Challenge yourself on this wonderful cycling pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
One of the great ways to complete the pilgrimage to Compostela is cycling the Camino Portugues. Cycling enthusiasts unite to join fellow “bicigrinos”—pilgrims who choose to cycle rather than walk—make their way on this Cycling the Portuguese Way tour from Porto to Santiago de Compostela.
In 9 days, challenge yourself with an inspiring bike ride from the UNESCO-protected streets of Porto through the idyllic landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula’s northwest. Cover serious ground as you ride over secondary trails fringed by forest to reach historic villages, like Ponte de Lima, Tui, and, Padrón.
Meet friendly locals, cross mighty rivers, dine on delicious local fare, and collect your much-deserved Compostela certificate at the end of your pilgrimage. This Cycling the Portuguese Way tour is suitable for moderate to experienced cyclists, so grab your bike (or rent one on the tour) and make some unforgettable memories!
Highlights Of Self-guided Cycling the Portuguese Camino Tour
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Self-guided Cycling the Camino Portuguese Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Porto
Welcome to northern Portugal! Finding your way from the airport to the heart of Porto, a UNESCO Heritage city, you’ll want to spend a little time acclimating to your surroundings and there’s no better way to do that than sampling the local wine and food. Follow that with an evening stroll along the Douro River and you’re all set.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Porto
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Cycle to Arcos
After a hearty breakfast, you’re ready to hop on your bike and begin the Camino Portugues, ending the first stage in Arcos. This route sees you travelling up the coast before leading you inland and away from the Atlantic, over the Dom Zameiro bridge and through the typical vegetation of northern Portugal. Take cover from the day’s sun in the shade of the pines and eucalyptus trees as you pedal along to Arcos.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Arcos
Distance: 38 km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3 Cycle to Ponte de Lima
Get an earlier start on the Camino today as it’s the tours longest ride. Leaving Arcos, you’ll reach the beautiful village of Ponte de Lima, one of the oldest and most beautiful in the country. As you make your way into the village, you’ll have the pleasure of discovering two sections of the historic ponte (“bridge”), which crosses the river Lima and lends its name to the city. One section dates to the Romans while the other is from the Middle Ages.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ponte de Lima
Distance: 54 km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4 Cycle to Tui
This stage take you into Spain and to Galicia, crossing the bridge over the river Miño (or Minho in Portuguese) which has always represented the natural border between Spain and Portugal. Undoubtedly the city of Tui deserves a visit to its cathedral in San Fernando square. Here you can rest the legs as you wander the streets of Tui’s historical center.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Tui
Distance: 38 km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5
Today’s ride on the Camino Portugues is a great stage, as you’ll ride from Tui to Redondela. Along the way you’ll have plenty of opportunity to admire the beautiful views of the Vigo estuary.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Redondela
Distance: 34 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Cycle to Pontevedra
Today’s stage is quite easy and will take you to one of the most beautiful villages in Galicia,
Pontevedra. You’ll cross the Verdugo River in Ponte Sampaio where Napoleon’s navy suffered one of the worst defeats in Galicia, then you’ll continue to Pontevedra.
You’ll want to spend some time exploring Pontevedra. Amble the narrow, cobblestoned streets of the historic centre, with its charming squares and stone buildings. Visit the Cathedral of Santa María and be sure to taste some of the typical products of the Rías Baixas (“lower estuaries”), like clams, cockles, and oysters.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pontevedra
Distance: 20km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 7 Cycle to Padrón
Discover Barro and the beauty of the Barosa River Natural Park this morning where you’ll take in the picturesque views of the many waterfalls and mills strewn throughout. Your Camino will also pass through Caldas de Reis, an emblematic point along the Way of Saint James. From here, you’ll ride along wooded paths amid scattered villages until you reach Padrón.
Known for being the cradle of great writers of Galician literature, including such writers as Rosalía de Castro and Camilo José Cela, Padrón is also considered to be the first point seen by the ship carrying the remains of the Apostle Santiago. What’s more, as you explore Padrón, you’ll likely pick up a popular phrase in reference to the green peppers the city is also known for, que uns pican e outros non (some are hot and some not).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Padrón
Distance: 39 km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 8 Cycle to Santiago de Compostela
Nearing Santiago de Compostela the pastoral landscapes transition into urban sprawl until you find yourself in the heart of this culturally significant city. Deemed a UNESCO Heritage Site (and for good reason), you’ll want to lose yourself in its network of streets in its historic center as you celebrate completing the Portuguese Way. After collecting your Compostela certificate from the Pilgrim’s Office, take the time to soak in the city. One great option is to head to the lively Abastos Market for Galicia’s best produce before.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Santiago
Distance: 25 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Depart Santiago de Compostela
Spend one final morning exploring historic Santiago de Compostela before it’s time to check out and carry on your return journey home.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Self-guided Cycling the Camino Portuguese Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided walking tour to Santiago de Compostela is always run as a private tour for your group only. The price always depends on the number of people sharing a room.
Prices below are per person:
- Price per person staying in double room: from $1,295 USD*
* Pricing for this tour depends on your travelling dates. Please click the Book Now button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates.
Book NowAccommodation on Self-guided Cycling the Camino Portuguese Tour
This tour is based in 2 and 3-star hotels and offer modern conveniences. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement. In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $195 USD to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel da Bolsa in Porto
Close to some of Porto’s popular landmarks and restaurants, Hotel da Bolsa also provides modern amenities (flat screen TV and air conditioning).
Hotel Quinta Sao Miguel in Arcos
Artistically furnished rooms overlooking manicured gardens and an inviting pool, bordering the Camino.
Hotel Imperio do Norte in Ponte de Lima
Indulge in river views from your modern room in this hotel conveniently located in the historical and cultural center of the village.
Hotel Ideas Peregrinas in Tui
Located in the heart of historic Tui and within walking distance to sights and restaurants, Hotel Ideas Peregrinas is family run and operated.
Hotel O Refuxio de la Jerezana in Redondela
Single, double, and dormitory style-rooms characterize Hotel O Refuxio right off the Camino. Enjoy hearty meals on the terrace.
Hotel Boa Vila in Pontevedra
A quiet hotel conveniently located right off the Camino and close to the heart of Old Town as well as restaurants with mouth-watering menus.
Hotel Scala in Padrón
Quiet hotel on the outskirts of Padrón provides visitors with modern and convenient amenities and includes an onsite restaurant and pool.
Hospedería San Martín Pinario in Santiago de Compostela
Perfectly located near Praza do Obradoiro and other notable attractions, as well as a host of restaurants, enjoy your stay in this historic building.
What’s included in the Self-guided Cycling the Camino Portuguese Tour?
Meals
8 breakfasts and 3 dinners are included.
Accommodations
The accommodation for 8 nights along the tour is included.
Transportation during the Cycling the Portuguese Way
This tour includes luggage transfers only.
Also Included
- Bike rental
- Saddlebags and helmet rental
- 24/7 phone assistance
- Pilgrim Passport
- Walking notes
Not included
- Guide services
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Transportation
- Anything not listed as ‘included’
- Extra accommodation charge for arriving to Santiago one night before St. James Day (July 25th)
Optional Extras
- Airport transfers
- Extra nights before or after the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Self-guided Cycling the Camino Portuguese
Galiwonders is a specialist tour operator, focusing on pilgrimages along the Camino de Santiago in Spain and Portugal as well as the Via Francigena in Italy. They offer adaptable tours to suit a variety of client needs and focus on truly taking care of their guests.
The tour guides are local experts, living and working right along the Camino. They have visited each hotel and restaurant they recommend, ensuring each is up to standard.
Galiwonders offers constant contact with their guests, ensuring all concerns or questions are addressed immediately so you can relax and enjoy your trip.
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Margot is a new guide with Galiwonders, and loves sharing her pride in her home region of Galicia with visitors. She enjoys sharing the history, stories, legends, and unknown information with tourists to connect them deeply with the region they’re in.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to lead and why?
- A: Any trip around Galicia. Fortunately, I have had the chance to travel far and wide, I’ve visited many counties, many cities, all beautiful and with something special, but I guess the saying "the heart is where home is" is applicable to me.
- Q: What are guests most surprised about in visiting your country?
- A: Tourists usually have a preconceived idea of what Spain is like, and when they are here they are surprised to see that how they thought it was had no similarity to that notion. I find this is especially true with Galicia. The most common ide they have is that it’s all Flamenco, bulls and polka dot dresses. That is just in Andalucia, and in Madrid, for tourists. Each region has its own unique traditions and folk culture.
- Q: What is one experience anybody visiting your country should do?
- A: El Camino de Santiago. It does not matter what religion you belong to. It is the sentiment, the relaxation, the feeling of wholeness one senses while on the Way. It’s the goal of accomplishing a pilgrimage for whatever the reason one may have, reaching the end of the road where all roads meet. Along the way you make friends with people from all over the world, the group gets larger and larger, some speak Spanish, others French, others English, even Chinese. It’s a wonderful multiracial group, and once you all reach Plaza do Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela, you all embrace. Everyone’s jumping and laughing with sore, bruised feet and sweaty clothes for having accomplished the challenge, feeling so good and wondering why the rest of the world does not embrace this experience.