In this activity proposal, we will walk the Portuguese Way of St James, which will take us from Valença do Minho to Santiago de Compostela. We'll also have time to appreciate various points of interest in the towns where each of the 6 stages will end and a day dedicated to Santiago de Compostela. Come with us!

The Way of St James

Among Christians, pilgrimages date back to the Old Testament, beginning with the exodus of the chosen people to the Promised Land. Jesus Christ also went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, but while Jerusalem and Rome were the great centres for the spread of Christianity, Santiago de Compostela had the privilege of being, throughout the second millennium, the great confluence of the European road network through which the preaching of the Gospel flowed.

The Way of St James is therefore a common denominator of European culture and these routes, which are public spaces of convergence and harmony, should be respected and promoted. On them, every walker feels like a citizen of the world, which gives them the opportunity to view their convictions in a universal sense of openness and tolerance.

The Way of St James is an ancient route followed by millions of pilgrims since the beginning of the 9th century, when the tomb of St James the Greater was discovered. Since then, people from the most diverse backgrounds have travelled the paths that lead to the Cathedral where the relics of the Holy Apostle are venerated, giving rise to a phenomenon that continues and grows stronger every day.

Pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela from Portugal intensified in the 12th century with the country's independence, and the royal road of Porto/Barcelos/Ponte de Lima/Valença, where almost all the others converge, became particularly important, reinforcing this route as the backbone of the Portuguese roads to Santiago de Compostela.

The Portuguese Way of St James makes use of ancient routes that cross forests, farmland, villages, towns and historic cities, as well as waterways via bridges, some left over from the Roman occupation. The Way is also marked by chapels, churches, convents, shrines and crosses, where there is no shortage of the image of the Apostle St James.

Crowds of anonymous people, walkers, travellers, almocreves, merchants, fairs and pilgrims, but also kings, nobles and clergy, have passed through here. However, the Way is also an opportunity to discover the hospitality of the people of northern Portugal and Galicia, whose vast architectural heritage, centuries-old cultural traditions and rich gastronomy are of great historical value.

18th April

- Departure from Lisbon (Oriente Station) at 8am by Bus or Tourist Van
- Lunch in Valença
- Visit to Valença (Fortress of Valença, Statue of St Teotónio, Chapel of Bom Jesus, Village Fountain, Church of St Stephen, Church of St Mary of the Angels and Roman Milestone)
- Group dinner (optional)
- Stage from Valença to Tui (6 kms)

19th April 

- Stage from Tui to Porrino (25 kms)
- Visit to Porrino

We cross the River Miño via its metal bridge and walk through the streets of the medieval town of Tui until we reach its cathedral. We continue through the tunnel of the Convent of the Poor Clares and, once outside the walls, through the churches of Santo Domingo and San Bartolomé. After crossing the Veiga bridge, we reach one of the most beautiful parts of the route - the Louro valley.

20th April 

- Stage from Porrino to Redondela (25 kms)
- Visit to Redondela

Leaving Porriño, where we head north, along the way we pass Pazo de Mós, Rua de Caballeros, Santiaguiño de Antas and Chan das Pipas. Here begins the steep descent that will take us to the centre of Redondela, our finishing point for this stage.

21st April

- Stage from Redondela to Pontevedra (25 kms)
- Visit to Pontevedra

This stage highlights the great beauty of the town of Ponte Sampaio and its medieval bridge over the River Verdugo. The route then continues along the path that runs along the bank of the River Tomeza, through a leafy, cool and pleasant forest that ends right at the entrance to the town.

22nd April 

- Stage from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis (25 kms)
- Visit to Caldas de Reis

The path continues close to the railway as far as Pontecabras. It then passes the Chapel of San Caetano, before heading through the beautiful woods of Reiriz and Lombo da Maceira. Other points of interest are San Mauro, Ponte Balbón and Ameal. Finally we reach Caldas de Reis.

23rd April 

- Stage from Caldas de Reis to Padrón (25 kms)
- Visit to Padrón

After Caldas de Reis, the Portuguese Way enters the Bermaña valley with its centuries-old forests. From here we start the ascent to Santa Mariña de Carracedo, then to Casal de Eirigo. Further on we pass the Roman bridge of Cesures, and from there we enter the lands of Corunna and shortly afterwards we reach our destination: Padrón.

24th April 

- Stage from Padron to Santiago de Compostela (12 kms)

We leave Padrón and the road continues through Escravitude, where we pass the sanctuary, the Iria Flavia Church and a little further on the Santa Maria de Cruces Church. Before Santiago, we leave the Rio Tinto on our left and pass Milladoiro and Rocha Vella, places that are already very close to our final destination: the historic area of Santiago with its monumental Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela waiting for us.

25th April 

- Guided tour of Santiago de Compostela
- Back to Lisbon

Note: The number of kilometres to be covered per day is approximate and may be altered according to the group's pace or other circumstances, for everyone's comfort..

Reservations until 31st January 2026
Booking price: 100€ per person