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Caminho Portugues
8 - 26 September 2026 ~ 19-day walk From €2260 pp sharing (single supplement €688) I will be your group leader on this walk and I’m really looking forward to welcoming amaWalkers alumni and new friends! Passports: The first thing you need to do now is check your passports. Many countries recommend that travelers have at least 3 - 6 months of validity remaining on their passport when traveling internationally. If you need to apply for a Schengen Visa you will also need to have at least 2 blank pages in your passport. Visas and Foreign exchange: Passport holders in some countries need to apply for a Schengen Visa. As you will spend more time in Spain than in Portugal you need to apply at your Spanish Embassy a few months before departure. If you need a Schengen Visa let us know and we will provide you with documentation in support of your application. NB: For non-EU countries the ETIAS system will be introduced in May 2025. Please check for your country’s requirement. Currency: Portugal and Spain use Euros. In South Africa, Euros can be bought 60 days before departure. Guidebooks and Apps: Although you won’t really need a guidebook, some give you interesting information about the trail and the cities and towns you’ll be visiting. The most up-to-date English guides are: “A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino Português” by John Brierley and “The Camino Portuguese” by Kat Davis. Popular Apps include those by Wise Pilgrim, Buen Camino and Camino Ninja. How to get to the start: For travelers coming from the U.S., there are no direct flights from the United States to Porto. The easiest way would be to fly to London, Paris or Frankfurt and then take a direct flight to Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city. For U.K. travelers, there are numerous non-stop flights from the United Kingdom to Porto. If you're traveling from Canada, there are various carriers that offer direct flights to Lisbon from Toronto and Montreal, though you’ll need a connecting flight to get to Porto. Anybody traveling from South Africa, Australia or New Zealand to Porto will need to take at least two connecting flights. Food on the Camino: The Portuguese coastal route of the Camino is known for its amazing local food. Many restaurants offer a special pilgrim's menu, or Menú de Peregrino, with options for starters, mains, and desserts. Dinner is usually served, around 7–8pm and perhaps a little later in Spain. Weather: The weather is unpredictable but although early September is the start of autumn in Portugal and Spain the weather can still be warm to enough to enjoy the beach. September is pleasant and there are far less tourists during autumn than in summer. There will be sea breezes Luggage and transfers: The transfer of one medium item is included in your package. The request from Caminofacil is that suitcases are limited to 18kg with dimensions of 50 x 80 x 30cm. You can send more than one item of luggage ahead at an extra charge of €11 per stage. Many historic places in Portugal and Spain don’t have elevators or porters; this will mean dragging your luggage up flights of stairs to your room – more reason to pack light. (PS: If your luggage is too heavy, you will be requested to buy a second item to split the load so that crew don’t have to lift luggage heavier than 18 kg). How to get back home: You can start your return journey from Santiago de Compostela airport (SQC). This is not an international airport and most small carriers such as Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling and Iberia Express fly from here to Madrid or Barcelona for your international flight home. |
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