8-Day Portuguese Camino de Santiago Sacred Pilgrimage Bike Tour

Please meet at Hotel Vila Galé Porto Ribeira at 4pm. This UNESCO World Heritage city is known for its port wine … but also for a rich heritage of ancient churches and monuments — such as the Porto Cathedral, the Church of São Francisco and the Bolsa Palace — and modern buildings, such as Casa da Música and the Serralves Museum. Start your trip with the group in the afternoon with a walking tour of the historic streets of this famous city and a tasting of Porto wines.
Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé Porto Ribeira
Meals: Dinner

After breakfast, begin your cycling right from the hotel with a spin through the city of Porto. Enjoy bike paths alongside the Douro River 7 miles all the way to the seaport town of Leça da Palmeira — famous for its ancient lighthouse and fort. From here, ride along the Portuguese coastline past beaches and on boardwalks that provide spectacular ocean views. Consider stopping in the interesting and ancient village of Vila do Conde and the small fishing town of Póvoa do Varzim before getting to the village of Ofir — which is surrounded by dunes and pine trees and the clear waters of the Cávado River on one side and an expanse of ocean with a golden sandy beach on the other side.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ofir
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 40 miles (64 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

Ride north today crossing the Cávado River to Esposende. After a short uphill section, you reach Viana do Castelo, jewel of the Costa Verde — with a medieval center, where you find good options for lunch. From here, you can see the “Monte de Santa Luzia” with its 20th century neo-Byzantine church on top of a 750-foot eucalyptus-clad hill. After Viana, continue riding north and inland on paved roads to Vila Praia de Âncora, and then continue on the coastal Camino route towards Caminha. Spend the night here right by the Minho River estuary, where the river meets the Atlantic. The village of Caminha is an ancient fortified border town situated at the mouth of the Minho River.
Accommodation: Hotel in Caminha
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 37 miles (59 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

From Caminha, take the ferry across the Minho River to enter one of the most beautiful regions of Spain, Galicia. Continue straight to A Guarda where you visit its famous hilltop “castro” — the name for a Celtic settlement (Castro de Santa Tegra). From the fishing village of A Guarda, the route continues northward with breathtaking views of the ocean on your left. Tonight, you reach the seaside town of Baiona with its gorgeous marina. While in Baiona, visit the towns attractions — such as a museum with a replica of Columbus’s ship the “Pinta,” which landed here bringing the first news to Europeans of the day about the existence of the New World. On March 1, 1493, the first of Columbus’s caravels landed in Baiona during its return from the voyage of discovery to the New World.
Accommodation: Parador Baiona
Meals: Breakfast

Biking: 24 miles (38 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

After breakfast, head toward Vigo to enjoy one of the most beautiful views in the region … the Ría de Vigo, where seawater mixes with the river. The mouth of the river is protected by the Cies Islands, which are part of the National Park of the Atlantic Islands. The Ría de Vigo features the picturesque islands of Toralla and San Simón. To the north is the Morrazo Peninsula. Descend into the busy city of Vigo, the largest Galician city. Then head toward Redondela, where the central Camino and the coastal Camino join. Pedal north to reach Pontevedra, your home for the night. Explore the well-preserved old town and Gothic Santa María la Mayor Basilica here. The Ruínas de San Domingos are the remains of a 14th-century convent.
Accommodation: Parador de Pontevedra
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 40 miles (64 kilometres)
Terrain: Intermediate

Today, you leave the water behind, and you notice another change in the landscape … since you return to inland Galicia with mountains and great views as a reward. Your destination today is Padrón, a village known for its green peppers, the Padrón peppers (pementos de Padrón). These were brought from South America 400 years ago by monks and then grown in the garden of a convent. Padrón peppers became a favorite on local dinner tables and are now known all over Spain. Take some time to visit the village, la Iglesia de Santiago, the Jardin Botanico or climb to the Santiaguiño do Monte — an archaeological site dating back to the Iron Age (3rd century BCE), commonly known as the place the apostle chose to preach the gospel. The town of Padrón is believed to be the place where the ship landed carrying the body of Saint James on the way to Santiago de Compostela.
Accommodation: Hotel Pazo de Lestrove
Meals: Breakfast

Biking: 25 miles (40 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

A short ride through the countryside completes the last stage of the “Way of St. James” to reach Santiago de Compostela — one of the world’s most important religious and spiritual sites. It’s been popular since the Middle Ages as a religious pilgrimage to visit the remains of Saint James. In modern times, it’s been a social, physical and spiritual journey for many. Meet this afternoon for a guided walk to explore the Cathedral of Saint James and the historical center of Santiago … and celebrate your achievement on the Camino. Wander the cobbled streets of the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stay in lodgings that once hosted royalty. Tonight, celebrate the end of your Camino tour with a farewell dinner.
Accommodation:  Parador de Santiago "Hostal dos Reis Católicos"
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 17 miles (27 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

After breakfast, your tour comes to an end. A shuttle is offered after breakfast to the Santiago Airport for your travels home. Or stay on for more travels in Spain!
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast