Cycle the Coastal Portuguese Camino

Day 1 Start Porto

Depending on the time of your arrival in Porto, your leader will arrange a short orientation tour in the historic centre. There is plenty to see and we recommend travelling a day earlier if you are interested in exploring the city more. Accommodation: Legendary Porto Hotel (or similar) *Hotel Sao Jose 22 September departure

Day 2 Leave Porto, cycle along the Atlantic to Esposende

Our cycling begins today, tracking the Atlantic north to the coastal town of Esposende; the day has the least climbs, which makes for a nice warm up. The first stage from Porto to the seaside town of Matosinhos is particularly lovely, following the Douro river and Atlantic coastline via a series of esplanades and boardwalks known as the Senda Litoral. We likely pause for lunch at Vila do Conde, a one-time shipbuilding town with a historic centre, standout gothic monastery and a magnificently arched aqueduct. We then continue to our base for the night, Esposende, a seaside town with a well-earned reputation for serving excellent seafood (especially seabass and octopus) and delicious sweet pastries. Accommodation: Hotel Save Mar (or similar)

Day 3 Continue along the coast; lunch in Viana do Castelo; end in Praia de Ancora

Our second day of cycling continues along the Atlantic coastline. After passing the resort town of Povoa de Varzim, we occasionally cycle inland and then cross the Ponte Eiffel, an iron bridge built in 1878 by Gustave Eiffel and his then partner Theophile Seyrig. Our goal is Viana do Castelo, an attractive medieval town with a long maritime history. We enjoy a fish lunch here, before cycling up the coast to Praia de Ancora, a one-time fishing village and now a popular seaside resort with a 17th-century fort (Forte da Lagarteira) and beautiful sandy beaches. We may have a chance to swim in the sea, though the water can be a little cold and choppy. Accommodation: Hotel Meira (or similar)

Day 4 Coastal route and lunch in Oia; quick boat ride to Spain; end in Baiona

Today, we cycle along the coast (taking in more lovely views of the Atlantic as we go) and bid Portugal a fond farewell, taking a five-minute boat ride across the Miño river from the medieval town of Caminha. We will stop for lunch in the quaint seaside village of Oia, home to the 12th-century Santa Maria monastery. Our final destination of the day is the lovely Galician town of Baiona, a favourite vacation destination for the Spanish though little-known by the rest of the world. Upon arrival, we may be able to take a dip in the Atlantic. The bay-sheltered waters here are likely to be a little warmer and calmer than yesterday. Accommodation: Hotel Bahia Baiona (or similar)

Day 5 Cycle to Vigo, lunch in Redondela; arrive in Pontevedra

We continue along the coast today with views of the Cies Islands until we reach the outskirts of Vigo. We follow the river through the city, allowing us to avoid the urban sprawl, before we head to lunch in Redondela, a lovely town known for two 19th-century viaducts and cuttlefish delicacies. After food, we cycle over the 10-arch medieval bridge of Puente Sampayo before climbing the steep pass of Alto da Canicouva. We then descend into our destination for the day, Pontevedra, once a thriving port city and now home to one of the oldest historic quarters in Galicia. Accommodation: Hotel Galicia Palace (or similar)

Day 6 Pedal through rural Galicia; visit Caldas de Reis; finish in Padron

Today we cross the Galician countryside, an idyllic rural landscape dotted with traditional villages. Many of the local people here produce their own white wine and we see their vines as we go. About halfway, we visit Caldas de Reis, where ancient Romans would make use of the hot thermal waters. There is now a fountain here where spring water pours out at a very pleasant temperature. We then continue cycling to Padron, a traditional town and our last stop before Santiago de Compostela. Accommodation: A Casa Antigua do Monte (or similar)

Day 7 Cycle to Santiago de Compostela; walking tour of town and farewell dinner

It’s our final day of cycling and we only have 15.5mi (25km) to cover, allowing us plenty of time in the historic city of Santiago de Compostela. In the afternoon, we enjoy a walking tour of the town, which includes a visit to the cathedral where Saint James is said to have been buried. If you’d like, the guide can take your passport to the Pilgrim’s Office to collect your Compostela certificate, allowing you to avoid the queues and enjoy more of this beautiful holy town. In the evening, we have our farewell group dinner in a nice restaurant in Santiago centre, an excellent chance to relive our adventures together. Accommodation: Hotel Gelmirez (or similar) *Hotel Compostela 9 June departure

Day 8 End Santiago de Compostela

The trip ends after breakfast. Say goodbye to the group and start your return journey home. If you’ve still got the appetite for more exploration, speak to your sales representative to book further nights in our Santiago de Compostela or Porto hotels.