Camino Portugués Coastal - Day 1: Porto to Póvoa de Varzim
I had planned two months in Europe for my Camino Francés journey, but finishing earlier than expected left me with extra time to explore. After sightseeing in Porto and Lisbon, I found myself longing to see more of the ocean. Sujin, a friend I’d met on the Francés, felt the same. We reunited in Porto and decided to take on a short but meaningful challenge—walking from Porto to Vigo along the Portuguese Coastal Route, since she only had a few days before flying home.
Sujin wanted to complete a 40-kilometre day, so we chose the first day of our Camino Portugués Coastal for it. The route’s relatively flat terrain made it seem manageable—at least on paper. We set out just before 6:30 a.m., guided by the glow of Porto’s streetlights. Watching the city wake up in silence, without the usual crowds, was a peaceful experience. The path wasn’t clearly marked at first, so we relied on the Camino Ninja app to navigate through the city and suburbs. It wasn’t until 9.5 kilometres in that we finally spotted our first yellow arrow—always a reassuring sight. Around the 15-kilometre mark, we began seeing other pilgrims, and that small sense of Camino community returned.
The kilometres passed quickly. We breezed through the halfway point, feeling far stronger and more confident than when we’d first started the Francés weeks earlier. The day was filled with ocean views, long stretches of wooden boardwalks, and a lighthearted energy that made the hours fly by. We arrived in Póvoa de Varzim tired but content, our spirits lifted by the sea air and the promise of more coastal walking ahead. It was a wonderful way to begin this new chapter of the Camino—familiar yet refreshingly different.
History & Background
The Camino Portugués Coastal Route (Caminho da Costa) is one of the most scenic variations of the Portuguese Way to Santiago. Departing from Porto, it follows the Atlantic coastline north through seaside towns, fishing villages, and historic ports before joining the main Portuguese route near Redondela in Spain.
Historically, this route offered an alternative for pilgrims who wished to avoid the inland roads between Porto and Tui. It became especially popular during the 15th and 16th centuries, as maritime trade expanded and travellers followed the coastal paths linking Portugal’s key harbours. Today, the Coastal Route is known for its ocean views, peaceful boardwalks, and relaxed rhythm—a contrast to the busier inland paths.
Póvoa de Varzim, the first major stop on this route, has long been a fishing and resort town. Its sandy beaches and maritime heritage make it a fitting first destination on the Caminho da Costa, where the Atlantic seems to mirror the spirit of pilgrimage itself—ever-moving, vast, and full of stories.
Getting There
The walk from Porto to Póvoa de Varzim covers roughly 37–40 kilometres, depending on your chosen path. The route follows riverside paths from Porto to Matosinhos, then transitions to wooden boardwalks and coastal promenades through seaside towns like Vila do Conde before reaching Póvoa de Varzim.
Pilgrims can reach Porto by air via Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), located about 15 km from the city centre. From Santiago de Compostela or Lisbon, trains and long-distance buses connect easily to Porto.
If starting your Camino later in the day, some pilgrims shorten this stage by beginning in Matosinhos (reachable by metro from central Porto) to avoid urban walking.
Route Overview
Distance: 40 km (The Central House Porto Ribeira → Sardines and Friends Hostel)
Total elevation gain: 143 m
Duration: 7 hr 38 min (with breaks 9 hr 25 min)
Difficulty: Challenging
For the full day-by-day route breakdown, including distances and duration, see my complete Camino Portugués Coastal route guide.
Cost Breakdown
Accommodation: Sardines and Friends Hostel (Reserved via Agoda) — €20
Food: €38.18
