The Portuguese Camino took me 23 days with one rest day in Tomar. There’s not so many accommodation options in the first half from Lisbon to Porto, but from Porto onwards there are more options.
Hi Kat 😊😊😊
I’ve just watched your video and loved it!!!
I’m very exited because next year it’s quite likely that I do the Portuguese route on a bicycle!!
With best
Hi Hans,
I’m so glad you liked it 🙂 I think the Portuguese way is a good way with a bike because of the long distances but I did meet a very nice couple from Canada who were riding and they mentioned they had to take roads most of the time rather than the actual camino. They also got quite a few punctures! I’m sure you’ll have a great time!
Kat
Looks fantastic did the Camino France’s this year in Sept/Oct from St Jean to Santiago and in 2015 will travel the Portugese from Lisbon we are hooked.
Great blog, Kat.
I am planning to do the Portuguese Camino this year and thinking of starting from Lisbon in early April. From your description of the June heat, May sounds like the latest for a start to the Camino. Any thoughts?
Would you recommend the Portuguese or French for a first time?
Don
Hi Don,
I’m glad you like the blog 🙂
I think I was a bit “unlucky” with the heat wave I got in my first week walking from Lisbon. Even the locals said it was unusually hot. I’m not sure what the rainfall is like in April but if I was to do it again I would probably start in May.
Regarding which camino to do first, this is a tricky question but I personally would recommend the Camino Frances. The Frances is more social (if you want to meet people), has shorter distances between cafes and albergues (if you’re not used to walking long distances – I know there are people trying to help make the distances shorter on the Portuguese way by providing a pick-up & drop-off service), the Frances is better waymarked… The Camino Frances will always be my favourite because it was my first and I met so many wonderful people but I also enjoyed the Portuguese way… I hope this helps! You’ll have a terrific time whichever way you choose!
Buen Camino!
Kat
hi Kat
Loved your video. I am a very inexperienced hiker, but I’m really fond of travel and have been thinking of doing the Camino Santiago via the Portuguese route for some time. To experience the beauty of the landscape and culture are two of my main motives. Having done many of the Camino routes, do you think I would get what I want with the Portuguese route?
Hi Rain Forest,
The Portuguese camino passes some terrific towns/cities (Lisbon, Santarem, Tomar, Coimbra, Porto, Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, Valenca, Tui etc) and these are all rich in history and culture. There are some long walking days at the beginning but there are ways to reduce the distance. I think there are “prettier trails” than this but for me this way was all about these wonderful gems of the towns & cities. I hope this helps!
Buen Camino!
Kat
Dear Mary, Thank you for your thoughtful video! I am walking part of the Camino Portugues this summer from Porto to Santiago 🙂 I walked much of the Camino Frances two years ago, and of course loved it.
Hi Tom, I think this is for me? (Kat) 🙂 I’m sure you’ll love that part of the Portuguese Camino and if you had any spare days (and on the off chance you were flying into Lisbon not Porto) I would highly recommend stopping by Tomar & Coimbra, 2 amazing historic towns on the camino stretch between Lisbon & Porto. Plenty to see from Porto to Santiago as well though so don’t be disheartened if you don’t have time, you’ll have a wonderful time either way!!
Buen Camino Tom!
Kat
Today i know u and i apreciated a little talk in the “O Buraco” (“The Hold”, in eng.) in the table with a especial fish!
The Way is it! A conversation like tham a good friends.
In this weekend i will go to the Gerês and send many picturs after. The Way passes by too, in the very old roman road “Via Nova” (New road) or “Via XVIII”. since Braga to Astorga. I already did it, in the last year…no arrows, no hotels…no people…no nothing! Iits a very oldest Way, the name is “Minhoto Ribeiro”…
King Jorge,
It was so wonderful to meet you today! Thank you for all of the information you gave me and for spending so much time answering all of my questions 😉
Have a wonderful camping trip and I hope to meet you again next time I’m in Esposende 🙂
Kat
followingthearrows 
Thank you for sharing your lovely photos!
LikeLike
Really happy you liked them 🙂
LikeLike
How long did it take you? Are the accomodations as frequent and as heap as on the CF?
LikeLike
Hi Sheila,
The Portuguese Camino took me 23 days with one rest day in Tomar. There’s not so many accommodation options in the first half from Lisbon to Porto, but from Porto onwards there are more options.
I wrote a daily blog that might help give you an idea of the trail: https://followingthearrows.com/camino-portuguese-jun-2014/
Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions 🙂
Kat
LikeLike
Hi Kat 😊😊😊
I’ve just watched your video and loved it!!!
I’m very exited because next year it’s quite likely that I do the Portuguese route on a bicycle!!
With best
Hans!!!
LikeLike
Hi Hans,
I’m so glad you liked it 🙂 I think the Portuguese way is a good way with a bike because of the long distances but I did meet a very nice couple from Canada who were riding and they mentioned they had to take roads most of the time rather than the actual camino. They also got quite a few punctures! I’m sure you’ll have a great time!
Kat
LikeLike
Looks fantastic did the Camino France’s this year in Sept/Oct from St Jean to Santiago and in 2015 will travel the Portugese from Lisbon we are hooked.
LikeLike
Hi Patrick, that’s great to hear. Let me know if you have any questions 🙂
Kat
LikeLike
Great blog, Kat.
I am planning to do the Portuguese Camino this year and thinking of starting from Lisbon in early April. From your description of the June heat, May sounds like the latest for a start to the Camino. Any thoughts?
Would you recommend the Portuguese or French for a first time?
Don
LikeLike
Hi Don,
I’m glad you like the blog 🙂
I think I was a bit “unlucky” with the heat wave I got in my first week walking from Lisbon. Even the locals said it was unusually hot. I’m not sure what the rainfall is like in April but if I was to do it again I would probably start in May.
Regarding which camino to do first, this is a tricky question but I personally would recommend the Camino Frances. The Frances is more social (if you want to meet people), has shorter distances between cafes and albergues (if you’re not used to walking long distances – I know there are people trying to help make the distances shorter on the Portuguese way by providing a pick-up & drop-off service), the Frances is better waymarked… The Camino Frances will always be my favourite because it was my first and I met so many wonderful people but I also enjoyed the Portuguese way… I hope this helps! You’ll have a terrific time whichever way you choose!
Buen Camino!
Kat
LikeLike
hi Kat
Loved your video. I am a very inexperienced hiker, but I’m really fond of travel and have been thinking of doing the Camino Santiago via the Portuguese route for some time. To experience the beauty of the landscape and culture are two of my main motives. Having done many of the Camino routes, do you think I would get what I want with the Portuguese route?
LikeLike
Hi Rain Forest,
The Portuguese camino passes some terrific towns/cities (Lisbon, Santarem, Tomar, Coimbra, Porto, Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, Valenca, Tui etc) and these are all rich in history and culture. There are some long walking days at the beginning but there are ways to reduce the distance. I think there are “prettier trails” than this but for me this way was all about these wonderful gems of the towns & cities. I hope this helps!
Buen Camino!
Kat
LikeLike
Thankyou for your great video – doing the camino from Tui in April. Only a taste but hope to Work up to the Camino Frances one day.
LikeLike
Hi Mary,
Thanks for your comment 🙂 I’m sure you’re going to have a wonderful time walking from Tui, Buen Camino!
Kat
LikeLike
Dear Mary, Thank you for your thoughtful video! I am walking part of the Camino Portugues this summer from Porto to Santiago 🙂 I walked much of the Camino Frances two years ago, and of course loved it.
All the best to you! Ocean Tom
LikeLike
Hi Tom, I think this is for me? (Kat) 🙂 I’m sure you’ll love that part of the Portuguese Camino and if you had any spare days (and on the off chance you were flying into Lisbon not Porto) I would highly recommend stopping by Tomar & Coimbra, 2 amazing historic towns on the camino stretch between Lisbon & Porto. Plenty to see from Porto to Santiago as well though so don’t be disheartened if you don’t have time, you’ll have a wonderful time either way!!
Buen Camino Tom!
Kat
LikeLike
Hi, Kat!
Today i know u and i apreciated a little talk in the “O Buraco” (“The Hold”, in eng.) in the table with a especial fish!
The Way is it! A conversation like tham a good friends.
In this weekend i will go to the Gerês and send many picturs after. The Way passes by too, in the very old roman road “Via Nova” (New road) or “Via XVIII”. since Braga to Astorga. I already did it, in the last year…no arrows, no hotels…no people…no nothing! Iits a very oldest Way, the name is “Minhoto Ribeiro”…
Nice to meet u. you’re a special person!
Kiss and Good Way!
Jorge (like a King!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
King Jorge,
It was so wonderful to meet you today! Thank you for all of the information you gave me and for spending so much time answering all of my questions 😉
Have a wonderful camping trip and I hope to meet you again next time I’m in Esposende 🙂
Kat
LikeLiked by 1 person