An unhurried Camino Portuguese in mind...how many days should I be thinking?

[LorneB]

Hi, everyone.

I know this is somewhat vague – what is “meaningful” after all? – but I’m hoping the spirit of my question might invite some helpful reflections back.

From what I’ve seen so far, people seem to find that walking the interior CP from Porto takes about ten days, and the coastal route takes about twelve. Would this apply to someone (like me, for instance) who prefers to have time for meaningful interaction with the communities through which I would pass, or should I allow more time? If so, any suggestions as to how much more time?

Thank you.

 

[Mike Savage]

The more time the better for me. There is plenty to do, plenty to see, good food and even better people. It really depends on where you start and how much of the country you want to experience. Last year I spent 2 days in lisbon, 1 day in Fatima, 1 day in Tomar, and two days in Porto before walking the coastal route to Santiago. This year I will walk the central route but will spend more time in Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Ourense, etc. 5 weeks in all.

Good luck with your decision.

Mike

 

[amorfati1]

Splendid idea ... to meander about on your pilgrimage through Portugal.
in May 2014 I stayed about 5 days in the Lisboa area to explore (again) the area and be with friends, also had a rest day in Ponte de Muge, Tomar and Porto (after Porto I kept going without a rest-day... would have loved to stay an extra day in Ponte de Lima, but it did not just rain cats'n'dogs, it was rather the size of tigers'n'horses .... so i kept on to Rubieas (spelling?) - otherwise i would have stayed. lovely town as well.
I was on the camino for exactly 4 weeks, friday to friday. (one section was skipped - aka train-taken, due to a health-hic up) - don't know how long I would have taken had i walked each kilometer. perhaps another 3 days? dunno ... does not matter.
it was a blessed experience either way.
and do allow for some time to de-pilgrim.... in a nice place of your preference after you leave santiago.
at least that's something i'd highly recommend.
best wishes - bom caminho

 

[Aurigny]

To figure this out, you need first to calculate your individual CDA (comfortable daily average). For me, a CDA falls in the low to mid-thirties, in terms of kilometres. That would imply eight walking days, if I were to concentrate on nothing but getting to the destination. An additional three days for rest, exploration or general mooching around would definitely produce an unhurried and leisurely ambience. So if we were to reduce this to a formula: distance divided by CDA, plus 3, will give you a pretty good answer.