In May 2022, we completed the Camino Portuguese from Porto. This was our first time doing a Camino de Santiago pilgrimage — imagine trekking hundreds of kilometers on paths that millions have trod for centuries! We started in Porto and walked along the coast for two days before cutting inland to the Central route.
The Camino Portuguese was perfect for us, seeing the cultures of Portugal, Galicia, and Spain up close and on foot. Learning the history, eating the food (and drink), appreciating the architecture, and especially intensifying our faith. The people of this region are friendly and faithful. We talked with locals (and other pilgrims) about faith along the Way, stopped at every church (except for one), and enjoyed the hundreds of shrines dotting the neighborhoods and countryside. By the way, we eventually did go back and visit the church we walked past — see Day 16 for that story.
Our adventure is told over these blog posts. We loved the Camino experience, taking photos, and writing about it afterward. Please enjoy our journey!
Links to the Individual Days:
Starting with a Mass at the Porto Sé
Day 1 Great Beginnings: Cathedral, Coast and Exquisite Cuisine
Day 2 Waterways: Atlantic Ocean, Ancient Aqueduct and Ave River
Day 3 Convent, Countryside and Port Wine with New Friends
Day 4 Festival of Crosses, Fresh Churros and Fireworks
Day 5 Bountiful Breakfast, Fields and Streams, and Cozy Cottage (with kittens)!
Day 6 Sticks and Stones, Shells and Statues
Day 7 New Wine, Old History
Day 8 Ultreya! Stony Summit!
Day 9 Dramatic (Chapel), Romantic (Village), and Historic (Fort)
Day 10 Spain! Sublime, Serene, and a Stretch of City
Day 11 Sandals, Serenades, Octopus, and Goats!
Day 12 Aslan Tables, Pilgrim Mass and Coquilles San Jacques!
Day 13 Sun, Streams, and a Forest Café
Day 14 Walking, Waterfalls and Washing
Day 15 Forests, Furry Friends, and Fearful Crossings
Day 16 St. James was Here!
Day 17 We made it, thanks be to God!
Day 18 Prayers and Plans
