Walking the Camino Portugues Route: Should You Walk Inland or Along the Coast?

Camino Portugues Route Dilemma: Inland or Coastal Route?

Many walkers face the same question: should I take the Camino Portugues route inland or follow the coast? The Camino Portugues actually offers two main routes: one through the inland countryside and one along the coast. And these two paths are very different experiences. The two routes split already at the Porto Cathedral and merge again in Redondela. From Redondela onwards, there is only one route leading to Santiago de Compostela.

In this blog, we explain the key differences between the two options, so you can prepare well before walking the Camino Portugues route.

Is There a Difference in Distance?

If you’re planning to walk the Camino Portugues route inland or along the coast, you’ll want to know: is there a difference in distance? The answer is yes.

The total distance of the inland route is 243.5 km, typically walked in 10 to 13 days.

The total distance from Porto to Santiago along the coast is 274 km, with an average walking time of 12 to 15 days.

Which Camino Portugues Route Do Most Pilgrims Take?

The Camino Portugues is one of the most popular routes to Santiago de Compostela. The most walked route is still the Camino Frances. According to the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela, here are the stats for 2024:

• 39% of all pilgrims who arrived in Santiago walked the Camino Portugues — a total of 170,254 people.
• Of these pilgrims, 44% (74,757) walked the coastal route and 56% (95,497) chose to walk the Camino Portugues route inland.

Each year, more and more pilgrims choose the Camino Portugues coastal route. Just five years ago, only 25% of pilgrims opted for this version of the Camino Portugues route.

What Is the Terrain Like on the Camino Portugues Route?

Of course, when choosing your path, you’ll also want to know what kind of terrain you’ll be walking on. Like all Camino routes, both options include paved sections — such as asphalt and cobblestones — but there are important differences to be aware of.

If you choose the inland Camino Portugues route, you’ll walk on a lot of cobblestones (the famous Calçada Portuguesa). These traditional Portuguese stone pavements are everywhere in Portugal. In Spain, you’ll mostly find cobblestones only in the historic centers of towns and cities.

Cobblestones
Inland route – 42 km
Coastal route – 29 km

Asphalt
Inland route – 143 km
Coastal route – 155 km

Footpaths and gravel tracks
Inland route – 57 km
Coastal route – 65 km

Boardwalks
Inland route – 0 km
Coastal route – 24 km

Beach
Inland route – 0 km
Coastal route – 1 km

Historic Towns Along the Camino Portugues Route

Wondering which path to take on the Camino Portugues route — inland or coastal? If you’re a fan of art and history, you’ll find more historical sites along the inland route. The most beautiful and culturally rich towns along the Camino Portugues route are on the inland path. Think of Ponte de Lima, Barcelos, Valença, and Tui. These towns may be small, but they have charming historic centers — and because they’re compact, you won’t need to walk far out of your way to explore them.

On the coastal route, the towns are larger — like Vila do Conde, Viana do Castelo, and Vigo. These areas tend to have more traffic, industrial zones, and a busier atmosphere. While they also have historic centers, you’ll often find yourself walking through modern parts of town and needing to seek out the interesting spots.

How the Landscape Differs on the Camino Portugues Route

Are you drawn to nature, flora, and fauna? Then you’ll want to walk the Camino Portugues route that offers the most scenic beauty.

The inland route leads you through rural landscapes, forests, and peaceful villages — often in quieter, less touristy areas. If you’re looking for serenity, this might be the better pilgrimage path for you.

But here’s a useful tip: despite its name, only about 30% of the Camino Portugues coastal route actually runs right along the ocean. You’ll experience a mix of coastline and forested or rural terrain. So if you’re after variety — woods and farmland blended with seaside and beaches — then the coastal route is a great fit.

Which Camino Portugues Route Is More Physically Challenging?

Let’s be honest. The inland Camino Portugues route has more hills and steeper climbs and descents. If you’re not a fan of elevation changes, you might be better off choosing the coastal variant.

From Porto to Redondela (the first 6 stages), the inland route involves 2,536 m of ascent (about 422 m per day) and 2,588 m of descent (about 431 m per day). Walking the full inland Camino Portugues route from Porto to Santiago means a total climb of 4,045 m and a descent of 3,820 m.

If you choose the coastal path, the climb from Porto to Redondela is 2,284 m (averaging 253 m per day) and the descent is 2,319 m (256 m per day). The full ascent from Porto to Santiago is 3,794 m, and the descent is 3,551 m.

As mentioned earlier, both routes merge in Redondela and continue as one to Santiago — unless you opt for the alternative Camino Espiritual, which we’ll discuss later.

As you can see, the total elevation gain and loss is fairly similar. Because the coastal route is longer, it evens out in terms of overall physical effort.

What’s Our Favorite Camino Portugues Route?

That’s a tough one — because both routes have something special. Choosing the Camino Portugues route is a very personal decision.

Do you love the sea, beaches, sunsets, and charming coastal towns? Then you may prefer the coastal Camino route. If you’re less experienced or not a fan of steep climbs, this pilgrimage may suit you better.

Do you prefer quiet, countryside landscapes and picturesque historic towns? Then walking the Camino Portugues route inland might be your ideal choice.

Another factor to consider is the time of year you’re planning to walk the Camino Portugues route. May and September are busy months, and many pilgrims choose the coastal path then. In summer, the coastal resorts can become extremely crowded — and prices for accommodation also tend to be higher.

The coastal Camino Portugues route does have one big advantage: you can walk it all year round. Even between November and March, you’ll find enough open accommodations, cafés, and restaurants. Thanks to the mild oceanic climate, the temperatures remain pleasant. Along the inland route, many services are limited during the winter months.

Can You Combine the Two Camino Portugues Routes?

Can’t decide which Camino Portugues route to walk? Good news — you don’t have to choose just one. There are several ways to combine the two. The most popular option is to follow the coastal route from Porto and switch to the inland route at Caminha, walking from there to Tui. There’s a connector path linking Caminha to Valença/Tui.

You can also walk the coastal route from Porto to Vila do Conde, then switch inland via the connecting path from Vila do Conde to Rates.

The Last 100 km to Santiago

Walking the last 100 km to Santiago is required to earn the Compostela certificate. However, the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela recently updated the rules.

Now, any 100 km stretch on an official Camino route counts — as long as your final stage ends in Santiago. During this stretch, pilgrims must collect two stamps per day. It’s still unclear exactly where this final stage must begin.

If you start outside of Spain on a recognized route, the minimum required distance within Spain is 70 km.

Traditionally, the final 100 km of the inland Camino Portugues route begins in Tui, covering a total of 117 km.

The final 100 km of the coastal route begins in Baiona. You’ll walk just the first two days along the coast: from Baiona to Vigo, and then from Vigo to Redondela. In Redondela, the two routes join again.

Camino Espiritual

The Camino Espiritual, a variant of the Camino Portugues, begins in the Spanish city of Pontevedra and runs through the beautiful O Salnés region. This route is a great alternative for walkers who want to enjoy not only stunning landscapes but also the region’s rich history. Pilgrims can even retrace — by boat — the legendary journey of Saint James’ remains. A unique and moving experience! Read more about this special route here.

Exploring the Camino Portugues by Bike

If you want to cycle the Camino Portugues, we recommend taking the coastal route. While the inland route is also possible by bike, it does require solid mountain biking skills.

You begin your Camino Portugues by bike along the coast in Porto, a city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there, you ride past ancient Roman roads and over historic Roman bridges.

Along the way, you’ll pass through towns and villages full of remarkable old architecture and fascinating stories. After crossing the Minho River, you’ll ride through the medieval heart of Pontevedra. Caldas de Reis, located on the River Umia, is known for its relaxing thermal waters, and Padrón claims to be the original burial site of Saint James. His remains were later moved to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, where your Camino Portugues along the coast ends…

PS: Some of the daily distances may seem short — but keep in mind, you’re cycling through Portugal and Spain. This bike route is definitely not flat. And of course, we want you to have enough energy left to enjoy the scenery, villages, and towns along the way!