The Portuguese coastal route is the third most popular Camino de Santiago trail after the Camino Francés and the Portuguese Central, according to 2022 statistics from the Pilgrim Office in Santiago. But does walking a non-traditional, scenery-based path along the coast still feel like a Camino de Santiago? That’s the question I asked myself asContinue reading “Portuguese Coastal Camino Diary”
Author Archives: Nick Leonard
Camino Inglés Highlights
The Camino Inglés (‘English Way’) is an increasingly popular short route of the Camino de Santiago that winds its way south from the north coast of Galicia — where boats would drop English pilgrims in medieval times — to the tomb of the apostle in Santiago de Compostela. A 113km journey from Ferrol that isContinue reading “Camino Inglés Highlights”
Camino del Salvador Highlights
The Camino del Salvador is a 118km camino from León to Oviedo, famed for its mountain scenery. Bookended by two fabulous historic cities, the Salvador is otherwise an isolated, rural trail taking in some of the most beautiful views that any route of the Camino de Santiago has to offer. Here are our highlights ofContinue reading “Camino del Salvador Highlights”
Caminho Português Interior Highlights
The Caminho Português Interior (CPI) is a little-known Camino de Santiago route in north-central Portugal that combines gorgeous scenery, historic cities and that rare combination of an off-the-beaten-track pilgrimage that surprisingly offers a vast albergue network. Not to be confused with the Portuguese Central from Porto, the Portuguese Interior route traditionally begins in the cityContinue reading “Caminho Português Interior Highlights”
Rota Vicentina Highlights
The Rota Vicentina is an emerging long-distance walking trail in southwest Portugal known largely for its natural beauty. The Fisherman’s Trail, the popular coastal variation of the route, affords sensational ocean views in remote areas of the Alentejo and Algarve. Although the scenery takes centre stage, that’s not the only reason to walk all orContinue reading “Rota Vicentina Highlights”
Camino Starting Cities
One of the most common questions about the Camino de Santiago is one without a good answer: ‘How on earth do I get to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port?’ The small village in the French Pyrenees, the modern starting point of the Camino Francés, is not exactly an international transport hub and is difficult to reach, no matter whereContinue reading “Camino Starting Cities”
The Camino de Santiago in Portugal
While the Camino de Santiago is indelibly linked with Spain, there are an increasing number of camino routes in Portugal in addition to the country’s other long-distance trails including the Rota Vicentina and pilgrimage routes to Fátima. Here is an overview of the 10 main routes that form the Camino de Santiago in Portugal, whereContinue reading “The Camino de Santiago in Portugal”
Caminho da Geira e dos Arrieiros Highlights
The Caminho da Geira e dos Arrieiros is an up-and-coming 239km camino linking the Portuguese city of Braga to Santiago de Compostela. ‘The Geira’ is an isolated camino that takes adventurous pilgrims on Roman roads past beautiful natural scenery, three border crossings and some of Galicia’s oldest vineyards. Here are the highlights of the theContinue reading “Caminho da Geira e dos Arrieiros Highlights”
Caminho Nascente Highlights
The Caminho Nascente is a little-known but extraordinary Camino de Santiago route that starts at the Church of Santiago in the city of Tavira on the south coast of Portugal. Also known as the Via Portugal Nascente, the camino traverses the Portuguese regions of the Algarve, the Alentejo and the Beiras for 650km before finishingContinue reading “Caminho Nascente Highlights”
Lisbon Highlights
Before the pandemic, Lisbon had become one of the trendiest destinations in Europe, as visitors were drawn in by its special light, brilliant colours, warm weather, low prices and friendly people. After living in the Portuguese capital for four years, these are my Lisbon highlights. ‘Lisbon’s special appeal lies elsewhere (beyond tourist attractions). Its secretContinue reading “Lisbon Highlights”