Portuguese Way from Oporto to Tui in 7 days

Starting the Portuguese Way from Oporto - Porto, in Portuguese -, offers us the possibility of getting to know one of the most important cities in Portugal and a must for all those who visit the north of the country. Not in vain has it been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Its many attractions, from the Torre dos Clérigos to the Ribeira district, or from the Cathedral to the famous Livraria Lello & Irmão, have made it a tourist destination of reference in Portugal. And for this reason, without a doubt, it is also one of the best places to start the Portuguese Way.

Hostel: Porto Lounge Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Poveira or similar
Charming accommodation: Porto Coliseum Hotel or similar
Premium accommodation: The Clover Act or similar

Distance: 27 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Vilarinho

More than a third of this first stage is urban. And no wonder. Porto has the second largest metropolitan area in the country. This means that most of the route will be on asphalt and pavements, which leads some pilgrims to skip this stretch using the metro to Araújo. We don't recommend it, because the Camino de Santiago is not just about rural areas and beautiful landscapes. It is also its cities and its people. And sometimes its industrial parks, like the one in Maia, which you will also pass through on this stage.

The journey continues through small villages such as Mosteiró, Gião and Vairão before reaching the day's goal: Vilarinho.

Hostel: Casa da Laura or similar
Standard accommodation: Mindela Guesthouse or similar
Charming accommodation: Santana Hotel & Spa or similar
Premium accommodation: Villa C Boutique Hotel or similar

Distance: 26.6 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Barcelos

The second stage of this Portuguese Way from Porto is radically different from the first and rural and agricultural areas dominate the entire section, which runs along dirt tracks and local roads without traffic, connecting small villages relatively close to each other.

The stage ends in Barcelos, an interesting town that is at the base of one of the Portuguese symbols par excellence: the cockerel. It is only 20 km from Braga, once the capital of the Kingdom of Galicia and now known as the Portuguese Rome.

Hostel: InBarcelos Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Bagoeira or similar
Charming accommodation: Casa da Ana Boutique Guesthouse or similar
Premium accommodation: Art'Otel Barcelos or similar

Distance: 32.9 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Ponte de Lima

From Barcelos to Ponte de Lima is the longest stage of this programme: almost 35 km which, depending on your time availability, we recommend you to split in half, spending the night in Balugães.

The entire route passes through the beautiful wine-growing lands of the Vinhos Verde region, a type of young wine that is highly appreciated in Portugal and perfect for accompanying light meals.

At the end of the stage you will reach the wonderful town of Ponte de Lima. A perfect place to rest and imagine the scene of its main legend: that of the river of oblivion during the conquest of Gallaecia.

Hostel: O Caminheiro Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Império do Norte or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Mercearia da Vila or similar
Premium accommodation: Hotel Paço de Vitorino or similar

Distance: 18.3 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Rubiães

The fourth stage is one of the most interesting and of greatest scenic and natural value in this programme.

It runs mainly through a wooded and very pleasant environment, with almost no difficulties except for the climb to the Portela Grande de Labruja, with a steep slope.

It should also be noted that between Codeçal and Rubiães (9.2 km) there are no services for pilgrims. However, the whole stage is much shorter than the previous one and the destination, Rubiães, is the prelude to Tui.

Hostel: Alojamento Local Ninho or similar
Standard accommodation: Repouso do Peregrino or similar
Charming accommodation: Quinta das Águias or similar
Premium accommodation: Quinta do Crasto or similar

Distance: 19 km
Difficulty: ●○○○○
Accommodation: Tui

We reach the end of this programme of the Portuguese Way from Porto with a different stage to the previous one. More urban, with services every few kilometres and a profile with moderate slopes.

The most interesting: its last two towns: Valença do Minho, where we recommend you stop and visit its fortress, and Tui, on the other side of the international bridge over the Minho. You will not be disappointed.

Hostel: Pilgrim Ideas or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Villa Blanca or similar
Charming accommodation: A Torre do Xudeu or similar
Premium accommodation: Tui Parador or similar

Tui is one of those essential places in the history of Galicia and northern Portugal which, however, is often overlooked by tourists.

The Portuguese Way gives us the opportunity to walk through this ancient medieval city, seat of a bishopric that extended on both sides of the Minho, and to discover its cathedral-fortress and its history as a border marker.