Walking the Camino Portugues from Tui to Santiago on a budget
Stage 5
117.8km
8 days
Carefully Selected 1 to 2 star accommodations
easy
Starting From
€595
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Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible
Gentle terrain that gets gradually hillier as you approach Santiago de Compostela.
This walking holiday explores the Camino Portugues, or Portuguese Way, of the iconic Camino de Santiago de Compostela. This Camino, which was used by Queen Isabel of Portugal in the 13th Century, heads north following the Atlantic coast of Portugal and Spain. The Camino Portugues gently winds along ancient paths, running through woodlands, farmlands, vineyards and historic towns. Every day during the walk you’re guaranteed scenic views and local gastronomic delights. This section requires a reasonable level of fitness. However, it’s a highly rewarding walk that includes numerous cultural highlights.
FREE This trip createstonne(s) of CO2, we offset it for free
Highlights
Tui Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption of Tui, right in the centre of the town is the starting point of this section of the Camino Portugues and shouldn’t be missed! Dating back to the 11th century, the cathedral displays a predominantly stunning Romanesque architecture with additions of decorative Gothic elements. The Portico is a beautiful start and believed to be one of the earliest pieces of Gothic art in Spain. A small charge for entrance is worth it to marvel at the interior and cloister and fully take in the sheer size of the Cathedral.
Padron
The last main town before reaching Santiago de Compostela on the Camino Portuguese is Padron and this is also the town where St James’ body was returned to the Iberian Peninsula from Jerusalem. A must stop in town is the Church of Santiago where below the altar is the original stone O Pedrón, which is said to be the mooring post that the boat carrying St James was tied up too. Another wonderful place to visit is Monte Santiaguino, it is here that St James is said to have first preached in Spain. A short but steep walk up to Monte Santiaguino is well worth it for the tranquility and views back over Padron as you return back down to the town.
Albarino Wine
This section of the Camino Portuguese goes through the Albarino Wine region. There are a number of theories as to how wine became to be grown in the region some suggest it was brought here by Germans others theories it was French Monks. No matter how it got there the wine is now widely available throughout the region and has a unique light refreshing taste. Due to the proximity of the Atlantic ocean this wine pairs very well with many local fish dishes, so why not eat and drink like the locals!! Salud!!
Tui to Santiago De Compostela
Camino Portugues
What are your plans so far?
From €595
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Preferred Month & Year
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2025
2026
2027
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Services
Included in this package
Specially Hand-Picked Accommodations
Bed & Breakfast
Luggage Transfers from Hotel to Hotel
Our Holiday or Pilgrim Pack
24/7 On-Call Support
Add-On
Premium Accommodation
Airport Pick-Up
Additional Nights
Dinners
Day Tours to Local Sites of Interest
Not included
Flights/trains
Insurance
Drinks/Lunch
Itinerary
Day 1
TUI (Arrival)
You’ll be booked into a hotel in the heart of Tui. Take a walk through the town’s picturesque streets, and as you approach the Plaza de San Fernando the silhouette of the west-facing facade of the 12th Century cathedral will provide you with a lasting memory.
Day 2 17.17km
TUI
to
O PORRINO
From the long-standing port of Tui, the Camino winds its way up to the old town, following the so-called Camino da Barca. Then, through the Tunel das Monxas, the Camino enters a very steep section and leads us to the historic bridge of San Telmo. From there, travelling over less strenuous terrain, we come to the town of O Porrino.
Day 3 24.41km
O PORRINO
to
ARCADE
The terrain becomes easier to navigate as we cross the Louro Valley. Keeping the valley to the east, after a gentle climb you arrive at the chapel of Santiaguino de Antas – a pleasant place to take a rest. We now enter a wide expanse of woodland. Surrounded by pine trees, the Camino starts its descent through the hamlet of Sete Fontes and arrives in Arcade.
Day 4 11.57km
ARCADE
to
PONTEVEDRA
From here you will cross a Romanesque bridge where Napoleon was defeated by the Spanish during the War of Independence. Arriving into Pontevedra, you will head through the narrow streets before reaching the 13th Century Church of Santa Maria. Of interest to pilgrims is also the Capela da Peregrina which, although it appears round, is actually in the shape of a scallop shell.
Day 5 21.21km
PONTEVEDRA
to
CALDAS DE REIS
Passing chestnut groves, the Camino leaves Pontevedra and runs parallel to the railway for a while. After passing through the hamlet of Ponte Cabras, we encounter the rectory of Santa Maria de Alba, tucked away among pine and eucalyptus trees. Emerging from the dense woods of Lombo da Maceira, you’ll see a statue of St James, his staff pointing the way to proceed. Passing the lovely village of Tibo, with its fountain, public washing place and stone cross, brings us to Caldas de Reis.
Day 6 18.68km
CALDAS DE REIS
to
PADRON
Exiting the town, we take a bridge over the River Umia that leads us to a fountain of hot spring water that has lent the town its name since Roman times. Entering the woods once more, the Camino makes its way gently uphill to the hamlet of Santa Marina. Going downhill, we cross the river Fontenlo. Finally, we catch up again with the river as we arrive in Padron. Padron is famous for being the first land sighted by the ship bearing the body of St James.
Day 7 24.75km
PADRON
to
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
The Camino passes through many small hamlets before arriving at the Baroque sanctuary of A Esclavitude. On a hilltop to the left stands the mysterious ruins of the hillfort Castro Lupario. A few kilometres later, we come to the oldest wayside crossing in Galicia. As we near Agro dos Monteiros, it’s now possible to see the spires of the cathedral in Santiago. Finally, the Camino passes by the ruins of a castle known as A Rocha Vella, before entering the city of the Apostle.
Day 8
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
After breakfast, we bid you farewell. If you wish to stay in the area, we recommend that you: – Take your time and visit the magnificent historic centre of Santiago. – Continue with us along the wild Camino Fisterra (Finisterre Way), and stay overnight at the hotel in the lighthouse! – Or take a bus to Fisterra to visit the unspoilt sandy coves and beaches of the west coast. With very few tourists, you are guaranteed a very special experience. Buses depart from Santiago Bus Station at 9am and 10am. Buses return to Santiago at 4:45pm and 7pm. The journey takes 3 hours.
A huge thanks for helping me organise my trip. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I was a little stressed before going away with COVID things and was open to the possibility of things changing or not going to plan, but everything was perfect. The trail, the itinerary, the hotels, food, hosts and my bag was always there whenever I arrived. Thank you very much and I will recommend your company and services to friends in the future.
Aine, 2021
How to Get There
Getting to Tui, Portugal
It is best to fly to Santiago de Compostela.
Fly into Santiago de Compostela
Ryanair and Iberia/BA fly direct to Santiago de Compostela from the UK. Ryanair flies from Stansted, Nottingham East Midlands and Liverpool and Aer Lingus operates from Dublin. Many of the flights that arrive at the airport are from internal Spanish destinations. Iberia offers the best selection of flights and you can fly to and from Santiago De Compostela from: Frankfurt, Paris and Rome and Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia.
To begin at Tui you will need to get 2 buses from the airport.
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