Why not join us for our Camino Portuguese guided walk on the stunning Littoral/Coastal Route from Porto to Vigo?
Here are some details:
Which Camino?
The Camino Portuguese from Porto to Vigo along the littoral and coastal route.
Dates:
7th to 20th May 2025 – 14 nights (including 2 nights in Porto at the beginning of the walk)
Price:
1950.00 euros
Average daily distance
14.9 km /9.25 miles
Total distance
Around 180 kms/112 miles depending on route
Who is it suitable for?
Our Taster will start in Porto where we will stay for two nights in order to discover this incredible city. We will follow the beautiful littoral route to Vigo with some occasional detours to the coastal.
If you are fairly new to Caminos or fancy a change from the Camino Frances and would enjoy the company of a small supportive group of like-minded women and are happy to share a room, then this is the perfect trip for you.
About the Camino Portuguese
The Camino Portugués itself is beautiful, and one of its perks is that it’s relatively flat, particularly along the Portugués stage.
You’ll find yourself leisurely strolling along wooden boardwalks beside some of the most picturesque beaches, with the refreshing sea breeze keeping you cool as you walk through less sheltered stretches. And when you need a break, there’s no shortage of beach bars along the way to enjoy a cold drink.
Your guide will lead you along the Littoral Route for most of the journey, allowing you to take in the stunning coastline. However, you’ll also switch to the Coastal Route at times, which offers a complete contrast with peaceful forest paths and charming Portuguese villages.
As you reach the Spanish section of the Camino, the terrain becomes a bit more challenging, but by then, your body and mind will be well-prepared for the final stretch.
And if at any point you feel like you need a little extra help, taxis are available and can be arranged by your guide (note that these are not included in the trip price).
MORE DETAILS
The Camino Portugués is around 620 kms long and stretches from Lisbon in Portugal, along the Atlantic Coast, to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Northwest Spain.
The history of the Camino Portugués dates back to Roman times, when it originally served as a Roman road. After the discovery of the remains of St. James in the 9th century, the route was adopted as a pilgrimage path to Santiago de Compostela. Over the centuries, it gained popularity, with support from Portuguese and Spanish royalty, further establishing its significance as a major pilgrimage route. It is closely associated with St. James, as it was on this route that he preached and where his body was brought for burial.
The two main routes of the Camino Portugués are:
1. Camino Litoral (Coastal Route): Starting in Porto, this 280 km path follows Portugal’s coastline, offering beautiful ocean views, and then joins the Central Route at Redondela before heading to Santiago.
2. Camino Central (Central Route): Starting in Lisbon, this 620 km route travels through Portugal’s interior, passing through towns like Porto and Pontevedra, before crossing into Spain to reach Santiago de Compostela.
Our Camino Taster will start in Porto and follow the beautiful Littoral route to Vigo, with some deviations onto the Coastal Route at times for a change of scenery between coastal and forest.
So, if you are fairly new to Caminos or fancy a change from the Camino Frances, and would enjoy the company of a small supportive group of likeminded women and are happy to share a room, then this is the perfect trip for you.
WHY A CAMINO?
Pilgrims walk the Camino for many different reasons be it to reconnect with the church, search for a spiritual experience, walk in someone’s memory, search for answers, take time to reflect or simply for the fitness benefits. Whatever your reasons are, it will definitely challenge you both physically and mentally.
We have walked with women who have experienced the death of a loved one, a devastating divorce, loss of their primary role in life due to children leaving home or parents dying but also women looking for adventure, excited about discovering Spain and the Camino, determined to make the most of this exciting time of life.
Over 14 days, our group of no more than 8 women will come together from all over the world and walk the 179 kms of our Camino Confidence Porto to Vigo Camino Taster, with manageable daily distances which average 15km or 9 miles. You can take the opportunity to leave your responsibilities at home and enjoy some much needed me time. All you have to do is sleep, eat, walk, repeat. Your Camino guide will do the rest.
It can make you feel very vulnerable when you strip your life bare of all responsibilities and simply walk, suddenly your mind is able to wander, and you are given time to truly reflect on your life. For this reason, it isn´t unusual to experience a roller coaster of emotions.
There may be moments of hilarity, happiness, joy, excitement, trepidation, discomfort and even sadness but the beauty of walking with like-minded women is that they can share these moments with you, encourage you and celebrate your growth with you.
We openly encourage you to enjoy every moment of your Camino, whether you walk with the other members of the group or choose to walk alone and meet up with the group in the evening. It is important to us that you walk your Camino your way and experience the Camino through your own eyes, with the comforting knowledge that your luggage is being transported, your accommodation is booked and there is a guide to help you.
Our guides will share stories with you about the Camino, its rich history and fascinating legends to help you to fully immerse yourself in this wonderful experience.
As Founder and Guide at Camino Confidence, I am so proud of the women in these groups. It gives my guides and I great pleasure to see them come together in the WhatsApp group, help each other, book activities together, often even arrange to travel together to and from the start and finish point. We observe as their confidence grows every day as they become a unit often becoming such good friends that many of them come back to walk with Camino Confidence time and time again.
THE LITORAL (and a little bit of COASTAL) ROUTE – PORTO TO VIGO
Porto truly has it all—stunning architecture, a world-renowned port, mouthwatering cuisine, and vibrant indoor markets to explore. It’s no surprise that the city consistently ranks among the top five favourite destinations in Europe.
The Camino Portugués itself is equally beautiful, and one of its perks is that it’s relatively flat, particularly along the Portugués stage.
You’ll find yourself leisurely strolling along wooden boardwalks beside some of the most picturesque beaches, with the refreshing sea breeze keeping you cool as you walk through less sheltered stretches. And when you need a break, there’s no shortage of beach bars along the way to enjoy a cold drink.
Your guide will lead you along the Litoral Route for most of the journey, allowing you to take in the stunning coastline. However, you’ll also switch to the Coastal Route at times, which offers a complete contrast with peaceful forest paths and charming Portuguese villages.
As you reach the Spanish section of the Camino, the terrain becomes a bit more challenging, but by then, your body and mind will be well-prepared for the final stretch.
And if at any point you feel like you need a little extra help, taxis are available and can be arranged by your guide (note that these are not included in the trip price).
WHAT IS A CAMINO TASTER?
Do you enjoy walking with like-minded women? Do you prefer to walk reasonable daily distances on average of 15 kms at a more leisurely pace but with a couple of challenges to get your heart pumping? Are you happy to share private accommodation within the group? Then a Camino Taster is definitely for you.
- Camino Tasters are mindful fully guided walks along various stages and routes of the Camino de Santiago
- They are usually between 7 and 14 days long
- Your daily stages are kept to a reasonable length and designed to be perfectly manageable but still offer some challenges
- Difficulty level medium
- They are designed for small friendly and supportive groups of women
- Your luggage will be transported so that you can relax without the strain of carrying a heavy rucksack
- Your accommodation will be shared within your group only and it will be of a good standard and personally chosen and checked by us
- You will be offered Camino de Santiago preparation workshops prior to walking to help guide you on issues such as what to pack, what equipment to buy and other tips
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- 14 nights shared (usually twin rooms) good standard accommodation sourced and personally checked by Camino Confidence.
- Luggage transported.
- An experienced (Spanish and English) guide legally registered to work in Spain.
- Advice on travel and logistics within Spain.
- Your credentials, scallop shell and Camino Confidence patch.
- Two question and answer zoom meetings with Carol Alexander-Price Founder of Camino Confidence (more meetings can be arranged if extra guidance is required).
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Health or travel insurance (we strongly recommend that you get full travel and medical insurance for your own peace of mind before you reserve your place).
- Travel to and from start and finish point.
- Food, drink and snacks.
- Buses or taxi transfers along the route (unless included in the package). Please note that whilst there are taxis along the route, they cannot be flagged down on the side of the road, they have to be reserved by phone by your guide. We cannot guarantee that one will be available at all times.
- Services such as laundry, phone calls etc.
- Tips for guides.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We at Camino Confidence highly recommend both travel and medical insurance to include repatriation to your country and all possibilities of cancellation. You will be required to email proof of purchase to us or sign an opt out form.
OUR ACCOMMODATION
The price for this trip is based on 8 people walking and 2 people sharing a room. However, due to the nature of the walk, we are following a route that includes stays in very rural locations and small hamlets where there may only be one accommodation available. So, on very rare occasions (and I stress rare) you may be required to share a triple or quadruple room within your group, this is life along the Camino routes.
We will stay in a variety of excellent standard accommodations from rural hotels, rural houses, duplex apartments, hostels and city hotels. One thing I can guarantee is that all accommodation is selected, inspected and approved by Camino Confidence.
You can choose who you would like to share with, or the Camino Confidence Guide will allocate rooms.
WALKING AS A GROUP
Many people ask us if they have to walk as part of a group. The answer is that it is entirely up to you. We usually like the group to walk together on the first day, just while they familiarise themselves with the terrain and signage but after that, we at Camino Confidence encourage you to see the Camino through your own eyes and walk it your own way.
However, what most women enjoy about walking as a group is the comradery, and the fact that they have company for evening meals and extra activities if they chose.
DAILY GROUP MEETINGS/CHATS
During your Camino you will get together with your guide each day to have a chat about the day’s events. We will discuss how you feel, how the day was for you, and any issues you may have. We will also take a look at the following day, the weather, the time you prefer to start walking, organize any taxis required, decide what to carry, point out where the facilities are along the route and confirm what time you can check in to our next accommodation etc.
COMMUNICATION
We will communicate via WhatsApp at all times. There will be two WhatsApp groups, one for general chat that everyone will have access to and the other for important information we prefer not to lose, we will all have access to this but I as admin and the guide will be the only ones that can comment.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL PREPARATION
Although we do not expect you to walk a Camino before walking the Camino, we at Camino Confidence highly recommend that you take steps to prepare yourself both physically and mentally. Even though this part of the route is not overly difficult, there are one or two steep ascents and descents and a strong body, and a positive mindset will not only help prevent injuries, which could result in you aborting your Camino altogether, but it will also increase your enjoyment of this amazing experience.
TRANSPORTED LUGGAGE
The cost of transporting 1 bag each, if no more than 20kgs, is included in the price. If you require more than one bag to be transported, then this will be at your own cost.
You will be provided with a label by your guide, who will also have zip ties to secure the label to your transported bag. She will have extra labels should anyone lose theirs or if they get damaged.
You must not attach anything to the outside of this bag, or you will be charged extra, and although the transport company is reputable, I would not transport anything of value or that is fragile.
If you have to transport a CPAP machine or anything else that is necessary for your trip, then make sure they are wrapped up carefully in your luggage.
Try to make your luggage as obvious to you as possible with perhaps a bright coloured scarf attached to it.
The bags must be left where instructed by your guide before 8am. They are guaranteed to arrive at the next accommodation by 3pm at the latest, but they usually arrive earlier.
Check your back carefully before moving it and inform the guide if there is any damage (just to reassure you, I have never had a bag damaged in 3 years).
Just be aware that it is your responsibility to get your bags to your room from the drop of point and to return them the next day. Please bear in mind that not all accommodations have lifts so you may need required to carry them upstairs.
WIFI
There is free WIFI available at all our accommodations and cafes and bars on the route. We will discuss this in more depth at the meeting. With regard to sim cards, we encourage you to approach your current provider first to see if they can offer you a good deal while travelling. If not, your other option is to buy a sim card when you arrive in Europe or consider an eSim.
MEALS
As a rule, meals are not included in the price, however, occasionally our accommodation does include breakfast in the price, please check with your guide.
There’s no shortage of beach bars along the route where you can relax and enjoy a refreshing drink. However, if services are sparser or the distances between stops are longer, your guide will make sure you’re informed in advance.
TAXIS AND BUSES
While we highly recommend that you prepare both mentally and physically for this route as it will help prevent injuries and increase your enjoyment, we also understand that life happens, and you may need a little more support.
There are bus routes along the Camino, but as you can imagine buses are few and far between, sometimes only 1 a day, sometimes none. These kinds of travel arrangements need to be made as far in advance as possible so that the guide can get the information required in time.
The same goes for taxis. These arrangements must be agreed with the guide at the latest, the night before, so that she can reserve one for you.
Please note that taxis cannot be flagged down in the street.
TIPS
It is customary to tip a guide in Spain if you are happy with their service, however it is not obligatory. If you do choose to tip, the amount you tip is entirely up to you but around 10 euros a day is a good guide.
It is also customary to tip waiters, local guides etc. if you are happy with their service 10% of the bill is recommended if you are eating, if you are just having a coffee then it´s normal just to leave the difference. (if it’s 1.40 euros and you only have 1.50 euros, leave the 10 cents for example)
OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES
We are here to help you. You will be provided with a range of information including what to carry and what to transport, how to prepare physically, tips on what rucksack or footwear to buy etc. All you need to do is ask. Camino Confidence is a small bespoke company, and we are proud to offer you a very friendly and personal experience.
You can also take a look at www.gronze.com if you would like to take a look at the profile of your walk.