Portugués April 20 Lisbon to Santiago dC

[Louis Lloyd]

We did a full Frances Camino in May 2018 ending at Fisterra and Muxia.
2020 is a big year for us my 70th and our 50th wedding anniversary. We are planning to leave Lisbon early April 2020 and allowing for 35 days to SdC. Gives us a couple lay days and days in Porto.
My question is whether the infrastructure will be functioning when we commence, say, 3 April. I refer to albergue, pensions, cafes, water fountains, hostels and hotels. Will be in Tomar by 10th April (my birthday and Easter Friday)
We prefer to walk in cool temperatures- in 2018 we were in 5c to 20c range generally. Are we planning leave too early in the season. Would love to hear some feedback from pilgrims who have walked over this period.

 

[PK Smit]

We have walked that route in April 2016 without any problems regarding any of your concerns

 

[Elle Bieling]

We walked in April, and had no trouble with services. If you are in Tomar on the holiday, as we were, be prepared for crowds, and potential closings of restaurants. You may want to book ahead. We loved the private albergue, Hostal 2300 Tomar, which also has private rooms and they take reservations. Ask the locals about restaurants and other closures. The Templar castle, worth a day's visit was not closed! We did have some very hot days out of Lisbon. But there was a heat wave that year. Be prepared anyway, to leave early, and stop early, if the weather is hot. The flowers, the oranges, the farmer's spring activities and green shoots everywhere were gorgeous at this time of year! If you want to see lots of info/photos of our journey, start here: Camino Portugues from Lisbon. Buen Camino!

 

[Louis Lloyd]

We have walked that route in April 2016 without any problems regarding any of your concerns

Thanks for the response

 

[Louis Lloyd]

We walked in April, and had no trouble with services. If you are in Tomar on the holiday, as we were, be prepared for crowds, and potential closings of restaurants. You may want to book ahead. We loved the private albergue, Hostal 2300 Tomar, which also has private rooms and they take reservations. Ask the locals about restaurants and other closures. The Templar castle, worth a day's visit was not closed! We did have some very hot days out of Lisbon. But there was a heat wave that year. Be prepared anyway, to leave early, and stop early, if the weather is hot. The flowers, the oranges, the farmer's spring activities and green shoots everywhere were gorgeous at this time of year! If you want to see lots of info/photos of our journey, start here: Camino Portugues from Lisbon. Buen Camino!

 

[Louis Lloyd]

Thanks Elle. Yes we were wondering about the effect of holidays and crowds. We don’t do heat too well when walking hence the early April start. Our Frances Camino commenced in early May from SJpdP and the colours of the fields and wild flowers just magnificent. Cheers

 

[Gail Dickson]

We did a full Frances Camino in May 2018 ending at Fisterra and Muxia.
2020 is a big year for us my 70th and our 50th wedding anniversary. We are planning to leave Lisbon early April 2020 and allowing for 35 days to SdC. Gives us a couple lay days and days in Porto.
My question is whether the infrastructure will be functioning when we commence, say, 3 April. I refer to albergue, pensions, cafes, water fountains, hostels and hotels. Will be in Tomar by 10th April (my birthday and Easter Friday)
We prefer to walk in cool temperatures- in 2018 we were in 5c to 20c range generally. Are we planning leave too early in the season. Would love to hear some feedback from pilgrims who have walked over this period.

We walked from Lisbon beginning April 6 in 2018. Had no problem with accommodation and the weather was cool. Quite a bit of rain though in that year.