Compare The Way of St. James: The Coast Path - Fully Guided by Fold N’ Visit vs Portugal Real Food Adventure, featuring Galicia by Intrepid Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 7 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 1,795 | $ 3,108 |
| Price Per Day | $ 256 | $ 389 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
3 Lunches, 3 Picnics, and 6 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
As the Portuguese Central Path to Santiago de Compostela, the Coastal Portuguese Path is also a Christian pilgrimage route, very important in the Middle-Ages. It is considered as a bicycle route more cold and fresh, easy doing in midsummer, but perhaps is more demanding at a physical level, given its longevity (about 40 km), and especially for being beside the sea in a region whose prevailing winds come from the North . In this cycling tour, after Esposende and Vila do Conde, we will pass in Marinhas, heading to Castelo do Neiva with its exquisite church of Santiago. Visit famous Portuguese fishing towns and villages such as Viana do Castelo, Carreço, Vila Praia de Âncora, Moledo Cristelo and Caminha, whose sea landscapes will delight our eyes. The journey unfolds in roads or gravelly trails reasonable paths to cycle. Our journey will have a ferryboat to La Guardia, in Spain, or, as an option, we proceeded to Cerveira and then La Guardia. After this, we follow to Oia, Baiona and Vigo until we reach Redondela. Later on, now in Galician territory, similar bike routes of the Central Portuguese Path will be encountered along our way, such as Pontevedra, Caldas del Rey and Padrón, before facing our last climb towards Santiago de Compostela, with its majestic cathedral. |
Uncover the flavours of Galicia and Portugal on this eight-day adventure full of culinary delights, local wines and European hotspots. Take a tour of the central markets of Santiago de Compostela and enjoy a francesinha dinner in Porto. Discover how centuries of invasion and trade have given Portuguese cuisine a mixture of Mediterranean, African and Middle Eastern influences. Sip port and local wines among the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley and roll up your sleeves for a cooking class at an Alentejo farm stay. Explore coastal Lisbon, rubbing shoulders with locals at a canned fish hotspot and tuck into a glass (or two) of ginjinha (wild cherry liqueur) and the famed Portuguese tarts. |
Day 1: Porto – Póvoa de Varzim (50 km)
From the Cathedral of the “Invicta” city of Porto, initially, in a common section path with the Portuguese central way to Leca do Balio, we cycle along the coast towards Azurara. We cross the Rio Ave, pedaling towards Vila do Conde, reaching to our fishing destination’s village, Póvoa de Varzim.
Day 2: Póvoa de Varzim – Viana do Castelo (50 km)
After Póvoa de Varzim, we head into the sandy soils of dough mixers of Apúlia, with its famous windmills in Offir. In Fão, we are going to cross the river Cávado, a river which is born in Trás-os-Montes and ends in Esposende. After cycling in dirt roads, where flowers are abundant, follow to Foz do Neiva and subsequently to Viana do Castelo, a city of huge importance in the period of the Portuguese Discoveries, due to its shipyard area.
Day 3: Viana do Castelo – La Guardia (25 km)
We’re going to cross the river Minho at Caminha, by ferry or bridge (30km +). From Viana do Castelo, our bike route will be complemented with seascapes, emphasizing the
Northern beaches and the Forte do Carreço to Vila Praia de Âncora, where we will proceed our journey. At Caminha, we cross by ferry to La Guardia, entering now in Galician territory.
Day 4: La Guardia – Redondela (69 km)
Starting from La Guardia to Bayonne, our bicycle route follows, once again, the phenomenal seaside landscape to the Northern coast of Galicia which provides green landscapes, ensuring astonishing sightseeings that will accompany us during the bike tour. In Bayonne, we’ll visit the castle and the famous beach full of sea shells. Consequently, we will continue along the rias Bajas until reaching our daily target later - Redondela. Heading to Pontevedra, we’re going to discover its monastery, the “Basilica” of Santa Maria.
Day 5: Redondela – Caldas de Rey (42 km)
Our 5th day will be pedaling until our daily destination, the famous hot springs, allowing relaxation after several days of physical effort. First, we cross the river Umia and then we head to Caldas del Rey for some deserved rest.
Day 6: Caldas del Rey – Santiago de Compostela (40 km)
Our last day will consist in our penultimate ascent of our route, which will take us to Padrón. From this Galician city, we enter in the final phase of our cycling path, characterized by being entirely uphill until we finally reach the Obradoiro’s square and the Cathedral where the remains of the apostle Tiago are. Currently, Santiago de Compostela is a major symbol of pilgrimage and religious tourism, attracting believers and non-believers to this city with its magnificent cathedral.
Day 7: Transfer train to Porto
Return to Porto
Day 1 Santiago de Compostela
Hola! Welcome to Santiago de Compostela – the capital of northwest Spain’s Galicia region. If you arrive early, maybe walk the streets of the Old Town, known for its distinctive Romanesque, gothic and Baroque buildings. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After, maybe get to know your fellow travellers with an optional dinner of traditional Galician favourites. For seafood lovers, try the pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus).
Day 2 Porto
This morning, you’ll head to a local market in Santiago de Compostela – one of the city’s most popular attractions (alongside the cathedral). Follow your leader as they share tastes of local delicacies around the market. If you like, you can grab some extras for the public bus journey this afternoon, travelling over the border into Portugal. Arrive in the charming city of Porto in the late afternoon – known for its medieval riverside district with colourful houses bordering the Douro River, this is one of the country’s most romantic cities. Tonight, you’ll head out for an included dinner of a plant-based version of Porto's favourite dish, the francesinha.
Day 3 Porto
Taste your way around Porto this morning, exploring its majestic bridges, cobbled streets, merchants’ houses and cafes. From the grand fountain in Praca dos Leoes, head to a local café for coffee and pastel de nata (the famed Portuguese custard tart). Walk through the Clerigos, S. Bento and Se quarters before popping into a bar for a cachorrinho (a spicy bread and sausage mouthful) accompanied by a cold beer. Continue through the Ribeira District, sampling local specialties like bacalhau (dried, salted cod) and a glass of rosé. Round out your explorations with a sip of the city's namesake drop (port) and a selection of petiscos (Portuguese tapas). The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. Maybe pull up a chair in one of Porto's atmospheric tavernas and order another glass of port.
Day 4 Douro Valley - Coa Valley
Take a scenic drive by private vehicle this morning to the Douro Valley. Arrive at Quinta da Pacheca (winegrowers since 1738) for a picnic and wine tasting. Over a couple of glasses of local wine (and a port, of course), you’ll share an assortment of olives, sausages, dried fruits, traditional salads, regional cheeses, apple tartlets and more. Travel on to the Coa Valley – known for the combined efforts of passionate locals to rewild the area, starting with the reintroduction of ancient cow breeds. Here, you’ll stay in an historic guesthouse atop a hill, overlooking the village and surrounding fields. Tonight, enjoy a home-cooked dinner of the best local produce.
Day 5 Alentejo Farmstay
Relax into the day with no plans until a late morning departure. You might like to explore Castelo Rodrigo (the surrounding village) or go for a hike in the countryside. Then hit the road for the Alentejo region – surrounded by wheat fields dotted with grazing cows. Stop at Castelo Branco to stretch your legs and spend some time exploring the historic town. Maybe grab some lunch and people-watch or walk around the Jardim do Paco Episcopal (a popular baroque garden). Continue to your farm stay in Alentejo – this area is renowned for its cork plantations, vineyards and the coveted Azaruja sausage made from black Alentejo pigs. You’ll be greeted with a local tipple and a tour of the farm, which has been in the family for the last six generations. You’ll see what’s it like to live at the farm, before some free time to settle in, take a swim in the pool or amble around the property, enjoying the peace and quiet. Then, guided by your host, prepare a meal of regional specialties from the best fresh produce. On the menu might be pork with clams, baked goats cheese, soup with cod or cheesecake flavoured with local honey and lemons.
Day 6 Lisbon
Say goodbye to the farm and head to a local olive oil producer for a tasting (a bottle of this locally produced oil makes an excellent souvenir!). Continue to Lisbon, popular for its pastel-coloured buildings and the Sao Jorge Castle. Enjoy some free time when you arrive to find some lunch, then head out on a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings and see the city’s highlights. As you make your way, take a moment to try some ginjinha, a sweet cherry liqueur that originated in Lisbon. Afterwards, make a detour to Loja das Conservas, a quirky deco store selling canned fish from 17 different national canned fish outlets for you to taste and explore! Tonight, you’re free to explore the city’s nightlife or find a great spot for dinner – your leader will have some great recommendations for local restaurants or where to find the best live fado show (a genre of Portuguese soul music that originated in Africa and has evolved to suit the streets of Lisbon).
Day 7 Lisbon
This morning, visit the local market Mercado da Ribeira, a vibrant food market offering fresh produce, local delicacies, and artisanal goods. This afternoon, after some free time for lunch, you’ll visit one of the city's iconic eateries, Pasteis de Belem, for pastel de nata – established in 1837, these are arguably the country's best! First made in the 16th century by nuns, this mixture of crispy pastry and creamy filling is Portugal’s best-known dessert, so why not take every opportunity to treat yourself (and maybe some extras for later?). Tonight, maybe head out for an optional farewell dinner with your group.
Day 8 Lisbon
Today, there are no activities planned and your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to spend more time in this gorgeous city, just speak to your booking agent.
