Bike tour Portuguese Camino, from Porto to Santiago by the Coast

Ride the Portuguese Camino by the coast, the Way of St. James and experience the coastal villages of the Minho region in Northwestern Portugal and Galiza. Discover the natural beauty of this coast, riding by Esposende and Caminha and cross-over to spain to discover beautiful Bayone, and the Vigo Ria, with it's trademark seafood. Ride by quiet forests and quaint villages in this spiritual but challenging adventure!in the way of St. James!
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Duration

6 Days
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Level

Intermediate to Advanced
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Bike Type

Mountain, Hybrid or E-bike
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Daily Distance

40km to 66km
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Daily Altimetry

400m to 1000m

Highlights

We'll meet at our local shop in Porto, where we'll provide you a private briefing, before the start of your experience, in which we'll hand you a Garmin Edge GPS with the preloaded tracks for this tour, and a detailed routebook for the experience.

You will start riding north by the “Camino” in Porto, either on the same day or the day after. The following days you will be riding by the North of Portugal, in the “Minho” region, and visit historical places like Esposende, Caminha, A guarda, Bayona, Vigo, Redondela, Pontevedra and, of course, Santiago de Compostela

Gallery

  • cycling from Porto to santiago: a bike tour in the Camino
  • ponte de lima medieval bridge camino de santiago

Itinerary

Day 0: Pick-up of the bikes and private briefing at our store in Porto;

Private briefing, bike and gear pick-up and bike fit at our Porto bike station.

Day 1: Porto to Esposende - 66km ride, 470 accumulated height

You can start your adventure either by cycling directly from our store in Porto or go through the city of Porto and to get to Sé Velha, the old See Cathedral of Porto the pilgrims starting point. Head down the stairs to Mouzinho da Silveira street, to Porto’s riverside, riding the cycle paths alongside the Douro river, until you get to Leça da Palmeira. From here on, you’ll start following the yellow arrow’s by Portugal’s coastline, towards the north. From Leça da Palmeira, the Camino will be a mix of cycle paths, paved roads and walkways all the way until you reach the historical city of “Vila do Conde” and the beach resort plus fishermen’s town of “Póvoa do Varzim” – both of which are good options for lunch. After “Póvoa do Varzim”, keep riding through the small fishermen’s villages until you reach Fão, where you’ll turn left, towards the ocean once more and the pine tree forested area of Ofir and then crossing the river to Esposende where you'll stay for the night.

Night in a three star hotel in Esposende

Day 2: Esposende to Caminha - 54 km ride, 800 accumulated height

Start your day riding alongside the Cávado river – then through the quaint villages of the north of Portugal. At km15 you’ll start climbing and entering a more technical trail until you cross a very narrow bridge across the Neiva river – another climb will follow until you reach Viana do Castelo, across the river, where you will be able to see te “Santa Luzia” church on top of the nearby mountain range. The historical city center is a good option to stop for lunch and visit. After Viana, keep riding north and inland, through the mountain range – some urban single tracks and ancient paved roads will follow, until you reach “Vila Praia de Âncora”, from where you’ll ride the Ecopista, by the shoreline, until you reach your hotel in Caminha.

Night in a three star hotel in Caminha

Day 3: Caminha to Bayona - 45km ride, 570 accumulated height;

Leave Caminha by ferry boat (there’s one every hour, except on Monday), towards “A Guarda”, entering Spain. This day offers no big climbs, just ups and downs until you reach Bayona, a beautiful coastal town. Meanwhile, enjoy the medieval villages across the galician coastline, tasting wonderful tapas and seafood along the way. Stop in Bayona for lunch to admire this beautiful city centre as well as the Marina of this piscatory city. This is a short but sweet ride, to prepare you for your next day, which is the toughest ride of the wek, so take your time to relax in Baiona!

Night in three star hotel in Bayona

Day 4: Bayona to Pontevedra - 61km ride, 1100 accumulated height;

This might just be the toughest day of your Camino! After breakfast, resume your ride towards Vigo which is 25km away, tackling a short, but steep climb to reach Saigráns and to experience one of the most beautiful views in the region: Vigo’s “Ria”, where the sea water mixes with the river, and you’ll be able to see the “bateas” where mussels are produced (a local delicacy) and the Ciés islands in the background – a natural park in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. You will then descend into the busy city of Vigo and then back up, towards a mountain range that overlooks the Ria de Vigo – 12km of macadam trails overlooking the Ria, followed by a descent towards Redondela – from Redondela, the “central camino” and the “coastal camino” become one! Another climb near Cessantes and then a descent to cross the Verdugo river over the romanic bridge of “Ponte Sampaio”. One final push after and then, from km28 on, it’s a long descent until you reach Pontevedra and its beautiful historical center. Take your time to explore Pontevedra’s center on a walk at nightime by the Galician plazas of Ourense and Ferraria, where you’ll find the city’s Basilica and Chapel.

Night in three star hotel in Pontevedra

Day 5: Pontevedra to Padrón - 35km ride;

Start your ride by crossing Rio Lérez and riding north, on the trails alongside the train tracks. Narrow paths of ancient roman pathways and backroads will follow until you reach “Caldas de Reis”, renowned as a thermal resort. Then, keep riding by the trails and back roads until you reach Padrón. In Padrón , turn left at the bridge towards Convento del Carmo, and then left again to reach your hotel for the day, “Pazo de Lestrove”, that ill appear on the left side of the road.

Hotel for the day: Pazo de Lestrove, Padrón

Day 6: Padrón to Santiago - 28km ride;

After breakfast, you’ll start your cycling day climbing just outside of Padrón. More and more pilgrims will appear at this stage, as Santiago is nearby - don’t forget to wish a “Bom Caminho” to all pilgrims you see along the way! After climbing the more urbanized area of Santiago, you’ll enter the historical center and reach the Santiago Cathedral – the end of this epic journey! Take time to visit the city and the Cathedral and make sure to attend the Pilgrim Mass, in which you may be able to see the famous Santiago Cathedral’s “Smoke Spreader”.

What's included

  • 5 nights in charm hotels in the north of Portugal and Spain, in Galiza, breakfast included, in double accommodation;
  • Mountain or touring bike rental for 6 days: 120EUR per bike/person;
  • Private briefing upon your arrival at our local shop in Porto;
  • Pilgrim's passport;
  • Road book with suggestions of restaurants and attractions during your tour;
  • 1 Garmin GPS with previously loaded tracks, adapted to your riding experience (1 GPS per group);
  • Bike helmet and other gear (tire levers, spares, air pump);
  • 24hour remote assistance with our local crew;
  • Rear rack and 2X 20L waterproof saddle bags for you to carry your luggage on all bikes;
  • Ride insurance (for accidents only);
  • Luggage store on our Porto warehouse during the tour

Optional

  • E-bike supplement: 6 day e-bike rental: 210EUR per bike/person;
  • Passenger transfer back to Porto on final day: On demand;
  • Daily luggage transfer: On demand

Price

  • 940 EUR per person (minimum booking of 2 pax)

  • Single supplement: 400EUR/guest

  • High season supplement ( from May to October): 190EUR/guest

Booking

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Faq

Yes, you can, as these are private self-guide tours, for you and your group only. These are subject to availability, as we need to check hotel and bike availability for your preferred dates.
We accept bookings for a minimum of 2 guests on our self-guided bike tours.
We require a down payment of 50% of the value of the tour upon booking. The remaining value us due 30 days before the start date of your tour.
No, we specialized in Self-guided tours, where we provide all that is required for you to complete the tour on your own.
Yes, you can. However, if you choose to do so, you must be responsible for the logistics of carrying your own luggage with your bike, as the luggage carrying systems that we use on our bikes might not be able to fit yours.
If you choose to rent one of our bikes, we'll equip them with 2x20litter rear panniers so you can carry your luggage with you from hotel to hotel, as well as a 2.5litter handlebar bag. We do not operate external luggage transfers services, but we can recommend companies that do that.
The briefing, bike fit and handing over all the information and gear for the tour is done at our Bike Stations in Porto and Lisbon. Our guides will meet you and provide you with a detailed routebook, suggestions and all you need to complete your tour. This briefing can be scheduled for the day before you start the tour (this is our recommendation) or even in the same day that you want to start your ride.
We accept payment via Paypal and any other major credit/debit cards. Payment for all tours and rentals are made entirely upon booking, and online.
If you need to cancel or change your bike tour to unexpected circumstances, our cancellation policy follows below:

Bike tour cancellation requested 120 days before tour:
100% of the value payed is refunded;

Bike tour cancellation requested between 119 to 90 days:
60% of the value payed is refunded;

Bike tour cancellation requested between 89 to 30 days:
50% of the value payed is refunded;

Bike tour cancellation requested 29 days, or less, before the tour:
No refunds;

Choose with confidence

Check our reviews and explore Portugal on a bike with us.
David Caw
David Caw
2023-04-24
Great communication for the start - clear and friendly emails. Short taxi ride from Lisbon airport. Pedro greeted me and got me sorted for my journey. Breathtaking ride up coast to Porto. Bike was perfect for all conditions and performed flawlessly. Dropped it back at Porto premises and, again, Pedro greeted me. Had really good chat about possible future rides - and I will use tese guys again. Wonderful experience !
Andrea Binder
Andrea Binder
2022-11-12
Danke Pedro, André und allen Mitarbeitern, dass unser Radurlaub ein voller Erfolg war. Qualitativ hochwertige Räder und ein hilfsbereites, freundliches Team, dass uns bei unserer kleinen Panne schnell und unkompliziert geholfen hat. Ich kann dieses Unternehmen zu 100 % weiterempfehlen. Danke an Alle
Peter McMullan
Peter McMullan
2022-09-21
A very professional and well run organisation. The bikes and gearing were of the highest quality so the equipment never missed a beat. Pedro was very accomodating with pick up and drop off and the whole adventure was a huge success in part to his organisation. The complete package
Carlos Pinto
Carlos Pinto
2022-08-05
Recomendo vivamente Go Cycling Portugal Obrigado Pedro foi um prazer poder contar contigo e com a tua equipa As bicicletas eram top 👍 fizemos os 738km da N2 muito confortavelmente e como programado pegar no Porto e deixar em Faro foi mesmo ótimo assim só foi mesmo preciso pedalar e não nos ocupamos de mais nada Obrigado por tudo e até breve
Roger Owen
Roger Owen
2022-04-19
Pedro and his team could not have been more helpful over the two years that we tried to ride the Portugese Camino. It was put back twice because of COVID. Nothing was too much trouble, and they credited us each time we had to postpone. When we eventually started (March 2022) the bikes were brilliant and top-notch - over 620km they were faultless. Drop off in Santiago was easy. I could not recommend this company highly enough. They were excellent. And I proposed to my (now) fiancee Rachel in the square in front of the cathedral. And she said yes! Strange things happen on the Camino! Thanks again Guys - you were brilliant in all aspects of your support. Roger and Rachel xx
Roger Owen
Roger Owen
2022-04-19
We hired bikes for 2020 but could not start the Portugese Camino until April 2022. Pedro and his team could not have been more helpful and honoured our credit in full. The bikes were top class and we had no issues. I could not recommend Pedro and his team highly enough. Roger and Rachel.
Georges Luxcoach
Georges Luxcoach
2022-04-18
It was the 1st time (but not the last) i worked and ordered 5 bicycles with Gocyclingportugal. I have to confess, as the organiser of a Tour from Porto-Lamego-Lisbon and back, I was not sure that the bicycles would be at the airport on time so that we could start the Tour immediately from there after landing in Porto. My friends would hate me for the rest of my life, if not 🤣. But Pedro and his teammate were on time. Once again thanks Gocyclingportugal. Everything went right and we were happy to ride on Scott Addict bikes! 👌🏼🚴🏼‍♂️ GG
More reviews ...

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Telephone: +351 969 154 589
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