September 2023 – Porto to Baiona (by the coast)

• September 9th – 16th (Saturday – Saturday)
• €TBC pps (not including flight).
• Single Supplement €TBC.

All our escorted walks are with an Irish guide – the emphasis is on having fun while experiencing the Camino at your own pace!

• 7 nights’ accommodation in ensuite rooms on a B&B basis (typically 3* standard). We choose our accommodations to give you the best value while still maintaining high standards.
• 3 x evening meals.
• Transfer from Porto airport to Porto city centre.
• Transfer from Baiona for return flight from Porto airport.
• Bag transfer each day.
• Pilgrim Passport (Issued by Camino Society Ireland – the only official Irish pilgrim passport).
• Your Camino Groups host will accompany the group for the week.
• Detailed walking notes and accommodation maps.

Saturday, September 9th. Day 1 – Fly from Dublin to Porto

• Arrival in Porto – free time to explore Porto, subject to flight times.

Saturday, September 10th. Day 2 – Walk from Porto to Matosinhos

• Walk 11km from Porto Cathedral to Matosinhos.
• Our walk takes us along the banks of the Douro until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean – from there we turn right and keep going to the beach of Matosinhos.
• Return to Porto city centre via metro from Matosinhos.
• Free afternoon to explore Portugal’s second city, located on the banks of the Douro. There is so much to see and do in O Porto, home of port wine and the city after which the country itself is named. Wander the medieval streets of the historic centre, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and start your Camino walk from the magnificent cathedral.

Monday, September 11th. Day 3 – Walk 22km to Vila do Conde

• Return to Matosinhos, from where we will continuer our walk to Vila do Conde, F
• famous for its incredible aquaduct (spanning 4 km and 999 arches to reach the monastery of Santa Clara, looking down on the town centre).
• Take a stroll along the banks of the Rio Ave (lending its name to the local football club) from the town centre out to the small falls from where you can walk up to the Santa Clara Monastery.
• Camino trivia – Vila do Conde is twinned with Ferrol, starting point of the Camino Inglés!

Tuesday, September 12th. Day 4 – Walk 24km to Esposende

• Esposende is a is a small seaside town where the Camino runs along its pedestrianised main street to the Matriz church.
• Your day brings you past plenty of beaches, including the seaside resort of Povoa de Varzim and the picturesque village of Apúlia.

Wednesday, September 13th. Day 5 – Walk 26km to Viana do Castelo

• A city of 35,000 people, Viana has a rich commercial history as a port and still has a functioning shipyard today.
• The centre of town is overlooked by the imposing Santa Luzia church on the hillside above – either a steep walk or a funicular trip away!

Thursday, September 14th. Day 6 – Walk 18km to Vila Praia de Áncora

• If you want to stay by a beautiful beach on this section, this is the spot!
• Though the town itself is quite small, the beach extends for a number of kilometres along the bay, perfect for an evening stroll followed by dinner in one of the small restaurants fronting on to the beach.

Friday, September 15th. Day 7 – Walk 24km to Oia

• Oia is a little hamlet, dominated by the large monastery overlooking the small horseshoe beach.
• With a choice of 3-4 restaurants, Oia is the perfect antidote to the many large towns you visit, a pretty spot to rest before your final day’s walking.
• Today is the day that you pass from Portugal into Spain via a ferry from Caminha that takes you across the mouth of the river Minho.
• Transfer to Baiona for overnight.

Saturday, September 16th. Day 8 – Return flight to Dublin.

• Free morning to explore the sights of Baiona.
• Baiona is a tourist town where all its main sights are within a cluster – the medieval old town streets, the marina and especially the Fortaleza (fort) which houses a Parador (there’s a 3km walk around the bottom of the fort walls).
• Transfer to Porto airport for return flight home.