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.