Camino de Santiago: the Scenic Portuguese Route (5380)

11 Day Tour from Porto to Porto

2025 Tour Details View 2026 Tour Details »

Rediscover the wonders of nature and the stillness of the mind on this scenic blend of the Portuguese and the Spiritual routes of the Camino de Santiago. The walk will cover about 75 miles. Take time to reflect, contemplate, meditate, and give this challenge the meaning you prefer, whether spiritual, religious, physical, or just an opportunity to meet like-minded people. After landing in Porto, start your journey by walking across the Portuguese-Spanish border on the bridge over the Minho River. Drive to the coastal town of Baiona and walk the Portuguese Way skirting the Atlantic Ocean to Pontevedra. From there, join the Spiritual Variant towards the Ulla River in Cambados and experience a boat cruise to Padrón.

The Spiritual Variant is the name given to the route that joins the Camino Portugues, both the Coastal and Central route, with the Traslatio (or Transfer) route. It ends in Santiago de Compostela following the route taken by the remains of the Apostle James, from Jerusalem to Iria Flavia, near Padrón. Discover spectacular landscapes and seascapes, seize the opportunity to discover historical places, and enjoy the authentic cuisine of the Galician region.

Evening Mass will be available in most towns for those who wish to attend. In Santiago de Compostela you can attend Pilgrim Mass. You will receive the Compostela Certificate upon completion of the entire route on foot.

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Cosmos offers Small-Group Discoveries on select faith-based dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, and seamless transportation where necessary.

Your Camino covers an average of 11 miles per day for seven days. This walking and spiritual experience is best enjoyed in small groups, and therefore the group size is limited to a maximum of 20 participants per departure, plus, of course, your Tour Director who will assist along the way.

Relax on a catamaran cruise, as well as on the coach from Porto to Baiona and from Santiago de Compostela to Porto, allowing for some additional exciting visits.

Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
Hiking is much easier without luggage; one piece of luggage per person, will be transferred during your walk, from the lobby of your overnight hotel to the next one.

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.268.3636

Camino de Santiago: the Scenic Portuguese Route map

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

Buffet breakfasts daily, 5 dinners

Notes:

This is a walking tour for small groups of a maximum of 20 participants.

Since it is largely completed on foot, it requires a good level of physical fitness, and some physical training prior to departure is highly recommended.

This itinerary is not accessible by wheelchair or other ambulatory devices due to some uneven and unpaved paths.

If unable to complete any of the stages on foot, transportation by taxi will be arranged at an extra cost. If unable to complete any of the stages on foot, transportation by taxi will be arranged at an extra cost. One piece of luggage per person, not exceeding 20 kg/44 lbs will be transported daily during the walk from the lobby of your overnight hotel to the next overnight hotel. You will need to pack a backpack containing essentials for the day (such as water, raincoat, essential medication, money, sunblock, etc.) to carry during the walk.

Hotel accommodations may be of simple standards, often with no elevators, but always with private facilities. Occasionally, transfers by minivan will be provided when accommodation is not directly at the end of a stage.

Mass services are available in the evenings at most overnight towns/villages (they may be in local language and venues are subject to change.)

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN PORTO, PORTUGAL

Check into your hotel and, if you have time, start exploring this lively city on your own with the help of the CosmosGO app. In the late afternoon, meet your tour companions and your Tour Director, who will explain the dos and don’ts of the walk and give you some important advice. Take a pleasant stroll to a nearby restaurant for an included welcome dinner.

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Dinner

Day 2 PORTO-VALENÇA DO MINHO-TUI, SPAIN-BAIONA

Approximately 3 km/2 mi - avg 40 min – difficulty 1/3.
Time this morning for a quick guided orientation through Porto’s bustling city center with views over the Douro River, followed by free time or the opportunity to attend Mass in the Cathedral. After lunch, transfer by coach to Valença do Minho to walk a section of the Camino de Santiago into Spain across the Minho River towards Tui. Rejoin the coach to Baiona, on the Atlantic coast. Fun fact: Baiona was the first town in Europe to receive news of America’s discovery in 1493. We recommend touring the medieval fortress on the Monterreal peninsula, visiting the replica of Columbus’ ship la Pinta and discovering this beautiful beachside town.
Today’s distance (by coach): 89 mi / 143 km

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 3 BAIONA-VIGO

Approximately 25 km/15.5 mi – avg 5 hrs. – difficulty 2/3.
This is the real start of your journey. May every step be a thought on peace and an extension of loving kindness. Leave Baiona behind and follow the coast across the Rías Baixas through the beach town of Nigrán. Walk along long pristine beaches and admire the magnificent Cíes Islands from a distance. Vigo is Galicia’s most important harbor and busiest city. If you wish, attend Mass at Vigo Cathedral.

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Breakfast

Day 4 VIGO-REDONDELA-PONTEVEDRA

Approximately 16 km/10 mi – avg 3 hrs. – difficulty 2/3.
Take in the stunning views of Vigo Bay, the Atlantic Islands, the Morrazo Peninsula, and Rande Bridge. After a pleasant walk on an unpaved path through woodlands, reach Redondela. Our driver will take you to the hotel in the centre of Pontevedra, where you will spend the next two nights. You may wish to visit the stunning Sanctuary of the Virgin Pilgrim and attend Mass.
Today’s distance (by coach): 12.5 mi / 20 km

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 5 PONTEVEDRA-REDONDELA-PONTEVEDRA

Approximately 19 km/12 mi–Average 4.5 hrs. – Difficulty 3/3.
After a short transfer back to Redondela, continue your journey; uphill by the coast with stunning views over the Vigo Bay and across the infamous Ponte Sampaio bridge, where Napoleon’s Army suffered one of the greatest defeats during the War of Independence. Continue then mostly downhill, through peaceful oak forests and along the river to the center of Pontevedra, the city founded by the Romans and dedicated to the Virgen Peregrina (the Pilgrim Virgin). Your Mass option tonight is at Saint Francisco Convent. Take advantage of the vast choice of restaurants to immerse yourself in the local culinary culture.
Today’s distance (by coach): 12.5 mi / 20 km

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Breakfast

Day 6 PONTEVEDRA-COMBARRO-COVELO

Approximately 14 km/8.7 mi – Average 3 hrs. – Difficulty 1/3.
Leave the inland Portuguese Camino to take the Spiritual Variant, which follows St. James’ final journey. Legend says that a stone vessel carried the Apostle’s remains from Jaffa in Israel to Padrón along the River Ulla some 2000 years ago. Today, you will walk past the Monastery of San Juan de Poio and the beautiful town of Combarro, famous for its many horreos (traditional granaries on pillars). After Combarro, continue another two miles along the coast to reach the hotel.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 7 COVELO-CAMBADOS

Approximately 20 km/12.5 mi–Average 4.5 hrs.–Difficulty 3/3.
Expect a beautiful walk today, through vineyards and alongside refreshing streams in the forests. Stop at the 12th Century Cistercian Monastery of Armenteira, founded by the knight Ero in 1168. Follow the relaxing “Ruta da Pedra e da Agua” (the rock and water route), a forest path next to a water stream with over 30 medieval water mills. The destination today is Cambados, considered to be the capital of Albariño, one of the best white wines in the world. Mass is available at the impressive Santa Mariña Dozo Church.

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Breakfast

Day 8 CAMBADOS-CRUISE TO PADRÓN-PONTECESURES-SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Approximately 27 km/17 mi–Average 5 hrs. –Difficulty 3/3.
Start the day on a high note: a one-hour cruise on the Ulla River, following the journey of the legendary stone boat that carried the remains of St. James. See the remains of the Catoira towers, which used to protect Santiago de Compostela from Viking attacks. Disembark on the outskirts of Padrón, famous for its “pimientos,” small, mild green peppers, usually served fried and salted.

Only a few more miles to Santiago de Compostela! Enjoy a celebratory dinner upon completing your Camino de Santiago, served in a local restaurant in the old town. If you have walked all stages of the Camino and got your passport stamped, you will receive your Pilgrim Certificate.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 9 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Enjoy a full day resting and discovering Santiago after your Camino. Follow the Tour Director on a guided tour of Santiago Cathedral with its squares and attend the Pilgrim Mass. You can join your Tour Director for a more detailed tour of the old town in the afternoon, go shopping, explore on your own, or just enjoy a well-deserved rest. Discover Santiago’s culinary specialties on your own tonight and take in the special atmosphere of this historic town.

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Breakfast

Day 10 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA–PONTE DE LIMA, PORTUGAL–DOM JESUS DO MONTE–PORTO

The Camino has ended, but there are more hidden gems to discover. Depart Santiago de Compostela by bus and explore Ponte de Lima, the oldest riverside town in Portugal, featuring an impressive Medieval bridge with an ancient Roman section over the Lima River. Next stop is the Sanctuary of Dom Jesus do Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site. See the unique zigzag stairway dedicated to the five senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste—and the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. Continue to Porto.
Today's Distance by coach: 165 mi / 265 km.

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Breakfast

Day 11 PORTO

Take home with you spiritual growth and appreciation for simple things. This is your most important souvenir of the Camino. Your vacation ends with breakfast.

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Breakfast

Accommodations

Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

No Excursions are available at this time.

Private Touring

Private Touring: Cosmos European Private Touring enables you to experience all of the attractions, sights and highlights of your selected Cosmos tour as a private experience - delivered just for you and your traveling party. With Private Touring, you'll have your own dedicated Tour Director, your own private transportation and driver, and your own professional local guides. All with greater flexibility in pace and your experience. For your selected tour, there will be additional per-person cost for the size of your party - from 1 to 24. This additional supplement is reduced with each traveler you add to your party. Here's a sample of the additional cost:

6 guests in a party: $1,019*
14 guests in a party: $65*

Contact Cosmos or your preferred travel agent for pricing for your specific party size as well as any other information on Cosmos Private Touring.

*Supplement pricing is per person (CA) and will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date and is based on availability. Supplement price is valid for 2021 travel year. Occasionally some included and optional activities & excursions may be operated with other guests. Additional restrictions may apply. Not applicable for custom groups. No Group allowances or promotions are available on Private Touring. Published itineraries only. Note that blackout dates may exist where the Private Touring option is not available.

The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.

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