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Did the walk last May in 4 weeks at a relatively easy pace. Accommodations are a bit sparse from Lisbon to Porto so I reserved ahead at smaller hotels.
I still have nightmares about cobblestonesThe Spanish have the Inquisition, the Portuguese have cobblestones. Cracks are just wide enough to snag your poles as well.
Lisbon or Madrid works as far as airports. Lisbon has very frequent service and multiple airlines.
But all that said, it was a nice walk.
I walked the Portugues from Lisbon to SdC in 2015. I actually flew into Madrid & caught the overnight train to Lisbon. I had a single compartment with its own bathroom (toilet, sink, shower). I had no particular reason for doing it this way other than it was an added experience. Worked for me.
As I was also returning home from Madrid, it gave the option of leaving additional luggage if I wanted to. There is (or at least, was...) long term luggage storage at Madrid train station for very reasonable rates. From memory, it was €1 per day.
I took 28 days to walk the entire route & this included (a highly recommended) few days in Porto.
As 28 days isn't really a long time, at the end of it, I went on to Muxia & Finisterre.
I don't remember the terrain being difficult at all but what can cause problems are the seemingly endless cobblestones. They are very hard on the feet & tiring for the legs. The cobblestones are quite small & have gaps between them which can cause friction depending on how you step. Footwear which provides a bit of extra height between you & the ground will help absorb this. Also consider carrying foot cushions to go in your shoe if blisters occur. I don't normally get blisters on my long walks but I got some rippers on the Portugues!
Yes, the Lisbon to Porto leg does have its own set of issues but that doesn't by any stretch, mean its not worth doing.
You're out there free, experiencing & walking everyday...& in my view, it doesn't get much better than that.
Bom Caminho
You can get stamps everywhere in Portugal even between Lisboa and Porto. At every bar, restaurant , gasstation etc . A stamp is called karimbo in portuguēs .Two different animals. The Frances is more rural with much much less asphalt and two walking. On the CP, it seemed like 70% was through villages or small cities. That's very nice if you like to see the towns, people, and enjoy "city" life but less so if you're more into nature.
The CP is much less "pilgrimy". But that's not necessarily a bad thing.
They are just a little different. The walk along the coast is really nice (although I had quite a bit of fog). Food on the CP is better (and a little more expensive) that the CF. The route is heavy on fish and shellfish.
Each has it's own charms depending on your personality and likes/dislikes.
I should mention that the CP is perhaps a little less "safe" than the CF. This isn't because of inherent violence. There are just fewer people on the rural sections (until you get to Porto). But don't let that frighten you in the least. You're still safer there than in most countries of the world.
On the Lisbon to Porto leg you may also have more difficulty getting the stamps in your credencial but I still got one or two per day. After Porto, their used to pilgrims and have the usual plethora of stamps available.
Hi Lynne, As a solo female, I had no issues with personal safety in Portugal. The Lisbon to Porto leg does include a few isolated stretches & some days you have to put in extra kms due to lack of accommodation, but by looking ahead, you'll know when those days are & can plan accordingly.I appreciate your input. You are not the first to mention the cobblestones. How about traveling alone from Lisbon to Porto? I always felt safe in Spain, but what is it like in Portugal?
Thanks,
Lynne
Hello,
I am planning my third Camino, but I would like to try the Portuguese way this time. I have a couple questions for those of you who started in Lisbon.
First, did you fly into the Lisbon airport? It seems the obvious choice, but I'm wondering if there is another recommendation.
Second, how long did it take for you to get to Santiago? I have walked the Frances way twice, and walked anywhere from 10-22 miles a day, depending on accommodations, weather, and terrain. I'm ready for the challenge, but I know there are days when you have to be reasonable. I don't know much about the terrain or if it is as mountainous as some of the regions in Northern Spain.
Any basic tips would be helpful. Thanks so much, piligrims.
Hello,
I am planning my third Camino, but I would like to try the Portuguese way this time. I have a couple questions for those of you who started in Lisbon.
First, did you fly into the Lisbon airport? It seems the obvious choice, but I'm wondering if there is another recommendation.
Second, how long did it take for you to get to Santiago? I have walked the Frances way twice, and walked anywhere from 10-22 miles a day, depending on accommodations, weather, and terrain. I'm ready for the challenge, but I know there are days when you have to be reasonable. I don't know much about the terrain or if it is as mountainous as some of the regions in Northern Spain.
Any basic tips would be helpful. Thanks so much, piligrims.
Flew into Lisbon; followed Brierley's guide, but skipped 5 stages.Hello,
I am planning my third Camino, but I would like to try the Portuguese way this time. I have a couple questions for those of you who started in Lisbon.
First, did you fly into the Lisbon airport? It seems the obvious choice, but I'm wondering if there is another recommendation.
Second, how long did it take for you to get to Santiago? I have walked the Frances way twice, and walked anywhere from 10-22 miles a day, depending on accommodations, weather, and terrain. I'm ready for the challenge, but I know there are days when you have to be reasonable. I don't know much about the terrain or if it is as mountainous as some of the regions in Northern Spain.
Any basic tips would be helpful. Thanks so much, piligrims.
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