Camino Portugués

The Camino Portugués is a great fit for regular hikers who enjoy long-distance hiking, with daily distances of 12–33km (about 7.5–20.5 miles). Much of the route is gentle, with some hilly sections along the way. A few long days and stretches of cobblestone streets can be surprisingly tiring on your feet, so a good level of fitness will help you enjoy every step. To get trail-ready, we recommend heading out on regular hikes before your trip and working some hills into your routine. Be sure to check the daily distances and elevation gain in your itinerary, so you know exactly what each day has in store.

You’ll hike on a mix of farm and dirt tracks, woodland trails and quiet country roads, which make up around a third of the route. Closer to the larger towns and cities, you’ll also come across some busier roads. The stretch out of Porto runs through a busy road network, but there are quieter alternatives to help you avoid the worst of the traffic.

The route ranges from easy-moderate to moderate, depending on which version of the trip you choose. Each tour has its own grade, but individual days can feel a little easier or tougher than the overall rating.

The accommodation is a mix of small family-run hotels, guesthouses and 3-4 star hotels in the bigger towns and cities, always with your own private en-suite room. Hosts offer a warm welcome, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We recommend booking early, as the area is always popular and hotels and inns can fill up quickly.

There's so much to see and do along the way that many travelers choose to add extra nights, either as a rest day or for some extra sightseeing. If you're walking the whole route solo, we'd suggest not adding too many extra nights, so you don't lose touch with the fellow pilgrims you've met along the way.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome on this tour. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

A local breakfast is included each morning, usually consisting of coffee and bread with jams (there are a couple of exceptions at certain overnight stops where breakfast isn't included). Lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose from the many cafes, restaurants and local shops along the way.

You can start your Camino Portugués any day from the beginning of March to the end of October.

Spring (March to June) is a fantastic choice, with pleasant temperatures, blooming landscapes and fewer crowds than summer, though there’s a chance of spring showers. Summer (July and August) brings intense heat to much of Portugal and Spain, but northern Portugal and Galicia stay milder thanks to their coastal climate. The trails are busy with fellow pilgrims this time of year, which makes for a great atmosphere for meeting people and swapping stories. Fall (September and October) is another excellent time to go, with milder temperatures, beautiful fall colors and quieter trails as the summer crowds thin out, though there’s still a chance of rain.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 18kg/40lbs per person.

It's vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

If you'd rather carry everything yourself, you can select that option when you book.

The route is marked with yellow painted arrows and waymarkers showing the yellow scallop shell symbol. Take a little extra care at intersections, especially as you leave Lisbon and Porto, where the markings can be harder to spot among the city streets.

Finding your way is straightforward with our app, which has maps, GPS tracks and daily route info. Just download everything before you set off, and you can follow the route on your phone. Once you’re on the trail, you won’t need a cell signal for the app to show where you are and track your progress. And if you ever need a hand, our team is available 24/7.

Getting to the Start

Your route to the start depends on which tour you choose.

Lisbon to Santiago (full walk), starting in Lisbon

Lisbon Airport (LIS) is the easiest gateway from North America, with nonstop flights from cities including New York (JFK and EWR), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Washington (IAD) and Toronto (YYZ). TAP Air Portugal flies the widest choice of routes, and United, Delta and American Airlines also fly direct. Flight times from the East Coast are roughly 6 to 7 hours.

Porto to Tui and Porto to Santiago, starting in Porto

Fly into Porto Airport (OPO), which has seasonal nonstop flights from Newark (EWR) and Toronto (YYZ). If there’s no nonstop from your city, you can connect easily through Lisbon (LIS) or another major European hub. Lisbon to Porto is also around 3 hrs by train.

Tui to Santiago (final stage), starting in Tui

From late May through the summer, United flies nonstop from Newark (EWR) to Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) three times a week. Outside the summer season, connect through Madrid (MAD) or another European hub. From Santiago, take the RENFE train to Tui, changing in Vigo (around 2 hrs 30 mins in total).

Planning Your Trip

Need help planning your trip by train? The Comboios de Portugal website is the best place to check schedules in Portugal, and the RENFE website covers trains in Spain.

Getting from the End

Your route home depends on where your trip finishes.

Tours finishing in Santiago

In the summer months, United flies nonstop from Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) back to Newark (EWR). You can also fly via Madrid (MAD) for connections across North America and Europe. Check Santiago Airport’s website for the latest routes.

Prefer to travel overland? RENFE trains run from Santiago to Madrid, and ALSA buses connect Santiago with other cities across Spain.

Porto to Tui, finishing in Tui

To get back to Porto, take a short taxi ride across the international bridge to Valença in Portugal, then a Rede Expressos bus to Porto (around 2 hrs 30 mins in total). From Porto Airport (OPO), you can fly home nonstop or connect via Lisbon (LIS).

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport. Our local partner in Portugal and Spain is also on hand to help if you need support arranging this.

Your Pilgrim Passport (Credencial del Peregrino) and scallop shell will be waiting for you at your first accommodation on Day 1. The Passport is a practical record of your Camino journey, officially issued by the Church of St. James, and the scallop shell (Concha de Vieira) is an iconic symbol of the Camino, worn by pilgrims as a badge of honor.

Along the route, you'll collect stamps (sellos) in your Passport from albergues, churches, cafes and other stops. To earn your Compostela Certificate in Santiago, you need to walk at least the final 100km of the Camino, with your stamps serving as proof of this.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation