Welcome to Our Blog on the Camino Portuguese

Camino Portuguese Pilgrimage

From Lisbon to Porto to Santiago de Compostela 

Welcome to our blog on the Camino Portuguese! Over the span of 32 days in April and May, we walked this beautiful and culturally rich pilgrimage trail stretching from Lisbon, Portugal, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. As a naturalist and bird lover (Sonya) and a landscape photographer (Sean), we set out to walk, observe, photograph, and share the journey -  and what we found was unlike any pilgrimage we had previously experienced.

This route, often quieter than the Camino Francés, passes through olive groves, coastal towns, rolling farmland, and historic cities like Fatima, Tomar, Coimbra, and Porto. It offers a deeply reflective experience  As you walk, you'll be surrounded by the peaceful rhythm of rural life and the sounds of nature, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a more tranquil journey.

Along the way, we share:

• Tips and tricks for walking the Camino Portuguese Central Route

• Reflections on nature, history, and trail culture

• Honest accounts of the joys and challenges we encountered

• Reviews of the gear, clothing, and tech we carried

• Advice on planning, training, and navigating the route

Whether you're preparing for your own Camino or just curious about this ancient path, we hope our journal helps you walk more mindfully -  and inspires you to take the first step!

Camino Portuguese Itineraries and Stages

A Return to the Camino de Santiago 

What is a Camino? And Other Great Questions About The Way 

Camino Portuguese: Details and Information 

Sleeping, Eating, and Waymarking on the Camino Portuguese 

Thoughts About the Camino Portuguese 

Planning and Preparing for the Camino Portuguese 

Training and Preparations for Camino de Santiago 

Camino Portuguese: Routes and Variations 

Trekking The Way: Gear and Advice 

Essential Equipment for the Camino Portuguese 

Take Off :Toronto to Lisbon 

Castles and Cathedral : Exploring Lisbon

Camino Portuguese On the Way : Lisbon to Alpriate

Birding Camino de Santiago : Alpriate to Vilafranca de Xira 

Fog, Fields, and Friendship : Vilafrance de Xira to Azambuja 

Wonderful Trails and Magical Albergues : Azambuja to Porto de Muge 

Spring Flowers and Nature : Porto de Muge to Santarem 

Kindness and Natural Beauty : Santarem to Azinhaga 

Taxis and Troubles : Azinhaga to Tomar 

Exploration and Aqueducts : Tomar 

Portuguese Countryside : Tomar to Alvaiazere 

Dark Skies, Sunny Ways : Alvaiazere to Alvorge 

Tilting at Windmills on Camino : Alvorge to Cernache 

Exploring History and Culture : Cernache to Coimbra 

Pastries and Progress : Coimbra to Mealhada 

Vinho Tinto : Mealhada to Algueda 

Amazing Vistas and Pilgrim Meals : Agueda to Albergaria a Nova 

Roman Roads and Railways : Albergaria a Nova to Soa Joao da Madeira 

Urban Trekking on Camino : Sao Joao da Madeira to Grijo 

Forest Pathways and Big Cities : Grijo to Porto 

At the Crossroads : Exploring Porto Portugal

Reflecting on Lisbon to Porto on the Camino Portuguese 

Mosteiros and Museums : Porto to Vairao 

Into the Countryside : Vairao to Barcelos  

Trail Magic : Barcelos to Valinhas 

Roman Legions and Medieval Bridges : Valinhas to Ponte da Lima 

The Pilgrim's Nest : Ponte da Lima to Rubiaes 

Cafes, Cakes, and Castles into Spain : Rubiaes to Tui 

Reflecting on the Camino Portuguese from Porto to Valencia Tui

Final 100 km of the Camino Portuguese : Tui to Saxamonde 

Shells, Arrows, and Pilgrims : Saxamonde to Pontevedra 

Thermal Hot Springs and Wild Birds : Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis 

Road to Santiago : Caldas de Reis to Teo

The Way of Saint James : Teo to Santiago de Compostela 

Camino Portuguese Advice 

Getting Your Compostela in Santiago 

Exploring Santiago de Compostela 

Reflecting on the Camino Portuguese

Songs to work out and trek to for your Camino!

Additional Hiking Adventures to Enjoy

If you enjoyed this hiking adventure, you might also like reading about our walks on the Rota Vicentina / Fisherman's Trail, the Camino Primitivo, the Camino de San Salvador,  the Camino de Madrid, the Camino Portuguese (Coastal and Espiritual),  the Camino Finisterre, the Via Podiensis / GR65, and the Camino Frances.

We have also completed several other long-distance hikes in Canada, including the Bruce Trail, the East Coast Trail, and 20,000 km of the Trans Canada Trail from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic.

 
See you on the trail!