The Camino de Santiago can be done for many reasons (they do not necessarily have to be religious) and by different routes depending on the starting point. But approximately 20% of the pilgrims who have collected the Compostela in recent years have made the Portuguese Way to Santiago . Although the complete path has a total of 620 kilometers divided into 25 stages, most do the last 100 kilometers and start in the border town of Tui.
The Portuguese Way to Santiago
Stage 1: Tui – O Porriño
The highlight of this first stage is the Virxe do Camiño chapel, the Budiño Gándaras, the San Telmo bridge and, already in O Porriño, the Santa María chapel and the Cristo fountain . In this first journey, we also recommend tasting some of the delicacies of Galician gastronomy, such as elvers, lampreia, the delicacies of the nuns of the Clarisas convent, honey and bread and tripe from O Porriño.
This stage has a total of thirteen kilometers and enters the historic center of Tui, which is one of the seven capitals of the Old Kingdom of Galicia, declared a historical and artistic complex in 1967. We recommend visiting it calmly to get to know some of its more streets old, like Obispo Maceira, Piñeiro or Sanz; and several of its historic buildings, such as the Cathedral of Santa María or the Church of San Bartolomeu, which is one of the oldest in Galicia.
When you leave Tui, you will have to head towards the Virxe do Camiño town . A few kilometers from here is the Ponte das Febres, just before reaching the town of La Magdalena . Later, you will have to go to Orbenlle and, finally, to O Porriño .
Stage 2: O Porriño – Redondela
To make the most of this second stage of the Portuguese Way to Santiago, which is about 16 kilometers long , we recommend visiting the Santa María de Guizán church and the Pazo de los Marquesses de Mos in Mos. And, in Redondela, the Vilavella convent, the Torre house and the Alameda gardens . We also recommend trying the cuttlefish in the same municipality of Redondela, which is a variant of the squid.
When you leave O Porriño , you will have to head towards Ameiro Longo passing through Coto Filgueiras . Later, you will pass through the Vegadal and you will arrive at the municipality of Mos , the perfect place to make a stop and gather strength for the most difficult part of the section, which is the climb to Santiaguiño . There will be several small towns, such as Casal do Monte, O Souto and O Muro before reaching Redondela from Santiaguiño.
Stage 3: Redondela – Pontevedra
This stage has a total of 19 kilometers , with very little unevenness and very good signposting. Although there are many points of interest, we highlight the Roman bridge of Pontesampaio and the castle of Soutomaior, and already in Pontevedra, the church of the Pilgrim Virgin , the church of San Francisco and the Nazaren chapel. And to recharge your batteries, there is nothing better than a good seafood and fish dish, but above all, oysters, mussels, clams and scallops. We also highlight a puff pastry filled with almonds, which is a real delight.
The third stage, after leaving Redondela, passes through Cesantes . And 4 kilometers from this town, there are the best views of the Ría de Vigo. Continuing along the roads, and after passing through several small towns, you arrive at Concello de Soutomaior and, later, at Arcade , which is a very touristy place. Afterwards, you will have to head towards Bergunde and, from there, towards Pontevedra .
Stage 4: Pontevedra – Caldas de Reis
This fourth stage, which has a total of 19 kilometers , is characterized by its rural essence. We highlight the church of Santa María, the church of Santo André de César, the church of Santo Tomás de Becket, the Las Burgas fountain and the Segade bridge . As for our gastronomic recommendation, we would highlight, in addition to fish and seafood dishes, game meats, empanadas and DO Rías Baixa wines.
After leaving Pontevedra , you have to go around the A Xunqueira de Alba marsh and head, passing through Pontecabras , towards Santa María de Alba . Then it will be time to visit the lush forests of Reirís and Lombo da Maceira to reach the municipality of Barro and, later, A Cancelas . Following the indications, the next point will be the Briallos Hostel and, from there, to Tivo , the perfect place to make a brief stop before facing the last section before reaching Caldas de Reis .
Stage 5: Caldas de Reis – Padrón
Between Caldas de Reis and Padrón there is a total of 17 kilometers. From this stage the convent of San Antonio Herbón and the church of Santa María de Herbón are important, and already in Padrón, the church of Santiago, the bridge of Santiago and the house of Rosalía de Castro . During this stage, we consider it essential to try the Herbón-Padrón peppers, as well as the lamprey, the Galician octopus, the teat cheese and the almond and egg yolk tart.
From Caldas de Reis and before reaching the parish of Carracedo , you have to walk about 5 kilometers in which there will be no establishment, so we recommend getting water and something to eat before. From the parish, and after passing the church of Santa Mariña , you have to go towards San Miguel de Valga . Later, you will have to go to Condide and then go through Pontecesures . You must cross the bridge over the Ulla , which separates the provinces of Pontevedra and A Coruña, to reach Padrón .
Stage 6: Register – Santiago de Compostela
The last stage has a total of 22 kilometers. After having passed the 100 kilometers of the Portuguese Way to Santiago, it is time to visit the cathedral in which the apostle rests, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. In addition to the monastery of San Martín Pinario, Santo Domingo de Bonaval, the Abastos market and the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos . And, obviously, eat Galician octopus, Galician beef, pork shoulder with turnip greens and Galician stew, among other Galician delicacies. We also recommend the famous Santiago cake, as well as the homemade pomace liqueurs or a good queimada.
After leaving Padrón , you have to head towards the Sar Valley , where you can visit some traditional villages, such as A Pousa, O Souto, O Rueiro, Cambelas or Anteportas . You reach A Escravitude and, from there, you have to go to O Milladoiro , which is the last town where you can stop before reaching the long-awaited Santiago de Compostela .
