Guided Cycling The Portuguese Camino

Welcome to Portugal! From the Francisco Sá Carneiro airport, make your way to your accommodation in the heart of Porto. Depending on your arrival time, get out and explore the attractions of Porto’s historic city center, like the Porto Cathedral and a Port wine cellar or two, stopping to check out the numerous blue painted tiles, or azulejos found throughout.

When it’s time, meet your group at your hotel’s reception to enjoy an evening of dinner and drinks while getting to know your group members as you go over the coming week’s itinerary. Afterward, spend time discovering more of Porto’s sights, receiving your first stamps in your newly received “Pilgrims Passport.”

Start on your Camino Portuguese biking tour! You’ll begin cycling along the Atlantic coast where the first 34 km (21 miles) offers beautiful views of the ocean as you ride through quaint fishing villages and the Mindelo Ornithological Reserve. Reaching the coastal town of Vila do Conde, you’ll have a chance to explore its idyllic port and see the 14th-century Monastery of Santa Clara.

From here, cut inland to pedal the next 32 km (20 miles) over quiet secondary roads, ending the day’s ride in Barcelos, just north of the Cávado River. Take the rest of the day to wander Barcelos’ town center before selecting a restaurant for dinner.

Covering a shorter distance than the day before, today you’ll get to work the legs with a series of (gentle) climbs as you make your way through the vine-striped countryside of undulating hills and small villages.

Famous for its bridge over the Lima River, you’ll arrive in the market town of Ponte de Lima, Portugal’s oldest village. Take the afternoon to stroll the cobblestone streets of the historic town as well as sampling the local gastronomy.

This morning, you’ll continue your way north to Valença, a fortified town that sits at the border with Spain on the banks of the Minho River (Miño in Spanish). Take in the sweeping vistas of northern Portugal’s rural landscape as you climb small mountains and descend into accompanying valleys.

Upon arriving in Valença, sometimes referred to as Valença do Minho, spend a few hours exploring the walls of the 12th-century fortifications that outline the city.

This morning you’ll cross into Spain, cycling over the International Bridge to visit the town of Tui before setting off further north to Pontevedra. Much of the landscape is similar to the days’ before, where you’ll undergo a few gentle climbs before resting the legs with a 10 km downhill ride into Pontevedra.

The capital of its namesake province, Pontevedra sits at the edge of the Fjord of Pontevedra and the mouth of the river Lérez. After checking into your centrally located accommodation, take the rest of the afternoon to experience the city’s attractions in the old quarter, followed by a rewarding meal of local fresh-caught fish paired with Albariño wine.

Continue your cycling journey directly north to Padrón, through the pastoral countryside dotted with small villages. At the half-way mark, you’ll have the opportunity to spend a little time in Caldas de Reis, a historic Roman town settled 2000 years ago for its therapeutic hot springs.

The last leg of today’s ride takes you to Padrón, a town rife with religious and historic significance, believed to be the location where the body of Santiago arrived from Jerusalem en route to Santiago.

Enjoy your final day of cycling with a shorter bike ride to Santiago de Compostela, the culmination of the pilgrimage route. You’ll have enough time once you arrive to see the city sights, including the famous Catedral de Santiago de Compostela. Pedaling all the way to the Praza do Obradoiro—where pilgrims commemorate the end of their expedition—hop off your bike to celebrate your accomplishment as well as take in the intricate details of the cathedral’s façade! Pick up your Compostelana (certificate of completing the pilgrimage) and take the rest of the afternoon and evening to experience lively Santiago de Compostela.

Following breakfast, your Portuguese Camino cycling tour comes to an end. Spend the morning enjoying Santiago de Compostela before making arrangements for your onward journey.