay in Redondela.
Redondela - Caldas de Reis (Stage 5 - 41.2 km)
Breakfast. Today's stage covers more of the Ría de Vigo, home to the spectacular islands of San Simón and Santo Antón that boast remains of galleons from the Battle of Vigo Bay in 1702. What's more, the entire estuary is full of farms where Galicia's exquisite mussels are produced. Once you're in the city of Pontevedra, you'll cross over the Via XIX, a Roman road built in the time of Emperor Augustus. With little technical difficulty, the rest of this stage will let you explore this city famed for its hospitality to pilgrims, as well as for landmarks such as the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor or the Ruins of Santo Domingo. At the end of the stage, you'll arrive in Caldas de Reis, the town where King Alfonso VII of León was born. Caldas is a great spot to unwind, as it's famous for its therapeutic thermal waters. You can also take a stroll around the town and visit places such as the churches of Santa María and Santo Tomás Becket or the botanical garden. Overnight stay in Caldas de Reis.
Caldas de Reis - Santiago de Compostela (Stage 6 - 43.7 km)
Breakfast. Today is the last stage of the route. Leave Caldas and head towards Padrón, which is known as the town where the lifeless body of the Apostle Santiago was washed ashore, back in the year 44 AD. The delicious Padrón peppers are also typical of this area, where you'll hear the saying "some are hot, some are not" - you'll soon see why! Then it's time to leave Padrón and go to Santiago de Compostela. Once in Santiago, you'll find an endless number of places to visit. The main attraction is the Cathedral and the Plaza del Obradoiro, but there are many other sights worth seeing. We particularly recommend strolling through the old quarter, savouring the culinary delights on offer and visiting other iconic buildings such as the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos, the Monastery of San Martín Pinario or the Pazo de Raxoi. Return of your bike at the prearranged point. Overnight stay in Santiago de Compostela.
Santiago de Compostela - City of origin
Breakfast. Self-transfer to airport. Flight with destination the city of origin. Arrival. End of the trip and our services.
Your trip includes
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Return flight.
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Accommodation in selected hotels or similar category.
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Bike rental from the first day until your arrival in Santiago, plus seat bags, a gel seat cover and a helmet.
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Complete route itinerary.
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Pilgrimage credentials.
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Customer support line telephone in route.
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Diet: 7 breakfasts.
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Insolvency protection.
Your trip doesn't include
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Transfers. Enquiry.
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Any other service not previously mentioned as included.
Destinations Visited
Important remarks
- Triple rooms in Europe are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.
- During congresses and special events, the confirmed hotels and other accommodations may be different to those indicated.
- During the circuit by Europe, only one suitcase and one carry-on bag per person are allowed.
- Check-in time at the hotel on the day of arrival depends on each establishment, but in no case will it be before 3:00 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.
- Hostels / Guesthouses: properties located in the town at the end of a day's stage and with a private bathroom.
- Hotels / Country Guest Houses: establishments in houses several centuries old and converted into unique accommodation, some of these may be outside the town where the stage ends. In this case, there will be transport available on arrival to take you to the house and then to take you back to the same point where the stage finished the previous day.
- The actual name of the accommodation will be provided before departure.
- Once you have completed the booking, please indicate your height and weight so we can reserve a suitable bike for you.
- Upon arrival at the hotel on the first day, you will receive the bike, seat bags, gel cover and a helmet.
- Luggage will be transported separately during the route.
- Upon arrival in Santiago, you must deliver the bike at the set point, very close to the cathedral. You will get all the information when receiving the documentation.
- Babies up to 2 years old in Spain must share the bed with adults. In case you need a cot, or any other additional service, you will have to request it at each hotel and it will be a direct payment.
- The order of the itinerary may be altered for logistical reasons, without prior notice, but no scheduled trips will be cancelled (except in the case that adverse weather conditions prevent its realisation).
- A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check-in at hotels.
- Prices are calculated based on admission fees to the sights as of the date of publication. If there is an increase in these prices, you will be promptly informed.
- If you are a person with reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.
- Consult the necessary documentation to enter the destinations visited and for transit in the countries where air stopovers are made.