Wifi and pilgrim meals on Camino Portuguese

[Pilsprog]

Hi, I walked the Camino Frances in May-June 2015. I'm planning to walk Porto to Santiago starting mid-June 2018. Is it as easy to find wi-fi on the Camino Portuguese as it is on Camino Frances? Also, are there places that offer pilgrim meals the way they do on Camino Frances? What would be a realistic daily budget for the Portuguese route? any advice gratefully accepted.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Portuguese food is both better and cheaper. WiFi is omnipresent. It’s all good news!

 

[surya8]

Portuguese way is much cheaper, I'd say 5-8 euros for municipal albergues, 8-15 for private, plenty of accommodation options. Food is great, pilgrim menues 5-10 euro, can share a meal for 2 people in Portugal as portions are beyond huge I walked in late Apr - May, there were many people on the route but no rush to get a place to sleep, very relaxed feel. Wifi: in Portugal is available easily, when crossing into Spain slighly more challenging in the albergues as some need verification through the local phone number. Easy to walk but some cobblestones.

 

[Irma Venter]

Sorry to butt in on your question but would just like to know if the cobblestones are a huge problem on feet as everybody seem to comment on them and is their any best way to combat them?

 

[surya8]

walked between Lisbon to Santiago, cobblestones are frequent but not that bad. Didn't have time to prepare for the walk, so I took the ultra light, oldest cheapest no name walking shoes, could feel each and every stone underneath my feet. Cobblestones were not the problem for me, but the painful swelling of the ankle on one foot was. Others who walked alongside me were happy with their walking boots or runners. I think the route is relatively easy, doesn't require proper hiking boots, at least in late spring/summer/autumn.

 

[Irma Venter]

Thank you seriously consider walking this route this year - can't wait

 

[Camembert]

During weekdays find a restaurant that serves a menu do dia instead of a pilgrimsmenu.
At times of the Spanish generalissimo Franco there was a law that every worker could buy a three course menu and a drink for a low price, at that time in Spanish peseta currency. Untill today in Spain you can buy a 3 course menu for about 10€. Portugal adopted the system and there you obtain the menu for round about 5 till 8€. To be said you do not find this menu during the weekends.
Anyhow it it cheaper and better than a pilgrims menu.

Wifi you will find everywhere. Restaurants,bars,libraries, municipal centers etc.

 

[Grousedoctor]

We walked the Portugués last year in late March. We had no problem hooking into wifi wherever we were from albergues to cafes along The Way. Perhaps it was because we were ahead of the crowd walking that early, but we didn’t find albergues offering pilgrim meals as I found on the Francés. However, there were plenty of restaurants offering a multi-course pilgrim’s meal. But with all the great seafood available, it was hard not to seek out restaurants offering pulpo or bacalhau.

Regarding the cobblestones, although I had no difficulty with them, my wife developed knee problems after five days on this uneven surface. When we reached Tui, we used a luggage transport service (Tuitrans) to ship her backpack ahead for a couple of days so as to make walking easier. Although we travel light with little more than a 6 kg pack, the stones still caused some problems. Bom Caminho!

 

[Camembert]

We walked the Portugués last year in late March. We had no problem hooking into wifi wherever we were from albergues to cafes along The Way. Perhaps it was because we were ahead of the crowd walking that early, but we didn’t find albergues offering pilgrim meals as I found on the Francés. However, there were plenty of restaurants offering a multi-course pilgrim’s meal. But with all the great seafood available, it was hard not to seek out restaurants offering pulpo or bacalhau.

Regarding the cobblestones, although I had no difficulty with them, my wife developed knee problems after five days on this uneven surface. When we reached Tui, we used a luggage transport service (Tuitrans) to ship her backpack ahead for a couple of days so as to make walking easier. Although we travel light with little more than a 6 kg pack, the stones still caused some problems. Bom Caminho!

The only albergues that supply pilgrim meals are Hilário in Mealhada on the Lisbon to Porto leg and Casa da Fernanda between Barcelos and Ponte de Lima on the leg from Porto to Santiago

 

[Grousedoctor]

I had forgotten about Fernanda’s. What a wonderful overnight and hospitality second to none! Fernanda fed us from the moment we arrived until we left the next morning. I had read so many good things about staying there and it was my favorite stop on the CP. She offers one dorm room with 8-10 beds and has one private room. She doesn't use the computer much, but if you want to stay there, I’d suggest you give her a call as I did to reserve beds. Bom Caminho!