Portuguese coastal route from Porto to A Guarda

When we talk about tourist destinations in Portugal, the city of Porto comes to mind almost immediately.

Hanging over the mouth of the Douro River, its past, its architecture and its wine-making tradition, linked to the famous sweet wine produced a few kilometres upriver and shipped here to countries all over the world, are striking. It also has one of the most beautiful and beloved bookshops in the world, its Torre dos Clérigos and its bustling Cais da Ribeira.

One of the best places from which to start the Portuguese Way along the coast or inland, either to reach the goal in Compostela or to reach the Galician border towns of Tui or A Guarda (depending on the route we choose).

Standard accommodation: Hotel Poveira or similar

Distance: 23.1 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Labruge

Start your Portuguese Way along the coast from Porto at one of the critical points of the route. Different possibilities open up here: the central Portuguese Way; the Braga variant, further inland; the Via Veteris, which will slowly make its way towards the coast; or the so-called Portuguese Way from Porto along the coast, which takes a short detour following the last stretch of the Douro River to turn off to the north following the Portuguese coast from its mouth.

If you opt for this route, which is the one we describe here, you can expect kilometres and kilometres of almost straight coastline, long open ocean beaches and the constant presence of the Atlantic. Undoubtedly, one of the most spectacular routes on the Way of St. James. It is no coincidence that in recent years it has gained in popularity.

Get ready to walk along the riverside path of the Douro River to its mouth and then turn northwards in a hand-in-hand with the Atlantic to Labruge.

Standard accommodation: Smiling Places or similar

Distance: 13.5 km
Difficulty: ●○○○○
Accommodation: Póvoa de Varzim

Long beaches, moving dunes, wooden walkways and the ocean are the dominant feature of this short stage between Labruge and Póvoa de Varzim.

Along the way, Vila do Conde, a town founded before the 10th century at the mouth of the River Ave and one of the jewels of this coastal route of the Portuguese Way, is a surprise.

Undoubtedly, a peaceful stretch along this rectilinear Atlantic coast between sailors' houses and summer residential areas, always in search of introspection, saltpetre, gastronomy and the enigmatic poveira marks.

Standard accommodation: Hotel Costa Verde or similar

Distance: 20.4 km
Difficulty: ●○○○○
Accommodation: Esposende

Another day's journey along the long, straight Portuguese coast, without leaving the sand until almost the end, when the route takes a brief detour to return to the ocean.

Between Póvoa de Varzim and Esposende, beaches, sea bream, traditional boats and old windmills reconditioned to welcome visitors in the summer seasons.

Standard accommodation: Hotel SuaveMar or similar

Distance: 25 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Viana do Castelo

Sometimes a coastal path turns away from the breakers to find places that are worthwhile. This is the case of this stage, whose route gradually leaves the sea to meet the River Neiva and, further on, the River Lima, at the foot of which rises the town of Viana do Castelo, which has one of the most beautiful and best preserved historic centres in Portugal.

Standard accommodation: Hotel Margarida da Praça or similar

Distance: 31.6 km (with ferry transfer at the mouth of the Minho)
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: A Guarda / Caminha

Last Portuguese stage of the Portuguese Way along the coast from Oporto. With the sea always on our left, along coastal paths, asphalted tracks and dirt roads, the pilgrim crosses here from river to river, from the Lima to the Minho.

From Caminha, the last Portuguese town, you take the ferry to cross one of the oldest borders in the world - and probably one of the most meaningless - to finally enter Galicia.

Standard accommodation: Hotel Brussels or similar

After a well-deserved rest, it is the perfect time to visit A Guarda, the southernmost of the Galician municipalities and a beautiful fishing village that has kept its essence alive.

It is also the perfect starting point to complete your Camino with a route that starts from here. If you like wine culture, we recommend you to visit the vineyards and wines of the sub-area of O Rosal, of the Rías Baixas designation of origin.

And if you prefer a different type of visit, we recommend a short trip to Oia, where the Cistercian monastery of the canon monks awaits you. There are a multitude of options. The choice is yours.