back to Walk the Camino

Walk the Camino

Walk the Camino Portugués – Baiona to Santiago de Compostela

Prices from £2,150 pp

Single Supplement £450

Next available tour: Call for Details

Tour leader: Call for Details

This is the second part of McCabe Travels on the Camino Portugués from Baiona to Santiago de Compostela. This route is a captivating path that takes you through the heart of Galicia, offering a blend of natural beauty, rich history, and deep cultural significance and follows on from the first leg from Porto to Baiona which can be booked separately.

Starting in the historic coastal town of Baiona, your journey will unfold across rolling hills, lush forests, and quaint villages, all while following in the traditions of those who have walked this path for over a thousand years. Along the way, you’ll discover hidden gems of Galician heritage, sample exquisite local cuisine, and experience the warm hospitality of fellow pilgrims.

This route culminates in Santiago de Compostela, home to the awe-inspiring Cathedral, where the remains of Saint James are said to rest. Reaching Santiago is not only a physical achievement but a deeply personal and spiritual milestone.

Whether you’re walking for reflection, adventure, or a connection to something greater, the Baiona to Santiago de Compostela route promises a journey that will inspire and transform, creating memories to last a lifetime.

¡Buen Camino!

Santiago de Compostela

Click to view slideshow

Itinerary

  1. Travel to Spain

    We fly from London to Porto where we will meet our local guide, and transfer to our hotel in Baiona for an overnight stay*. This afternoon we will have some free time to visit the charming coastal town of Baiona at our own leisure before joining together for dinner in the evening.

    *if you are staying in Baiona from our previous pilgrimage from Porto, you will meet the group in the hotel.

  2. Baiona to Vigo (26km)

    We begin our Pilgrimage by leaving Baiona, and following the pilgrim’s path winding inland toward Vigo. It passes through quaint Galician villages with their traditional stone houses and narrow cobblestone streets. Field of green crops and eucalyptus trees add to the rural charm, with distant hills and mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. Our final destination for the day, Vigo, where we will stay overnight, is a lively city located at the foot of the Ría de Vigo, a large estuary. While the city itself is urban, it offers scenic views over the estuary, bustling harbors, and the surrounding hills.

  3. Vigo to Arcade (21km)

    Starting in Vigo, The Camino path passes through more suburban parts of the city and nearby villages. These areas are relatively flat and provide a calm atmosphere, with occasional glimpses of the estuary. We pass through more small villages where we’ll find traditional Galician stone houses. Finally, we’ll arrive in Arcade, where we will stay the night, a small town known for its famous “O Rio” (the river) and its stone bridge over the Verdugo River.

  4. Arcade to Pontevedra (11km)

    After leaving Arcade, The Camino leads through tranquil farmland and lush countryside. The route is lined with a mix of eucalyptus forests, and fields, offering a peaceful atmosphere with the occasional sound of birds and the breeze rustling through the trees. As we progress, we journey through more pretty villages and we may encounter small chapels and churches that are part of The Camino’s spiritual heritage. As you approach Pontevedra, the landscape starts to shift slightly. The Camino path becomes more urban as you near the city, but it still maintains a serene quality. Overnight in Pontevedra.

  5. Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis (23km)

    Leave Pontevedra and follow The Camino into more rural territory. We see many 'Cruceros', a very typical Galician monument related to the Santa Compaña. As we near Caldas de Reis, the terrain becomes more undulating, with gentle hills leading to the town. We stay overnight in Caldas de Reis.

  6. Caldas de Reis to Padrón (18km)

    As we continue on The Camino, we pass through a variety of small villages, which are characterised by their traditional stone buildings and narrow lanes. As we approach Padrón, the landscape starts to become more populated with small villages and agricultural land. The route stays mostly on rural roads but gradually becomes busier as you near the town. Padrón is famously associated with St. James, as the town is said to have been the place where his boat first landed after being brought to Galicia. Overnight in Padrón.

  7. Padrón to Santiago de Compostela (24km)

    As we leave Padrón behind, the route takes us through a combination of peaceful rural landscapes and forests. Once we get closer to Santiago de Compostela, the landscape starts to shift, and the path becomes busier, with more pilgrims and a slight increase in urban development. The final few kilometers are a bit more urban, leading us into the outskirts of Santiago. We stay in Santiago de Compostela for two nights.

  8. Santiago de Compostela

    A day to visit this beautiful city, proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. During the morning we’ll enjoy a guided tour of Santiago Old Town and visit the Cathedral which has a Baroque facade hiding the much earlier Romanesque building and set on the site where, in the 8th century, the tomb of St James was discovered. We join the Pilgrim Mass at noon and we have arranged to have the Botafumeiro to be swung. Free time for lunch. In the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant, featuring the traditional ‘Quiemada’ drink ceremony.

  9. Finisterre Trip & Departure

    Today we’ll depart Santiago for Finisterre (also known as Fisterra). The Latin term Finis Terra means ‘the end of the world’, and is where the name Finisterre originates. The Romans gave Finisterra it’s name, as the village is one of the most Western points. The rocky area appeared to them to be the end of the world. We know now, however, that Finisterre is not the most Western point of Spain.

    After spending a nice afternoon by the coast, we head back to Santiago for our flight back to London.

Essential Information

The cost for this 9 day tour is £2,150 per person.

The cost is based on sharing a double or twin-bedded room and includes most expenses. A number of single rooms are available for a supplement of £450.

This Tour Includes:

  • 8 nights accommodation with private facilities
  • Return flights from London
  • Airport transfers & luggage transfers
  • English-speaking local Camino guide
  • 8 breakfasts
  • 8 dinners (with 1 beverage included per person)
  • Pilgrim’s passport & shell
  • Private walking tour of Santiago de Compostela
  • Botafumeiro Ceremony at Santiago Cathedral
  • Private excursion to Finisterre
  • Gratuities are included and will be disbursed locally
  • Local City Tax

A £500 per person non-refundable deposit is payable now with the balance due twelve weeks prior to departure.

Late Bookings

Please note that for bookings made within 12 weeks of departure, the price may increase due to the fluctuating

cost of flights. If this arises, we will always discuss this with you before processing your booking.

Final travel documents

These will be emailed to you two weeks before departure.

Special Requests

Any special requirements, such as dietary needs, mobility requests, and any other requests should be noted at the time of booking.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is essential. We require all travellers to have adequate cancellation and medical coverage for their journey. We recommend the policy with Holiday Extras who offer a comprehensive policy as well as yearly policies that also cover short UK overnight stays. See the back cover for details.

Mobility

This is a walking pilgrimage with no coach back-up, so a good level of fitness is required and it is essential to start preparatory walks well before departure. If for any reason you are unable to complete a day’s walk or need some rest time, the guide can help you arrange a taxi to take you to the next hotel. Walking days will vary in length and will be mostly off-road along pilgrim paths.

PASSPORTS, VISAS AND HEALTH

Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the end of this pilgrimage. If you need a new passport apply early as there can be considerable backlogs at the passport offices. Visas are not required for British or other EEC passport holders. No inoculations are required. We do, however, advise you to consult your doctor regarding your own personal requirements.

Practical information

A LITTLE HISTORY

Santiago was the ultimate destination of one of the great pilgrimages of the Middle Ages.

Then the Way of St James led on to the shrine in the Field of the Star (Campus Stellae - Compostela) where the bones of St James the apostle were believed to lie and now a magnificent cathedral stands.

Pilgrims set out from all over Europe and converged as they entered Santiago. Pilgrims traditionally walk, cycle or go on horseback and dedicate months to the journey staying in monasteries and hospices en route.

We will not be alone as we walk and will meet up with a colourful band of fellow pilgrims as we progress towards our common goal.

WALKING THE CAMINO

We will set out each morning at around 8am and plan to arrive at our destination in the afternoon. We walk each day for up to five hours. On the way, we will stop for lunch (times vary) and visit places of interest which our guide will introduce to us.

Do wear sturdy shoes or boots suitable for walking long distances and bring a day pack to carry principally rain-wear, sun cream, a hat, water, snacks, blister plasters and spare socks. The weather in the Galician region is much like the English summer. Sunshine with scattered showers is not uncommon but equally it can be hot. We will keep an eye on the daily weather forecast and the guide will plan our walking and stops accordingly.

MCCABE PILGRIMAGES

Our pilgrimage is being organised in association with McCabe Travel, a company well-known in church circles and recognised as Britain’s foremost religious tour operator. McCabe has been responsible for organising hundreds of pilgrimages to the Bible Lands with churches from all over Britain for 35 years. The company is a member of AITO and is fully bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority.

THE MCCABE EDUCATIONAL TRUST

The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity with the aim of helping inspiring people we meet on pilgrimage in the Holy Land. McCabe Pilgrimages invite all travellers to become partners in this work. A £20 voluntary donation to the Trust’s work is added to every pilgrim’s invoice and all money raised in this way is given in full to the projects the Trust supports. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

HOLIDAY INSURANCE

Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of our main priories. That’s why we have partnered with Holiday Extras so you can get a travel insurance policy to protect you before and whilst you are travelling.

Holiday Extras Cover Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and has been independently rated 5-stars by Defaqto.

For more information or to obtain a quote, please click here, www.holidayextras.com. Or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor. Please quote AG628 upon calling.

AITO QUALITY STATEMENT

McCabe Pilgrimages is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. McCabe abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed on www.aito.co.uk. Visit the website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280. This pilgrimage is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Read reviews

Dates

Send to a friend




    Fellowship Tours

    A portfolio of tours with regular travellers in mind

    Read more