Place to visit
Portuguese Way, Spain: what it is and when to go
The pilgrim route that runs north from Portugal to Santiago, with Lisbon and above all Porto as the usual starting points. It enters Spain at Tui, after crossing the Miño from Valença, and continues via Pontevedra and Padrón. After the Francés it's one of the busiest routes, with comfortable stages and plenty of villages along the way. The best time to visit is April to June and September to October. In June there are 15 h 06 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 54. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.
In a nutshell
- What it is
- Pilgrims' way · Hiking
- Local name
- Caminho Português de Santiago
- Where
- Spain
- Best time
- April to June and September to October.
- Nearest airport
- MAD Madrid, 473 km as the crow flies
- Trail network
- National
- Coordinates
- 42.45785, -8.60335
What you will see here
- The crossing of the Miño between Valença and Tui, over the iron bridge
- Ponte de Lima and Barcelos, on the Portuguese section
- The Spiritual Variant, with its boat stretch along the Arousa estuary
- Pontevedra and Padrón, on the final run into Santiago
There are two main routes from Porto, inland and coastal, and they don't meet until the north: choose before you set off. For the Compostela you need a stamped credential and to cover at least the last hundred kilometres, which in practice means starting in Tui or earlier.
What it is and where
Portuguese Way is a pilgrims' way (Caminho Português de Santiago) in Spain (Campo Lameiro).
It is in Campo Lameiro, where this site lists 23 more places to see, 11 km from the centre.
Its coordinates are 42.45785, -8.60335; the nearest main airport is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD, Madrid), 473 km as the crow flies. How to get around Spain (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
- Trail network
- National
It is one of the Hiking places in Spain. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.
When to go
The best time to visit Portuguese Way is April to June and September to October.
Spring and autumn spread the accommodation out better; in summer the hostels on the Galician section fill early. In winter it rains a fair amount along the whole route.
- JanPossible9:13
- FebPossible10:20
- MarPossible11:39
- AprBest time13:10
- MayBest time14:25
- JunBest time15:06
- JulPossible14:49
- AugPossible13:44
- SepBest time12:16
- OctBest time10:49
- NovPossible9:32
- DecPossible8:54
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 15 h 06 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 54. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.
When to go to Spain in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Before you go to Spain
To enter Spain there are 6 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Valid ID card or passport”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the Spain checklist. Currency: Euro (EUR); plugs: Type C and F · 230 V · 50 Hz; emergencies: 112.
In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.
What is nearby
- Lérez BeachBeach in Pontevedra, Spain2.9 km
- Marismas de Alba Natural ParkLarge natural park in Pontevedra, Spain3.7 km
- ZEC Río LérezProtected area3.8 km
- Burgo BridgeStone arch bridge in Pontevedra, Spain4.2 km
- Saint Clare's ConventGothic church and convent in Pontevedra, Spain4.2 km
Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the Spain guide.
More in Spain: Hiking
- Camino de Santiago: Catholic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Vía de la Plata: ancient commercial and pilgrimage path
- French Way: pilgrims' way, part of Santiago Way
- E3 European long distance path: walking path
- Northern Way: cultural property in Municipios del Camino, Spain
- E9 European long distance path: walking path, Europe
Every Spain place under Hiking, each with its season, is on its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Portuguese Way?
It is a pilgrims' way (Caminho Português de Santiago in the local language) in Spain.
When is the best time to visit Portuguese Way?
April to June and September to October. In June there are 15 h 06 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 54.
How do you get to Portuguese Way?
The nearest main airport is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), 473 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around Spain is explained in its country guide.
How do I add it to my trip?
With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Spain map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.
What else is around here?
Nearby you have Lérez Beach, Marismas de Alba Natural Park, ZEC Río Lérez. The rest is in the Spain guide.
Keep reading
- Campo Lameiro23 places to see in and around Campo Lameiro, Spain: Lapa de Gargantáns, Marismas de Alba Natural Park, Lérez Beach. Best time: April to June and September to October.
- Hiking4310 places for hiking in Spain, from Camino de Santiago to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: April to June and September to October. Each with its own season by al
- SpainBefore travelling to Spain: 6 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. For visitors from the EU there are no entry formalities: a valid ID card or passport is e…
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, and from Wikidata, CC0. More about Portuguese Way on Wikipedia. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.