October 3 - 13, 2027 Camino Itinerary

In the afternoon, your Fresco Tours guides meet and greet you at Viana do Castelo, on the Portuguese coast. Before dinner, we sit down for our orientation meeting to discuss our journey along the Camino de Santiago.

Our walk takes us along the spectacular Camino Portugués coastal trail until we reach the beach town of Vila Praia de Âncora. We will be rewarded with views of the Atlantic to our left and a handful of delightful coastal villages as we make our way north.

The coastal path stretches from Âncora to the lovely town of Caminha. There, we hop on a small ferry to cross the River Minho. This short trip whisks you to A Guarda, a peaceful fishing village on the Spanish side. Once in A Guarda, we’ll visit the remains of the Santa Tegra Celtic settlement at the top of the Santa Tegra Hill. The panoramic views from the top are incredible!

Today is our first walking day in Spain. After leaving town, we’ll make our way to Oia. The Camino continues to follow the Atlantic coast, offering more magnificent views of the ocean. In Oia we will visit the Monastery of Santa María before shuttling to our hotel in Vigo. The city is the largest urban area in Galicia. It is also the official kilometre 100 from Santiago as well as a fascinating port city with an important historic and artistic heritage.

After a restful night in Vigo, pilgrims will get a stamp at the Church of Santiago and head inland along the Vigo Estuary. The route gradually leaves the Atlantic behind, eventually meeting the interior route near Redondela.

Our scenic route winds beside the majestic stone arches of Ponte Sampaio bridge. Steeped in history, this landmark stands as a silent testament to a pivotal battle fought against Napoleonic forces in 1809. Upon returning to Pontevedra for the evening, a must-see is La Peregrina, an 18th-century chapel unlike any other. Its unique floor, designed in the shape of a scallop shell, serves as a constant reminder of the Camino pilgrimage.

Bidding farewell to Pontevedra, we'll soon find ourselves embraced by nature once more. Our tranquil path winds through verdant woods, eventually leading us to the imposing granite Cross of Amonisa. Here, etched in stone, stands the figure of Saint James, gazing towards our onward journey.

Today's Camino walk takes us through a hidden gem of Galicia: the verdant vineyards that produce the region's most celebrated white wine, Albariño. While a charming legend suggests Albariño grapes were brought by German pilgrims, the true origins remain shrouded in mystery. Regardless of its beginnings, the captivating flavor of Albariño has captivated hearts and palates for centuries.

Padrón, whose name might hint at its history ("pedrón" means "big stone" in Galician), is famed for the legendary rock where the boat carrying Saint James' body is said to have landed after his pilgrimage from Jerusalem. This town is also a culinary delight, renowned for its tiny green peppers, some with a surprising kick and others refreshingly mild.

After 9 days and 145 kilometers – here we are in Santiago de Compostela! Congrats everyone! This city is pure magic – stunning monuments, international pilgrims sharing stories, and university students keeping the streets alive. First things first, let's grab our Compostela certificates at the Pilgrims' Office. Then, it's on to the hotel to freshen up before our celebratory dinner tonight!

Fuel up with a delicious breakfast buffet, then buckle up for a fascinating tour with our local historian! They'll give you the inside scoop on the incredible cathedral, from its humble 9th-century beginnings to its present-day grandeur. After the tour, it's with a bittersweet goodbye that we say our last "buen camino" and leave you at the cathedral just in time for the noon Pilgrims' Mass. We hope you have a truly special experience!

*Please note: This itinerary is subject to slight modifications due to hotel availability, weather, festivals, and other occurences.