Stripey Socks
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2023
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
If I recall correctly, magwood walked the Portuguese route from Lisbon in Spring last year. She has a good blog with lots of useful information. I walked in September and certainly didn't need reservations after Lisbon but they would have been very helpful in Porto. Bom Caminho!
you can find it here http://magwood.me/camino-portuguese/ (thank you @MichaelSG). You won't need to book ahead. But look at the resources section of this forum to find excellent ideas on how to shorten some of the long stages between Lisbon and Porto.
Bom caminho!
Hi, Stripey Socks, I hope that we will have an updated guide from Lisbon before you go. Have you seen the online guide from Lisbon in the resources section?Hello Camino Brains Trust
I will start walking from Lisbon on 12 May 2016 with the view to arriving in SdC on Sunday 5 June.
This is my first Spring Camino (having completed both Frances and Via de la Plata in Autumn) and I am wondering whether I will need to book ahead ie how busy is Portugal in Spring??
I plan to have a rest day in Coimbra and also Porto - then will walk the coastal route until Caminha and then walk up the river to Tui.
Any advice would be appreciated and hope to see some friendly faces along the way.
Thanks
Mel
Hi, Stripey Socks, I hope that we will have an updated guide from Lisbon before you go. Have you seen the online guide from Lisbon in the resources section?
And btw,the caminho from Lisboa in springtime should be beautiful. I walked in April, and it was gorgeous.
I walked the CP in May 2015. First Camino. Great weather. Be careful on highways (5 Fatima pilgrims were killed elsewhere by car on my first day. May is the Fatima anniversary, thus very busy there). People complain about cobblestones, but it's not a problem with good hiking boots (IMO). People complain about boring industrial areas, but so what - that's the Camino. I didn't walk to look at flowers the whole way. It is what it is. I was very intentional about breaking stages into more reasonable distances (I didn't know if I could walk long distances). Two short days instead of one long one. Time includes all stops during the day. The information on this forum is/was invaluable.
No need to reserve south of Porto. Should have called ahead to reserve Porto. I was lucky to find a place in Coimbra due to the student festival (aka drunk-fest). Google it to see if you will be in town at the same time. It was an experience to see, but could have been difficult to find a bed. If you stay at the Convent, make a stop at the Albergaria City Hall and have them call ahead for you. Try to schedule your day off NOT on a Sunday. It will be boring. I called 2 days ahead for Corgo (Fernada's) since I knew she would be full.
If anyone likes, PM me for a link to my Facebook day-by-day journal.
I only took one day off at Porto. If I was to do over, I would take more days off. Tomar is nice - Templar Castle there.
I'm seriously considering VdlP for my next Camino. Since you've walked that, any input you have is appreciated (maybe PM so not to clutter up this thread).
Cathedral Se, Lisbon - Moscavida 10 km (6.06 miles walked in 2.5 hours)
Moscavida - Alverca 25 km (15.24 miles walked in 6.9 hours)
Alverca - Azambaja 20 km (12.7 miles walked in 5.7 hours)
Azambaja - Porto de Muge 18 km (11.25 miles walked in 5.2 hours)
Porto de Muge - Santarem non walking day - sick - got a ride
Santarem - Golega 12 km (7.68 miles walked in 4 hours)
Golega - Tomar 33 km (20.2 miles walked in 10 hours)
Tomar - Alvaiazere 23 km (14.45 miles walked in 7 hours)
Alvaiazere - Alvorge 24 km (15.1 miles walked in 7.7 hours)
Alvorge - Cernache 27 km (17 miles walked in 8.3 hours)
Cernache - Coimbra 13 km (8.21 miles walked in 4.7 hours)
Coimbra - Mealhada 19 km (11.8 miles walked in 7.5 hours)
Mealhada - Agueda 26 km (16 miles walked in 7.5 hours)
Agueda - Albergaria +4km to Convent 19 km (11.6 miles walked in 6.9 hours)
Albergaria - Sao Joao da Madeira 26 km (16.28 miles walked in 7.6 hours)
Sao Joao da Madeira - Porto 39 km (24.2 miles walked in 10.3 hours)
Porto - Vila do Conte (train to Matasinhos) 26 km (16 miles walked in 8.8 hours)
Vila do Conte - Barcelos 31 km (19.2 miles walked in 9.7 hours)
Barcelos - Corgo (Fernada's!) 20 km (12.41 miles walked in 6.3 hours)
Corgo - Pointe de Lima 15 km (9.1 miles walked in 4.6 hours)
Pointe de Lima - Rubiaes (recommend O Ninho) 18 km (11.3 miles walked in 5.6 hours)
Rubiaes - Tui, Spain 20 km (12.65 miles walked in 7.5 hours)
Tui, Spain - Mos 24 km (14.77 miles walked in 6.8 hours)
Mos - Pointvedra 29 km (17.9 miles walked in 9.5 hours)
Pointvedra - Caldas de Reis 24 km (14.73 miles walked in 7.22 hours)
Caldas de Reis - Padron +2.1km to Scala Hotel 20 km (12.5 miles walked in 4.5 hours)
Padron - Santiago 23 km (14 miles walked in 6.35 hours)
Great advice and report Steve but I have to ask. Did you find a shortcut on this stage to Golega? This is the point where my plan went out the window. After the long walk to get to Santarem (I foolishly - foolish for me - tried to follow the suggested stages in the guidebook), I could only make it from Santarem to Azinhaga which I had as 24km and still another 8km or so short of Golega. Did I miss a shortcut?Santarem - Golega 12 km (7.68 miles walked in 4 hours)
Great advice and report Steve but I have to ask. Did you find a shortcut on this stage to Golega? This is the point where my plan went out the window. After the long walk to get to Santarem (I foolishly - foolish for me - tried to follow the suggested stages in the guidebook), I could only make it from Santarem to Azinhaga which I had as 24km and still another 8km or so short of Golega. Did I miss a shortcut?
I walked the CP in May 2015. First Camino. Great weather. Be careful on highways (5 Fatima pilgrims were killed elsewhere by car on my first day. May is the Fatima anniversary, thus very busy there). People complain about cobblestones, but it's not a problem with good hiking boots (IMO). People complain about boring industrial areas, but so what - that's the Camino. I didn't walk to look at flowers the whole way. It is what it is. I was very intentional about breaking stages into more reasonable distances (I didn't know if I could walk long distances). Two short days instead of one long one. Time includes all stops during the day. The information on this forum is/was invaluable.
No need to reserve south of Porto. Should have called ahead to reserve Porto. I was lucky to find a place in Coimbra due to the student festival (aka drunk-fest). Google it to see if you will be in town at the same time. It was an experience to see, but could have been difficult to find a bed. If you stay at the Convent, make a stop at the Albergaria City Hall and have them call ahead for you. Try to schedule your day off NOT on a Sunday. It will be boring. I called 2 days ahead for Corgo (Fernada's) since I knew she would be full.
If anyone likes, PM me for a link to my Facebook day-by-day journal.
I only took one day off at Porto. If I was to do over, I would take more days off. Tomar is nice - Templar Castle there.
I'm seriously considering VdlP for my next Camino. Since you've walked that, any input you have is appreciated (maybe PM so not to clutter up this thread).
Cathedral Se, Lisbon - Moscavida 10 km (6.06 miles walked in 2.5 hours)
Moscavida - Alverca 25 km (15.24 miles walked in 6.9 hours)
Alverca - Azambaja 20 km (12.7 miles walked in 5.7 hours)
Azambaja - Porto de Muge 18 km (11.25 miles walked in 5.2 hours)
Porto de Muge - Santarem non walking day - sick - got a ride
Santarem - Golega 12 km (7.68 miles walked in 4 hours)
Golega - Tomar 33 km (20.2 miles walked in 10 hours)
Tomar - Alvaiazere 23 km (14.45 miles walked in 7 hours)
Alvaiazere - Alvorge 24 km (15.1 miles walked in 7.7 hours)
Alvorge - Cernache 27 km (17 miles walked in 8.3 hours)
Cernache - Coimbra 13 km (8.21 miles walked in 4.7 hours)
Coimbra - Mealhada 19 km (11.8 miles walked in 7.5 hours)
Mealhada - Agueda 26 km (16 miles walked in 7.5 hours)
Agueda - Albergaria +4km to Convent 19 km (11.6 miles walked in 6.9 hours)
Albergaria - Sao Joao da Madeira 26 km (16.28 miles walked in 7.6 hours)
Sao Joao da Madeira - Porto 39 km (24.2 miles walked in 10.3 hours)
Porto - Vila do Conte (train to Matasinhos) 26 km (16 miles walked in 8.8 hours)
Vila do Conte - Barcelos 31 km (19.2 miles walked in 9.7 hours)
Barcelos - Corgo (Fernada's!) 20 km (12.41 miles walked in 6.3 hours)
Corgo - Pointe de Lima 15 km (9.1 miles walked in 4.6 hours)
Pointe de Lima - Rubiaes (recommend O Ninho) 18 km (11.3 miles walked in 5.6 hours)
Rubiaes - Tui, Spain 20 km (12.65 miles walked in 7.5 hours)
Tui, Spain - Mos 24 km (14.77 miles walked in 6.8 hours)
Mos - Pointvedra 29 km (17.9 miles walked in 9.5 hours)
Pointvedra - Caldas de Reis 24 km (14.73 miles walked in 7.22 hours)
Caldas de Reis - Padron +2.1km to Scala Hotel 20 km (12.5 miles walked in 4.5 hours)
Padron - Santiago 23 km (14 miles walked in 6.35 hours)
Hi, Lj,Hi,
I passed Frances Camino three months ago, and I'm planing to go to Portugal camino from Lisboa to Santiago at 2016, july/august. I will travel from Croatia.
Can you tell me please something about albergues in Lisabon and Porto ( are they organized well, do I have to reserve first, costs etc.)
Also, how about Portugese routes? Are they marked well?
Regards, Lj
Mel my wife and I leave Porto on the 15th April 2016 to head north on an easy paceHello Camino Brains Trust
I will start walking from Lisbon on 12 May 2016 with the view to arriving in SdC on Sunday 5 June.
This is my first Spring Camino (having completed both Frances and Via de la Plata in Autumn) and I am wondering whether I will need to book ahead ie how busy is Portugal in Spring??
I plan to have a rest day in Coimbra and also Porto - then will walk the coastal route until Caminha and then walk up the river to Tui.
Any advice would be appreciated and hope to see some friendly faces along the way.
Thanks
Mel
Thanks for all the info Steve. What time of year did you walk????Dobar dan Lj,
I was a first time walker and used Bierley's guidebook. Unfortunately, I've lost the guidebook (uuugggg!!!!), so this list might be incomplete. I reviewed my journal for information. The accommodations were satisfactory unless otherwise noted. If no price is mentioned, I couldn't remember. I did not have any bed bugs at any of these locations. South of Porto most are private albergues not public. No need to reserve south of Porto. Arrows are mostly good. Got lost walking out of Tomar. Even Brierly's mentions bad arrows there. Still missed it!
Moscavida Youth hostel. A short first day walk. My plane arrived in the morning and I started walking from downtown. Metro is easy. This shortened the first stage. 15-16 Euros? The Cathedral Se was OUT of Pilgrim Credentials. Buy one via mail before you go.
Alverca. A 1/2 km before the railroad station (you see it straight ahead), take the overpass to the left into town. This takes you off the Camino. There are several pensions there.
Azambuja. The Pilgrim albergue in town was locked! The market that was supposed to keep the key did not have it, did not know where it was, and did not care. Ended up at Flora Hotel. Two of us shared a room for 15 Euros each, or 20 for a single bedroom. Others stayed at Bombeiros Voluntarios.
Muge. This stop made 2 easy stages out of one longer one. Stayed at the Quinta coming into the small town. I was misled by Bierly's map and stayed walking on the highway. Somewhere I missed an arrow which would have taken me right by the Quinta. I don't think it's used much (run down) and the manager is not always there. No wi-fi. No hot water. 15 Euros. But the suite was HUGE and large enough to hold a family of 4. Kitchen, TV, Sofa, etc. A room like this in the U.S. is $150+. Or keep going to Santarem.
Santarem Hostel run by Mario. Nice accommodation. Ask to see his guitar room and the yellow Camino guitar pick I gave him. Mario is active on this forum. That's where I bought a Pilgrim Credential. This is not the same as N1 Hostel.
Golega. Solo Duro albergue. It was OK.
Tomar. Tomar 2300 public hostel. Organized staff. Good location. Newer. A good town to stay an extra day to rest. Templar Castle fortress.
Alvaiazere. A very difficult walking day. Pinoheiros albergue. Toward the back of church on the town square.
Alvorge. Alvorge isn't much of a town. Just a little commerce on the main street. Pick up the key at the café on the town square (then take it back). Very new accommodations. Nice. No wi-fi when I was there, but maybe now. Albergue is hidden. There is a building to the right and rear of the church. The albergue entrance is on the far side, lower level.
Cernache. Rabacal was unimpressive — glad I didn't stop there. Stop and rest at the Roman ruins in Coimbriga. Look for the scallop shell on the building - left side of street. It was locked and no one answered the intercom. I called the number posted and in 10-15 minutes a family showed up and let me in. Kitchen with market across the street. TV. Wi-Fi. 15 Euros(?)
Coimbra. Short walking day to big town. Stayed at the Residencial Moderna. Difficult to find. Not that great. 35 Euros for private room. There was a convent (?) coming into town that others stayed at, but further away from downtown activities. Beware the Student Festival (mid-May).
Mealhada. Albergue is 4 km beyond town. Different rooms available from shared dormitory to private rooms.
Agueda. Residential Celeste. I doubt if I would have been able to find the albergue today on my own. From where the road comes into town, you have to go up a really long (1-2 km) hill to get there (I think the arrows take the long way around and the albergue is not exactly on the Camino path). But it's very nice and next to a large super market.
Albergaria (convent). There is a convent 4-5 km after Albergaria. An interesting experience. Good beds, good bathrooms. No Kitchen, wi-fi, or common room in Pilgrim area. Nun serves dinner at 7:00. You can walk around the impressive grounds, but boring otherwise. Dinner experience makes it worthwhile. Have someone call ahead.
Sao Joao de Madeira. Stayed at Solar Joao next to obelisk in town center.
Porto. Stayed at Duas Nacoes Guest House because all others were full. Not that nice for a pilgrim bed in shared room, but private rooms available. Difficult to find. Call ahead to reserve in Porto where ever you stay. A good city to stay an extra rest day. Many things to see and do.
Vila do Conde. I strongly recommend walking the coast for this day. Much new boardwalk. Wonderful scenery. Many stay at albergue as you come into town, B=but I recommend calling ahead to reserve Eva Doce two blocks away.
Barcelos. We almost missed a turn in the first town. There is an extremely faint yellow arrow on the curb to turn right. Stayed at "Residence of the Rooster Lord" albergue.
Corgo (not really a town). Casa de Fernanda. This is a must stop. A wonderful experience. Donation (and you will want to leave a big one). I called 2 days ahead. There is limited space and it will fill up.
Ponte de Lima. Municipal albergue is across the bridge. Opens at 4:00. Only time I had to wait.
Rubiaes. Walk 200 meters past the main albergue and stop at O Ninho. Another wonderful experience. Dinner and breakfast.
Tui. On the way there, walk through Valenca which is a huge medieval fortification. Stayed at Albergue el Camino. In the nearby plaza is the only hiking supply store I saw.
Mos. Be alert for false arrows. Correct yellow arrows may be blacked out leading you the old way. The albergue is on the Camino path after turning left off the highway into the town center. Mos is a good stop before a large hill.
Pontevedra. The albergue is a fairly large and new facility. 6 Euros. It was very full. I heard later there is another albergue just a little further into town which should be less busy.
Caldas de Reis. I skipped the municipal albergue and went to a hotel/hostel a few blocks away. Reports were the albergue was very bad. Stayed at Hotel O Cruceiro. You can pay for a shared pilgrim room or a private room.
Padron. I went 2 km North of Pardon and stayed at the Scala Hotel, 36 Euros for a nice private room - the most I ever spent. I would have walked further, but my shin split was hurting. I heard later the albergues in Padron were not good.
Santiago de Compostela. The Last Stamp Hostel. It was good, but difficult to find the first time.
Vaš prijatelj Camino
Steve
In addition to Steve's post-his yellow guitarpick is a great one ! I am lucky I have one-a real collector'sitemI walked the CP in May 2015. First Camino. Great weather. Be careful on highways (5 Fatima pilgrims were killed elsewhere by car on my first day. May is the Fatima anniversary, thus very busy there). People complain about cobblestones, but it's not a problem with good hiking boots (IMO). People complain about boring industrial areas, but so what - that's the Camino. I didn't walk to look at flowers the whole way. It is what it is. I was very intentional about breaking stages into more reasonable distances (I didn't know if I could walk long distances). Two short days instead of one long one. Time includes all stops during the day. The information on this forum is/was invaluable.
No need to reserve south of Porto. Should have called ahead to reserve Porto. I was lucky to find a place in Coimbra due to the student festival (aka drunk-fest). Google it to see if you will be in town at the same time. It was an experience to see, but could have been difficult to find a bed. If you stay at the Convent, make a stop at the Albergaria City Hall and have them call ahead for you. Try to schedule your day off NOT on a Sunday. It will be boring. I called 2 days ahead for Corgo (Fernada's) since I knew she would be full.
If anyone likes, PM me for a link to my Facebook day-by-day journal.
I only took one day off at Porto. If I was to do over, I would take more days off. Tomar is nice - Templar Castle there.
I'm seriously considering VdlP for my next Camino. Since you've walked that, any input you have is appreciated (maybe PM so not to clutter up this thread).
Cathedral Se, Lisbon - Moscavida 10 km (6.06 miles walked in 2.5 hours)
Moscavida - Alverca 25 km (15.24 miles walked in 6.9 hours)
Alverca - Azambaja 20 km (12.7 miles walked in 5.7 hours)
Azambaja - Porto de Muge 18 km (11.25 miles walked in 5.2 hours)
Porto de Muge - Santarem non walking day - sick - got a ride
Santarem - Golega 12 km (7.68 miles walked in 4 hours)
Golega - Tomar 33 km (20.2 miles walked in 10 hours)
Tomar - Alvaiazere 23 km (14.45 miles walked in 7 hours)
Alvaiazere - Alvorge 24 km (15.1 miles walked in 7.7 hours)
Alvorge - Cernache 27 km (17 miles walked in 8.3 hours)
Cernache - Coimbra 13 km (8.21 miles walked in 4.7 hours)
Coimbra - Mealhada 19 km (11.8 miles walked in 7.5 hours)
Mealhada - Agueda 26 km (16 miles walked in 7.5 hours)
Agueda - Albergaria +4km to Convent 19 km (11.6 miles walked in 6.9 hours)
Albergaria - Sao Joao da Madeira 26 km (16.28 miles walked in 7.6 hours)
Sao Joao da Madeira - Porto 39 km (24.2 miles walked in 10.3 hours)
Porto - Vila do Conte (train to Matasinhos) 26 km (16 miles walked in 8.8 hours)
Vila do Conte - Barcelos 31 km (19.2 miles walked in 9.7 hours)
Barcelos - Corgo (Fernada's!) 20 km (12.41 miles walked in 6.3 hours)
Corgo - Pointe de Lima 15 km (9.1 miles walked in 4.6 hours)
Pointe de Lima - Rubiaes (recommend O Ninho) 18 km (11.3 miles walked in 5.6 hours)
Rubiaes - Tui, Spain 20 km (12.65 miles walked in 7.5 hours)
Tui, Spain - Mos 24 km (14.77 miles walked in 6.8 hours)
Mos - Pointvedra 29 km (17.9 miles walked in 9.5 hours)
Pointvedra - Caldas de Reis 24 km (14.73 miles walked in 7.22 hours)
Caldas de Reis - Padron +2.1km to Scala Hotel 20 km (12.5 miles walked in 4.5 hours)
Padron - Santiago 23 km (14 miles walked in 6.35 hours)
Hi StripySocks.Hello Camino Brains Trust
I will start walking from Lisbon on 12 May 2016 with the view to arriving in SdC on Sunday 5 June.
This is my first Spring Camino (having completed both Frances and Via de la Plata in Autumn) and I am wondering whether I will need to book ahead ie how busy is Portugal in Spring??
I plan to have a rest day in Coimbra and also Porto -........
Hi StripySocks.
We're currently on the Camino Portuguese, just north of Redondela, having started at Lisbon on 6th April. We walk slow!!!!
No problems with accommodation so far. If it's any help, you can read all about our route and where we stayed at folksfrom62.blogspot.com.
Can't put much more here as I only have a very flaky internet connection.
Tony
Hello Camino Brains Trust
I will start walking from Lisbon on 12 May 2016 with the view to arriving in SdC on Sunday 5 June.
This is my first Spring Camino (having completed both Frances and Via de la Plata in Autumn) and I am wondering whether I will need to book ahead ie how busy is Portugal in Spring??
I plan to have a rest day in Coimbra and also Porto - then will walk the coastal route until Caminha and then walk up the river to Tui.
Any advice would be appreciated and hope to see some friendly faces along the way.
Thanks
Mel
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?