Information Please

[scruffy1]

I walked the Camino Portugués four years ago, Lisboa to Santiago in my own particular way and loved every minute – several days in Lisboa then north to Tomar(!), turning left for Fatima, braving the Portuguese drivers as I trooped on westwards to Batalha, north through Leiria , and rejoining the Camino at Coimbra(!). The rest of that Camino was largely clássico – a couple of days in Porto(!) and excepting a short hop from Barcelos to Braga in order to visit the Bom Jesus shrine and another morning walk over to visit Combarro up next to Pontevedra in Spain. Yes I have difficulties following a guidebook, yes I often ignore both warnings and recommendations, and yes I love to walk. Now the plan is for a shorter adventure, Porto to Santiago this fall-leaving by the Coastal Route as far as –well not so far – Viana do Castelo then returning to Ponte de Lima etc. I really do like PdL, Redondela, Pontrvedra, the Casa Museo De Rosalía De Castro in Padrón and I really don't like Vigo further north. I am asking you list your own special places along either way, a church, a shrine, a local museum, perhaps short morning/day excursions On or Off Camino – art architecture history religious secular anything beautiful or intriguing will work. I have plenty of time combined with great interest and while Santiago is always my goal, should I return and try to hang another Compostela on the wall, my wife may shoot me!

 

[CaminoDebrita]

I walked the Camino Portugués four years ago, Lisboa to Santiago in my own particular way and loved every minute – several days in Lisboa then north to Tomar(!), turning left for Fatima, braving the Portuguese drivers as I trooped on westwards to Batalha, north through Leiria , and rejoining the Camino at Coimbra(!). The rest of that Camino was largely clássico – a couple of days in Porto(!) and excepting a short hop from Barcelos to Braga in order to visit the Bom Jesus shrine and another morning walk over to visit Combarro up next to Pontevedra in Spain. Yes I have difficulties following a guidebook, yes I often ignore both warnings and recommendations, and yes I love to walk. Now the plan is for a shorter adventure, Porto to Santiago this fall-leaving by the Coastal Route as far as –well not so far – Viana do Castelo then returning to Ponte de Lima etc. I really do like PdL, Redondela, Pontrvedra, the Casa Museo De Rosalía De Castro in Padrón and I really don't like Vigo further north. I am asking you list your own special places along either way, a church, a shrine, a local museum, perhaps short morning/day excursions On or Off Camino – art architecture history religious secular anything beautiful or intriguing will work. I have plenty of time combined with great interest and while Santiago is always my goal, should I return and try to hang another Compostela on the wall, my wife may shoot me!

You're such a knowledgable and enjoyable walking friend; I wish I had some advice for you, and look forward to hearing what the forum offers up! I am interested in a Camino Porto journey as well, perhaps September / October 2017.

 

[mspath]

Do visit the Iron Age/Roman archeological site/museum at Citania de Santa Luzia on top of the famous hill in Viana do Castelo. The castro ruins are fascinating and the view up and down the coast breathtaking. Located just behind the pousada/ hotel and Santa Lucia church on the same hill you can take either a local bus or funicular to mount the hill.

Viana do Castelo is a very nice seaside town with a pilgrim albergue, S. João da Cruz dos Caminhos. However if you are searching for private accommodation, consider the OLarenjeiro, rua Rua Manuel Espregueira, 24. .It a charming newly furnished small place with a very good dining room. Just before Christmas 2014 a double room with private bath and delicious breakfast was 45 euros. Quite a bargain!

 

[scruffy1]

Do visit the Iron Age/Roman archeological site/museum at Citania de Santa Luzia on top of the famous hill in Viana do Castelo. The castro ruins are fascinating and the view up and down the coast breathtaking. Located just behind the pousada/ hotel and Santa Lucia church on the same hill you can take either a local bus or funicular to mount the hill.

As you know Viana do Castelo is a very nice seaside town with a pilgrim albergue, S. João da Cruz dos Caminhos. However if you are searching for private accommodation, consider the Hotel Residencial Laranjeira, rua Candido dos Reis 45. It a charming newly furnished small place with a very good dining room. Just before Christmas 2014 a double room with private bath and delicious breakfast was 45 euros. Quite a bargain!

Working my maps and my notes Hotel Residencial Laranjeira is perfect! Thanks!!

 

[Theatregal]

Wonder if you've looked at or considered the Variante Espiritual route from Pontevedra to Padron? So many lovely parts to this 3 day walk - in particular the stage out of Armenteira following "La Ruta de la Piedra y del Agua". In Vilanova de Arousa, there is a a wonderful museum - the Casa Museo of the writer Ramón del Valle-Inclán.

 

[amsimoes]

I walked the Camino Portugués four years ago, Lisboa to Santiago in my own particular way and loved every minute – several days in Lisboa then north to Tomar(!), turning left for Fatima, braving the Portuguese drivers as I trooped on westwards to Batalha, north through Leiria , and rejoining the Camino at Coimbra(!). The rest of that Camino was largely clássico – a couple of days in Porto(!) and excepting a short hop from Barcelos to Braga in order to visit the Bom Jesus shrine and another morning walk over to visit Combarro up next to Pontevedra in Spain. Yes I have difficulties following a guidebook, yes I often ignore both warnings and recommendations, and yes I love to walk. Now the plan is for a shorter adventure, Porto to Santiago this fall-leaving by the Coastal Route as far as –well not so far – Viana do Castelo then returning to Ponte de Lima etc. I really do like PdL, Redondela, Pontrvedra, the Casa Museo De Rosalía De Castro in Padrón and I really don't like Vigo further north. I am asking you list your own special places along either way, a church, a shrine, a local museum, perhaps short morning/day excursions On or Off Camino – art architecture history religious secular anything beautiful or intriguing will work. I have plenty of time combined with great interest and while Santiago is always my goal, should I return and try to hang another Compostela on the wall, my wife may shoot me!

This is the central way (Caminho Central: Lisboa-Coimbra-Porto-Santiago)), is not the way interior (Caminho Interior: Viseu to Santiago).