- Clear sustainable travel policy
- Tourism Dispersal
- Behavioral Awareness Education
- Small Group Travel
Spend a week cycling the Portuguese Coastal Way on this self-guided adventure. Follow the coastline north as you pedal your way along ancient pilgrim trails from Porto to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in northern Spain.
You’ll pass by a series of sandy beaches, villages and market gardens between the historical city of Porto and the low-key resort town of Esposende via Vila do Conde. Head inland to follow quiet country lanes to Caminha, passing through the small, attractive city of Viana do Castelo. You will enjoy a truly unforgettable ride as you cycle the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago.
A short but scenic ferry ride takes you across the River Minho to the fishing town of A Guarda in Spain. A glorious stretch of rugged coastline and a small mountain connect you to Baiona, a charming seaside town with bags of history and tapas bars. Then it’s on to the city of Vigo through the typical rural countryside. Ride on to Redondela, where the coastal and central Caminos become one, accompanied by views of the Ria do Vigo.
Stop for oysters in Arcade before using ancient stone paths to cycle through the forests and villages to the city of Pontevedra, a city full of intriguing squares and buildings. The next town of note is Caldas de Reis, where you can test the temperature of the thermal waters. Pretty Padrón is where St. James is said to have been buried. Try the famous peppers here then pedal on to your ultimate destination of Santiago de Compostela.
Seasonal Notes:
You can book this itinerary from March 1st through October 31st each year. The low season is in March, April, May, and October. The midseason is in June and September and the high season is in July and August.
April, May, June, September, and October are the ideal months for a walking holiday to northern Portugal. In spring and autumn, there is always a chance of experiencing some rain. The temperature can be warm and sunny, or chilly and possibly windy, especially on the coast. So, come prepared for changeable conditions. May, June, and September tend to be warmer with less chance of rain. July and August are usually the hottest months, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30 degrees Celsius.
Traveling during the low or mid-seasons is generally considered to be a sustainable tourism practice as it helps with tourism dispersal – spreading out where tourists go and how their money supports locals throughout the year.
📋 Itinerary
This itinerary is customizable. Contact Yūgen Earthside for more information.
Day 1: Porto [Portugal] (arrival day)
Day 2: Cycling from Porto (Matosinhos) to Vila do Conde (35 km | 21.7 miles)
Day 3: Cycle from Vila do Conde to Viana do Castelo (49 km | 30.4 miles)
Day 4: Cycle from Viana do Castelo to Oia (46 km | 28.5 miles)
Day 5: Cycle from Oia to Vigo (43 km | 26.6 miles)
Day 6: Cycle from Vigo to Pontevedra (34 km | 21.2 miles)
Day 7: Cycling from Pontevedra to Padron (41km | 25.5 miles)
Day 8: Cycling from Padron to Santiago (25km | 15.5 miles)
Day 9: Santiago [Spain] (departure day)
🌱 Sustainability
This cycling tour was crafted using extensive local knowledge and designed to respect both the way of life of local populations as well as the natural environment. We firmly believe that travel should be a safe and rewarding experience for all concerned, including the destinations that you visit and the people you meet.
We take into consideration environmental issues when planning new programs within Northern Portugal and design them to have negligible harmful impact. To achieve this, we follow the guidelines laid out by the Portuguese Nature Conservation and Forestry Institute (ICNF), which protect and preserve the areas of natural beauty and environmental significance in which we operate.
Biking is a low-carbon impact activity.
The nature of our self-guided programs enables us to work in very quiet villages with small locally-owned, family-run hotels, cottages, guesthouses and restaurants.
We ensure our staff and those who work for us are treated with respect and have fair working conditions.
- Adhere to Strict Environmental Standards
- Conserve Ecosystems/Preserve Biodiversity
- Green Transportation
- Focused on Minimizing Waste
- Local/Organic Food Served
- Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
- Use Water Flow Reducers
- Supports Local Businesses
- Tours Benefit Local Community
📌 Location
Use the Google map to orient yourself about where in the world this trip is. The location indicates the starting point for this trip.
A specific route map is included in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
🏷️ Pricing
Price varies between high and low season.
Prices for this trip are listed in EUR with USD approximations. Payment will be for the amount in EUR.
Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.
See the full list of price inclusions and exclusions in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
Low season: March, April, May, October
Double room occupancy (excl. flights)
USD an apprx. of price in EUR: 910 €
$ 1110Single room occupancy (excl. flights)
USD an apprx. of price in EUR: 1190 €
$ 1450
Mid season: June, September
Double room occupancy (excl. flights)
USD an apprx. of price in EUR: 930 €
$ 1130Single room occupancy (excl. flights)
USD an apprx. of price in EUR: 1250 €
$ 1520
High season: July, August
Double room occupancy (excl. flights)
USD an apprx. of price in EUR: 980 €
$ 1190Single room occupancy (excl. flights)
USD an apprx. of price in EUR: 1340 €
$ 1630
Upgrade to an electric bike
Price per bike
USD an apprx. of price in EUR: 200 €
$ 245
ℹ️ Other Info
If you're ready to book this trip, or if you still have some questions, contact us to let us know!
If you cancel:
- More than 31 days before the expected arrival date – no payment
- From 30 to 22 days before the expected arrival date – we'll refund you 50% of the total cost (tour operator keeps 50%)
- From 21 to 14 days before the expected arrival date– we'll refund you 25% of the total cost
- Less than 14 days before the expected arrival date – no refund is possible.
If you do need to cancel, you may reschedule the trip for another date as long as you request the trip a minimum of 30 days before you want to depart. It is free of charge to postpone your trip.
This trip has a variable start date, so you can plan a departure date that suits you.
Be sure you have traveler's insurance.
Please be fully vaccinated and boosted before traveling. You may also need proof of a negative Covid test before arrival to the country. Keep a mask and hand sanitizer with you at all times.
Special precautions:
As this trip is bookable for 2+ travelers and is an outdoor cycling tour, you can book this with your family, pod, or "Quaranteam" to enjoy a safe, socially-distant escape outdoors.
Q: What does the Physical Rating of "Average" mean?
A: Along the journey, you may sometimes encounter some steep climbs and descents, so good advanced physical preparation is necessary in order to do this trip.
Q: What are the bike trails like?
A: The Coastal Camino de Santiago by bicycle program generally uses the same route that pilgrims follow on foot and there is no specific cycle route. The route is a combination of rural paths (asphalt, cobblestones, or dirt), forest trails (dirt or gravel, uneven and sometimes rocky), secondary roads, and some main roads (both on asphalt).
Total cycling distance: 259 km
Q: What type of bikes do you use in your bike tours?
A: The normal bikes will be the “Cannondale trail 5″ and the E-bikes will be “BH Rebel Lynx 5.5”.
Q: Do I need to be experienced with bikes?
A: It is essential that clients have experience with mountain bikes and basic bicycle repair knowledge, especially how to change a tire as punctures may occur during the Camino.
Q: What is a self-guided tour?
A: On a self-guided tour, you navigate the route yourself with the aid of our Roadbook and GPS with all the tracks. We provide all the information you need including suggestions, maps, instructions, directions, and things to see. Our self-guided tours are a complete and affordable holiday, tailored specifically for independent travelers. They offer the same quality, style, service, and comforts of typical guided trips with the freedom and flexibility of making your own decisions about how you spend your time.
Q: What are accommodations like?
A: This trip includes 3-star hotels. Upgrades to 4 and 5-star hotels and paradores available for an extra cost.
Duration: The cycling trip lasts for 9 days, 8 nights. You'll cycle on 7 of the days.
Total Distance: 259 km (161 miles).