We all know the French Way of the Camino de Santiago, but there are many more, such as the Primitivo from Oviedo or the North from Irún. It is also becoming increasingly important Portuguese Way, which comes from Tui or even further down, from Lisbon or Porto. However, the Compostelana is given on the way from Tui to Santiago de Compostela.
On this Portuguese Way we can see interesting things, populations of southern Galicia, coastal places and cities as interesting as Pontevedra. If you want to repeat the experience on the Camino de Santiago, you can do it from a new perspective. We tell you the details of the itinerary.
Itineraries of the Portuguese Way
From Lisbon there are about 600 kilometers, a path only for the most prepared when it comes to hiking every day. It can be covered in 24 or 25 days, depending on the average number of kilometers that we can do. If you walk from Porto there are 240 kilometers, to cover in about 10 days, and from Tui, which is the most popular itinerary, there are about 119 kilometers that are done in 6 or 7 days. The stops from Tui include the towns of O Porriño, Redondela, Pontevedra, Caldas de Reis and Padrón. It is one of the routes with less unevenness, flatter and easier, ideal for those who want to do this experience but are not very trained.
Tui-O Porriño Stage
The departure takes place in Portugal, on the other side of the International Bridge that unites the two countries through the river Miño. In Tui you already have to make a stop to enjoy the beautiful Cathedral of Santa María, the first Gothic temple on the Iberian Peninsula, which began to be built in the XNUMXth century. There is also the beautiful Chapel of San Telmo. You pass through the industrial estate and you reach the town of O Porriño, where there is a peculiar Town Hall and typical Galician stone churches.
Stage O Porriño-Redondela
Leaving O Porriño we enter Mos, in the village of Ameiro Longo. Next we can see places like the pazo de Mos and the church of Santa Eulalia. You can also stop at the polychrome cruise of Os Cabaleiros From the XNUMXth century, a peculiar cross with some lanterns, different from all the stone crosses that we see on the way. Before reaching Redondela we find the XNUMXth century convent of Vilavella, where events are now also held.
Redondela-Pontevedra Stage
On leaving the town of Redondela we enter Cesantes and then Arcade. In the latter we do not go through the Soutomaior Castle, although we can always take it easy and visit it. We continue until Sampaio bridge, a historical place where a great battle was fought in the War of Independence, with a stone ford over the Verdugo River. In this town is the pazo de Bellavista and the Ponte Nova, a medieval bridge. After passing through other small towns such as Figueirido, Boullosa, Tomeza or Lusquiños, we arrive in Pontevedra.
Pontevedra-Caldas de Reis Stage
The day before leaving we have surely taken the opportunity to see the city of Pontevedra, with a beautiful historical area through which pilgrims pass to continue their journey to Santiago. Not to be missed is the church of the Pilgrim Virgin, with a plant in the shape of a scallop, in the square with the same name. We will also pass through the Plaza Ferrería with the San Francisco convent and we will leave the city through the Ponte do Burgo on the Lerez river. We continue through the villages of Alba and Cerponzóns, and we will surely stop at the beautiful recreational area of the Barosa River, with natural waterfalls, a bar and a bathing area. Then we will arrive at Caldas de Reis.
Caldas de Reis-Padrón Stage
In Caldas de Reis we can enjoy a well-deserved rest, with its hot springs in fountains and public laundries. It is an ideal water to heal the feet and wounds that we have. On leaving we will pass through other villages, such as Carracedo, Casal de Eirigo and San Miguel de Valga, where we find a neoclassical church from the XNUMXth century. We arrive at Pontecesures, where there is also a hostel, and we cross the bridge to enter the province of A Coruña. When you get to Padrón there are many places to see, such as the beautiful Paseo del Espolón, or the house of Rosalía de Castro, the monument of Camilo José Cela or his tomb on the outskirts. Nor should we forget to buy their famous peppers if we arrive in season.
Padrón-Santiago stage
This is the last stage and also the longest since Tui. In this stage we will pass through many population centers, from Iria Flavia to Pazos, Teo or El Milladoiro. There are sections in which we will know exactly where we are, when we enter more rural areas, but we always end up reaching places where we make stops. It is a comfortable but longer stage. Finally we will get to the Cathedral of Santiago, the end point of the road.