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If you want to stick to the more popular routes, I think starting from Porto is a good idea. Everything I've read suggests that the traffic (and consequently, infrastructure) picks up considerably after Porto. Of course, after Porto there are several options:Hi all!!
I need a little advice to choose which Camino Portugues I will follow.
I was planning to start CN or CF, but yesterday, I thought, why not choose the Camino Portugues? I have never walked that camino and I really have no idea about it.
The start of the Camino I had planned was delayed due to the need to fix some official documents before departing, but now it seems that in less than a week I will be able to start. Being optimistic, I think I could start the Camino on July 29.
As far as reaching Santiago takes more than 10 days, that the Camino is longer or shorter it is not the main issue to decide where to start. (I can always extend the Camino to Finisterre and Muxia or even walk in reverse through the Primitivo or Norte to my hometown). Whatever between 10 days and 1 month will be ok.
I would prefer a Camino that is not too lonely. Considering covid, I think it is better to stick to the more popular routes. Most likely, it will be difficult to find accommodation on the less traveled routes.
My first idea has been to start in Porto. Is that a good idea? Is it better to start in Lisbon? In some other city?
I chose Porto because I think I remember reading some publications that said that the section between Lisbon and Porto is more boring and with fewer facilities (albergues, etc.). Is that correct?
When walking on other caminos, I always recommend some alternative routes that I consider interesting (Samos in CF, Hospitales in Primitivo, etc.). Is there an alternative route that you think I can't miss?
Do you have a link to a site that shows which albergues are open in the Camino Portugues?
I apologize because I understand that I am requesting some kind of complete and personal guide to the Camino Portugues !!
Even opinions about which starting point is best or about which alternative routes are important are highly subjective and personal opinions. But believe me ... your opinions will help me!!
In the meantime, I keep reading every guide I can find in internet, airplane schedules, etc...... And trying to resolve those official documents!!
We did the P in '17, starting in Lisbon. Although enjoyable in its own right, it was lonely in July. We had to skip a couple of stages for lack of accommodations. I remember how happy I was to cross that bridge into Spain and arrive in Tui. I did love the two long days we spent on the coastal route.Hi all!!
I need a little advice to choose which Camino Portugues I will follow.
I was planning to start CN or CF, but yesterday, I thought, why not choose the Camino Portugues? I have never walked that camino and I really have no idea about it.
The start of the Camino I had planned was delayed due to the need to fix some official documents before departing, but now it seems that in less than a week I will be able to start. Being optimistic, I think I could start the Camino on July 29.
As far as reaching Santiago takes more than 10 days, that the Camino is longer or shorter it is not the main issue to decide where to start. (I can always extend the Camino to Finisterre and Muxia or even walk in reverse through the Primitivo or Norte to my hometown). Whatever between 10 days and 1 month will be ok.
I would prefer a Camino that is not too lonely. Considering covid, I think it is better to stick to the more popular routes. Most likely, it will be difficult to find accommodation on the less traveled routes.
My first idea has been to start in Porto. Is that a good idea? Is it better to start in Lisbon? In some other city?
I chose Porto because I think I remember reading some publications that said that the section between Lisbon and Porto is more boring and with fewer facilities (albergues, etc.). Is that correct?
When walking on other caminos, I always recommend some alternative routes that I consider interesting (Samos in CF, Hospitales in Primitivo, etc.). Is there an alternative route that you think I can't miss?
Do you have a link to a site that shows which albergues are open in the Camino Portugues?
I apologize because I understand that I am requesting some kind of complete and personal guide to the Camino Portugues !!
Even opinions about which starting point is best or about which alternative routes are important are highly subjective and personal opinions. But believe me ... your opinions will help me!!
In the meantime, I keep reading every guide I can find in internet, airplane schedules, etc...... And trying to resolve those official documents!!
My wife got so fed up with my switching back and forward that she told me to chose one, so I'll be doing the CP from Porto in mid September.
Hi all!!
I need a little advice to choose which Camino Portugues I will follow.
I was planning to start CN or CF, but yesterday, I thought, why not choose the Camino Portugues? I have never walked that camino and I really have no idea about it.
The start of the Camino I had planned was delayed due to the need to fix some official documents before departing, but now it seems that in less than a week I will be able to start. Being optimistic, I think I could start the Camino on July 29.
As far as reaching Santiago takes more than 10 days, that the Camino is longer or shorter it is not the main issue to decide where to start. (I can always extend the Camino to Finisterre and Muxia or even walk in reverse through the Primitivo or Norte to my hometown). Whatever between 10 days and 1 month will be ok.
I would prefer a Camino that is not too lonely. Considering covid, I think it is better to stick to the more popular routes. Most likely, it will be difficult to find accommodation on the less traveled routes.
My first idea has been to start in Porto. Is that a good idea? Is it better to start in Lisbon? In some other city?
I chose Porto because I think I remember reading some publications that said that the section between Lisbon and Porto is more boring and with fewer facilities (albergues, etc.). Is that correct?
When walking on other caminos, I always recommend some alternative routes that I consider interesting (Samos in CF, Hospitales in Primitivo, etc.). Is there an alternative route that you think I can't miss?
Do you have a link to a site that shows which albergues are open in the Camino Portugues?
I apologize because I understand that I am requesting some kind of complete and personal guide to the Camino Portugues !!
Even opinions about which starting point is best or about which alternative routes are important are highly subjective and personal opinions. But believe me ... your opinions will help me!!
In the meantime, I keep reading every guide I can find in internet, airplane schedules, etc...... And trying to resolve those official documents!!
I resemble his remark except I enjoyed the interior route.My partner and I walked the Portugues from Lisbon last year. To be honest, I'm not convinced by the poor reputation this section of the camino between Lisbon and Porto has. There are some lengthy sections with relatively few alburgues, but there are enough, particularly if you're happy with slightly longer days. It is true that the camino does more or less skirt around and alongside the National Highway 1 for a lot of the route, and there are some relatively unpleasant sections on busy roads (early on between Alverca do Ribatejo and Allhandra, and from Azinhaga to Golega stick in the mind particularly). There are also a few boring days early on when you'll see a LOT of very flat tomato fields. But, in my opinion, that is par for the course. Those sections help define your walk as much as the prettier ones. And once you're past Golega, the Portuguese interior is really very pretty - rolling hills, pine and eucalyptus forests. You also get to pass through Tomar, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to a beautiful city on the river and a Templar castle, and Coimbra, which is a lovely city and well worth a rest day.
That said, if you're not too keen on being lonely, it may not be the route for you. We were fortunate to leave on a good day and had a nice little group of 6-9 people we saw most of the way. However, an Irish pilgrim we met after Porto had started a day after us, and saw virtually no one the whole way to Porto. The traffic was a noticable change of gear after Porto. We took the coastal route, and some places were a little overcrowded in terms of available beds.
The coastal route was great - the first few days we were coated in sea fog, which wasn't ideal, but after that dissipated, it was stunning. Highlights along the route were the church that sits above Viana do Castelo - get the funicular up from the town a) to get a funicular! b) see the church, which is beautiful, and c) take in the view! Also Baiona, a day out from Vigo, is a beautiful place to take a stop. Casa do Sardao, in Carreco, is also hands down one of the best albergue's we've experienced.
What I would recommend, either way, is taking the Variente Espiritual after Pontevedra. Not only is the walk one of the most beautiful bits of any camino I've experienced, but the boat ride from Villa Nova de Arousa to Pontesecures is a special experience!
I would also recommend, either way, staying at the monastery in Herbon, as opposed to staying in Padron, the day before going to Santiago. You'll struggle to find a more welcoming, peaceful place in the world!
Here's some photos, just as a for instance...
Flat farm fields between Santarem and Golega:
View attachment 79183
Leaving Santarem, sunrise over the Rio Tejo:
View attachment 79184
A typical view in the Portuguese interior highlands, taken between Golega and Tomar:
View attachment 79185
On the trail between Alvaiazere and Alvorge:
View attachment 79186
Getting the funicular up to see the church at Viana do Castelo:
View attachment 79187
Boat ride from Villanova de Arousa to Pontesecures:
View attachment 79188
The monastery at Herbon:
View attachment 79189
Which ever way you choose, I wish you Bom Caminho!
Sorry to provide so many pictures and opinions, but I really enjoyed the way!
I resemble this remark also except I enjoyed the interior route. Wanted to do the CP "ssoup to nuts" Wouldn't change a thing.I walked the CP a year or so ago from Lisbon. The Lisbon to Porto section has its merits. There are some very nice towns and cities to visit along the way. It is more (much more) urban than the CF but it definitely has charms of its own. The CP from Porto to Santiago is more like the CF (particularly if you take the central route). The coastal route is level, nice, with very friendly people and great food. If you are looking for s spiritual experience the CP isn't really it (IMHO) but I loved walking it. Just the right mix of smaller numbers of tourists and great places to stay. Others have provided excellent pictures and advice as to the length of the walk.
I enjoyed your photos, robou! Thanks for adding them!My partner and I walked the Portugues from Lisbon last year. To be honest, I'm not convinced by the poor reputation this section of the camino between Lisbon and Porto has. There are some lengthy sections with relatively few alburgues, but there are enough, particularly if you're happy with slightly longer days. It is true that the camino does more or less skirt around and alongside the National Highway 1 for a lot of the route, and there are some relatively unpleasant sections on busy roads (early on between Alverca do Ribatejo and Allhandra, and from Azinhaga to Golega stick in the mind particularly). There are also a few boring days early on when you'll see a LOT of very flat tomato fields. But, in my opinion, that is par for the course. Those sections help define your walk as much as the prettier ones. And once you're past Golega, the Portuguese interior is really very pretty - rolling hills, pine and eucalyptus forests. You also get to pass through Tomar, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to a beautiful city on the river and a Templar castle, and Coimbra, which is a lovely city and well worth a rest day.
That said, if you're not too keen on being lonely, it may not be the route for you. We were fortunate to leave on a good day and had a nice little group of 6-9 people we saw most of the way. However, an Irish pilgrim we met after Porto had started a day after us, and saw virtually no one the whole way to Porto. The traffic was a noticable change of gear after Porto. We took the coastal route, and some places were a little overcrowded in terms of available beds.
The coastal route was great - the first few days we were coated in sea fog, which wasn't ideal, but after that dissipated, it was stunning. Highlights along the route were the church that sits above Viana do Castelo - get the funicular up from the town a) to get a funicular! b) see the church, which is beautiful, and c) take in the view! Also Baiona, a day out from Vigo, is a beautiful place to take a stop. Casa do Sardao, in Carreco, is also hands down one of the best albergue's we've experienced.
What I would recommend, either way, is taking the Variente Espiritual after Pontevedra. Not only is the walk one of the most beautiful bits of any camino I've experienced, but the boat ride from Villa Nova de Arousa to Pontesecures is a special experience!
I would also recommend, either way, staying at the monastery in Herbon, as opposed to staying in Padron, the day before going to Santiago. You'll struggle to find a more welcoming, peaceful place in the world!
Here's some photos, just as a for instance...
Flat farm fields between Santarem and Golega:
View attachment 79183
Leaving Santarem, sunrise over the Rio Tejo:
View attachment 79184
A typical view in the Portuguese interior highlands, taken between Golega and Tomar:
View attachment 79185
On the trail between Alvaiazere and Alvorge:
View attachment 79186
Getting the funicular up to see the church at Viana do Castelo:
View attachment 79187
Boat ride from Villanova de Arousa to Pontesecures:
View attachment 79188
The monastery at Herbon:
View attachment 79189
Which ever way you choose, I wish you Bom Caminho!
Sorry to provide so many pictures and opinions, but I really enjoyed the way!
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