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.

5th October

- Departure from Lisbon (Oriente Station) at 8am by coach
- 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)

6th October 

- Stage from Tui to Mos (24 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.

7th October 

- Stage from Porrino to Arcade (24 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, and then to Arcade, our finishing point for this stage.

8th October

- Stage from Arcade to San Amaro (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.

9th October 

- Stage from San Amaro to Valga (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 Valga.

10th October 

- Stage from Valga to Casa Longa (24 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 Padrón. The route continues through Escravitude, where we pass the sanctuary, the Iria Flavia Church and a little further on the Santa María de Cruces Church. A little further on and we finish the stage in Casalonga.

11th October 

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

We leave Casalonga and before Santiago, leaving the Rio Tinto on our left, we pass Milladoiro and Rocha Vella, places very close to our final destination: the historic area of Santiago with its monumental Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela waiting for us.

12th October 

- Guided tour of Santiago de Compostela
- Back to Lisbon

Reservations until 30th June 2024
Booking price: 100€ per person

Registration fee:

Prices valid until 31st May 2024

800€ - Price per person in a double room
950€ - Price per person in single room

From that date onwards, the amount will be 900€ and 1,050€ respectively.

Payment can be made in monthly instalments

The price includes:

- Transport by bus from Lisbon to Valença / Santiago de Compostela and back;
- The bus is at our disposal all week;
- Transport to the locations of each stage of the journey and accommodation;
- Accommodation in double rooms with private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi;
- Breakfast included;
- Pilgrim Credentials;
- Guided tour of Santiago de Compostela;
- The proposed accommodation option includes various types of rooms (doubles and in some cases triples);
- Option of accommodation in a single room with a surcharge and subject to availability
- Accommodation is in Hotels and Hostels
- Walks with a guide and 24-hour accompaniment;
- Compulsory insurance.