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.
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The ground behind you: what the walk into Ponte de Lima crosses, and where it could have been broken.
Tomorrow from Ponte de Lima
Nothing says you have to stop here, or there. These are simply the towns within a comfortable day's walk, so you can decide tonight.
| Town | km from here | Shared | Private | The walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcozelo | 3.2 | ✓ Yes | — No | |
| Labruja | 10.1 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Ponte de Lima to Labruja |
| Bandeira | 10.7 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Ponte de Lima to Bandeira |
| Agualonga | 15.3 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Ponte de Lima to Agualonga |
| São Roque | 16.5 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Ponte de Lima to São Roque |
| Rubiães | 17.7 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Ponte de Lima to Rubiães |
| Pecene | 21.2 | — No | ✓ Yes | The walk from Ponte de Lima to Pecene |
| Fontoura | 25.0 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Ponte de Lima to Fontoura |
| Paços | 27.2 | ✓ Yes | — No | The walk from Ponte de Lima to Paços |
| Ponte da Pedreira | 28.2 | — No | ✓ Yes | The walk from Ponte de Lima to Ponte da Pedreira |
| Valença | 34.2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Ponte de Lima claims to be the oldest town in Portugal — its royal charter dates to 1125, making it older than the nation itself. The town takes its name from the medieval bridge over the Rio Lima, whose 30 arches span the wide, slow river. The oldest seven arches are Roman, from the 1st century; the rest are medieval, completed in 1370. Your feet won't be able to tell the difference.
The Largo de Camoes is the main square near the head of the bridge — a natural gathering point with cafes and shade. The Igreja Matriz and the defensive towers — the Torre de Sao Paulo and the Torre Cadeia — are all worth seeing. Several churches around town pay tribute in some form to the pilgrimage to Santiago.
Cross the bridge to reach the Parque do Arnado, a beautiful riverside park with gardens along the Lima. The albergue and a toy museum are on the far side.
Ponte de Lima sits at the heart of vinho verde country. The wine is young, slightly fizzy, and best drunk cold — it doesn't travel well, so drink it here. The market alternates Mondays: a larger market on the first and third Mondays, a smaller one on the second and fourth.
All services available.
Ponte de Lima has played host to a very large festival known as ‘As Feiras Novas’ every second weekend in September since 1826. It is a massive party, and if you have not made a reservation long in advance, you may find yourself without a home for the night.
As Ferias Novas, the town festival, is celebrated without pause on the second weekend in September, a three-day feast.
The Romans feared the Rio Lima, believing it to be the Lethe — the river of forgetfulness from Greek mythology. The story goes that the legions under Decimus Junius Brutus refused to cross, fearing they'd lose their memories. Brutus crossed alone, then called each soldier by name from the far bank, proving the water was harmless. The town has celebrated this legend ever since.
As Feiras Novas, the town's festival, has been running since 1826 and is held every second weekend in September. It's three days of feasting, music, and fireworks — book accommodation months in advance or expect to sleep outdoors.
Cross the bridge, passing the museum of toys and the albergue and turn right on the first street. The camino joins a small country lane, passes under the highway, and into Arcozelo.
11. May 2026 - 15:55
Beautiful, clean and only 50 euro for a big room with bathroom.
5. April 2026 - 21:07
They refused to serve us. It was lunch time and they just said something in Portuguese, didn't even look us in the eyes and made a hand gesture to go away. Ppl were staring at us... We didn't even have our backpacks on. It was a very unpleasant experience.
25. September 2025 - 20:59
We had an amazing dinner at pizzeria Beire Rio. Stop here for a great meal
7. September 2025 - 9:18
Enjoyed stay in Ponte de Lima. Stayed in both old village hostel and Graciosa guest house.
Old village hostel has great facilities. Very modern and can do washing. Is a little bit out of town but only 10min walk to town.
Graciosa guest house lovely if want a bit of luxury had a double room and a bath - which was a lovely treat to rest my tried body
5. September 2025 - 11:20
Stayed Saturday August 16. Paid 22€ for bunk bed + 6€ for breakfast. Near the bus station, not far from the river. Very nice place, good atmosphere, good breakfast.
1. September 2025 - 22:01
After 36km of walking we arrived in that "feels like home" place..Nice beds, nice livingroom, self-service bar, kitchen and breakfast. The best accomodation I've been while walking my route
17. July 2025 - 23:05
Arrived on a Sunday, and there was local flea markets in the promenade, a rally car race and an organ concert in the church - honestly such a fun town!
I stayed at Old Village Hostel - 23EUR and a very welcoming and pretty space. Hosts made you feel at home.
I don’t stay at Albergue as I was very tired and wanted to check in before 3pm.
5. April 2025 - 9:40
This restaurant has two options of a menu. One shows the pilgrim menu, between 18.50 and 20. The other is the Menu of the Day, which was 7.50 or 9.50 with dessert. The hostess was the one who recommended we go with this option to cut on costs. On this visit, one meal had 3 mackerel, vegetables and potatoes. Bottled water was included. The soup was 3 euro extra. At the end, we got a stamp.
16. April 2024 - 16:57
I would pass on Pousada da Juventude
Overpriced for a old city jail converted to a Albuquerque
Not the cleanest place
6. October 2023 - 17:31
I booked through Booking . Com. The bed was the most wonderful bed that I’ve slept in all of my camino. I had a kitchenette and huge shower.
The owner went above and beyond for me. She also included this bit of history.
Our accommodation is located on the 17th century Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims coming from Braga would pass through Rua de MERIM, where the back of our accommodation is located, go down Rua do Pinheiro and, as the town was walled, they would either enter the gate at the beginning of Rua de Souto and cross the town, at the risk of being robbed by those who lived within the walls, and then gain access to the bridge, or there were others who crossed the river below the avenue of plane trees, where the Açude is located today because it is the narrowest area, on the other side of the river is the Chapel of São Gonçalo, which dates back to that time.
18. July 2023 - 17:52
The donativo is clean and new, but no sheets and the showers are cold and communal. If you want an alternative stay at the old Village hostel - you can book a small room for 3-4 people and split the cost.
22. April 2023 - 17:33
Is there a train from Porto to PdL, or bus?
24. October 2022 - 17:11
There is a new little bookstore here called Livraria A Uniao in this town. The shop owner is very knowledgable and gives good recommendations. She has books in English and tries to carry ones pilgrims will like.
14. September 2022 - 9:08
Great for fans of brutalism architecture. Showers are moldy, the toilets smell of urine, the room doors don't close when not locked, the WiFi isn't working, the whole place is desolate and depressing. Breakfast is not pilgrim friendly, it only starts at 8.30.
4. September 2022 - 16:48
Stayed at the gracious guest house. Beautiful room with private bath half mile or so up hill from the bridge and town square. $40-42 euros/ night
4. October 2021 - 19:13
Just passed through, but a beautiful town. At at Cafe de Terra and it was delicious, I recommend trying the coffee with lemon. Went swimming in the river and it was chilly but refreshing. Best stop of the trip for me.
3. August 2021 - 17:30
Spend the night and enjoy the river. We spent Sunday night in town. Lucky we didn’t hit Saturday because was full. So be careful that weekends get busy.
14. September 2020 - 14:28
Still a great place to stay. September 2020
17. April 2019 - 17:37
Terraço da Vila was a great place to stay - two days here to rest was lovely in centre of town. Fantastic burger place across the road from here!
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.
