The Portuguese Camino from Tui, walking the last 100 km

Tui is a Spanish town on the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino, one of the most popular Camino de Santiago routes. It’s situated 119 km/74 mi from Santiago de Compostela. Though the Portuguese Camino starts in Lisbon many people start walking it in Porto or Tui. Tui is a popular starting point for walking the last 100 km on the Camino to Santiago.

The Portuguese Camino from Tui is the second most popular route for those who want to walk the last 100 km to Santiago. The Camino Frances from Sarria is the most popular one. According to the Pigrim’s Reception Office, in 2023 30,9% (131 128 people) of all pilgrims who arrived in Santiago walked the Camino from Sarria vs 7,7% (32 855 people) on the route from Tui.

The Portuguese Camino from Tui route overview

Distance – 116 km/72 mi

Number of days – 5-7 days

Accumulated ascent (over 5 days) – 1954 m

Accumulated descent (over 5 days) – 1709 m

Walking surface – 83,5 km/51,8 mi – asphalt/tar, 32,5 km/20,2 mi – gravel road/footpath

Average cost – from 30 euros per person per day

Route marking – yellow shells and arrows, stone distance poles

Places to stay on the Camino from Tui (PDF file)

PDF file with places to stay on the Portuguese Camino from Tui

GPX files of the route

How long is the Portuguese Camino (Central Route) from Tui?

It is 119 km/74 mi from Tui to Santiago de Compostela. Despite the distance being a bit longer Tui is the most popular starting point of the last 100 km on the Portuguese Camino. It takes 5 to 7 days to complete the route depending on your daily distances.

If you want to walk only the last 100 km (not 119 km) you can start in Porriño. It’s a town 103 km from Santiago de Compostela which means you reduce your walk by 16 km. An advantage of starting in Porriño is that you skip walking for 5 km through a large industrial area between Tui and Porriño. 

Where in Tui does the Camino start?

You can start from the Cathedral de Santa Maria de Tui, San Fernando Square. There are yellow arrows indicating the way. Before walking, you can stamp your Credential (a pilgrim’s passport) at the Cathedral.

Can I walk the last 100 km on the Coastal Route?

Yes, it’s possible to walk the last 100 km to Santiago following the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino. In that case, you can start your walk in Vigo, a Spanish city on the Coastal Route which is exactly 100 km from Santiago. The route from Vigo to Santiago is 19 km shorter than from Tui. The difference between the last 100 km on the Coastal vs the Central Route is one stage. The first stage; Vigo – Redondela on the Coastal Route and Tui – Redondela on the Central Route is different. Both routes merge in Redondela and continue to Santiago following the same trail. 

Why the last 100 km to Santiago?

Walking the last 100 km to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino de Santiago is a minimum requirement for getting the Compostela certificate. You can get it for free at the Pilgrim’s Reception Office in Santiago de Compostela after completing the Camino. To do so you’ll need to demonstrate your Pilgrim’s Passport (Credential) with stamps that you collect along the route). For the last 100 km, you have to collect 2 stamps per day. You can get stamps at your accommodation places and most restaurants and bars along the Camino.

Note, for cycling it’s the last 200 km to Santiago.

How hard is the walk from Tui?

The Camino from Tui is a challenging walk like any other long-distance route especially for people who have never done long-distance walking before. There are hilly parts on the route particularly the part between Porriño and Redondela and the last stage from Padrón to Santiago.

My advice is to take it easy, walk shorter distances, and stop every couple of hours for rest, coffee, etc. You don’t have to follow the standard itinerary you can break the last 100 km into 7 or even 10 stages whichever works best for you. 

Is it easy to find the way?

Yes, it’s easy to find the Camino route. The stretch between Tui and Santiago is well-marked with yellow arrows painted on the ground, walls, trees, rocks, etc. In Galicia, they put small stone poles with distances left to Santiago. It doesn’t just mark the route but gives you an idea of how far you’ve already walked and how far you still have to go. 

Where to get the Credential in Tui?

If you start in Tui you can get your Credential or Pilgrim’s Passport at the Cathedral, Plaza San Fernando, around the corner from the public Albergue. It costs 2 euros. The Credential is a small paper book for collecting stamps along the Camino route. Every pilgrim needs it to stay in public albergues and to get the Compostela certificate at the end of the Camino in Santiago.  

The Spiritual Variant, the alternative route

If you want to add some mountain and coastal scenery to the Camino from Tui you can walk the Spiritual Variant. It’s an alternative route of the Portuguese Camino that takes pilgrims to the coast and offers spectacular scenery. On the way, you get to visit the small charming town of Combarro, one of our favorite towns on the Portuguese Camino.

The Spiritual route consists of 2 walking days and 1 day on a boat. The route splits in Pontevedra (3 km outside the town) and merges with the main Portuguese Camino in Pontecesures. It’s a challenging trail due to a steep ascent on the first day and a steep descent on the second day.

You can find more information in our detailed post on the Spiritual Variant.

The cost of the Portuguese Camino from Tui

How much you spend on the Camino depends on several factors. You can walk it on a tight budget if you stay in albergues, cook for yourself, and carry your backpack. In this case, you can expect to spend 20 euros per day on average. 

If you stay in private rooms, eat in restaurants, and use a luggage delivery service your daily expenses will be around 60 euros per person per day. 

The cost of accommodation on the Camino from Tui

Public albergues – 10 euros per person on average

Private albergues – 15 euros per person on average

Private rooms – from 25 euros per person (for a double room), from 30 euros per person (for a single room)

The cost of food

Food shopping – 8-10 euros per person per day

Breakfast in a cafe – 3-5 euros

A set lunch (Menu del Peregrino) – 10-12 euros 

Dinner at a restaurant – from 15 euros per person

Extras

Luggage delivery – 7 euros per backpack/suitcase per stage

Laundry – 4-5 euros per load

When is the best time for walking?

Weatherwise May, June, and September-mid-October are the best months for walking the Portuguese Camino from Tui. May and September are the most popular months on the Camino. 

If you want to walk the Camino in summer, escape crowds, and don’t mind the heat then July and August are the good months. These are the peak holiday months in Europe but not on the Camino.

In the second half of April, the weather is usually sunny and warm.

Winter months from the second half of October to March are quite rainy and chilly. There are very few pilgrims on the route and some albergues close for the off-season.  

What is the accommodation like on the route from Tui?

There are plenty of places to stay along the last 100 km of the Portuguese Camino. One can find anything from public albergues (the most budget accommodation) to private Albergue/hostels and hotels. Where to stay depends on your budget and preference.

Albergues

If you’re on a tight budget public or municipal Albergues are your best option. The average cost is 10 euros per bed in a dormitory. Private albergues are a bit more expensive but usually have better facilities and are smaller. Expect to pay 15 euros per bed on average. Albergues have dormitory rooms with bunk beds (usually), a shared bathroom, and a common kitchen. A kitchen is great if you’re on a special diet or want to save money on eating out. 

Private accommodation

Private rooms in hotels are more expensive. Expect to pay 25-30 euros per person for double occupancy and 35+ euros per person for single occupancy. 

There are some rental apartments and even houses along the route. If you’re a family or a group of people walking together it might be a good alternative.

How to get to Tui?

The two nearest airports are in Vigo 28 km from Tui and Porto 120 km from Tui. You can fly to any other of these cities depending on where you’re coming from. From both places, you can get to Tui by bus and/or train.

Getting to Tui from Vigo

Vigo International Airport is the nearest airport to Tui. It operates direct flights from Barcelona, Madrid, and London. You can get to Vigo with one connection from several European cities. 

You can get to Tui from Vigo by direct bus or train. Vigo bus station and Vigo Urzáiz train station are located next to each other. There are many buses from Vigo to Tui and two daily trains. Tickets can be purchased at the stations (2,5 euros – bus, 4 euros – train). It takes 1 hour by bus and 45 minutes by train to get from Vigo to Tui.

Getting to Tui from Porto

If you come from outside of Europe flying to Porto is the best option. It’s a much bigger airport with more flights. 

There are more transport options from Porto to Valença do Minho, a Portuguese town on the opposite side of the river, across the bridge from Tui. The distance between the two towns is about 1,5 km. You can walk or take a taxi. When checking for buses and trains put your destination Valença if you can’t find anything to Tui. 

You can get from Porto to Valença do Minho/Tui by bus or train. There are direct buses from Porto Airport to Valença do Minho/Tui. You can find the timetable and buy tickets online. It might be the easiest option if you don’t have much time and want to start walking the Camino as soon as you land. The journey from Porto Airport to Tui takes 1h45min. The price is 19 euros.

There are direct buses from the city of Porto to Valença.

Direct trains to Valença leave from Porto Campanha train station. The journey takes 2-2h30min. Tickets are between 11-15 euros. Find more information online.

Where to stay in Tui?

What to pack for the walk?

Below you can find some of the most important items to pack for the Camino. More packing tips can be found in our Camino de Santiago packing post.

The most important item to pack for the Camino is shoes. Which shoes to choose depends on your preferences. We like walking the Camino in light hiking shoes. Some prefer running shoes or sneakers. The important thing about your shoes is that they have to be worn. You can find more recommendations on footwear in our post on the best shoes for the Camino de Santiago.

A backpack is another important Camino item if you plan to carry it yourself. Don’t buy a big backpack because you’ll end up filling it with unnecessary stuff. From our experience, a 30-35L backpack should be enough for a 5-6-day walk on the Camino. Find more information in our detailed post on the best backpacks for the Camino. 

Merino wool socks are something that we always use when hiking. In our experience, these socks are the best for long walks in any weather. They don’t absorb odors, help to prevent blisters, and dry very quickly. We have a detailed post on the socks for the Camino.

Backpack delivery service on the Camino from Tui

Several companies offer luggage delivery service on the Portuguese Camino from Tui. Your luggage is delivered every day to your accommodation place. You can walk the Camino with a daypack and the rest of your luggage will be transferred by car. The average price is 7 euros per backpack/suitcase per stage. TuiTrans, Pilbeo, and Correos are the main companies offering luggage delivery on the route from Tui.

Tui to Santiago de Compostela route map

The Portuguese Camino from Tui walking stages

Stage 1 (Stage 6 from Porto). Tui to Redondela, 31,5 km/19,5 mi

Distance – 31,5 km/19,5 mi

Time – 7-8 hours (moving time) 

Ascent – 445 m

Descent – 477 m

Walking surface – 27 km/17,3 mi – asphalt, 4,5 km/2,7 mi – gravel/footpath

Walking on the road – 2 km/1,2 mi 

Another long and challenging day on the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino that you can split into two stages: Tui to Porriño – 15,5 km and Porriño to Redondela – 16 km. To be honest it is my least favorite day on this Camino route and one of the least favorite on any of the nine Camino de Santiago routes that I’ve walked. The main reason is walking along busy roads and through a large industrial area. 

It’s important to remember that to get your Compostela certificate after completing the Portuguese Camino route you have to collect a minimum of 2 stamps per day for the last 100 km. It’s not difficult to do one stamp you can at the place you stay and the second at a bar/restaurant along the route, most places have stamps. Usually, you don’t have to order anything to get a stamp.

Challenges

A long walking day of over 30 km

Walking through a large industrial area with many factories between 9,5 km and 13,5 km

Walking next to a busy road between 13,5 km and 15,5 km

At 18 km there is a dangerous road crossing. It’s a busy road with no traffic light or pedestrian crossing you have to run across the road. 

A steep ascent between 21 km and 25,5 km, over 170 m up

A steep descent between 25,5 km and 29 km, over 170 m down

Highlights

Walking through the forest at the beginning of the day.

The picturesque town of Mos. 

Walking through the forest in the last part of the day.

The historical center of Redondela.

Stage 1(stage 6). Route description

The first 3 km/1,8 mi are through the town, fields, and forest.

3,3-5,3 km/2-3,2 mi on/along the road

6,8 km/4,2 mi – guesthouse Clarevar, cafe Ultreia

7 km/4,3 mi – guesthouse Casa Celia

8,7 km/5,4 mi – a route split. Make sure to take the alternative route it goes through the natural area. The main route goes through a vast industrial area.

9,2 km/5,7 mi – Albergue/guesthouse Casa Alternativo

9,5-13,5 km/5,9-8,3 mi – a big industrial area with many factories and storage facilities

13,5 km/8,3 mi – a restaurant

13,5-15,5 km/8,3-9,6 mi – walking next to a busy road

14,5 km/9 mi – a restaurant, a bar (bars in Spain are like cafes/restaurants they serve meals)

15-17 km/9,3-10,5 mi – Porriño, a town with many restaurants, shops, guesthouses, and a couple of private albergues

18 km/11 mi – a dangerous road crossing

19,5 km/12 mi – Veigadaña, a Municipal Albergue and a bar

21,3 km/13,2 mi – a vending machine with cool drinks and snacks

22 km/13,6 mi – the small town of Mos. If you’re thinking of stopping earlier it’s a perfect place. There is an albergue, a couple of bars, a restaurant, and a chapel. The long and steep ascent starts from the town.

22-25,5 km/13,6-15,8 mi – a steep ascent through the forest

25,5-28 km/15,8-17,3 mi – a descent through the forest

26,7 km/16,5 mi – a cafe

27,1 km/16,8 mi – a bar

28-29 km/17,3-18 mi – a very steep descent, 120 m down over 1 km

28,6 km/17,7 mi – Albergue/bar Corisco

31,5 km/19,5 mi – Redondela

Places to stay in Redondela

Allternative. Tui to Redondela in 2 days

Tui to Porriño, 15,5 km/9,3 mi

Distance – 15,5 km/9,3 mi

Time – 3-4 hours (moving time) 

Ascent – 171 m

Descent – 185 m

Walking surface – 12,5 km/7,7 mi – asphalt, 3 km/1,8 mi – gravel/footpath

Walking on the road – 2 km/1,2 mi

Places to stay in Porriño

Porriño to Redondela, 16 km/10 mi

Distance – 16 km/10 mi

Time – 3-4 hours (moving time) 

Ascent – 274 m

Descent – 292 m

Walking surface – 14,5 km/9 mi – asphalt, 1,5 km/0,9 mi – gravel/footpath

Stage 2 (stage 7). Redondela to Pontevedra, 20,6 km/12,8 mi

Distance – 20,6 km/12,8 mi

Time – 4-5 hours (moving time) 

Ascent – 425 m

Descent – 400 m

Walking surface – 13 km/7,4 mi – asphalt, 7,5 km/4,6 mi – footpath/gravel

Walking on the road – 500 m/0,3 mi 

It was a pleasant walking day with beautiful forest scenery, and many places to stop for coffee and rest including several spontaneous stalls in the middle of the forest where you can get snacks, coffee, cool drinks, and a stamp leaving a donation. 

Challenges

A steep ascent between 1,7 km and 4,7 km, around 140 m up

A steep and short descent between 4,7 km and 6 km, around 100 m down

Another steep ascent between 10 km and 12 km, around 130 m up

Highlights

Walking through a beautiful forest throughout the day

The Medieval Bridge de Pontesanpaio over the River Verdugo with spectacular views

The historical center of Pontevedra

Stage 2 (stage 7) route description

The first 4 km/2,4 mi are through a quiet countryside

2 km/1,2 mi Cesantes, a town with a private Albergue

4-5,5 km/2,4-3,4 mi the route goes through the forest

6,5-9,6 km/4-6 mi – walking through several towns with several albergues, hotels, restaurants, and shops. 

8,6 km/5,3 mi – Medieval Bridge de Pontesanpaio. It’s a beautiful bridge with spectacular views. It’s a good place to stop for lunch or coffee. There are a couple of cafes and bakeries before the bridge.

9,6-11,6 km/6-7,2 mi – walking on a footpath through the forest

15,5 km/9,6 mi – a bar, a shop, and a small chapel where you can get a stamp

15,8 km/9,8 mi – a split on the Central Route. Most people take the complementary route because it goes through the forest instead of the “official” route along the road.

16-19 km/10-11,8 mi – walking on the footpath through the forest

19 km/11,8 mi – an albergue/cafe

19,5 km/12,1 mi – the outskirts of Pontevedra

20,6 km/12,8 mi – the historical center of Pontevedra

Places to stay in Pontevedra

Stage 3 (stage 8). Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis, 21 km/13 mi

Distance – 21 km/13 mi

Time – 4-5 hours (moving time) 

Ascent – 275 m

Descent – 270 m

Walking surface – 12 km/7,4 mi – asphalt, 9 km/5,6 mi – footpath/gravel

Walking on the road – 0 km, 1 km on a footpath along the road

It’s an easy walking day without strenuous ascents or descents. In the first half there aren’t any places to stop for food or coffee it’s better to have breakfast in Pontevedra before starting the walk. In the second half after 9 km, there are cafes and bars. Caldas de Reis is s small town a lot smaller than Pontevedra. It has many hotels, albergues and restaurants, and a couple of supermarkets.

Challenges

No places to stop for food/coffee for the first 9 km

12 km/7,4 mi walking on tar (asphalt)

Highlights

The beautiful forest between 6 and 9 km and between 16 km and 19 km

The charming historical center of Caldas de Reis

Stage 3 (stage 8) route description

0-1,4 km/0-0,8 mi – walking through the city

3 km/1,8 mi – the route split; the left route is the optional route Variante Espiritual (Spiritual Variant) and the right route is the main Portuguese Camino route. The split is well-marked.

6,5 km/4 mi – a 60 km sign

6-9 km/4-5,5 mi – through the forest

9 km/5,5 mi – cafe Pousada Peregrino

9,5 km/5,9 mi – Portela, private Albergue, 200 m away from the Camino (follow the signs)

9,5-10,5 km/5,9-6,5 mi – next to the road

11,5 km/7,1 mi – a vending machine and a bar

12-14,5 km/7,4-9 mi – through the forest

15 km/9,3 mi – a couple of cafes/bars

16,5 km/10,2 mi – Briallos, a public Albergue, 300 m from the Camino route (follow the signs).

18 km/11 mi – a cafe

19,5 km/12 mi – Tivo, Albergue/bar Vintecatro

21 km/13 mi – Caldas de Reis

Places to stay in Caldas de Reis

Stage 4 (stage 9). Caldas de Reis to Padrón, 18,5 km/ 11,5 mi

Distance – 18,5 km/11,5 mi

Time – 4-5 hours (moving time) 

Ascent – 283 m

Descent – 296 m

Walking surface – 11 km/6,8 mi – asphalt, 7,5 km/4,6 mi – footpath/gravel

Walking on the road – 0 km

It’s a short and easy walking day with beautiful forest scenery. The forest part of this stage is one of my favorites on the Camino from Tui. Many pilgrims prefer not to stay in Padron and walk on to one of the albergues/hotels to make their last walking day shorter. It is a good idea and there are several places between Padron and Santiago where you can stop.

Challenges

An easy walking day on the Camino.

Highlights

The picturesque Galician forest with small waterfalls, rivers, and rest areas.

A beautiful church at 5,8 km/3,6 mi

The historical center of Padron

Stage 4 (Stage 9) route description

2-5,2 km/1,2-3,2 mi – walking through the forest

5 km/3,1 mi – a 40 km to Santiago sign

5,4 km/3,3 mi – bar Parillada Antonio and guesthouse Pension Sevi 20 m from the Camino route after crossing the road

5,8 km/3,6 mi – the beautiful church of Santa Mariña de Carracedo with a wooden statue of a shoe

7 km/4,3 mi – a busy road crossing without a traffic light or pedestrian crossing

7,2 km/4,4 mi – a cafe

7,6 km/4,7 mi – a small sculpture of a pilgrim on the top of a pillar

8,5 km/5,2 mi – a bar

9,8 km/6 mi – a resting area in the forest

10-11,5 km/6,2-7,1 mi – walking through the beautiful forest

12 km/7,4 mi – San Miguel de Valga, a cafe and a restaurant

14,6 km/9 mi – a rest area

15,5 km/9,6 mi – a drinking fountain (there are several fountains along the Camino route but I’d recommend drinking only from those that have a sign “Agua potable” which means drinking water in Spanish.

15,6 km/9,6 mi – a small coffee stall

16,3 km/10 mi – guesthouse Casa do Horreo

16,5 km/10,2 mi – Pontecesures, a small town

18,5 km/11,5 mi – the center of Padron (there are several albergues on the way from Pontecesures to Padron)

Places to stay in Padron

Casa de Marcelo is our special recommendation for a place to stay near Padron. It’s a small guesthouse (4 rooms only) in the mountains near Padron where we stayed for 3 nights. The guesthouse is beautiful, located in a quiet area, a perfect place to rest on the Camino. The owners are friendly locals who can arrange a pick-up for you (or you can take a taxi from Padron for 5 euros), make dinner and breakfast, and even treat your blisters.

Stage 5 (stage 10). Padrón to Santiago de Compostela, 25,5 km/15,8 mi

Distance – 25,5 km/15,8 mi

Time – 6-7 hours (moving time) 

Ascent – 526 m

Descent – 266 m

Walking surface – 20,5 km/12,8 mi – asphalt, 5 km/3,1 mi – footpath/gravel

Walking on the road – 600 m on a quiet road

It’s a challenging day due to the distance and steep ascents in the last part of it. If you walk during the high season expect to see many people. The scenery on the last day is very diverse from walking next to a busy road to going through a quiet forest and countryside.

Many people split the day into two to make their last day shorter. There are plenty of places to stay in the second half of the day. E.g. the town of Milladoiro which is 7 km before Santiago.

Challenges

Several ascents in the second half of the stage, the accumulated ascent for the day is over 500 m.

Relatively long distance, over 25 km

Highlights

The beautiful Galician forest

The historical center of Santiago de Compostela

Arriving at Obradoiro Square and seeing the Cathedral and hundreds of other pilgrims

Stage 5 (Stage 10) route description

2-3 km/1,2-1,8 mi – along a busy road

2,2 km/1,3 mi – a restaurant, a cafe

2,7 km/1,6 mi – hotel Scala, restaurant

3-4 km/1,8-2,4 mi – walking through small villages

5,5 km/4,3 mi – albergue O Lagar de Jesus. It might be a good place to stop if you want to walk further on instead of staying in Padron the previous day.

6,2 km/3,8 mi – A Escravitude, a small town with a beautiful church, restaurants, bars, and hotels. It’s another good place to walk from Caldas de Reis instead of Padron.

8,9 km/5,5 mi – a rest area

9 km/5,5 mi – Guesthouse Areal

9,5 km/5,9 mi – a couple of guesthouses and restaurants

10-11 km/6,2-6,8 mi – the beautiful forest

11 km/6,8 mi – a cafe, a restaurant

11,2 km/6,9 mi – Albergue/bar La Calabaza del Peregrino

12 km/7,4 mi – a bar

12,4 km/7,7 mi – Hotel/restaurant Parado de Francos

13,8 km/8,5 mi – Cafe/shop

14,2 km/8,8 mi – Albergue/cafe de Pedreiro

17,6 km/10,9 mi – Milladoiro, a town with restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and hotels. It is a good stop for those who want to split the last day into two stages.

20,5 km/12,7 mi – Parador La Roda, cafe & souvenir shop

23 km/14,2 mi – a route split

24 km/14,9 mi – Santiago de Compostela

25,5 km/15,8 mi – Obradoiro Square and the Cathedral

Places to stay in Santiago