Man and woman smiling while walking on a dirt and stone path and the ocean in the background

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A Taste of Camino de Santiago Hiking & Walking Tour

The Way from Portugal to Spain

Journey alongside pilgrims and adventurers. Weave between green hillsides, historic villages and splendid coastal trails. Explore the cultural and artistic marvels of the Camino de Santiago. In this sacred land, find your path.

6 days, 5 nights

Luxury Hotels

See itinerary with Casual Hotels

Activity Levels 2-4

Couples, Friends & Solos

Also Available for: Women

From $4,999 - $5,699/person

Itinerary Where You’ll Stay What to Know Reviews

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Trip at a Glance

Highlights

Discover two fascinating countries with their own cultures, cuisines and traditions—all in one trip
Experience handpicked sections of the Camino leading to the lively city and cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where pilgrims arrive from around the world
Savor Galicia’s unique gastronomy, like pulpo a feira and local Ribeira wines
Embrace the region’s fascinating history, from its connection to ancient Druids to its centuries of European history
Explore Spain’s wild and scenic Cíes Islands, a national park and home to breathtaking gold-sand beaches

Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.

Start Porto, Portugal Airport & Travel Details

Meet in colorful Porto, a World Heritage city known for its beautiful tiled façades and namesake wine
Journey to Vitorino dos Piães and admire the abundant cork trees as you walk an easygoing stretch of the Caminho Português (Portuguese Way) en route to the oldest town in Portugal
Pause for lunch at a villa on a classic quinta
Venture through eucalyptus woodland in the Labruja Mountains
Green hills, lush forests and rural villages provide a peaceful backdrop en route to Rubiães
Listen to melancholy fado, the traditional music of Portugal.

Torre de Gomariz

(Luxury Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Aerial shot of the Torre de Gomariz hotel

Nights 1-2

Torre de Gomariz

Cervães

Luxury Hotel

Once a medieval estate filled with noble history and Baroque architecture, this hotel’s ancient touches have been restored to create a luxurious 5-star oasis surrounded by lush greenery. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Travel to Spain and hike to hilltop ruins of circular stone castros, remains of ancient Celtic settlements
From the summit of Monte de Santa Tecla, take in views of the Minho River estuary
In atmospheric A Guarda, taste the local zamburiñas (scallops)
Walk a stunning coastal section of the Camino, savoring panoramic vistas of Galicia’s rugged western seaboard
Soak up the charm of Baiona’s fishing port and historic quarter.

Parador de Baiona

(Deluxe Hotel, 1 night)

Activity Options & Terrain

patio with stone railing next to hotel building

grand hotel lobby with tables and armchairs

large stone buildings surrounded by hedges

grand hotel restaurant decorated with grandfather clocks

Night 3

Parador de Baiona

Baiona

Deluxe Hotel

One of Spain's most historic paradors—more than a thousand years old, it has been a fortress, castle and monastery—it charms guests with medieval features, modern comfort, fresh seafood and traditional Galician fare and vistas across the Rías Baixas estuaries, Atlantic and distant Cíes Islands. (pool)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Journey by private boat to explore Cíes Island Nature Reserve, one of Spain’s most spectacular national parks
Relax on white-sand beaches or walk across pristine Monteagudo Island
Enjoy the lively wayfaring atmosphere along the Camino Francés en route to Santiago de Compostela
Tour the old quarter of beautiful Santiago
Enter the magnificent cathedral with hundreds of pilgrims—a memorable way to cap off your trip!

Hotel A Quinta da Auga

(Luxury Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Nights 4-5

Hotel A Quinta da Auga

Santiago de Compostela

Luxury Hotel

Pure luxury and tranquility await at this elegant 18th-century estate, situated in a park-like setting near the Sar River. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

End Santiago de Compostela, Spain or Porto, Portugal Airport & Travel Details

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This trip has an activity level range of 2-4

Route & Terrain Notes

Walking routes on this trip are mostly along quiet paved and unpaved roads through villages and farmland, forest trails and coastal paths, with a few rocky and sandy sections. Routes are predominantly level to rolling with bigger climbs and steep descents on some of the long options. Sturdy hiking boots are recommended for most longer route options, and shoes designed for impact with hard surfaces are appropriate for all guests.

Day 1

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

4 miles*

400 ft. gain

Level 3

7 miles

500 ft. gain

Level 4

9 miles*

500 ft. gain

Day 2

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

4 miles

200 ft. gain

Level 3

8 miles

500 ft. gain

Level 4

10 miles

1400 ft. gain

Day 3

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

5 miles

1000 ft. gain

Level 3

7 miles

1000 ft. gain

Level 4

10 miles

1100 ft. gain

Day 4

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

4 miles

400 ft. gain

Level 3

5 miles

700 ft. gain

Level 4

8 miles

1100 ft. gain

Day 5

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

5 miles

500 ft. gain

Level 3

7 miles

600 ft. gain

Level 4

10 miles

800 ft. gain

Day 6

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

3 miles

500 ft. gain

View Dates & Prices From $4,999/person

What to Know

What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Walking the Camino

Although we’ll be walking along parts of the Camino de Santiago, it’s important to note that our experience will be quite different from that of its Compostela-seeking pilgrims, who are required to walk at least the last 100 kilometers into Santiago—often along stretches of busy highway—and who typically stay in simple dormitories. This trip allows us to experience the essence and highlights of the Camino and surrounding landscape in comfort, with the region’s best hotels, gourmet meals and excellent route support each day. It’s also important to note that as we are walking on the Camino, many parts of this historic pilgrimage take place on paved paths, back roads or cobblestones. You can expect about half of the walking to be on a hard surface.

Air-Conditioning

While they offer outstanding service and amenities, please note that some of the hotels on this trip are housed in beautiful historic buildings equipped with bio-friendly air-cooling systems. These may not be as cold as the air-conditioning you are accustomed to. Despite the region’s generally temperate climate and cool nights, guestrooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.

Accommodations & Service Standards

The slower pace, relaxed approach to life and old-world qualities in Spain and Portugal are some of the highlights of this spectacular region and are reflected in the hotels and restaurants on this trip. That said, service can lack a sense of urgency when compared with the service found in other parts of Europe. While the Luxury Hotels we’ve chosen are some of the finest in the area, they may seem a bit simpler than the Backroads European standard. The same can be said for Portuguese cuisine, a celebration of local flavors, which is more rustic than that of other places we visit in Europe.

FAQs

This trip is best suited for adults who want a Camino experience without committing to the full pilgrimage. Routes range from moderate walks to invigorating hikes with bigger climbs, and guests should be comfortable with some pavement walking and shuttles between selected sections.

This is a Level 2–4 Hiking & Walking trip, with shorter options covering roughly 1–5 miles and the longest options reaching around 8 miles with 2,200 feet of elevation gain. A typical day includes multiple flexible route choices—see this trip’s Activity Options & Terrain in the itinerary for day-by-day details or learn more about Backroads’ activity levels.

This trip does not include the official Compostela certificate, which requires walking a continuous 100 kilometers into Santiago. This itinerary covers scenic sections of multiple Camino routes and uses shuttles to bypass less appealing stretches, offering a "taste" of the Camino rather than a full pilgrimage.

Terrain is mostly well‑marked paths, dirt roads and wide trails with easy footing. About 40 percent of walking is on pavement or cobblestones, especially near towns.

Guests walk sections of four different Camino routes: the Portuguese Way, the Coastal Portuguese Way, the French Way and a short section of the Finisterre route. This variety provides a broad and immersive perspective on the Camino rather than following a single route end to end.

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