Part 2: From Porto to Santiago de Compostela

Day 1: Arrival in Porto

You will meet your guide in the afternoon in Porto, a riverside port city situated on the Douro River. In the evening, we will stroll through the historic center and have dinner in a traditional fish restaurant. Afterwards, those who wish to do so can go and admire the Ponte Dom Luís I.

Day 2: Silver Beaches and Golden Altars - approx. 32 km

We start the day with a walk through Porto, from the inevitable Praça da Ribeira to the Sé, the imposing walled cathedral of the city. A nice prelude to our journey as "bicigrino", or pilgrims on bikes. We ride peacefully along the Douro and the sea towards Vila do Conde. Then our bus takes us to Braga, considered the religious center of Portugal. The Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary, renowned for its baroque staircase consisting of 577 steps that the devout climb on their knees, can be reached from our hotel on Mount Bom Jesus.

Day 3: Pearls of Northern Portugal - approx. 55 km

In the morning, we stroll through the historic center of Braga, with its baroque churches and small cafés. Then we cycle on small secondary roads surrounded by hills in the direction of the Atlantic coast. From the Limia river we continue to our destination of the day, Viana do Castelo. This city of historical significance is a gem of the northern region, boasting Manueline-style churches, rococo squares, and beautiful boulevards dating back to the 19th century. We have dinner at our hotel, the Fábrica do Chocolate, which has a museum entirely dedicated to chocolate.

Day 4: Between the Lima and Minho rivers - approx. 39 km

The Mount of Santa Luzia offers a stunning view of the coast and the Lima Valley for some, while for others, it is the magnificent neo-Byzantine style Templo do Sagrado Coração de Jesus. However, the mountain itself, with its lush vegetation, is a sight to behold, giving the impression of being closer to the sky. We take the elevator and then we cross woods and small villages on our way to Ponte do Lima, a peaceful place with probably the most beautiful medieval bridge in Portugal. After a stroll through the town, we take the bus to our destination of the day, Tui, a Spanish border town on the banks of the Minho River.

Day 5: From the Celts to Columbus - approx. 65 km

In the morning we take the Ecopista, a beautiful bicycle path along the Minho, in the direction of A Guarda. Arriving in the early afternoon, we take a bus to the Castro de Santa Trega. This archaeological site is of great significance and has been declared a "property of cultural interest". Besides offering an exceptional view of the hinterland and the Galician coast. With the salty taste of the Atlantic on our tongues, we pedal along the coast northward to Baiona. This walled city has a special place in history, since Christopher Columbus embarked here in 1493, returning from the Americas. The news of the discovery of the New World spread like wildfire.

Day 6: Celestial Islands and Secular Cities

Today, we will embark on a brief boat journey to the Illas Cíes, a trio of heavenly isles characterised by their steep cliffs and pristine white beaches, widely considered as some of the most stunning in Galicia. In the afternoon, our bus takes us to Pontevedra, the largest city in Galicia in the 16th century and where Christopher Columbus' flagship Santa Maria was built. During an evening stroll, we will be able to appreciate the charm and history of the city.

Day 7: "End and beginning" of a journey - approx. 62 km

We are very close to Santiago de Compostela, the end and the beginning of many journeys, both concrete and spiritual. We walk through luminous hills and forests, accompanied by the smell of pine trees. Small picturesque villages like Padron give us time to say goodbye to the Caminho Português. After arriving by bike at the cathedral and having a well-deserved break, we head to our hotel to spend a last evening together, away from the hustle and bustle.

Day 8: Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is not only a Christian pilgrimage site, it is also the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia. In the morning, we enjoy the liveliness of the squares and streets, where the sound of bagpipes resounds. The aroma of Galician delicacies and the sound of glasses clinking bring to mind more earthly pleasures. Departure can be either individual or organized by us (please contact us for details).