porto to baiona. portuguese coastal way

Start your journey towards Camino de Santiago in Porto, one of the most ancient cities in Europe.  Porto charms visitors with many architectural highlights, the picturesque Ribeira river front and UNESCO heritage listed colourful historic old town. You can easily spend a few days here. There’s a mix of the old and the new with churches, colourful markets, wine bars, port cellars and a lively atmosphere to soak up and enjoy. 

The day begins by taking the Metro light rail to Matosinhos to avoid the outskirts of Porto and reach the coast to start your walk on the Portuguese Seashore Path (or instead you may prefer to take a 15-minute taxi ride to  Matosinhos).

Start your Way in Matosinhos and follow the coastline on wooden boardwalks and pavements where you’ll encounter a series of wide sandy beaches, nature reserves and local fishermen at work before reaching the historical seaside town of Vila do Conde.

Leaving Vila do Conde, with the beach once again on your left, walk along the coastal path to Póvoa de Varzim, a popular resort and holiday town.

Accommodation in Póvoa do Varzim.

This day will leave the waves and goes a little more inland to get back to the sea at the end of your day. Cobbled surface is the standard of your day as you are passing villages along the way. It follows the ancient way, and one river cross will be the best image of that, over the Neiva River, and not far ahead the Benedictine Monastery of São Romão do Neiva. As the day approaches the Lima river estuary offers us wonderful sights of Viana and the surroundings. Eye catching is the Zimborio on top of the hill overlooking Viana do Castelo. The train passes over the same bridge we en-ter the city, one of the Eiffel works in Portugal. Viana, short as Portuguese call, is one amazing melt of mountain, river and sea, along with one of the best-preserved old town centers of the Minho. A delight for the eye, to stroll by the end of the day….

Across the old town center of Viana to reach the sea front by the old XVIIc. Fortress time to enjoy this typical architecture of Portugal’s Minho Region. The granite stone, the narrow buildings with huge their white windows are so characteristic of these towns…. The wave sound will be present all day as the path is meters away from them, make sure the day is not stormy!! Sea is always nearby, the Montedor lighthouse is a reminder of the long fate histories of these seas… Vila Praia de Ancora is another little place along the seashores of Minho. The sandy beach only sees bathing by July and August as the north wind seems to be milder….

After your last breakfast in Portugal time to reach Galicia, Spain. It is at Caminha, a wonderful medieval town by the river Minho, that you catch the ferry to Spain, just across. Take your time as the day is shorter… The pleas- ant town offers a lot to visit… The other side is not running short of things to do, as you arrive to A Guar- da. If you still have strength go to the hilltop and find yourself 2500 years back in time, in one of the best-preserved iron settlements of Iberia. And nonetheless wonderful views over the surroundings. A Guarda and his small fishing port is a reminder of the wonderful fish that one can have around…. Less mundane, is the main Church well worth a visit.

Starting toward the fishing port instead of crossing the town, the path will follow all day long the shores of Galicia. A more rugged scenery of the battling waves against the rocky land is our company along the scallop way. A XIIc. Monastery will catch the eye as it’s fighting the wave in a more un- settle weather. Santa Maria de Oia Monastery is one unique sight and reminder of the path of Saint James or the first Christian settlers driven by the Cistercians monks to these areas. Exiting the Monastery cove along little walled ways of farmland you’ll reach your destination of the day, and a well-deserved rest.

Another coastal walk is waiting for you. Following between the hill and the wave, you almost reach cape Sillero, and his lighthouse. From this point you enter a little more inland to avoid the cape. As you descend to Baiona, the views are stunning, with one amazing scenario of sea, islands, and land. At the Rias end, the Cies Island offers this fantastic picture, if the weather is clear!! Not far Baiona, another beautifully situated town. A small, pleasant port, an amazing medieval old town center and beautiful fortress. The perfect place to hang out and rest or find a nice restaurant or pub to enjoy a late after- noon and evening.

Baiona is a lovely coastal town in Galicia, Spain, known for its charming historic center, beautiful beaches, and maritime history. Baiona itself has many great cafes and restaurants and a wonderful atmosphere. The tourist office is located in the Baiona Parador which has the most amazing views over the Atlantic Ocean and Vigo Bay. If energy levels permit you may like to use this free day to travel to the nearby historic town of Tui with its cathedral, or even take a day trip to visit the beautiful Cies Islands located a short distance off the coast.