Lisbon → Santiago de Compostela
Two genuinely different walks under one name. Lisbon to Santiago inland is 612 km and quiet; Porto up the coast is 272 km with the Atlantic beside you the whole way.
New information comes in every day — from pilgrims on the road and people I know along the way — and it goes out the moment it does. The app carries all of it offline, and it's still being built: new features arrive routinely.
Pilgrims on the road and friends along the way send me changes every day, and they go out the same day. The Camino Portugués app carries all of it offline, and it's still being built — new features arrive routinely.
Get the appFrom the listings on this site, recalculated as they change. 9 albergues ask for a donation rather than a price: pay what the night was worth to you, not nothing.
This is the second Camino most people walk, and the first for a good many who want something shorter than the Francés without giving up the company and the infrastructure. It suits anyone with two weeks who wants a complete camino rather than the last stretch of a long one, and anyone who has done the Francés and wants a different country, a different coast and a different rhythm.
Who it isn't for: purists who want a single road. Historically the Portugués was never one road but a web of them, pilgrims from every part of the country making their own way north along whatever tracks and river crossings they had. Over time that web has been consolidated into the two routes people talk about today, the Central and the Coastal, which share a name, a start city and a finish, and the decision between them matters more than any other decision you will make about this walk. And it isn't for anyone who wants the crowds gone entirely. From Tui onward, the last hundred and twenty kilometres, it is busy in season.
The Central route runs 612 km from Lisbon, inland the whole way. The first week north out of the city is the least walked part of any camino on this site: farmland, market towns, long flat days, and the Tagus valley before the road turns north. Most people skip it, which is a shame, but I understand why. Santarém, Tomar with its Templar convent, and Coimbra are the reasons to walk it. From Porto the Central route heads inland through Barcelos and Ponte de Lima, one of the prettiest towns in Portugal, then crosses the Minho into Spain at Tui and finishes through the Galician interior.
The Coastal route is 272 km from Porto and stays with the Atlantic: boardwalks over the dunes north of the city, fishing towns, beaches, headlands, and the wind off the sea most of the day. It crosses into Spain by ferry at Caminha or by the bridge at Valença and joins the Central route near Redondela for the last stretch to Santiago.
You do not have to commit. Two of the ways listed on this page switch partway: Lisbon down the middle and then out to the coast, or Porto up the coast and then inland. Both are common and both are properly waymarked. A word on the Senda Litoral, the beach path that shadows the Coastal route: it is flatter and prettier and longer, and walking on sand all day is not the rest it sounds like.
The Portugués is the flattest camino I cover. There is nothing on it like the Pyrenees or O Cebreiro; the only climbs worth the name are the hill out of Ponte de Lima on the Central route and the short pull up to Redondela near the end. The difficulty is elsewhere. The Central route has more cobbles than any other camino, the old Portuguese calçada, and cobbles for hours are hard on feet and knees in a way that soft path is not. The Coastal route has sand, wind and sun with nowhere to hide from any of them.
Both routes have more road walking than the Francés, and the stretches through the outskirts of Porto and Vigo are the low points. Neither route is technical. Both will find any weakness in your footwear.
Beds are close together on both routes, and on the Coastal route they are closer than on almost anything else on this site outside the Francés. That makes this an easy camino to walk loosely, deciding tonight where to stop tomorrow. Portugal has fewer municipal albergues than Spain and more small private ones and guesthouses; Spain from Tui onward has the Xunta albergues that Galicia runs everywhere, cheap and reliable.
The one place to plan ahead is Porto itself, where the pilgrim beds fill and the city hotels price for tourists, and the last three days into Santiago in high season, when everyone on both routes is on the same road. Every town on this page lists every bed, and the table on each town's page shows every place with beds within a day's walk.
The prices at the top of this page come from the listings on this site, recalculated as they change, and the figures shown are the middle half. Portugal is cheaper than Spain for almost everything except a bed in Porto. A pilgrim in albergues and menus spends less here than on any Spanish route; a coffee and a pastel de nata at a bar is the cheapest breakfast on any camino. Some albergues in both countries are donativo, which does not mean free: it means there is no price, and you leave what the night was worth to you.
Spring and autumn, as everywhere, but the Coastal route makes July possible in a way the inland routes do not: the sea breeze keeps the afternoons walkable when the Central route and the Meseta are at 35 °C (95 °F). April to June and September to October are the best months for both. Winter on the coast is wet and windy but mild, and the route stays open; the inland route in January is quiet and short of open beds.
Lisbon and Porto both have international airports and both are on the Portuguese rail network; the walk starts at the cathedral in either city. From Porto the Coastal route can also be started at Matosinhos by metro, which skips the industrial edge of the city and which nobody will judge you for. Tui and Valença have railway stations for anyone starting the last hundred and twenty kilometres. Santiago has an airport and a station with fast trains to Madrid, and a direct train back to Porto and Lisbon for anyone flying home from where they started.
Three or four days more takes you from Santiago to Finisterre or Muxía, with the pressure off and the crowds gone. The Caminho da Geira e dos Arrieiros, from Braga, is the Portugués's quieter cousin along a Roman road, and the Caminho Nascente comes up the spine of Portugal from the Algarve to feed into the north. All three are on this site.
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Lisbon is the largest starting point on any Camino, but by European capital standards it's compact and walkable. Give yourself at least a night here before setting off — the city rewards an extra day if you can spare it.
Pick up your credencial at the Se Cathedral in Alfama or the Basilica dos Martires in Bairro Alto. Get two — the Portugues is long and stamps fill up fast. The Se is also the traditional starting point for the Camino; the first yellow arrow is on the lower right of the facade.
The city drapes itself across seven hills above the Rio Tejo. Three neighbourhoods matter most: Alfama to the east, the oldest quarter, climbing steeply beneath the Castelo de Sao Jorge; the Baixa in the centre, rebuilt on a grid after the catastrophic earthquake of 1755; and the Bairro Alto to the west, higher ground with narrow streets and late-night bars.
The Se Cathedral, Romanesque and fortress-like, dates from the 12th century and sits in the heart of Alfama. The Castelo de Sao Jorge above it offers the best panoramic views of the city and the river.
If time allows, take tram 15 to Belem. The Torre de Belem and the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos — both UNESCO World Heritage sites — are worth the trip. The monastery's Manueline stonework is among the finest in Portugal. The nearby Pasteis de Belem has been turning out pasteis de nata since 1837; the queue moves fast.
On your way out of the city toward Parque das Nacoes, you'll pass the Museu Nacional do Azulejo. Housed in the former Convento da Madre de Deus, it traces the history of Portugal's painted tile tradition from its Moorish-Spanish origins to the present. It has a stamp, and the collection is worth at least an hour.
The metro and commuter trains can eliminate the long urban walk. Take the metro to Oriente station (at Parque das Nacoes) to skip the city kilometres, or a commuter train onward to Sacavem, Alverca, or even Azambuja if you'd rather start walking in the countryside.
Before you set off be certain to pick up a pilgrim’s credencial if you have not already done so. It can be found at the Basílica dos Mártires and the Sé Cathedral. This accordion-fold booklet is your passport to the camino and will become your most cherished souvenir of the trip. It is a required document in most pilgrim-specific accommodation, earns you pilgrim prices in many museums, and will serve as proof of your journey when presented to the Pilgrim Office in Santiago if you are planning on getting your Compostela Certificate.
Lisbon has been a harbour settlement since Phoenician times, but the Romans made it a regional capital. They incorporated the area into the province of Lusitania, and the network of roads they built — connecting Olisipo (Lisbon) with Bracara Augusta (Braga), Portus Cale (Porto), and Emerita Augusta (Merida) — survives in fragments all the way to Santiago.
The earthquake of 1 November 1755 destroyed much of the city. The Marques de Pombal oversaw the reconstruction, imposing the rational grid of the Baixa and pioneering some of Europe's first earthquake-resistant building techniques.
The patron saint of Lisbon is Sao Vicente de Saragossa, whose relics are kept in the Se Cathedral. But it's Santo Antonio de Padua — born here in 1195 — who brings Lisboetas into the streets every June 13th for the Festas de Lisboa.
The way from the Sé Cathedral is straightforward and well-marked, with the first arrow being located on the lower right of the facade. Between here and the Parque you will pass a few notable waymarks, including the Museu Nacional do Azulejo. A large portion of this city walking can be eliminated by taking the metro to the Oriente station located near the Parque; and from there it is also possible to take a commuter train to Sacavém, Santa Iria, Póvoa, Alverca, or Azambuja.
Also known as Oriente, Parque das Nacoes occupies the site of the 1998 Expo and is now Lisbon's modern quarter — wide promenades, contemporary architecture, and the Oceanario de Lisboa, one of the largest aquariums in Europe. The bus and rail stations are here, and the Metro's Oriente stop is the last one convenient to the camino.
The park along the Rio Tejo provides the first green space since leaving the city centre. Services line the promenade to your left, slightly off the camino. Between here and Azambuja the camino runs largely through industrial areas and along roads — not the most scenic walking.
If you planned on skipping any part, this is the logical place: turn left toward Oriente station and take the commuter train to Azambuja. It costs about 4 euros, runs every 30 minutes, and takes less than an hour.
Well marked but not much to look at, the camino turns inland at Sacavém. The park ends in a parking lot and follows a wide joggers path along the canal.You will follow this canal inland, around a heavily developed hillside along the Rio Trancao, and then back to the Rio Tajo near Póvoa.
What the ground between two towns is actually like: everything you pass through, the climbing, and where you could stop along the way. Not a plan — a description.
Route index
642 km from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela. Most pilgrims walk it in 23 to 29 days. Every town below has its own page.
The Camino Portugués, with its Central and Coastal paths, offers a rich tapestry of cultural and scenic diversity, making it a fascinating alternative to the more frequented Camino Francés. This route, weaving through the charming landscapes of Portugal and Spain, is a blend of historical intrigue, natural beauty, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Central Path:
The Central Path starts in Lisbon, Portugal's vibrant capital. This journey begins with the bustling streets of Lisbon, filled with historic charm and the melodies of Fado music. As you leave the city, the route takes you through quieter countryside, dotted with quaint villages, vineyards, and olive groves.
Moving north, you'll encounter a mix of coastal and inland scenery. Highlights include the medieval town of Santarém, famous for its Gothic architecture, and Coimbra, a historic university city where traditional Portuguese culture is palpable. This path is a delightful journey through Portugal's heartland, offering a glimpse into the country's rich history and traditions.
As you cross into Spain, the route leads you to Tui, and from there, you'll traverse the verdant landscapes of Galicia, experiencing its unique culture and cuisine, before finally reaching Santiago de Compostela.
Coastal Path:
The Coastal Path, on the other hand, offers a different but equally enchanting experience. Starting in Porto, a city renowned for its port wine and stunning riverfront, this path hugs the Atlantic coastline. You'll walk through seaside towns, over beautiful beaches, and along rugged cliffs, with the ocean breeze as your constant companion.
The Coastal Path is a feast for the senses. You'll hear the waves crashing against the shore, feel the sand under your feet, and smell the salt in the air. The route passes through charming fishing villages where you can indulge in fresh seafood and experience the local way of life.
As you proceed north, the path crosses into Spain, offering the option to merge with the Central Path or continue along the coast before heading inland towards Santiago de Compostela.
Shared Experiences:
Both paths of the Camino Portugués converge in the final stretch through Galicia, leading to the grand finale in Santiago de Compostela. The journey, whether along the Central or Coastal path, is peppered with friendly cafes, welcoming guesthouses, and historical sites, providing ample opportunities for rest, reflection, and exploration.
In summary, the Camino Portugués, with its Central and Coastal routes, offers a journey rich in diversity and beauty. Whether you're strolling through historic cities, meandering through the countryside, or walking along the coastline, this Camino path provides a unique and memorable pilgrimage experience. It's a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and spiritual journeying, making it a beloved choice for many pilgrims.
Esta entidad ha sido beneficiaria de una ayuda del Programa de incentivos a la movilidad eficiente y sostenible (MOVES III), gestionado por la Xunta de Galicia a través del Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA) en el marco del Real Decreto 266/2021, y cofinanciada por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEU, dentro del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.
