Arrive in Porto, home of Port wine, merchant history and stately bridges connecting the city over the River Douro. Depending on your arrival time you may wish to explore this beautiful coastal city, we recommend paying a visit to Igreja de Sao Francisco for views over the river and walking through the Ribeira district where the medieval streets house many welcoming cafes and photogenic corners. In the evening, a representative will meet you at your hotel with your bikes and will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Today you begin your Camino journey. Hopping on to your bike, your route first takes you through the city to the Douro River, the river responsible for feeding the grapes to produce the regions famous Port. Following the river as it flows to its mouth you can enjoy your first taste of the coast. From here, you begin your pilgrimage north, along the coastline passing wide sandy beaches, cycling on wooden boardwalks and along quiet back roads. Your journey will take you through nature reserves and fishing villages, perfect for pausing for refreshments as you make your way to Vila do Conde, your final goal of today.

Crossing the old bridge into Vila do Conde you cannot help but notice Convento de Santa Clara, dominating the riverbank. Just beyond the convent is an attractive Gothic church and winding cobbled streets waiting to be explored. We recommend heading to the attractive riverside square of Praca da Republica where you can raise a toast to completing the first stage of your Camino overlooking the gardens and river.

Feeling refreshed, today your journey will take you through a series of contrasting landscapes as you ride along the coast and inland through rural agricultural land, forests and small villages. Crossing the River Cavado you soon arrive in the quiet beach resort of Esposende. This lovely town is the perfect stop for a morning coffee with its inviting esplanade, working harbour and traditional Portuguese architecture. Leaving the esplanade behind you pedal inland beneath hillside and along backroads to the jewel of the Costa Verde, Viana do Castelo, your final goal for today.

Arriving in this beautiful town, we recommend taking the restored funicular up to Monte de Santa Luzia, crowned with the neo-Byzantine Templo do Sagrado Coracao de Jesus. Reaching the top you can enjoy spectacular far-reaching views over the town and estuary and you will soon appreciate its significance during the Age of Discovery. The town is rich in palaces, Manueline architecture and grandeur waiting for you to explore.

Having stamped your pilgrim passport, you say farewell to Viana do Castelo and begin your journey towards Oia. Riding beneath the Miradouro Florestal de Afife your route first undulates towards the beachside town of Vila Praia de Ancora before joining a cycle path taking you to historic Caminha, the last stop on the Coastal Camino before crossing the border into Spain. Caminha's pretty town square accented with a clock tower and ornamental fountain make for a relaxing lunch stop.

From Caminha you take the ferry across the River Minho to cross into Galicia, a significant journey as you reach ever closer to your final goal of completing the Camino. Hopping back on your bike you continue through the fishing town of A Guarda and along the scenic coast to the lovely village of Oia and your hotel for the evening.

Today's ride is one of peace as you cycle through farmlands along the coast, punctuated with sleepy villages as you make your way, first to the pretty town of Baiona and on to Vigo. Be sure to pack your swimsuit so you can relax on the lovely beaches of Baiona. The historic trading town of Baiona stands guard at the estuary of the Vigo with its pretty bay and towering fortifications perfect for a midday stop. It is here the La Pinta moored in 1493, after the voyage of discovery to the New World, the first caravel to reach the port; an achievement the town celebrates each year with the Fiesta da Arribada. Continuing on your way you soon reach Vigo with strong its maritime flavour, bustling marina and wide tree lined avenues. Settle into your home for the night and in the evening enjoy a typical Galician delicacy such as Caldo Gallego (a hearty stew with chorizo) with a glass of local wine.

FIESTA DA ARRIBADA: Takes place on 1st March each year to celebrate the arrival of La Pinta, recreating the Renaissance atmosphere throughout the Baiona.

This section of the Camino will take you along the Ria de Vigo estuary, one of the most sublime natural harbours in the world. Accompanied by views of fishermen busy farming mussels and the Cies islands as you cycle from village to village making your way towards Redondela, where the Portuguese Camino and the Coastal Camino merge. You soon arrive in Arcade at the head of the estuary and renowned for having the best oysters in Galicia. From here, you follow a stone path, uphill to the forest, where you can pause for breath before making a final descent to Pontevedra. Once Galicia's largest city, Pontevedra has a fantastic old town to discover. It was here where Columbus' flagship, the Santa Maria, was constructed. Local legend says that Columbus was in fact a Pontevedra nobleman named Pedro Madruga who took on a new identity. We recommend taking time to explore San Francisco Convent, an impressive convent which is said to have been founded by Saint Francis himself back in the 13 century.

Before heading on your bike this morning, we recommend paying a visit to the Pontevedra food market, Mercado de Abastos. Split over 2 floors the market is bustling with locals, tourists and pilgrims in search of the fantastic fresh produce of Rias Baixas; seafood, Albarino wine and fantastic cheeses. The perfect place to pick up snacks for your journey. Your ride begins through peaceful countryside cycling past Santa Maria de Alba, and through woodlands. Just before arriving at your first goal of the day, the spa town of Caldas de Reis you will see St James' statue, leading your way. A reminder that you are reaching ever closer to completing your Camino. Take time to bathe your feet in the hot springs at the centre of Caldas de Reis before pedalling on your way, soon crossing the Ulla River to reach your accommodation in Padron, an important stop along the way for pilgrims. It is said that the granite block which was tied to the boat carrying Saint James is located under the altar of Santiago de Pedron.

Today is the day you will complete the Camino de Portuguese from Porto! Leaving Padron you will cycling through small Galician villages to reach the magnificent sanctuary of Nossa Senora da Escravitutes before heading onto forest trails where you begin to be rewarded with your first glimpses of Santiago and the cathedral towers. An emotional moment for many pilgrims. Pedalling further into the city you will soon arrive at the Faxeira Gate, the entrance of the Portuguese Way to join fellow pilgrims from around the world in reaching the resting place of Saint James in the spectacular cathedral. This is a proud moment and you will have time to absorb it before making your way to your final hotel for a well-earned rest.

PLEASE NOTE: The Cathedral has undergone extensive restorations in recent years and is once again fully open in time for the 2021 Holy Year. A Holy Year which by decree of the Pope has been extended into 2022 to allow the celebrations to continue.

OBTAINING THE COMPOSTELA: To cope with large numbers of pilgrims during the busiest part of the summer months, the pilgrim office has installed a numbered ticketing system for processing your pilgrim's passport. Please be aware that you may have to return to collect your certificate the morning after presenting your passport.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and absorb the accomplishment of completing the Camino Portuguese before making your onward journey.