Comparison between Camino Portugues vs. Frances (winter)

Jiseung Roh said:

Hello. I am Jiseung Roh and planning on Camino this winter.
The reason why I am on camino is to feel solitude and have some time to reflect on myself, and to see great nature. I am wondering whether which Camino has better scenery?
And also I want to know how it is like to go on Camino Portugues in winter.
I heard that accommodation circumstances are fairly good in Camino France but not for the other one...

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Rainerbernd said:

Olá and welcome to the forum. Well, in winter the Portuguese is very easy. The highest hill is only 430 meters and snow is not an issue - it´s mostly rain! Do you want to start in Lisbon or in Porto? Accommodation is fairly good on the Portuguese. Starting in Porto, there are 2 ways to Santiago. The Coastal Way and the Central Way. Because of heavy rains and strong westerly winds at the coast, I prefer the Central Way - nice little villages, churches, woods and all is still green, IMO a beautyful scenery.

Because it´s off season, there are cheap pensions and hostels beside the albergues. Most albergues are open all year round. You need some maps about the Portuguese? Have a look:

http://www.caminador.es/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/0D-INFORMACIONES-DE-INTERES.pdf/

Sorry for not comparing between the CF and the CP. My last Frances was 45 years ago.

BTW have a look at this video about the Central Way. Allright, it is in summer.

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AcrossTheWater3008 said:

Wow....! Thats a great response! Am I glad I will be walking CP in November!! I will be walking the Coastal Way.... could you @Rainerbernd, recommend the stops you would make plus the best alberguesd/hostels/hotels at these stops, bearing in mind its winter. I have booked my first night in Porto as will be getting my credential from the Cathedral, and exploring gorgeous Porto...

Cheers, G

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luvtraveling said:

Wonderful video, thank you! I look forward to walking the Camino Portugues in March 2017.

Denise

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Rainerbernd said:

Olá Denise, I wish you a bom caminho for your CP in March 2017. If you want to stay at Orbitur camp sites, in March no reservation is needed.

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Rainerbernd said:

Olá, the only recommendation for the Coastal Way is for the first stage out of Porto, because I did the Coastal only to Vila do Conde. There I always switched to the Central, Rates > Barcelos ond so on as seen in the video. Well , leaving Porto along the beautiful coast your first stay could be in a nice and fully equiped bungalow on Orbitur Camping Angeiras. 24 km from Porto and open all year round. Restaurant (pilgrim´s menu 9,50 €) and bar on the site. If you make a reservation with all data under infoangeiras@orbitur.pt don´t forget the magic word pilgrim. Doing so, you´ll get the special pilgrim´s price! It´s about 13 € per person. Pilgrim´s menu is also served in the restaurant Mira Pargue, 50 meters outside the camping. Price 5 € - bread, soup, 1/2 litre of wine, main course (fish or meat) and coffee. I can reccomend it, because I work at the campsite as hospitaleiro 5-6 weeks every year. Have a look at the Orbitur website. There are more campsites along the Coastal way. All with pilgrim´s fares. But, please don´t book on the website! No pilgrim´s fare there.

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