The Portuguese Way from Tui
It is one of the most popular routes of the Camino de Santiago that will allow you to experience the beauty of the Rías Baixas. It is a route full of beautiful natural landscapes, historical heritage, impressive architecture and, of course, Galician gastronomy and the hospitality of the people.
Living the experience of the Camino de Santiago in group becomes something unique and unforgettable, so from Viajeros Canallas we organize it for you to enjoy this adventure. You will travel 116km in 5 stages, which will allow you to obtain the Compostela when you arrive in Santiago.
The stages are distributed as follows:
Stage 1: Start and Route of the Stage: Tui-Redondela
The first stage of the Portuguese Way, which covers a distance of 31.9 km, starts in the charming town of Tui, located on the border with Portugal, and ends in Redondela.
Starting from Tui Cathedral
The tour starts at the imposing Cathedral of Tui, located on a hill from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the river Minho and the Portuguese town of Valença do Minho. From here, you cross the international bridge that spans the river Minho, marking the border between Spain and Portugal. You then follow the old royal road that led to Santiago de Compostela.
Discovering Villages and Places of Interest
During this stage, you will have the opportunity to pass through small villages and eucalyptus forests. Highlights include the village of Ribadelouro and the church of San Telmo, a place of worship dedicated to sailors along the way. You can marvel at the history and tranquillity of these places.
Arrival to Redondela and its Exquisite Gastronomy
The route continues to the municipality of Redondela, where this stage ends. Redondela is a historic town with a valuable architectural heritage. It is also known for its outstanding gastronomy, especially for its fresh seafood and fish. If you find yourself in Arcade, we recommend you try the famous oysters, a local delicacy that will delight you.
Stage 2: Route from Redondela to Pontevedra
The second stage of our route starts in Redondela and ends in the city of Pontevedra. This 19 km section has several significant ascents and descents, and is distinguished by its contrast of natural and urban landscapes.
Along the route, it passes through wooded areas and rural landscapes, and includes villages such as Cesantes and Arcade.
Pontesampaio Medieval Bridge
One of the highlights of this stage is the medieval bridge of Pontesampaio, about 12 km from Redondela. This historic bridge crosses the river Verdugo and is remembered as one of the places where a crucial battle was fought during the Spanish War of Independence.
From this emblematic point, the route continues towards the city of Pontevedra.
Discovering Pontevedra
The stage concludes in Pontevedra, a city that stands out for its well-preserved historic centre. We invite you to explore places such as the church of the Virgen de la Peregrina or the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, an impressive Gothic church from the 14th century.
We recommend that you take some time to stroll through Pontevedra's cobbled streets, enjoy its rich gastronomy and soak up the city's vibrant atmosphere.
Stage 3: Route from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis
The third stage of our Portuguese Way is 23 km long, with a low difficulty, starting in Pontevedra and finishing in Caldas de Reis.
Crossing the River Lérez and the Spiritual Variant
Leaving Pontevedra, you will cross the picturesque river Lérez. About 3 km from the start, you will come across the Variante Espiritual, which connects the Portuguese Way with the Traslatio route, also known as the route of the Sea of Arousa and the river Ulla, which is the origin of all the paths. If you wish to follow this path, we recommend that you follow this specific route.
Beauty of Landscapes and Small Villages
During this stage, you will pass through charming little villages, while enjoying the beauty of the natural scenery with its riversides. The route offers picturesque views and a sense of peace and tranquillity.
Arrival at Caldas de Reis and its Spas
The stage concludes in Caldas de Reis, a town known for its thermal spas. Here you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the benefits of these healing waters. Caldas de Reis invites you to rest and recharge your batteries for the next stages of your route.
Stage 4: Route from Caldas de Reis to Padrón
The fourth stage is 19km, with an approximate duration of 5 hours from the start in Caldas de Reis to Padrón, the end of the stage. It has some moderate slopes and crosses eucalyptus forests and Roman bridges.
Umia River Crossing and Nature Trails
The pilgrims will cross the Umia river by the bridge of the braces, a modern steel and concrete structure. The route then continues along nature trails and crosses several streams before reaching the village of Santa Mariña. There you will find a church with a water fountain which, according to tradition, has healing properties.
Arrival in Padrón and Tourist Attractions
Once in Padrón, you can visit the church of Santiago de Padrón, where, according to tradition, the body of the Apostle St. James was found. There is also the House-Museum of Rosalía de Castro, which is well worth a visit.
Tasting of Padrón Peppers
To end this 4th stage, we recommend trying the famous Padrón peppers, a local delicacy with a popular saying: "some are hot and some are not". Enjoying this appetizer is a perfect way to celebrate the culmination of this stage.
The peppers, roasted and salted, represent a mixture of flavours that symbolise the variety and richness of experiences on the Camino.
Like the road itself, you never know exactly what to expect with each mouthful - some are mild and some are surprisingly spicy (some sting and some don't)!
This delicious gastronomic tradition will allow you to remember and share the day's experiences as you prepare for the next stage of your journey.
Stage 5: Thrills on the Última from Padrón-Santiago de Compostela
We reach the last stage, which has a distance of 24 km and a medium difficulty. It runs along roads and crosses several rivers and streams before reaching Santiago.
This is the last stage of our pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
It is a very emotional stage, as all the feelings come to the surface and there is a combination of joy for having arrived, for having achieved it, and sadness because an unforgettable experience is coming to an end.
Route from Padrón to Santiago de Compostela
From Padrón, the route stops by the river Sar and passes through small villages and eucalyptus forests before reaching the town of Milladoiro. From there, we continue to Monte do Gozo, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Santiago de Compostela and get your first glimpse of the towers of the Cathedral.
Arrival in Santiago de Compostela
Finally, when we arrived in the city, we headed for the Obradoiro square. We did it, comrades! You should feel a great sense of pride for having overcome this challenge. In Santiago, you can receive your Compostela at the Pilgrim's Office and enjoy all that the city has to offer.
Summary
The French Camino de Santiago Portuguese from Tui is a fascinating route. This 116 km route, spread over 5 stages, offers an enriching journey through the natural beauty, historical heritage and delicious gastronomy of Galicia.
From Tui, pilgrims pass through picturesque villages, eucalyptus forests, and towns full of history such as Redondela and Pontevedra. Afterwards, the route continues to Caldas de Reis, known for its spas, before reaching Padrón, home of the famous peppers.
Finally, the last stage culminates in the iconic Santiago de Compostela, an emotional landmark for all pilgrims. It is, without doubt, an unforgettable experience, a personal challenge and a unique way to discover Galicia.
