Arrive in Porto, home of Port wine, merchant history, and stately bridges over the River Douro connecting the city's neighbourhoods. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may wish to explore this beautiful coastal city. We recommend a visit to the impressive Gothic church, Igreja de Sao Francisco, from where you can also enjoy far-reaching views over the river, and a walk through the medieval streets of the Ribeira district where you will find many welcoming cafes and photogenic corners. In the evening, a representative will meet you at your hotel to get you fitted with your bikes, and will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Today you begin your Camino journey. Hopping onto your bike, you set off from Porto Cathedral and cycle a short distance through the city to reach the famous Douro River, the river that is responsible for feeding the grapes used to produce the region's famous Port wine. Following the river as it flows to its mouth, you can enjoy your first taste of the coast. From here, you begin your pilgrimage north along the coastline, passing wide sandy beaches, and cycling on wooden boardwalks and along quiet back roads. Your journey will take you through nature reserves and fishing villages, perfect for pausing for refreshments as you make your way to Vila do Conde, your goal for today. Crossing the old bridge into Vila do Conde you cannot help but notice Convento de Santa Clara dominating the riverbank, just beyond which there are winding cobbled streets waiting to be explored. We recommend heading to the attractive Praca da Republica nearby, where you can take a seat at one of the lovely cafes overlooking the gardens and river and raise a toast to completing the first stage of your Camino.

Feeling refreshed, today your journey will take you through a series of contrasting landscapes as you ride along the coast and inland through rural agricultural land, forests, and small villages. Crossing the River Cavado you soon arrive in the quiet beach resort of Esposende. This lovely town makes the perfect stop for a morning coffee with its inviting esplanade, working harbour, and traditional Portuguese architecture. Leaving the esplanade behind, you pedal inland along backroads with the hillside alongside you until you reach Viana do Castelo, the jewel of the Costa Verde and your goal for today. Having arrived in this beautiful town, we recommend taking the restored funicular up the eucalyptus-clad hillside of Monte de Santa Luzia, crowned with the sublime neo-Byzantine Templo do Sagrado Coracao de Jesus. Reaching the top you can enjoy spectacular sweeping views over the town and estuary, and out along the Minho coastline - you will easily appreciate the port's significance as one of the busiest during the Age of Discovery. The town is rich in palaces, Manueline architecture, and majesty just waiting for you to explore.

Having stamped your pilgrim passport, you say farewell to Viana do Castelo and begin your journey towards Oia. Riding beneath the Miradouro Florestal de Afife, your route first undulates as you head towards the beachside town of Vila Praia de Ancora. After this you will join a cycle path taking you to historic Caminha, which for hundreds of years played an important military role in defending Portugal's northern borders, and is the last stop on the Coastal Camino before crossing the border into Spain. Caminha's pretty little town square, accented with a clock tower and ornamental fountain and filled with cafes and restaurants, makes a relaxing lunch stop. From Caminha you will take the ferry across the River Minho to cross into Galicia, a significant journey as you reach ever closer to your goal of completing the Camino. Hopping back on your bike, you continue through the fishing town of A Guarda and along the scenic coast with views of the dramatic coastline below until you reach the lovely little fishing village of Oia and your hotel for the night. Oia is often overlooked by visitors to the area however it has a certain bit of magic about it and we think it is a fantastic place to spend the night. Perhaps you will wander around the maze of cobbled streets that is its old town, explore the interesting Santa María la Real monastery, and be lucky enough to enjoy one of its beautiful sunsets. There are some great little restaurants tucked away here and there, many of which have amazing views as well as excellent freshly cooked dishes.

Today's ride is one of peace as you cycle through farmlands along the coast, punctuated with sleepy villages, as you make your way first to the pretty town of Baiona and then on to Vigo. Be sure to pack your swimsuit so you can relax on the lovely beaches of Baiona. The historic trading town of Baiona stands guard at Vigo's estuary with its pretty bay and towering fortifications - perfect for a midday stop. It is here that the La Pinta moored in 1493 after the voyage of discovery to the New World, the first caravel to reach the port - an achievement the town celebrates each year with the Fiesta de la Arribada. Continuing on your way, you soon reach Vigo with its strong maritime flavour, bustling marina, and wide tree-lined avenues. Settle into your home for the night, and in the evening enjoy a typical Galician delicacy such as Caldo Gallego (a hearty stew with chorizo) with a glass of local wine. FIESTA DE LA ARRIBADA: Takes place on 1st March each year to celebrate the arrival of La Pinta, recreating the Renaissance atmosphere throughout the Baiona.

This section of the Camino will take you along the Ria de Vigo estuary, one of the most sublime natural harbours in the world. Accompanied by views of the Cies Islands and fishermen busy farming mussels as you cycle from village to village, you will make your way towards Redondela where the Portuguese Camino and the Coastal Camino merge. You soon arrive in Arcade at the head of the estuary and renowned for having the best oysters in Galicia. From here, you follow a stone path, uphill to the forest, where you can pause for breath before making a final descent to Pontevedra. Once Galicia's largest city, Pontevedra has a fantastic old town to discover. It was here where Columbus' flagship, the Santa Maria, was constructed. Local legend says that Columbus was in fact a Pontevedra nobleman named Pedro Madruga who took on a new identity. We recommend taking time to explore San Francisco Convent, an impressive convent said to have been founded by Saint Francis himself back in the 13th century.

Before heading off on your bike this morning, we recommend paying a visit to the Pontevedra food market, Mercado de Abastos, the perfect place to pick up snacks for your journey. Split over two floors, the market is bustling with locals, tourists, and pilgrims in search of the fantastic fresh produce of Rias Baixas - seafood, Albarino wine, and fantastic cheeses. Your ride begins through peaceful countryside, cycling past Santa Maria de Alba and through woodlands. Just before arriving at your first goal of the day, the spa town of Caldas de Reis, you will see St James' statue leading your way - a reminder that you are reaching ever closer to completing your Camino. Take time to bathe your feet in the hot springs at the centre of Caldas de Reis before pedalling onwards and soon crossing the Ulla River to reach your accommodation in Padron, an important stop along the way for pilgrims. It is said that the granite block that was tied to the boat carrying Saint James is located under the altar of Santiago de Padron.

Today is the day you will complete the Camino de Portuguese from Porto! Leaving Padron you will cycle through small Galician villages to reach the magnificent sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Escravitude before heading onto forest trails where you are rewarded with your first glimpses of Santiago and the cathedral towers - an emotional moment for many pilgrims. Pedalling further into the city you will soon arrive at the Faxeira Gate, the entrance of the Portuguese Way, to join fellow pilgrims from around the world in reaching the resting place of Saint James in the spectacular cathedral. This is a proud moment and you will have time to absorb it before making your way to your final hotel for a well-earned rest. OBTAINING THE COMPOSTELA: To cope with large numbers of pilgrims during the busiest part of the summer months, the pilgrim office has installed a numbered ticketing system for processing your pilgrim's passport. Please be aware that you may have to return to collect your certificate the next morning and will need to present your passport.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and savour the accomplishment of completing the Camino Portuguese by bike before making your onward journey.