On this tour, we’ll have the opportunity to experience a deeper side of Portugal and Spain, where ancient traditions are still alive, passed down from generation to generation.
We’ll enjoy the culture, the cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes.
Cycling the Camino de Santiago is much more than just a bike ride—it’s a journey of introspection and self-discovery.
It will be an honor for Tours and Champagne to be your companion during such a special moment in your life.
The journey begins in the vibrant city of Porto, an important historical and cultural center of Portugal. Known for its wine, striking architecture, and stunning views of the Douro River, Porto offers the pilgrim a memorable farewell before starting the walk towards the north.
Leaving the city, we continue through urban and suburban areas, passing through places such as Matosinhos and Maia, until reaching more rural and peaceful areas. As we move forward, the atmosphere becomes calmer, with paths lined with vineyards, green fields, and small charming villages.
The route passes through historic towns such as Vila do Conde and Póvoa de Varzim, and continues to Rates, where the ancient Monastery of São Pedro de Rates is located, one of the highlights of the Portuguese Way. This place is important both for its religious history and for its architectural beauty.
Finally, we arrive at the enchanting city of Barcelos, known for the famous Galo de Barcelos, one of the greatest symbols of Portuguese folklore. The city is full of traditions, fairs, churches, and historical monuments such as the Medieval Bridge and the Palace of the Counts of Barcelos. It is an excellent place to rest, reflect, and prepare for the next stages towards Santiago de Compostela.
It is a stage rich in culture, spirituality, and natural landscapes, ideal both for beginners and for experienced pilgrims.
After leaving behind the historic city of Barcelos, we continue along one of the most authentic and beautiful stages of the Central Portuguese Way towards Ponte de Lima. This stretch crosses a typically Minho landscape, filled with rural traditions, lush nature, and welcoming small villages.
The departure from Barcelos already reveals the charm of the region. The sound of church bells, stone houses, dirt paths, and cultivated fields create an atmosphere of peace and contemplation. The route is marked by small villages such as Tamel, Aborim, and Balugães, where centuries-old chapels and stone crosses remind us of the region’s deep connection with faith and pilgrimage.
The pace of cycling is set by the gentle terrain, with light climbs and descents, and by old bridges that cross quiet streams. On clear days, it is possible to enjoy distant views of the mountain ranges and the intense green of vineyards and woodlands.
As we approach Ponte de Lima, we begin to feel the symbolic power of this path. Entering the city is especially striking, as crossing the Roman and medieval bridge over the Lima River is one of the most memorable moments of the entire pilgrimage. The city, considered the oldest in Portugal, is a true historical and cultural treasure. Its stone streets, flower-filled squares, churches, and museums enchant visitors and offer us a well-deserved rest.
Ponte de Lima is also known for the hospitality of its people and its local gastronomy, especially the arroz de sarrabulho and the vinho verde wines. It is the perfect place to regain energy, meet other pilgrims, and reflect on the journey so far.
Of all the stages of the Portuguese Way, the route between Ponte de Lima and Valença is one of the most challenging and memorable. This journey crosses mountainous landscapes, historic villages, and ancient trails, marking an important transition. It is the last major stage in Portuguese territory before entering Galicia, Spain.
Leaving Ponte de Lima, the path continues through peaceful rural areas, passing vineyards, woodlands, and small villages such as Arcozelo and Labruja.
The main highlight and also the greatest physical challenge of this stage is the climb to Serra da Labruja. It is a demanding stretch, with steep inclines and uneven terrain. However, the effort is rewarded with spectacular views and a profound sense of accomplishment at the top of the mountain, where stone crosses and Camino symbols bear witness to the passage of thousands of pilgrims over the centuries.
Arrival in Valença is marked by the grandeur of its medieval fortress, which dominates the landscape with its well-preserved walls and views over the Minho River. This border town has a long tradition of welcoming pilgrims and offers good facilities for rest, food, and preparation for the next stage.
The route between Ponte de Lima and Valença is more than a simple geographical crossing. It is a stage of physical and introspective overcoming, marked by the beauty of the landscapes, the strength of nature, and the constant presence of history and spirituality. For many pilgrims, it is one of the most remarkable stages of the entire Portuguese Way.
The stage between Valença and Pontevedra marks one of the most exciting phases of the Portuguese Way to Santiago. Here, we cross the border from Portugal into Spain, enter Galicia, and immerse ourselves in a new cultural, linguistic, and spiritual landscape.
Immediately after Valença, the international bridge leads us to Tui, already on Spanish soil, heading towards Santiago de Compostela.
From Tui, the path continues along rural tracks and forest paths, passing through small Galician villages full of tradition. The stage to Redondela is rich in greenery, fountains, medieval bridges, and ancient churches. The towns of O Porriño and Mos are popular resting points, offering shelter and typical Galician food.
This part of the route combines urban and industrial sections, such as in Porriño, with beautiful mountain paths, especially on the climb between Mos and Alto de Enxertade, before descending to Redondela, a coastal town where the Portuguese Coastal Way meets the Central Way.
The route offers stunning views over the Ría de Vigo, forested areas, vineyards, and small roadside chapels. Passing through Arcade, famous for its oysters, is a great opportunity for a gastronomic stop.
Arrival in Pontevedra is marked by walking along cobbled streets into the heart of the old town. With its well-preserved historic center, Pontevedra is a charming city full of history, ideal for resting. The Church of La Peregrina, shaped like a shell, is an important symbol of the Way, dedicated to the Virgin Peregrina, patroness of those walking to Santiago.
The route from Valença to Pontevedra is not just a crossing of geographical borders but also a bridge between cultures. Portuguese hospitality gives way to Galician tradition, but the spirit of the Way remains the same: faith, effort, simplicity, and encounter. The green landscapes, Jacobean symbols, meetings with other pilgrims, and historical richness make this stage unforgettable.
The stage between Pontevedra and Padrón is one of the most beautiful and spiritual on the Way to Santiago. This route takes us through historic paths, enchanting forests, medieval bridges, and villages with a strong connection to Jacobean tradition. It is also the penultimate stage before reaching the long-awaited city of Santiago de Compostela.
The day begins in the beautiful historic center of Pontevedra, a city that welcomes us with cobbled streets, ancient churches, and the emblematic Church of La Peregrina, with its shell-shaped plan. Leaving the city, the path continues along tree-lined trails and rural roads, gradually moving away from the urban environment and entering calmer, more natural landscapes.
The route between Pontevedra and Padrón is a true immersion in nature. We will cross oak, eucalyptus, and chestnut forests, passing small stone bridges and hearing the sound of streams that cross the path. The dense vegetation and birdsong create a serene atmosphere, perfect for meditation.
Along the way, villages such as Caldas de Reis, known for its thermal waters, invite us to stop for rest and meals. The Church of Santa Maria de Caldas and the Fonte das Burgas, a natural hot spring, are points of interest to explore.
The stage ends in the city of Padrón, one of the most symbolic places on the entire Way to Santiago. According to tradition, it was here that the disciples of the apostle Santiago brought his body by boat after his martyrdom in Jerusalem, tying it to a stone (the “pedrón”) which can still be visited today in the Church of Santiago de Padrón.
Padrón is also famous for its literature, being the land of the writer Rosalía de Castro, and for its gastronomy, especially the famous Padrón peppers, which are a true classic for pilgrims.
The route between Pontevedra and Padrón is more than a geographical transition: it is a path of introspection and preparation for the final destination. The Galician nature, small gestures of local hospitality, and religious landmarks reinforce the spirit of the Way. Upon arriving in Padrón, we already feel that Santiago is near, and that every pedal stroke up to this point has been worthwhile.
The final stage of the Way, between Padrón and Santiago de Compostela, is marked by a mix of anticipation, joy, and reflection. After five days of cycling, this last stretch takes the pilgrim to the long-awaited destination, the majestic Cathedral of Santiago, where, according to tradition, the remains of the apostle Saint James rest.
The path passes through quiet villages, small agricultural fields, and dirt roads, going through places such as Iria Flavia, an ancient Roman and episcopal city with great religious importance in the Middle Ages. Along the way, we will encounter chapels, stone crosses, and views of the hills surrounding Santiago.
Although it is not the longest stage, there are some moderate climbs, especially in the final stretch, which require physical effort. However, the excitement grows as the first signs indicating the proximity of the city appear.
Upon reaching the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela, urban activity increases and the Way’s markers become more frequent. With each pedal stroke, the emotion of seeing the goal approach intensifies. Entering the historic area of the city, narrow cobbled streets, street musicians, and the sound of bells announce the imminent arrival.
Finally, turning one of the last corners, the Obradoiro Square appears, with the imposing Cathedral of Santiago ahead, an indescribable moment that marks the end of the pilgrimage for many and the beginning of a new inner journey for others.
The stage between Padrón and Santiago de Compostela may be physically shorter, but it is emotionally profound. Every stone, every pedal stroke, every breath carries the memory of the journey already traveled. Arrival at the cathedral is not just the end of a geographical route, it is a moment of achievement, gratitude, and transformation.
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