Portuguese Coastal Route 1/2 - Porto to Oia
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
This first section of the Camino Portugues Coastal from Porto to Oia takes you along the sealine past beaches and spectacular ocean views on flat boardwalks. It honours historical figures, including the city’s native son and one of the patrons of Portuguese exploration, Henry the Navigator! Following the Camino de Santiago from Porto in Portugal, you can start by exploring the compact historic city centre with its many cafes, ornate religious buildings and narrow shopping streets. Then walk out past Viana de Castelo and its surrounding beaches and forested hills on the road to Oia.
FREE
This trip createstonne(s) of CO2, we offset it for free
Highlights
Porto
Be sure to take time to explore this World Heritage City. From the stately bridges that span the Douro river, to the port cellars and many cafe’s that line the banks of the river, time can easily slip away here. A must see also is the Cathedral and a leisurely stroll around the many streets with their tiled facades, flowering balconies and many monuments to notable people of history, such as the city’s very own son Henry the Navigator!
Viana do Castelo
This beautiful historic city sits perched on the banks of where the Lima river meets the Atlantic Ocean. Explore the compact historic centre with its many cafes’, ornate religious buildings and narrow shopping streets. Then why not take the Funicular up to the Santuário de Santa Luzia for a panoramic view over Viana de Castelo and its surrounding beaches and forested hills.
Beaches
The north of Portugal may not be known for its beaches but there are some real wonderful gems along this coastline. Miles of sandy beaches, lapped by the cooling waters of the Atlantic ocean make a perfect pit-stop whilst walking this coastal route. Some of the best beaches can be found in Vila do Conde; Esposende; Viana do Castelo and Caminha.
Services
- Bed & Breakfast
- Specially Hand-Picked Accommodation
- Our Holiday or Pilgrim Pack
- 24/7 On-Call Support
- Virtual Face-to-Face Pre-Departure Briefing
- Premium Accommodation
- Airport Pick-Up
- Additional Nights
- Dinners
- Luggage Transfers from Hotel to Hotel
- Day Tours to Local Sites of Interest
- Flights/trains
- Insurance
- Drinks/Lunch
Itinerary
Day 1
PORTO (Arrival)
The entire old city of Porto became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and there’s plenty going on here to warrant that title. Set on the bank of the Douro River near the Atlantic Ocean, the city is perhaps best known globally for its famous Port wine, wine that goes down very well on the countless terraces and restaurants in Porto!
Day 2
37.02km
PORTO
to
POVOA DE VARZIM
From the city centre of Porto you will head out along the Douro River to the Atlantic coastline, which you will follow north. To shorten the day you can take the metro from the city centre to the coast to start from there. Passing by tranquil beach resorts, you may be tempted more than once to dip your toes in the sea. By the end of the day you will reach the coastal villages of Vila do Conde and Povoa de Varzim.
Day 3
19.61km
POVOA DE VARZIM
to
ESPOSENDE
Continuing to follow the coastline, you will pass glorious beaches and coastal towns. The second part of the day will see you move slightly inland; however, there is also an option to go back along the coast rather than through the Parque Natural do Litoral Norte. Crossing the Cavado River you will arrive into the city of Esposende.
Day 4
25.05km
ESPOSENDE
to
VIANA DO CASTELO
Passing by lighthouses whilst leaving Esposende you will continue along an inland route that has some gentle climbs. Today will see you on a combination of dirt paths, forest tracks and some tarmac roads as you weave your way through hills past beautiful churches to the River Lima. Crossing the main bridge over the river you will arrive into Viano do Castelo and your stop for the night.
Day 5
18.22km
VIANA DO CASTELO
to
VILA PRAIA DE ANCORA
A gentle walk along the coast today will take you to Villa Praia de Ancora. Here you can relax and, if you haven’t already been tempted, dip your toes in the cool Atlantic Ocean and sample some fresh seafood. The crab and mackerel are particularly notable here.
Day 6
27.37km
VILA PRAIA DE ANCORA
to
OIA (Spain)
Continuing onto the beach at Praia de Moledo, then walking through a forest, you will come back to a boardwalk before arriving into Caminha. This is the last town before crossing the border to Spain via a ferry to A Guardia. On your arrival you can walk around the peninsula and then stop for a coffee or lunch with magnificent beach scenery before heading to the
small village of Oia. The walk along the coastline is easy.
Day 7
OIA (Spain)
After breakfast, we bid you farewell.
How to Get There
Getting to Porto, Portugal
Fly into Porto
We recommend flying directly into Porto, as it has many flights each day directly from the UK, Ireland, and main cities in Europe.
Ryanair flies direct to Porto from several cities in the UK and Dublin. Several other companies fly to Porto Airport.
From Porto Airport to Porto city centre, take either the Subway, linea violet, or an urban bus.
Getting home from Oia, Portugal
Fly from Porto
We can organise a private airport transfer for you from your hotel in Oia to Porto airport, or you can take public transport.
To Porto Airport: Bus from Oia to Vigo bus station, regular departures (30min). Then take a direct bus to Porto Airport (45min), several departures a day.
What Our Customers Say
I want to plan my Camino
Share on