Some questions

[GOB]

Planning to walk from Vianna do Costello in September. Have lurked on this forum hoovering up information for a couple of months now. I intend to take the coastal route and possibly the spiritual variant.
Have a couple of questions to ask.

Anyone know if there are any festivals etc taking place along this route in sept I don’t intend booking ahead so want to make sure that the local accommodations aren’t full up.

Do the cafes and bars along the route all have toilets/bathrooms while I realise at some point I will probably have to hang my rear out in the breeze It’s not something I want to do regularly.

 

[jsalt]

Hi, and welcome!

Do the cafes and bars along the route all have toilets/bathrooms

If a licensed establishment provides food and drink they are required by law to have toilet facilities on hand.

 

[GOB]

Thanks for the reply Had guessed as much but wanted to be sure.

Sean

 

[Albertinho]

https://www.feriasemportugal.com/feriados-em-portugal

http://tuescapada.eu/calendario-laboral-regional/14/#2019

In Portuguese and Spanish but with some imagination you can see the common regional and local holidays and feasts

Pega bem e bom caminho

 

[GOB]

Thanks for the. Reply and info looks like it’s relatively clear

Sean

 

[WalkingJane]

If you are going on the Portuguese and are seeing it as a pilgrimage, and/or simply interested in experiencing local festivals, you might want to plan so as to take a side trip for Semana Santa in Braga. It would probably be necessary to book ahead as Portuguese come to Braga for this. There are many albergues/small hotels in the center city. Be sure to be there for the procession the evening of Maundy Thursday and stay through Sunday. Bom Jesus is another pilgrimage site just to the north of Braga; some pilgrims climb those steps on their knees, but there is also a funicular.

 

[Ed Aster]

I did the coastal route last year in May and never had to hang my bum out once. Lack of toilets not an issue on this Camino.

 

[Mycroft]

I did the coastal route last year in May and never had to hang my bum out once. Lack of toilets not an issue on this Camino.

Hey, Ed, may I ask in your time on the Portugues Costal where did you get your water bottle topped off? That is, were there fountains placed along the way or did you stop at bars to ask for tap water or ??? And grocery stores--were there supermarkets or shops handy to buy the day's grub? Thanks.

 

[Ed Aster]

I always watered up before leaving for the day and never had an issue finding water when needed. Bars, cafes, plaza fountains, always water available.

 

[Mycroft]

Hi, and welcome!



If a licensed establishment provides food and drink they are required by law to have toilet facilities on hand.

Is it possible to use the facilities without buying a cup of coffee etc?

 

[trecile]

Is it possible to use the facilities without buying a cup of coffee etc?

Sure, you can get away with it, but I always buy something. Even if it's just a packet of chips.