Places I stayed May 2 - 28, 2014 on Caminho Portuguese - (w/ images part I)

[amorfati1]

Good evening -
Had meant to post this much earlier: my accommodation info of each place I stayed/rested on my recent Caminho - (to the best of my recollection)
Feel free to ask for further details if needed. And pardon the clumsy photo images below; but thought that some visual might be useful.
Very best Wishes, Claudia

Accommodations in Azambuja
Residencial Flor da Primavera, Rúa Conselheiro Arouca, 21 (Tel. 263-403-263). 30euro for a TINY double room with an even tinier bathroom and postal-stamp size shower. No breakfast. No Wifi. Restaurant "Totilla" near by, decent dinner and breakfast. (Was recommended by Flor owner) Call ahead to reserve for accommodation; owner speaks minimal english only. -
>>> 16.4 km
Accommodations PORTO DE MUGE (UPDATE: July 2016: a pilgrim reported that ownership has changed (as told by Via Lusitana) - the Quinta does no longer accept pilgrims. But apparently there is Casa Del Rio, 500 meters onwards, which offers accommodations for 15euros.)
Quinta da Marchanta - Rural Tourism Farm (From 20euro single; spacious accommodation; bath tub bathroom) - White/blue estate next to river Tejo. Has large blue metal gate as entrance. Old fashioned bell to ring. No breakfast, but kitchen well stocked w/ equipment. Pool. Wifi (if you sit in the courtyard near the owners residence) phone contact: 910 967 415. Very kind and helpful owner. Quinta is exactly between Azambuja and Santarem. Very peaceful rural setting. Loved it there.
>>> 15.9 km
Accommodations in SANTARÉM
Santarém Hostel (Preço para Peregrinos) c/o Mario
Rua Eng. António Antunes Júnior, 26 -- Tel.: (+351) 243 322 256 / (+351) 965 832 702
santaremhostel@sapo.pt santaremhostel.blogspot.com ; lovely place, great courtyard, stone sink (soap provided) for laundry, bar, decent breakfast, center of historic town, wifi. Enjoyed a restaurant nearby, "Solaio" - not sure about spelling, do ask Mario though, he'll know.
>>> 21 km
To get to Azinhaga, just follow the street signs Azinhaga instead of following the yellow markings. You cannot miss the village because you walk through a flat landscape.)
Accommodations in Azinhaga,
Casa di Azinhaga - 35euro single, bath tub bathroom, with breakfast, (highly recommend to skip breakfast, just take room - 30 euros) Clean; but common area strong mold/mildew smell. Less so in bedroom. This place has a clean and sizable swimming pool! which i thoroughly enjoyed. Restaurant at entrance of small town (left hand side) serves decent meals. forgot name (Dos Matador?) There is another place near by (near Casa Santa Spirito; right hand side) that also rents room and appears much less ‘crypt’ like in the smell department. Might be preferable?!
Solar do Espirito Santo - Rua do Espirito Santo, 25, 2150-034 Azinhaga,
>>> 7.4 km>>> 5.6 km>>> 5.5 km
Accommodations in Atalaia
Casa Do Patriarca - on Rúa D. Afonso Henriques (2 km). Café Monteiro before stop sign, fountain and tables on L shortly after stop sign. KSO and pass Casa do Patriarca (rural tourism B&B). 6 rooms, 50€ for a double. Kitchen for guests’ use to cook, or there is a restaurant 100 m away. Very nice gardens and common rooms. Tel. 24 971 0581; www.casadopatriarca.pt.vu. (lovely place too, very kind hosts; in May '14 construction still ongoing and noisy - owners apologetic. wifi in common sitting area. Some mold problem (to my nose) but nonetheless very clean. Bath tub bathroom. can't remember what i paid. 30 or 35 or 40 euros.
>>> 19 km
Accommodations in Tomar
Hostel 2300 Tomar -- 12,50 € / 15 € R. Serpa Pinto, 43 Tel: 965 515 100 -- 2300thomar@gmail.com; renovated house in center of historic town, well done but noisy acoustics (no fabric to muffle sounds) - Nice hosts. Wifi. they offer service (for 10 euros) to pilgrims who ask to be transported out of town to shorten walking stage. (to Alvaiazere it’s a 35+km walk. took that service as I was not willing to walk that much on one day quite yet)

Also stayed at Residencial União (Rúa Serpa Pinto 94, tel. 249 323 161) - 20 euro; tiny room, wifi, but still a pleasant enough place; helpful owner; wifi in common sitting area/ outside patio
All of these places are on or next to the Caminho. For a good meal, try Casa Antiga on the Rua Serpa Pinto. Loved staying in Tomar. Stayed two nights; visited castello twice; convento once. The pastry place across from the Hostel has dangerously yummy Pastei de Nata ....
>>> 35+ km
Accommodations in ALVAIÁZERE
Albergaria Pinheiro’s - Price for Pilgrims 10 € c/o Carlos
R. Dr. Acúrsio Lopes, 1 (near the Church) Tel: 915 440 196 / 911 150 817 / 925 850 756 http://www.albergariapinheiros.com/ 3 rooms, one bath, simple kitchen. friendly owners.
>>> 14.5 km
Accommodations in ANSIÃO
Residencial Adega Tipica – 236 677 364 – Carlos e Joao. – rua Combatentes da Grande Guerra
20euros for pilgrims, good lunch 10euros for pilgrims (including wine, desert, soup, salad etc) Very clean, well kept, bathtub; wifi in restaurant. Owner used to work in Germany and still speaks that language as well. That town got some really yummy pastry places ... - next morning we stopped @ Cafe/Pastry place on the RIGHT side of street. to recommend.
In Alvorge also accommodation possiblity, but did not stay. Cafe owner @ towncenter very helpful/pilgrim friendly.
>>> 9.4 km>>> 8.6 km
Accommodations in RABAÇAL
Casa de Turismo do Rabaçal - Price for Pilgrims: 15 €
Rua da Igreja - Tel. 918 752 990 / 917 620 982 / 239 569 371 pousadadorabacal@gmail.com
some rooms (and reception area) have mold-issues.
Cafe Bonito near by (same side of street, 50meters up) serves good wine, cheese, simple and tasty home made meals. Lovely outdoor seating under vines. free wifi @ Cafe.
Accommodations in Coimbra/Santa Clara
Albergue Rainha Santa Isabel - outside Coimbra, before you cross the river. 12/14 beds – 8 € In the Igreja Rainha Santa Isabel, Mosteiro Santa Clara-a-Nova -- Ask at the sacristy of the church, till 19:00hr
Tel: 239 441 674. After 18:30 -> 934 596 564 / 916 008 988 / 966 321 235 www.rainhasantaisabel.org
-- well equipped kitchen available. Loved staying there, even if it only had one bathroom for 14 beds. (luckily that night it was not booked to capacity, only 8 pilgrims in 2 rooms. Apparently, a 2. bathroom is being constructed) Took guided tour of church, courtyard and cloister. highly recommended. Wifi only in reception area (walls are so thick, wifi won’t reach other areas) Door closes @ 22:00hr
===
images
1 - 3: Porto de Muge - Quinta
4 - 5: Santarem - Hostel
6: Azinhaga - Casa di Azinhaga -
7: Atalaia - Garden view
8: Tomar - Pensao U
9 : Ansiao - Adega Tipica
10: Coimbra/Santa Clara - Albergue in Monastery Rainha Isabel
(more images to follow in additional/separate posting
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...on-caminho-portuguese-w-images-part-ii.27903/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...n-caminho-portuguese-w-images-part-iii.27904/

 

[hnguyen]

Good evening -
Had meant to post this much earlier: my accommodation info of each place I stayed/rested on my recent Caminho - (to the best of my recollection)
Feel free to ask for further details if needed. And pardon the clumsy photo images below; but thought that some visual might be useful.
Very best Wishes, Claudia

Accommodations in Azambuja
Residencial Flor da Primavera, Rúa Conselheiro Arouca, 21 (Tel. 263-403-263). 30euro for a TINY double room with an even tinier bathroom and postal-stamp size shower. No breakfast. No Wifi. Restaurant Totilla near by, decent dinner and breakfast. (Was recommended by Flor owner) Call ahead to reserve -
>>> 16.4 km
Accommodations PORTO DE MUGE
Quinta da Marchanta - Rural Tourism Farm (From 20euro single; bath tub bathroom) - White/blue estate next to river Tejo. Has large blue metal gate as entrance. Old fashioned bell to ring. No breakfast, but kitchen well stocked w/ equipment. Pool. Wifi (if you sit in the courtyard near the owners residence) phone contact: 910 967 415. Very kind and helpful owner. Quinta is exactly between Azambuja and Santarem. Very peaceful rural setting. Loved it there.
>>> 15.9 km
Accommodations in SANTARÉM
Santarém Hostel (Preço para Peregrinos) c/o Mario
Rua Eng. António Antunes Júnior, 26 -- Tel.: (+351) 243 322 256 / (+351) 965 832 702
santaremhostel@sapo.pt santaremhostel.blogspot.com ; lovely place, great courtyard, stone sink (soap provided) for laundry, bar, decent breakfast, center of historic town, wifi.
>>> 21 km
(So if you are around and want to go to this albergue, just follow the signs Azinhaga instead of following the yellow markings. You cannot miss the village because you walk through a flat landscape.)
Accommodations in Azinhaga,
Casa di Azinhaga - 35euro single, bath tub bathroom, with breakfast, (recommend to skip breakfast, just take room - 30 euros) Clean, but common area strong mold/mildew smell. Less so in bedroom. This place has a clean and sizable swimming pool! which i thoroughly enjoyed. Restaurant at entrance of small town (left hand side) serves decent meals. forgot name (Matador?) There is another place near by (near Casa Santa Spirito; right hand side) that also rents room and appears much less ‘crypt’ like in the smell department
>>> 7.4 km>>> 5.6 km>>> 5.5 km
Accommodations in Atalaia
Casa Do Patriarca - on Rúa D. Afonso Henriques (2 km). Café Monteiro before stop sign, fountain and tables on L shortly after stop sign. KSO and pass Casa do Patriarca (rural tourism B&B). 6 rooms, 50€ for a double. Kitchen for guests’ use to cook, or there is a restaurant 100 m away. Very nice gardens and common rooms. Tel. 24 971 0581; www.casadopatriarca.pt.vu. (lovely place too, kind hosts; in May '14 construction still ongoing and noisy - owners apologetic. wifi in common sitting area. Some mold problem (to my nose) but nonetheless very clean. Bath tub bathroom. can't remember what i paid. 30 or 35 or 40 euros.
>>> 19 km
Accommodations in Tomar
Hostel 2300 Tomar -- 12,50 € / 15 € R. Serpa Pinto, 43 Tel: 965 515 100 -- 2300thomar@gmail.com; renovated house in center of historic town, well done but noisy acoustics (no fabric to muffle sounds) - Nice hosts. Wifi. they offer service (for euros) to pilgrims who ask to be transported out of town to shorten walking stage. (to Alvaiazere it’s a 35+km walk. took that service as I was not willing to walk that much on one day quite yet)

ALSO: Residencial União (Rúa Serpa Pinto 94, tel. 249 323 161) - 20 euro; tiny room, wifi, but still a pleasant enough place; helpful owner; wifi in common sitting area/ outside patio
All of these places are on or next to the Caminho. For a good meal, try Casa Antiga on the Rua Serpa Pinto. Loved staying in Tomar. Stayed two nights; visited castello twice; convento once.
>>> 35+ km
Accommodations in ALVAIÁZERE
Albergaria Pinheiro’s - Price for Pilgrims 10 € c/o Carlos
R. Dr. Acúrsio Lopes, 1 (near the Church) Tel: 915 440 196 / 911 150 817 / 925 850 756 http://www.albergariapinheiros.com/ 3 rooms, one bath, simple kitchen. friendly owners.
>>> 14.5 km
Accommodations in ANSIÃO
Residencial Adega Tipica – 236 677 364 – Carlos e Joao. – rua Combatentes da Grande Guerra
20euros for pilgrims, good lunch 10euros for pilgrims (including wine, desert, soup, salad etc) Very clean, well kept, bathtub; wifi in restaurant. That town got some really yummy pastry places ...
>>> 9.4 km>>> 8.6 km
Accommodations in RABAÇAL
Casa de Turismo do Rabaçal - Price for Pilgrims: 15 €
Rua da Igreja - Tel. 918 752 990 / 917 620 982 / 239 569 371 pousadadorabacal@gmail.com
Cafe Bonito near by (same side of street, 50meters up) serves good wine, cheese, simple and tasty home made meals. Lovely outdoor seating under vine. wifi @ Cafe.
Accommodations in Coimbra/Santa Clara
Albergue Rainha Santa Isabel - outside Coimbra, before you cross the river. 12/14 beds – 8 € In the Igreja Rainha Santa Isabel, Mosteiro Santa Clara-a-Nova -- Ask at the sacristy of the church, till 19:00hr
Tel: 239 441 674. After 18:30 -> 934 596 564 / 916 008 988 / 966 321 235 www.rainhasantaisabel.org
-- well equipped kitchen available. Loved staying there, even if it only had one bathroom for 14 beds. (luckily that night it was not booked to capacity, only 8 pilgrims in 2 rooms) Took tour of church, courtyard and cloister. highly recommended. Wifi only in reception area (walls are so thick, wifi won’t reach other areas) Door closes @ 22:00hr
===
images
1 - 3: Porto de Muge - Quinta
4 - 5: Santarem - Hostel
6: Azinhaga - Casa di Azinhaga -
7: Atalaia - Garden view
8: Tomar - Pensao U
9 : Ansiao - Adega Tipica
10: Coimbra/Santa Clara - Albergue in Monastery Rainha Isabel
(more images to follow in additional/separate posting

Claudia: thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed info and recommendation. Have bought my plane ticket for October and am sure your info will come in handy.

 

[amorfati1]

Claudia: thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed info and recommendation. Have bought my plane ticket for October and am sure your info will come in handy.

So happy for you ! and glad to know the info is useful --- Looking forward for your tales!
Have a blessed time in a beautiful and heartfelt country.
Bom Caminho!

 

[peregrina2000]

So happy for you ! and glad to know the info is useful --- Looking forward for your tales!
Have a blessed time in a beautiful and heartfelt country.
Bom Caminho!

Hi Claudia. Thanks for this. It has some great info for next year's CSJ guide. Did you ever write up the later parts? If so I think it'd be very helpful to have a link to that thread(s) here to make it all easier to find. Or just paste it in here as a new post. Thanks much. Laurie.

 

[Camembert]

Claudia. You did a great job.
Now I am obliged to give our recommendations too !. Ha ha ! Will do it later. The dentist is waiting within an hour !

 

[amorfati1]

Hi Claudia. Thanks for this. It has some great info for next year's CSJ guide. Did you ever write up the later parts? If so I think it'd be very helpful to have a link to that thread(s) here to make it all easier to find. Or just paste it in here as a new post. Thanks much. Laurie.

Dear Laurie - thanks much to you too!
the later parts (II and III) were also posted at the same time - here are the links:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...on-caminho-portuguese-w-images-part-ii.27903/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...n-caminho-portuguese-w-images-part-iii.27904/

each post only allowed for 10 photo images, hence I did a 'split'
Please do let me know what you think/suggest would be a better/best way to make this info easier to notice/see.
Serene Labour Day to all the US peregrinos and peregrinas ...Saluti!

 

[peregrina2000]

Thanks. This is great. I guess that the reason I never saw these threads is because I was walking into Santiago when you posted it! I will read it all carefully for the update to the CSJ guide. Muito obrigada.

 

[Camembert]

Well Claudia Back from the dentist's. No complaints. Aproved for another 6 month

Here we go. Our places we stayed last year.

We , my wife and I started in Lisbon ,rented an appartment 50 steps away from the Sé cathedral in Alfama. From the balcony we saw the cathedral.
I found this appartment on my Iphone app AIRBNB. See picture above. App left under - (I found a nice room the same way in Santiago opposite the busstation this year after finishing the camiño Ingles )

Day 1
Okay from Lisbon we walked a short hike to the Pousada de Juventude in Moscavide on the parque des naçaoes, the 1998 World Exhibition park. North of Lisbon tel +351 218 920 890 about 20 € for us two
Nice place to stay , clean Restaurant for diner or breakfast.

Day 2
we walked to Alverca do Ribatejo but took the train from there to Azambuja to skip the track to Azambuja, avoiding walking along side the busy N10 road.
In Azambuja we stayed in the same hostal as Claudia, Flor da Primaveira. Tel + 351 967 067 381.

Day 3
we stayed in Mario's albergue in Santarèm ,just like Claudia. Tel +351 965 832 702 or at at Santarėm albergue here on the forum or on Facebook.
I loved the stay there dearly because just like me, Mario is a guitarist and has his collection of great guitars in his living room so there was an oportunity to play some chords.

Day 4
we stayed in Golegã at Pensão Solo Duro. Tel + 351 249 976 802 In the garden of a beatifull house are two gardenhouse with kitchen etc. We used a room with double bed We loved it very much .very clean. The lady of the house was very helpfull.

Day 5
we stayed at the Bombeiros Volontarios in Tomar. The volontairy firebrigade.
Just to try it . It was okay for one night but once and no more again.
Don't forget to visit the convento de Cristo as Claudia mentioned. We forgot to visit this place last year but were here this year. We specially came to Tomar for it.

Day 6
we stayed in pensão o Bras in Alvaiazère. Tel. +351 236 655 405
Very nice and clean place and a good restaurant on the groundfloor.

Day 7
we stayed in Ansião in Hostal Adega Tipica just in the center
Not the most modern but good beds, clean and a good restaurant for a good typical Portugese bacalhão fish meal or a steak (this steak was that big that a whole family could eat from it for a whole week

Day 8
we stayed in Rabaçal in a kind of albergue a casa da Turismo. Tel +351 918 752 990
The restaurant/bar owner,as Claudia mentioned,phoned for us to somebody who came with the key to let us in. Clean room , clean beds. The restaurant bar served us cheese, cheese and cheese, a speciality of the region. In the morning they prepared , us a good breakfast.

Day 9
we stayed at the schoolcampus of the Jesuites,Colégio da Imaculada Conceição.
tel. +351 239940030.
In Cernache, just some miles before Coimbra. we stayed in a house on the campus with several rooms, bunkbeds, showers,toilets.
You have to phone in advance so that the concierge knows you are coming. The stay was for free and they stamp your credential. I suppose it is closed during schoolholiday time. We were there in May
At 21 h00 the gate closes so you have to be in. A restaurant is opposite the gate for a burger, sandwich.the gate opens at 7h00 in the morning and at that time the restaurant serves a breakfast.
Nice experience to stay there.

Day 9 and 10
we stayed in Coimbra in pensão Avenida .Tel +351 239 829 202. A few meters away from the tourist office at the quay of the river and opposite the bridge. A former Grand Hotel with the grandeur of the ancient times. The rooms and bedsare okay but a little bit over the date for a matter of speaking.
They have no restaurant themselves but inside the house was a Pakistani restaurant with no guests when we where there.but Coimbra offers a lot for everybody. Donot forget to go to the Fado show opposite the cathedral and the medieval university buildings. Beautiful !

Day 11
we stayed in Mealhada Serdanello at albergue Hilario. Tel 351 916 191 721 Hilario is outside and past Mealhada at the N1 mainroad. The albergue has single and double rooms aswell rooms with bunkbeds. they offer a common pilgrimsdiner. Very cosy .

Day 12
Agueda where we stayed in residencial Celeste which is situated 2 km outside the center in the direction od Albergaría-a-Velha. Tel.+ 351 234 602 871 Nice and clean No restaurantfacility so you have to go downhill to the center and uphill back after finishing. The breakfast will be served in the residential.

Day 13.
Just two kms outside Albergaría-a-Velha in direction São João de Madeira is casa Diocesana nearby the Sanctuario de Nossa Senhora del Socorro.a retraîte house, lead by nuns.tel. +351 234 522 422
Bunkbeds,showers and toilets Big rooms. Very special experience to stay there. We loved it. The surroundings are beautiful. It is situated upon a big hill ,accesable by a very steep road. In front a very big Maria statue ,directly recognisable when you pass it on the caminho.The nuns setve a simple lunch, diner and breakfast. We paid 3 € each for everything.

Day 14
Oliveira de Azemeís. We stayed in pensão Anacleta. We can be short about this place Forget it. Filthy, dirty . There was a nice panadería bakershop with wifi and nice food where we stayed as long as possible so we could forget this terrible place. Better stay in hotel Dighton tel.+ 351 256 682 191

Day 15
São João da Madeira. We stayed in pensão Solar. Tel +351 256 202 540. At the main square. Nice place pilgrim friendly. Not very modern but more than okay. Restaurants all around Breakfast in the hotel.

Day 16 and 17
Porto. We stayed in hostal Duas Naçãoes in the center. Was not a succes. We had a small room without a window. It was very rumourous and noisy. In the middle of the night people came in stamping on the wooden stairs,shouting talking loud. There are better places in Porto I read on this forum.

Well Claudia. We both are now in Porto.
Tomorrow I will continue the second leg to Santiago.
Boa noite. Good night

 

[Camembert]

Good evening -
Had meant to post this much earlier: my accommodation info of each place I stayed/rested on my recent Caminho - (to the best of my recollection)
Feel free to ask for further details if needed. And pardon the clumsy photo images below; but thought that some visual might be useful.
Very best Wishes, Claudia

Accommodations in Azambuja
Residencial Flor da Primavera, Rúa Conselheiro Arouca, 21 (Tel. 263-403-263). 30euro for a TINY double room with an even tinier bathroom and postal-stamp size shower. No breakfast. No Wifi. Restaurant "Totilla" near by, decent dinner and breakfast. (Was recommended by Flor owner) Call ahead to reserve for accommodation; owner speaks minimal english only. -
>>> 16.4 km
Accommodations PORTO DE MUGE
Quinta da Marchanta - Rural Tourism Farm (From 20euro single; spacious accommodation; bath tub bathroom) - White/blue estate next to river Tejo. Has large blue metal gate as entrance. Old fashioned bell to ring. No breakfast, but kitchen well stocked w/ equipment. Pool. Wifi (if you sit in the courtyard near the owners residence) phone contact: 910 967 415. Very kind and helpful owner. Quinta is exactly between Azambuja and Santarem. Very peaceful rural setting. Loved it there.
>>> 15.9 km
Accommodations in SANTARÉM
Santarém Hostel (Preço para Peregrinos) c/o Mario
Rua Eng. António Antunes Júnior, 26 -- Tel.: (+351) 243 322 256 / (+351) 965 832 702
santaremhostel@sapo.pt santaremhostel.blogspot.com ; lovely place, great courtyard, stone sink (soap provided) for laundry, bar, decent breakfast, center of historic town, wifi. Enjoyed a restaurant nearby, "Solaio" - not sure about spelling, do ask Mario though, he'll know.
>>> 21 km
To get to Azinhaga, just follow the street signs Azinhaga instead of following the yellow markings. You cannot miss the village because you walk through a flat landscape.)
Accommodations in Azinhaga,
Casa di Azinhaga - 35euro single, bath tub bathroom, with breakfast, (highly recommend to skip breakfast, just take room - 30 euros) Clean; but common area strong mold/mildew smell. Less so in bedroom. This place has a clean and sizable swimming pool! which i thoroughly enjoyed. Restaurant at entrance of small town (left hand side) serves decent meals. forgot name (Matador?) There is another place near by (near Casa Santa Spirito; right hand side) that also rents room and appears much less ‘crypt’ like in the smell department
>>> 7.4 km>>> 5.6 km>>> 5.5 km
Accommodations in Atalaia
Casa Do Patriarca - on Rúa D. Afonso Henriques (2 km). Café Monteiro before stop sign, fountain and tables on L shortly after stop sign. KSO and pass Casa do Patriarca (rural tourism B&B). 6 rooms, 50€ for a double. Kitchen for guests’ use to cook, or there is a restaurant 100 m away. Very nice gardens and common rooms. Tel. 24 971 0581; www.casadopatriarca.pt.vu. (lovely place too, very kind hosts; in May '14 construction still ongoing and noisy - owners apologetic. wifi in common sitting area. Some mold problem (to my nose) but nonetheless very clean. Bath tub bathroom. can't remember what i paid. 30 or 35 or 40 euros.
>>> 19 km
Accommodations in Tomar
Hostel 2300 Tomar -- 12,50 € / 15 € R. Serpa Pinto, 43 Tel: 965 515 100 -- 2300thomar@gmail.com; renovated house in center of historic town, well done but noisy acoustics (no fabric to muffle sounds) - Nice hosts. Wifi. they offer service (for 10 euros) to pilgrims who ask to be transported out of town to shorten walking stage. (to Alvaiazere it’s a 35+km walk. took that service as I was not willing to walk that much on one day quite yet)

Also stayed at Residencial União (Rúa Serpa Pinto 94, tel. 249 323 161) - 20 euro; tiny room, wifi, but still a pleasant enough place; helpful owner; wifi in common sitting area/ outside patio
All of these places are on or next to the Caminho. For a good meal, try Casa Antiga on the Rua Serpa Pinto. Loved staying in Tomar. Stayed two nights; visited castello twice; convento once. The pastry place across from the Hostel has dangerously yummy Pastei de Nata ....
>>> 35+ km
Accommodations in ALVAIÁZERE
Albergaria Pinheiro’s - Price for Pilgrims 10 € c/o Carlos
R. Dr. Acúrsio Lopes, 1 (near the Church) Tel: 915 440 196 / 911 150 817 / 925 850 756 http://www.albergariapinheiros.com/ 3 rooms, one bath, simple kitchen. friendly owners.
>>> 14.5 km
Accommodations in ANSIÃO
Residencial Adega Tipica – 236 677 364 – Carlos e Joao. – rua Combatentes da Grande Guerra
20euros for pilgrims, good lunch 10euros for pilgrims (including wine, desert, soup, salad etc) Very clean, well kept, bathtub; wifi in restaurant. Owner used to work in Germany and still speaks that language as well. That town got some really yummy pastry places ... - next morning we stopped @ Cafe/Pastry place on the RIGHT side of street. to recommend.
In Alvorge also accommodation possiblity, but did not stay. Cafe owner @ towncenter very helpful/pilgrim friendly.
>>> 9.4 km>>> 8.6 km
Accommodations in RABAÇAL
Casa de Turismo do Rabaçal - Price for Pilgrims: 15 €
Rua da Igreja - Tel. 918 752 990 / 917 620 982 / 239 569 371 pousadadorabacal@gmail.com
some rooms (and reception area) have mold-issues.
Cafe Bonito near by (same side of street, 50meters up) serves good wine, cheese, simple and tasty home made meals. Lovely outdoor seating under vines. free wifi @ Cafe.
Accommodations in Coimbra/Santa Clara
Albergue Rainha Santa Isabel - outside Coimbra, before you cross the river. 12/14 beds – 8 € In the Igreja Rainha Santa Isabel, Mosteiro Santa Clara-a-Nova -- Ask at the sacristy of the church, till 19:00hr
Tel: 239 441 674. After 18:30 -> 934 596 564 / 916 008 988 / 966 321 235 www.rainhasantaisabel.org
-- well equipped kitchen available. Loved staying there, even if it only had one bathroom for 14 beds. (luckily that night it was not booked to capacity, only 8 pilgrims in 2 rooms. Apparently, a 2. bathroom is being constructed) Took guided tour of church, courtyard and cloister. highly recommended. Wifi only in reception area (walls are so thick, wifi won’t reach other areas) Door closes @ 22:00hr
===
images
1 - 3: Porto de Muge - Quinta
4 - 5: Santarem - Hostel
6: Azinhaga - Casa di Azinhaga -
7: Atalaia - Garden view
8: Tomar - Pensao U
9 : Ansiao - Adega Tipica
10: Coimbra/Santa Clara - Albergue in Monastery Rainha Isabel
(more images to follow in additional/separate posting
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...on-caminho-portuguese-w-images-part-ii.27903/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...n-caminho-portuguese-w-images-part-iii.27904/

Loved restaurante casa Antigua in Tomar and specially their red housewine .Took some bottles home ! Nice medieval restaurant with medieval atmosphere, candles, medieval music. Next to the townhall

 

[amorfati1]

View attachment 13317 Well Claudia Back from the dentist's. No complaints. Aproved for another 6 month

Here we go. Our places we stayed last year.

We , my wife and I started in Lisbon ,rented an appartment 50 steps away from the Sé cathedral in Alfama. From the balcony we saw the cathedral.
I found this appartment on my Iphone app AIRBNB. See picture above. App left under - (I found a nice room the same way in Santiago opposite the busstation this year after finnishing the camiño Ingles )

Okay from Lisbon we walked a short hike to the Pousada de Juventude in Moscavide on the parque des naçaoes, the 1998 World Exhibition park. North of Lisbon
Nice place to stay , clean Restaurant for diner or breakfast.

Day 2 we walked to Alverca do Ribatejo but took the train from there to Azambuja to skip the track to Azambuja, avoiding walking along side the busy N10 road.
In Azambuja we stayed in the same hostal as Claudia, Flor da Primaveira.

Day 3 we stayed in Mario's albergue in Santarèm ,just like Claudia.
I loved the stay there dearly because just like me, Mario is a guitarist and has his collection of great guitars in his living room so there was an oportunity to play some chords.

Day 4 we stayed in Golegã at Pensão Solo Duro. In the garden of a beatifull house are two gardenhouse with kitchen etc. We used a room with double bed We loved it very much .very clean. The lady of the house was very helpfull.

Day 5 we stayed at the Bombeiros Volontarios in Tomar. The volontairy firebrigade.
Just to try it . It was okay for one night but once and no more again.
Don't forget to visit the convento de Cristo as Claudia mentioned. We forgot to visit this place last year but were here this year. We specially came to Tomar for it.View attachment 13318

Day 5 we stayed in pensão o Bras in Alvaiazère
Very nice and clean place and a good restaurant on the groundfloor.

Day 6 we stayed in Ansião in Hostal Adega Tipica
Not the most modern but good beds, clean and a good restaurant for a good typical Portugese bacalhão fish meal or a steak (this steak was that big that a whole family could eat from it for a whole week

Day 7 we stayed in Rabaçal in a kind of albergue a casa da Turismo.
The restaurant/bar owner,as Claudia mentioned,phoned for us to somebody who came with the key to let us in. Clean room , clean beds. The restaurant bar served us cheese, cheese and cheese, a speciality of the region. In the morning they prepared , us a good breakfast.

Day 8 we stayed at the schoolcampus of the Jesuites,Colégio da Imaculada Conceição,
In Cernache, just some miles before Coimbra. we stayed in a house on the campus with several rooms, bunkbeds, showers,toilets.
You have to phone in advance so that the concierge knows you are coming. The stay was for free and they stamp your credential. I suppose it is closed during schoolholiday time. We were there in May
At 21 h00 the gate closes so you have to be in. A restaurant is opposite the gate for a burger, sandwich.the gate opens at 7h00 in the morning and at that time the restaurant serves a breakfast.
Nice experience to stay there.

Day 9 and 10 we stayed in Coimbra in pensão Parque. A few meters away from the tourist office at the quay of the river and opposite the bridge. A former Grand Hotel with the grandeur of the ancient times. The rooms and bedsare okay but a little bit over the date for a matter of speaking.
They have no restaurant themselves but inside the house was a Pakistani restaurant with no guests when we where there.but Coimbra offers a lot for everybody. Donot forget to go to the Fado show opposite the cathedral and the medieval university buildings. Beautiful !

Day 11 we stayed in Mealhada Serdanello at albergue Hilario. Hilario is outside and past Mealhada at the N1 mainroad. The albergue has single and double rooms aswell rooms with bunkbeds. they offer a common pilgrimsdiner. Very cosy .

Day 12
Agueda where we stayed in residencial Celeste which is situated 2 km outside the center in the direction od Albergaría-a-Velha. Nice and clean No restaurantfacility so you have to go downhill to the center and uphill back after finishing. The breakfast will be served in the residential.

Day 13. Just two kms outside Albergaría-a-Velha in direction São João de Madeira is casa Diocesana nearby the Sanctuario de Nossa Senhora del Socorro.a retraîte house, lead by nuns.
Bunkbeds,showers and toilets Big rooms. Very special experience to stay there. We loved it. The surroundings are beautiful. It is situated upon a big hill ,accesable by a very steep road. In front a very big Maria statue ,directly recognisable when you pass it on the caminho.The nuns setve a simple lunch, diner and breakfast. We paid 3 € each for everything.

Day 14
Oliveira de Azemeís. We stayed in pensão Anacleta. We can be short about this place Forget it. Filthy, dirty . There was a nice panadería bakershop with wifi and nice food where we stayed as long as possible so we could forget this terrible place. Better stay in hotel Dighton

Day 15
São João da Madeira. We stayed in pensão Solar. At the main square. Nice place pilgrim friendly. Not very modern but more than okay. Restaurants all around Breakfast in the hotel.

Day 16 and 17 Porto
We stayed in hostal Duas Naçãoes in the center. Was not a succes. We had a small room without a window. It was very rumourous and noisy. In the middle of the night people came in stamping on the wooden stairs,shouting talking loud. There are better places in Porto I read on this forum.

Well Claudia. We both are now in Porto.
Tomorrow I will continue the second leg to Santiago.
Boa noite. Good night

ola senor - thanks for posting ... traveled along 'in mind' and imagination! - and thanks for the marvelous photo of the convento in Tomar. So evocative .... C

 

[Camembert]

ola senor - thanks for posting ... traveled along 'in mind' and imagination! - and thanks for the marvelous photo of the convento in Tomar. So evocative .... C

Denada señora Claudia. ¡ Muy encantado !

 

[Camembert]

Bom dia ! I continue describing our second leg of the caminho Portuges from Porto to Santiago de Compostela, last year.
One thing in addition. Because we walked this caminho last year May and the beginning of June I cannot remember all the prices we paid for lodging but the most expensive ones were about 40€ per night for us together.
On the Lisbon to Porto leg it varied from 0 to 35 € From Porto to Santiago from 6 to 40 €


Day 18
. Here we started in Matosinhos (after finishing in Santiago we returned back to Porto for some resting days before returning home and by then we walked the part from Porto Sé cathedral to Mercado Matosinhos.

That day we walked to Vila do Conde where we found a camping just 2 kms before the bridge where we rented a summerhouse 40€.
The next day we were intending the initial plan to follow the coast up to Vigo but at the very last moment over the bridge we decided to go to the central route because we were anxious that the next 190 kms or so would be very desolated. In the meantime we know better. We explored this part of this hike earlier this year by car and campingtrailer.
So we ended up at the albergue of São Pedro de Rates which I remember was donativo.
We slept in a room with bunkbeds with 2 other couples. It was clean and okay but sleeping in an albergue is not iur type of thing.
A couple of hundreds meters there is a paderia which serves a nice breakfast.

Day 19
on the way we had a stop for coffee and a stamp in Pedra Furada. Antonio who looks like he is a fan of jazzmusic like me - the restaurant is full of jazz items like pictures and instruments- rents four rooms. Tel.+351 917 838 144. It looks okay there although we did not see the rooms

In Barcelos we stayed in hotel Bagoeiro tel+351 253 811 236 for two nights , having the oportunity to visit the town of Braga and the world famous church Bom Jesus do Monte. Great detour by bus.
Busstop at the central square oposite the hospital.

Day 20
The lady of our hotel asked how far we should go that day-the idea was to go as far as Ponte de Lima but advised us to go to Vitorino de Piaës to casa da Fernanda and made a phonecall to Fernanda to announce our arrival later that day.
So we stayed at Fernanda's which was great. In the garden isa in the meantime extended summerhouse for lodging up to 18 pilgrims. Very need and clean. All facilities
Weslept in their house in a double bed room and privat bathroom.lunch,diner, wine, portwine ,aguardent. You name it, it was there. Next morning a breakfast. All donativo. Great place to be.
Tel. + 351 914 589 521. Fernanda and Jacinto speak english.

Day 21
Short walk to Ponte de Lima. We decided not to stay in the albergue but in pensão São João. + 351 258 941 288. Clean beds. Rooms a bit over the date but okay and nice people to attend you.
Nearby the famous bridge and a great restaurant next to the bridge where the locals come for diner. Around the corner several bakershops we had breakfast in a brandnew paderia for 2,50 € each. Great.

Day 22
To us the most intensive day, climbing the Alto Portelo Grande. Be prepared for a long day and ascending up to 405 meters from sea level !
Decending we were happy to find the first possible lodging address pensão São Roque .
tel.+351 252 943 692
Clean rooms and beds and a cold beer but no food. Next possibility to eat was 3 kms further on down hill !
Together with two other Dutch ladies we were picked up in a 4x4 truck from the only restaurant in Rubiâes , consumed our diner (in total for us two €20) and were brought back in the car to São Rogue. What a great service.
Breakfast was served the next morning in the pensão.

Day 23
we decided to stay one more night in Portugal instead of crossing the bridge to Spain so came as far as Valença do Minho where we stayed in hotel Brasil. Can't find the phonenumber for the moment.a bit over dated rooms but okay. Just over the famous medieval fortress of Valença, worthwhile visiting. I thought we paid 30€ for the night including breakfast.

To be continued

 

[Camembert]

Day 24
we arrived in o Porriño and stayed in hotel o Parque tel.+34 986 331 604
In the center of o Porriño. Modern hotel, well facilitated with a.o.wifi. Excellent beds. Clean. Nice bathroom. I remember now that to what I said earlier ,this hotel costed us 45 € for the night included breakfast. We asked the receptionist to have breakfast early on the sundaymorning at 7h30 so we arrived but nobody and no breakfast was there so we waited untill we got some prepacked croissants and fruitjuice in a small bottle. Bit disappointing but the hotel was okay !

Day 25
we arrived about midday in Redondela where was a big fiesta going on in the towncenter.
We went to the albergue and had to wait untill it opened , I thought 13h00 or 14h00 the albergue is right in the middle of town, following the caminhopath you can't miss it. I thought we payed 5 or 6 € each.
Many people in bunkbeds, noisy..again not our cup of tea.
Wifi was hard to find around but at last we found a bar so with a drink and some tapas we had a nice afternoon and later we attended the fiesta till late in the night. Nice place to be.

Day 26

Leaving early we thought to find a place to have breakfast but there was nothing.on the way we foind some waymarkers to restaurants "breakfast " but nothing was open. The first oportunity was a panadería (bakershop) in Arcade. Very good breakfast indeed !
We arrived in Pontevedra where is an albergue but we went on to hostal Maruja at a big square opposite the imposant cathedral Tel + 34 986 845 901. Simple hostal,clean. Bed okay . No wifi but we found it in a bar around the corner somewhere. Breakfast next morning in a panadería.

Day 27
we arrived in Caldas de Reis. A lot of accomodation up there. We came out at hotel Crucero
Tel +34 986 540 165
When we were there the management just had decided to open the hotel for pilgrims on albergue conditions I tought we paid 30€ for both of us and got a nice new refurbished double bed room, all fresh and clean, facilities to wash,to cook. Very good. Downfloor is a restaurant for a burger, salad etc and oposite a supermarket so nothing to complain. The morning after we had a nice breakfast in their restaurant for no more than 4 or 5€. We lliked the place and their very kind staff.

Day 28
We ended up in Padrón and phoned in advance to hostal Jardin +34 981 810 950
And reserved a room for two. Nice place to stay. Looks nice. Nice room. Nice bed ,bathroom. No restaurant , no breakfast. Wifi in the parlour. nice staff. The owner and his mother. We liked the place
Restaurants enough for a diner.

Day 29

The breakfast in Padrón is something special. The best at the entire caminho Portuges.
We asked in our hotel where to go for breakfast. Go to Pepe's bar. Just 300 meters ahead on the caminho.
We got a warm welcome from Pepe. The rest you have to find out yourself. We had a good time there. It was the craziest breakfast place we ever have been in and on the adrenaline because of the energy of this Pepe we almost walked in one piece to Santiago, from there 24 kms.

But when the adrenaline was worked out after about 1o kms we decided to stay in Teo and phoned casa Crucero, a casa rural +34 981 548 596 a little bit off caminho path but worthwhile. A nice lady owner . A beautifull room with a nice big double bed , wifi and a bathroom with jaccuzzi and outsidea swimmingpool. We found we had deserved it ,almost reached Santiago which was only 10 kms away
The lady prepared us a nice lunch, we had a relaxing seat in the garden with a cold beer and at night she prepared for us and two other Dutch pilgrims a nice diner .the room coated us 40€ but was more than that worth.at night we had a drink in a local bar.

Day 30 and 31

The next morning a fantastic breakfast which was included in the roomprice
Biggest adventage of that place was that it is only 10 kms from Santiago so we were in time to attend the midday pilgrims mess in the cathedral and saw the Botafumeiro swinging.
At the Santiago tourist office we booked a room in albergue la Salle and booked our bustrip back to Porto. Albergue la Salle tel.+34 981 585 667. Big place but moneyworth. I tought about 30€ per night. We stayed two nights
We had a big modern room with a big bathroom . Just 100 meters away was a panaderia for breakfast. All good.

When we arrived in Porto again by ALSA bus we went to hotel Central in Matosinhos where we stayed 4 nights before we flew back home.
Very nice hotel,booked by www.booking.com. Nice people, nice room with excellent bed, bathroom, breakfast.
Nearby the sandy beach, you pass by when you walk from Porto to the Mercado metrostop and the bridge over the Leixoes harbour before you go on to Vilado Conde
From Mercado goes a bus directly to the airport so you do not need to go back to Porto by metro to change for the metro to the airport

Well these were our experiences concerning lodging on the caminho Portuges last year

Um abraço
Albertinho







.

 

[nigeloz]

Good evening -
Had meant to post this much earlier: my accommodation info of each place I stayed/rested on my recent Caminho - (to the best of my recollection)
Feel free to ask for further details if needed. And pardon the clumsy photo images below; but thought that some visual might be useful.
Very best Wishes, Claudia

Accommodations in Azambuja
Residencial Flor da Primavera, Rúa Conselheiro Arouca, 21 (Tel. 263-403-263). 30euro for a TINY double room with an even tinier bathroom and postal-stamp size shower. No breakfast. No Wifi. Restaurant "Totilla" near by, decent dinner and breakfast. (Was recommended by Flor owner) Call ahead to reserve for accommodation; owner speaks minimal english only. -
>>> 16.4 km
Accommodations PORTO DE MUGE
Quinta da Marchanta - Rural Tourism Farm (From 20euro single; spacious accommodation; bath tub bathroom) - White/blue estate next to river Tejo. Has large blue metal gate as entrance. Old fashioned bell to ring. No breakfast, but kitchen well stocked w/ equipment. Pool. Wifi (if you sit in the courtyard near the owners residence) phone contact: 910 967 415. Very kind and helpful owner. Quinta is exactly between Azambuja and Santarem. Very peaceful rural setting. Loved it there.
>>> 15.9 km
Accommodations in SANTARÉM
Santarém Hostel (Preço para Peregrinos) c/o Mario
Rua Eng. António Antunes Júnior, 26 -- Tel.: (+351) 243 322 256 / (+351) 965 832 702
santaremhostel@sapo.pt santaremhostel.blogspot.com ; lovely place, great courtyard, stone sink (soap provided) for laundry, bar, decent breakfast, center of historic town, wifi. Enjoyed a restaurant nearby, "Solaio" - not sure about spelling, do ask Mario though, he'll know.
>>> 21 km
To get to Azinhaga, just follow the street signs Azinhaga instead of following the yellow markings. You cannot miss the village because you walk through a flat landscape.)
Accommodations in Azinhaga,
Casa di Azinhaga - 35euro single, bath tub bathroom, with breakfast, (highly recommend to skip breakfast, just take room - 30 euros) Clean; but common area strong mold/mildew smell. Less so in bedroom. This place has a clean and sizable swimming pool! which i thoroughly enjoyed. Restaurant at entrance of small town (left hand side) serves decent meals. forgot name (Matador?) There is another place near by (near Casa Santa Spirito; right hand side) that also rents room and appears much less ‘crypt’ like in the smell department
>>> 7.4 km>>> 5.6 km>>> 5.5 km
Accommodations in Atalaia
Casa Do Patriarca - on Rúa D. Afonso Henriques (2 km). Café Monteiro before stop sign, fountain and tables on L shortly after stop sign. KSO and pass Casa do Patriarca (rural tourism B&B). 6 rooms, 50€ for a double. Kitchen for guests’ use to cook, or there is a restaurant 100 m away. Very nice gardens and common rooms. Tel. 24 971 0581; www.casadopatriarca.pt.vu. (lovely place too, very kind hosts; in May '14 construction still ongoing and noisy - owners apologetic. wifi in common sitting area. Some mold problem (to my nose) but nonetheless very clean. Bath tub bathroom. can't remember what i paid. 30 or 35 or 40 euros.
>>> 19 km
Accommodations in Tomar
Hostel 2300 Tomar -- 12,50 € / 15 € R. Serpa Pinto, 43 Tel: 965 515 100 -- 2300thomar@gmail.com; renovated house in center of historic town, well done but noisy acoustics (no fabric to muffle sounds) - Nice hosts. Wifi. they offer service (for 10 euros) to pilgrims who ask to be transported out of town to shorten walking stage. (to Alvaiazere it’s a 35+km walk. took that service as I was not willing to walk that much on one day quite yet)

Also stayed at Residencial União (Rúa Serpa Pinto 94, tel. 249 323 161) - 20 euro; tiny room, wifi, but still a pleasant enough place; helpful owner; wifi in common sitting area/ outside patio
All of these places are on or next to the Caminho. For a good meal, try Casa Antiga on the Rua Serpa Pinto. Loved staying in Tomar. Stayed two nights; visited castello twice; convento once. The pastry place across from the Hostel has dangerously yummy Pastei de Nata ....
>>> 35+ km
Accommodations in ALVAIÁZERE
Albergaria Pinheiro’s - Price for Pilgrims 10 € c/o Carlos
R. Dr. Acúrsio Lopes, 1 (near the Church) Tel: 915 440 196 / 911 150 817 / 925 850 756 http://www.albergariapinheiros.com/ 3 rooms, one bath, simple kitchen. friendly owners.
>>> 14.5 km
Accommodations in ANSIÃO
Residencial Adega Tipica – 236 677 364 – Carlos e Joao. – rua Combatentes da Grande Guerra
20euros for pilgrims, good lunch 10euros for pilgrims (including wine, desert, soup, salad etc) Very clean, well kept, bathtub; wifi in restaurant. Owner used to work in Germany and still speaks that language as well. That town got some really yummy pastry places ... - next morning we stopped @ Cafe/Pastry place on the RIGHT side of street. to recommend.
In Alvorge also accommodation possiblity, but did not stay. Cafe owner @ towncenter very helpful/pilgrim friendly.
>>> 9.4 km>>> 8.6 km
Accommodations in RABAÇAL
Casa de Turismo do Rabaçal - Price for Pilgrims: 15 €
Rua da Igreja - Tel. 918 752 990 / 917 620 982 / 239 569 371 pousadadorabacal@gmail.com
some rooms (and reception area) have mold-issues.
Cafe Bonito near by (same side of street, 50meters up) serves good wine, cheese, simple and tasty home made meals. Lovely outdoor seating under vines. free wifi @ Cafe.
Accommodations in Coimbra/Santa Clara
Albergue Rainha Santa Isabel - outside Coimbra, before you cross the river. 12/14 beds – 8 € In the Igreja Rainha Santa Isabel, Mosteiro Santa Clara-a-Nova -- Ask at the sacristy of the church, till 19:00hr
Tel: 239 441 674. After 18:30 -> 934 596 564 / 916 008 988 / 966 321 235 www.rainhasantaisabel.org
-- well equipped kitchen available. Loved staying there, even if it only had one bathroom for 14 beds. (luckily that night it was not booked to capacity, only 8 pilgrims in 2 rooms. Apparently, a 2. bathroom is being constructed) Took guided tour of church, courtyard and cloister. highly recommended. Wifi only in reception area (walls are so thick, wifi won’t reach other areas) Door closes @ 22:00hr
===
images
1 - 3: Porto de Muge - Quinta
4 - 5: Santarem - Hostel
6: Azinhaga - Casa di Azinhaga -
7: Atalaia - Garden view
8: Tomar - Pensao U
9 : Ansiao - Adega Tipica
10: Coimbra/Santa Clara - Albergue in Monastery Rainha Isabel
(more images to follow in additional/separate posting
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...on-caminho-portuguese-w-images-part-ii.27903/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...n-caminho-portuguese-w-images-part-iii.27904/

thankyou this is a great resource

 

[La Barre]

Amorfati1, Thank you for this itinerary,it will be a great help in planning my stages on the Portuguese. There seems to be quite a few people looking to walk this route lately so I think it is good to bring up this thread again. I do have one question though, did you not walk Coimbra to Porto or am I missing something among Part 1, 11, and 111?

 

[amorfati1]

Amorfati1, Thank you for this itinerary,it will be a great help in planning my stages on the Portuguese. There seems to be quite a few people looking to walk this route lately so I think it is good to bring up this thread again. I do have one question though, did you not walk Coimbra to Porto or am I missing something among Part 1, 11, and 111?

Ola LeBarre - you are very welcome. glad you find the info useful.
and you are absolutely correct and haven't missed anything, you are spot-on: the reason you can't find lodging info on my li'l list is that due to a health hic-up i decided to take the train to porto. I had initially intended to rest up/strenghten in coimbra @ the Albergue Rainha Santa Isabel, which is across the river from coimbra , but my arrival there coincided with a very loud and boisterous student/university festivity week which was even audible from there ... to my great regret. would have loved to stay on an rest up, but with that racket/very loud concert noises, i decided it might be more wise to go on to porto and rest there. which i was glad that i did.
Gustavo, the kind young chap @ Albergue Rainha Santa Isabel reception, was most helpful - you might be lucky in meeting him as well. he's very knowledgeable and also offers tours of the unique church and monastery in which the albergue is housed.
feel free to post other questions as they arise - there is much collective wisdom here on this thread to be shared
very best wishes ~

 

[La Barre]

amorfati1, So sorry you had health issues on your last camino, just means you still have more to discover, right. Thank you for your encouragement. Between your and Albertinho's posts I'm getting a good idea of where to stay. My biggest concern, as that of others, is the long stages, I don't like to really have a set place to stop everyday, just play it by ear ,but I guess the Camino Portuguese is going to be a different story.

 

[amorfati1]

amorfati1, So sorry you had health issues on your last camino, just means you still have more to discover, right. Thank you for your encouragement. Between your and Albertinho's posts I'm getting a good idea of where to stay. My biggest concern, as that of others, is the long stages, I don't like to really have a set place to stop everyday, just play it by ear ,but I guess the Camino Portuguese is going to be a different story.

la barre - which stages are you having a concern about regarding length? i completeley understand. am not one for long schloggs either .... but solutions were always found or simply appeared. my longest km day was 27km.... and it was fine mainly because i teamed up w/ a son/father team who were truly inspiring and fun. but in the evening we were all happy to sit down with a portwine at the river

it appears that more places are being available on the portuguese for pilgrims to overnight. let me know if there is something we could point to to ease a concern. cheers.