Arrive in Porto, home of port wine, merchant history and stately bridges joining the city over the River Douro. Depending on your arrival time you may wish to explore this beautiful coastal city, we recommend paying a visit to Igreja de Sao Francisco for views over the river and walking through the Ribeira district where the medieval streets house many welcoming cafes and photogenic corners.

Your day begins with a short transfer out of Porto to nearby Vilar do Pinheiro, avoiding an urbanised section of walking and allowing you to enjoy the changing scenery, from urban to rural, much sooner. Setting off you will begin your pilgrimage along the way of the yellow shells. Your route will wind its way first to Vilarinho, a small village known for its textile industry, and on to cross the medieval bridge over the Ave to reach Arcos. Your stresses will soon melt away as you enjoy your first day as a pilgrim and absorb the green countryside of the Camino de Portuguese. Arriving in Acros you will have time to relax at your accommodation and enjoy an evening meal, perhaps with a glass of wine.

Feeling refreshed, your route today will take you to the medieval village of Rates with its pretty Romanesque church located in the town square. The church was once part of the former convent which the town was built around. Today, it is a sleepy village which welcomes pilgrims along their way to Santiago. Continuing, your route will take you through the pleasant shade of the woodland and through welcoming small villages, including Courel and Pedra Furada. Before long you will once again see the landscape change as you reach the urbanisation of Barcelos and your home for the night. It is here in Barcelos where the Rooster became a popular Portuguese symbol. Legend has it that a pilgrim was accused of stealing cutlery from a wealthy person. While convicting the pilgrim the judge was eating a rooster and the pilgrim announced that if he were innocent the rooster would crow 3 times, and with that it did. The tale was spread and the pilgrim later returned to build a statue of the crow which had spared his sentence.

After a relaxed breakfast you will once again put on your walking boots and continue on your journey to Santiago. Today is a little shorter and a little easier on your legs. This is a quiet, rural part of Portugal and your route will take you along minor roads, through vineyards and to the River Neiva. From here you will cross the medieval bridge before entering into your final goal of the day, Balugaes. This peaceful village is the perfect spot to unwind after a day of walking, we recommend enjoying a good book in the gardens of your guesthouse before dinner.

Your route today will take you through a series of small hamlets including the quaint hamlets of Facha, Seara and Correlha along quiet roads and footpaths to your final goal, Ponte de Lima. Named after the bridge which crosses over the River Lima, Ponte de Lima is the oldest town in Portugal. This characterful town is full of charm not to mention history. Sitting on the banks of the Lima River the towns history is reflected in its array of historical buildings, built in the styles of various periods interspersed with pretty plazas and grand religious buildings. You will have time to explore all the town has to offer, visit the colourful botanical gardens and enjoy a coffee in a café on the Plaza before checking into your hotel for the evening.

This morning you say farewell to Ponte de Lima, crossing the impressive Romanesque-Gothic bridge over the river Lima with its 22 arches. Arriving on the far side,' the way' will soon take you into the work of rural Portugal as you walk towards the farming parish of Arcozelo and onwards to the small village Labruja. Here, the landscape once again begins to change as you make your way uphill through tranquil tree covered scenery, passing the Cruz dos Franceses to reach the top of your climb. With the most demanding part of your way achieved you have time to take a moment to appreciate how far you have already come before you take an easy walk to your accommodation for the evening and a welcoming cold drink.

Today is the last leg of your journey in Portugal as you make your way from the valley of the river Coura through rolling countryside. Today is a peaceful one as you make your way through this sparsely populated region on ancient cobbled tracks, first to the pretty village of Fontoura with its quaint church, and on to Valenca marking the end of your route in Portugal. This border town dates back to the 13th century and has been a safe crossing point for pilgrims who wear the scallop shell of St James despite many battles with neighbouring Galicia. Steeped in history, we recommend taking time to stroll around the historic medieval fortress and the original walled town. When you have finished exploring Valenca you continue to your final goal of the day, Tui, just across the river. Crossing the bridge inspired by the work of famous Gustave Eiffel into Tui to commence the Spanish section of the way.

Feeling rested, today you will begin your Spanish section of the way. This is a proud moment for any pilgrims; symbolic of the half way point of their pilgrimage from Porto, and is a popular starting point for many pilgrims who seek to undertake the final stages of the Camino de Portuguese. Making your way through the medieval streets you reach Tui's impressive cathedral. You will have time to stop and admire this famous cathedral before continuing on your way, crossing the Veiga Bridge to walk along the Valley of the River Louro, perhaps one of the most beautiful stretches of the route, before entering O Porrino, your final goal of the day.

Leaving O Porrino behind your walk today takes you further north passing through the hilltop village of Santiaguino das Antas with its pretty park, which houses the Chapel from which the town derived its name. There is time to take a welcome rest in the park before descending to the town of Redonela. This is a great spot to stop for a well-earned lunch and enjoy a typical Galician delicacy such as Caldo Gallego (a hearty stew with chorizo) to fuel you on your way. Continuing you will soon reach Outeiro de Penas for excellent views over the Ria de Vigo estuary, one of the most sublime natural harbours in the world. Your final goal is your hotel in Arcade at the head of the estuary, renowned for having the best oysters in Galicia.

This section of the Camino will take you out of Arcade passing fishing boats on the banks to cross the photogenic medieval bridge over the Verdugo River which feeds the Ria de Vigo. Reaching the opposite side you make your way through the pretty narrow streets, guiding you to the beautiful byways up to the rolling hills to Cacheiro. Crossing the hillside your route soon opens up to display colourful fields, vineyards and orchards. Winding your way across the fruitful landscape you soon reach the beautiful largely traffic free city of Pontevedra, your home for the evening. Once Galicia's largest city, Pontevedra has a fantastic old town to discover. It was here where Columbus' flagship, the Santa Maria, was constructed. Local legend says that Columbus was in fact a Pontevedra nobleman named Pedro Madruga who took on a new identity. We recommend taking time to explore San Francisco Convent, an impressive convent which is said to have been founded by Saint Francis himself back in the 13 century.

Before heading on your way this morning we recommend paying a visit to Pontevedra food market, Mercado de abastos. Split over 2 floors the market is bustling with locals, tourists and pilgrims in search of the fantastic fresh produce of Rias Baixas; seafood, Albarino wine and fantastic cheeses. The perfect place to pick up snacks for your journey. Leaving the city via the millennial bridge, O Burgo, you once again commence your journey to Santiago. Your way, today, will take you along the beautiful valley of the Gandra River as it winds its way to San Mauro. Continuing your path widens and you will begin to spot the first of the crosses of Saint James, some magnificently carved and making a serene and peaceful atmosphere. You will soon pass the curious church of Santa Maria where the Templar, a type of monk responsible for protecting pilgrims, were stationed. Your home for the evening is just beyond the church in the thermal town of Caldas de Reis.

As you become ever closer to your final goal you will notice more crosses and an increase in small villages and towns to welcome pilgrims. This stage of the Camino will take you across medieval bridges and through some enchanting sections of scenery, first to the village of Cruceiro and on through forests and meadows to the church of Santa Maria de Carracedo. From here you follow the pretty scenery of the Valga River for some time before heading on to Pontecesures and perhaps a coffee stop before the final section of your route today. Feeling refreshed you cross the Ulla River to reach your accommodation in Padron, an important stop along the way for pilgrims. It is said that the granite block which was tied to the boat carrying Saint James is located under the altar of Santiago de Pedron.

Today is the day you will complete the Camino de Portuguese from Porto! Leaving Padron you will make your way north passing Iria Flavia where the Church of Santa Maria was rebuilt in the 12th century in the place of the first cathedral in Galicia. You continue passing quaint Galician villages to reach the magnificent sanctuary of Nossa Senora da Escravitutes before making your way through the streets to finally begin to see your ultimate goal, Santiago de Compostela. Making your way further into the city you will soon arrive at the Faxeira gate, the entrance of the Portuguese Way to join fellow pilgrims from around the world in reaching the resting place of Saint James in the spectacular cathedral. This is a proud moment and you will have time to absorb it before making your way to your final hotel for a well-earned rest. Obtaining the Compostela: To cope with large numbers of pilgrims during the busiest part of the summer months, the pilgrim office has installed a numbered ticketing system for processing your pilgrims' passport. Please be aware that you may have to return to collect your certificate the morning after presenting your passport.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and absorb the accomplishment of completing the Camino Portuguese before making your onward journey.