Camino de Santiago - Portuguese Way - Guimarães

Discover the Camino de Santiago by bicycle, along the Portuguese Way starting from Guimarães!

We invite you to do with us the Camino de Santiago by the main route used by the Portuguese people, the Portuguese Way, which runs along the same route as the old royal road between Oporto and Valença, a city on the border with Spain.

The pilgrimages to Santiago date back to the 9th century, when the tomb of the Apostle Santiago the Greater was discovered. Since then, people from all over the world have ventured into various and different ways, taking risks and deprivations to visit and venerate Santiago.

It will be a pleasant trip along 205 kilometers by rails, paths and roads that will take us from Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal, to Santiago de Compostela, one of the main centers of Christianity.

Our priorities are your satisfaction, comfort, and safety so you will make the tour on mountain bikes with and without total suspension, of the latest models from reputed brands.

Day 1: Guimarães to Rubiães (75 km / 46 miles)

We start from Praça da Oliveira and we will cross the historical center of Guimarães, pass through the little Roman bridge of Roldes and continue to Braga, along rural paths that will give us the first view of the Minho Region landscapes. We will cross the historic center and stop in front of the Cathedral of the XI Century.

After the village of Prado, we will cross the Cávado river through the beautiful Roman bridge, and then we will reach the oldest village of Portugal, Ponte de Lima.

After a short walk through the historic center, we leave the village crossing the Lima river through the magnificent bridge also from the Roman period heading to Labruja mountain. This odyssey will end at a tiny little village called Rubiães for a well-deserved rest and dinner.

Day 2: Rubiães to Pontevedra (65 km /40 miles)

We left Rubiães, and soon we will say farewell to Portugal, after go by through the beautiful border city of Valença. After we cross the international bridge over the Minho river we will arrive at Tui, the first Spanish city, ascending “el montesito” with its historic streets and arrive at the cathedral with its well preserved Romanesque and Gothic styles.

It is now the shells that guide us to Redondela, the estuary of Vigo and finally Pontevedra, the capital of Galicia. It is in this beautiful city that we will stay overnight and enjoy the excellent Galician gastronomy as well as the night in the several bars of the city.

Day 3: Pontevedra to Santiago (65 km / 40 miles)

We leave now for our last day pedaling. We move away from the Galician estuaries to venture in the rural countryside passing through picturesque villages whose countless churches every pilgrim makes a point of visiting. We head now to Caldas de Reys with its thermal baths that go back to the Roman occupation of the peninsula and take advantage of the sulfurous waters to provide healthy baths. After we take the direction of Padrón, known for its famous peppers as well as its fairs and festivals.

Santiago is near. Waiting for us is the Praça do Obradoiro, where we will pose for the always exciting and inevitable final photo with the cathedral in the background.

Ok, everything end´s, but we still have time for a deserved bath in the hotel followed by a goodbye lunch. The rest of the day? Well that is up to you, finally you will get rid of us and you can enjoy the rest of the day knowing better the historic city of Santiago.