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Tui is a Spanish city on the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino, one of the vital in style Camino de Santiago routes. It’s located 119 km/74 mi from Santiago de Compostela. Although the Portuguese Camino begins in Lisbon many individuals begin strolling it in Porto or Tui. Tui is a well-liked place to begin for strolling the final 100 km on the Camino to Santiago.

The Portuguese Camino from Tui is the second hottest route for individuals who need to stroll the final 100 km to Santiago. The Camino Frances from Sarria is the preferred one. Based on the Pigrim’s Reception Workplace, in 2023 30,9% (131 128 individuals) of all pilgrims who arrived in Santiago walked the Camino from Sarria vs 7,7% (32 855 individuals) on the route from Tui.

A view of Tui Fortress from the bridge over the Minho River

The Portuguese Camino from Tui route overview

Distance – 116 km/72 mi
Variety of days – 5-7 days
Whole ascent – 1907 m
Common value – from 30 euros per individual per day
Route marking – yellow shells and arrows, stone distance poles

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

It’s 119 km/74 mi from Tui to Santiago de Compostela. Regardless of the space being a bit longer Tui is the preferred place to begin of the final 100 km on the Portuguese Camino. It takes between 5 and seven days to finish the route relying in your each day distances.

If you wish to stroll solely the final 100 km (not 119 km) you can begin in Porriño. It’s a city 103 km from Santiago de Compostela which suggests you scale back your stroll by 16 km. A bonus of beginning in Porriño is that you simply skip strolling for five km via a big industrial space between Tui and Porriño. 

The place in Tui does the Camino begin?

You can begin from the Cathedral de Santa Maria de Tui, San Fernando Sq.. There are yellow arrows indicating the way in which. Earlier than strolling, you may stamp your Credential (a pilgrim’s passport) on the Cathedral.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria is the start of the Portuguese Camino from Tui

Can I stroll the final 100 km on the Coastal Route?

Sure, it’s potential to stroll the final 100 km to Santiago following the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino. In that case, you can begin your stroll in Vigo, a Spanish metropolis on the Coastal Route which is precisely 100 km from Santiago. The route from Vigo to Santiago is nineteen km shorter than from Tui. The distinction between the final 100 km on the Coastal vs the Central Route is one stage. The primary stage; Vigo – Redondela on the Coastal Route and Tui – Redondela on the Central Route is completely different. Each routes merge in Redondela and proceed to Santiago following the identical path. 

Why the final 100 km to Santiago?

Strolling the final 100 km to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino de Santiago is a minimal requirement for getting the Compostela certificates. You will get it totally free on the Pilgrim’s Reception Workplace in Santiago de Compostela after finishing the Camino. To take action you’ll have to show your Pilgrim’s Passport (Credential) with stamps that you simply gather alongside the route). For the final 100 km, you must gather 2 stamps per day. You will get stamps at your lodging locations and most eating places and bars alongside the Camino.

Notice, for biking it’s the final 200 km to Santiago.

How arduous is the stroll from Tui?

The Camino from Tui is a difficult stroll like every other long-distance route particularly for individuals who have by no means performed long-distance strolling earlier than. There are hilly elements on the route notably the half between Porriño and Redondela and the final stage from Padrón to Santiago.

My recommendation is to take it simple, stroll shorter distances, and cease each couple of hours for relaxation, espresso, and many others. You don’t must comply with the usual itinerary you may break the final 100 km into 7 and even 10 levels whichever works greatest for you. 

Is it simple to search out the way in which?

Sure, it’s simple to search out the Camino route. The stretch between Tui and Santiago is well-marked with yellow arrows painted on the bottom, partitions, bushes, rocks, and many others. In Galicia, they put small stone poles with distances left to Santiago. It doesn’t simply mark the route however offers you an thought of how far you’ve already walked and the way far you continue to must go. 

The place to get the Credential in Tui?

For those who begin in Tui you may get your Credential or Pilgrim’s Passport on the Cathedral, Plaza San Fernando, across the nook from the general public Albergue. It prices 2 euros. The Credential is a small paper e-book for gathering stamps alongside the Camino route. Each pilgrim wants it to remain in public albergues and to get the Compostela certificates on the finish of the Camino in Santiago.  

The Non secular Variant, another route

If you wish to add some mountain and coastal surroundings to the Camino from Tui you may stroll the Non secular Variant. It’s another route of the Portuguese Camino that takes pilgrims to the coast and affords spectacular surroundings. On the way in which, you get to go to the small charming city of Combarro, certainly one of our favourite cities on the Portuguese Camino.

The Non secular route consists of two strolling days and 1 day on a ship. The route splits in Pontevedra (3 km outdoors the city) and merges with the principle Portuguese Camino in Pontecesures. It’s a difficult path because of a steep ascent on the primary day and a steep descent on the second day.

You could find extra data in our detailed publish on the Non secular Variant.

The price of the Portuguese Camino from Tui

How a lot you spend on the Camino depends upon a number of components. You’ll be able to stroll it on a decent funds in the event you keep in albergues, prepare dinner for your self, and carry your backpack. On this case, you may anticipate to spend 20 euros per day on common. 

For those who keep in personal rooms, eat in eating places, and use a baggage supply service your each day bills will probably be round 60 euros per individual per day. 

The price of lodging on the Camino from Tui

Public albergues – 10 euros per individual on common
Non-public albergues – 15 euros per individual on common
Non-public rooms – from 25 euros per individual (for a double room), from 30 euros per individual (for a single room)

The price of meals

Meals procuring – 8-10 euros per individual per day
Breakfast in a restaurant – 3-5 euros
A set lunch (Menu del Peregrino) – 10-12 euros 
Dinner at a restaurant – from 15 euros per individual

Extras

Baggage supply – 7 euros per backpack/suitcase per stage
Laundry – 4-5 euros per load

When is one of the best time for strolling?

Weatherwise Might, June, and September-mid-October are one of the best months for strolling the Portuguese Camino from Tui. Might and September are the preferred months on the Camino. 

If you wish to stroll the Camino in summer season, escape crowds, and don’t thoughts the warmth then July and August are the great months. These are the height vacation months in Europe however not on the Camino.

Within the second half of April, the climate is normally sunny and heat.

Winter months from the second half of October to March are fairly wet and chilly. There are only a few pilgrims on the route and a few albergues shut for the low season.  

What’s the lodging like on the route from Tui?

There are many locations to remain alongside the final 100 km of the Portuguese Camino. One can discover something from public albergues (probably the most funds lodging) to non-public Albergue/hostels and accommodations. The place to remain depends upon your funds and desire.

Albergues

For those who’re on a decent funds public or municipal Albergues are the best choice. The common value is 10 euros per mattress in a dormitory. Non-public albergues are a bit costlier however normally have higher services and are smaller. Anticipate to pay 15 euros per mattress on common. Albergues have dormitory rooms with bunk beds (normally), a shared rest room, and a standard kitchen. A kitchen is nice in the event you’re on a particular eating regimen or need to lower your expenses on consuming out. 

Non-public lodging

Non-public rooms in accommodations are costlier. Anticipate to pay 25-30 euros per individual for double occupancy and 35+ euros per individual for single occupancy. 

There are some rental flats and even homes alongside the route. For those who’re a household or a gaggle of individuals strolling collectively it is likely to be a superb various.

A bridge over the River Minho that connects Portugal (Valença) and Spain (Tui)

Methods to get to Tui?

The 2 nearest airports are in Vigo 28 km from Tui and Porto 120 km from Tui. You’ll be able to fly to every other of those cities relying on the place you’re coming from. From each locations, you may get to Tui by bus and/or prepare.

Attending to Tui from Vigo

Vigo Worldwide Airport is the closest airport to Tui. It operates direct flights from Barcelona, Madrid, and London. You will get to Vigo with one connection from a number of European cities. 

You will get to Tui from Vigo by direct bus or prepare. Vigo bus station and Vigo Urzáiz prepare station are situated subsequent to one another. There are lots of buses from Vigo to Tui and two each day trains. Tickets could be bought on the stations (2,5 euros – bus, 4 euros – prepare). It takes 1 hour by bus and 45 minutes by prepare to get from Vigo to Tui.

Attending to Tui from Porto

For those who come from outdoors of Europe flying to Porto is the best choice. It’s a a lot greater airport with extra flights. 

There are extra transport choices from Porto to Valença do Minho, a Portuguese city on the alternative facet of the river, throughout the bridge from Tui. The gap between the 2 cities is about 1,5 km. You’ll be able to stroll or take a taxi. When checking for buses and trains put your vacation spot Valença in the event you can’t discover something to Tui. 

You will get from Porto to Valença do Minho/Tui by bus or prepare. There are direct buses from Porto Airport to Valença do Minho/Tui. You could find the timetable and purchase tickets on-line. It is likely to be the best possibility in the event you don’t have a lot time and need to begin strolling the Camino as quickly as you land. The journey from Porto Airport to Tui takes 1h45min. The value is nineteen euros.

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

Direct trains to Valença depart from Porto Campanha prepare station. The journey takes 2-2h30min. Tickets are between 11-15 euros. Discover extra data on-line.

The place to remain in Tui?

A conventional Camino signal with the space to Santiago on the Portuguese route

What to pack for the stroll?

Beneath you could find among the most necessary objects to pack for the Camino. Extra packing suggestions could be present in our Camino de Santiago packing publish.

Crucial merchandise to pack for the Camino is sneakers. Which sneakers to decide on depends upon your preferences. We like strolling the Camino in gentle mountaineering sneakers. Some want trainers or sneakers. The necessary factor about your sneakers is that they must be worn. You could find extra suggestions on footwear in our publish on one of the best sneakers for the Camino de Santiago.

A backpack is one other necessary Camino merchandise in the event you plan to hold it your self. Don’t purchase a giant backpack since you’ll find yourself filling it with pointless stuff. From our expertise, a 30-35L backpack needs to be sufficient for a 5-6-day stroll on the Camino. Discover extra data in our detailed publish on one of the best backpacks for the Camino. 

Merino wool socks are one thing that we at all times use when mountaineering. In our expertise, these socks are one of the best for lengthy walks in any climate. They don’t take in odors, assist to forestall blisters, and dry in a short time. We’ve got an in depth publish on the socks for the Camino.

Backpack supply service on the Camino from Tui

A number of firms supply baggage supply service on the Portuguese Camino from Tui. Your baggage is delivered day-after-day to your lodging place. You’ll be able to stroll the Camino with a daypack and the remainder of your baggage will probably be transferred by automotive. The common worth is 7 euros per backpack/suitcase per stage. TuiTrans, Pilbeo, and Correos are the principle firms providing baggage supply on the route from Tui.

Tui to Santiago de Compostela route map

The Portuguese Camino from Tui strolling levels

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 (shifting time) 
Ascent – 445 m
Descent – 477 m
Strolling floor – 27 km/17,3 mi – asphalt, 4,5 km/2,7 mi – gravel/footpath
Strolling on the highway – 2 km/1,2 mi 

One other lengthy and difficult day on the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino that you could cut up into two levels: Tui to Porriño – 15,5 km and Porriño to Redondela – 16 km. To be sincere it’s my least favourite day on this Camino route and one of many least favourite on any of the 9 Camino de Santiago routes that I’ve walked. The primary purpose is strolling alongside busy roads and thru a big industrial space. 

It’s necessary to keep in mind that to get your Compostela certificates after finishing the Portuguese Camino route you must gather a minimal of two stamps per day for the final 100 km. It’s not troublesome to do one stamp you may on the place you keep and the second at a bar/restaurant alongside the route, many of the locations have stamps. Normally, you don’t must order something simply ask for a stamp.

Elevation profile of the stroll from Tui to Redondela

Challenges

A protracted strolling day of over 30 km
Strolling via a big industrial space with many factories between 9,5 km and 13,5 km
Strolling subsequent to a busy highway between 13,5 km and 15,5 km
At 18 km there’s a harmful highway crossing. It’s a busy highway with no site visitors gentle or pedestrian crossing you must run throughout the highway. 
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

Strolling via the forest originally of the day.
The picturesque city of Mos. 
Strolling via the forest within the final a part of the day.
The historic heart of Redondela.

Stage 1(stage 6). Route description

The primary 3 km/1,8 mi are via the city, fields, and forest.

3,3-5,3 km/2-3,2 mi on/alongside the highway

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 cut up

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

9,5-13,5 km/5,9-8,3 mi – a giant industrial space with many factories and storage services

13,5 km/8,3 mi – a restaurant

13,5-15,5 km/8,3-9,6 mi – strolling subsequent to a busy highway

14,5 km/9 mi – a restaurant, a bar

15-17 km/9,3-10,5 mi – Porriño, a city with many eating places, outlets, guesthouses, and a personal Albergue Rincon del Peregrino at 16 km. 

18 km/11 mi – a harmful highway crossing

19,5 km/12 mi – a personal albergue and a bar

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

22 km/13,6 mi – the small city of Mos. For those who’re considering of stopping earlier it’s an ideal place. There’s an albergue, a few bars, a restaurant, and a chapel. The lengthy and steep ascent begins from the city.

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

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

26,7 km/16,5 mi – a restaurant

27,1 km/16,8 mi – a bar

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

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

31,5 km/19,5 mi – Redondela

Lovely forest surroundings on the way in which to Porriño simply outdoors Tui

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 (shifting time) 
Ascent – 171 m
Descent – 185 m
Strolling floor – 12,5 km/7,7 mi – asphalt, 3 km/1,8 mi – gravel/footpath
Strolling on the highway – 2 km/1,2 mi

Porriño to Redondela, 16 km/10 mi

Distance – 16 km/10 mi
Time – 3-4 hours (shifting time) 
Ascent – 274 m
Descent – 292 m
Strolling floor – 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 (shifting time) 
Ascent – 425 m
Descent – 400 m
Strolling floor – 13 km/7,4 mi – asphalt, 7,5 km/4,6 mi – footpath/gravel
Strolling on the highway – 500 m/0,3 mi 

It was a nice strolling day with stunning forest surroundings, and plenty of locations to cease for espresso and relaxation together with a number of spontaneous stalls in the course of the forest the place you may get snacks, espresso, cool drinks, and a stamp leaving a donation. 

Elevation profile of the Camino route from Redondela to Pontevedra

Challenges

A steep ascent between 1,7 km and 4,7 km, round 140 m up
A steep and brief descent between 4,7 km and 6 km, round 100 m down
One other steep ascent between 10 km and 12 km, round 130 m up

Highlights

Strolling via a good looking forest all through the day
The Medieval Bridge de Pontesanpaio over the River Verdugo with spectacular views
The historic heart of Pontevedra

Stage 2 (stage 7) route description

The primary 4 km/2,4 mi are via a quiet countryside

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

6,5-9,6 km/4-6 mi – strolling via a number of cities with a number of albergues, accommodations, eating places, and outlets. 

8,6 km/5,3 mi – Medieval Bridge de Pontesanpaio. It’s a good looking bridge with spectacular views. It’s a superb place to cease for lunch or espresso. There are a few cafes and bakeries earlier than the bridge.

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

15,5 km/9,6 mi – a bar, a store, and a small chapel the place you may get a stamp

15,8 km/9,8 mi – a cut up on the Central Route. Most individuals take the complementary route as a result of it goes via the forest as an alternative of the “official” route alongside the highway.

16-19 km/10-11,8 mi – strolling on the footpath via 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 historic heart of Pontevedra

The Medieval Bridge of Pontesanpaio and its spectacular environment

Detailed data on the final 3 levels of the Portuguese Camino from Tui will probably be added quickly.

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

Distance – 21 km/13 mi
Time – 5 hours (shifting time) 
Elevation acquire – 227 m

Stage 4 (stage 9). Caldas de Reis to Padrón, 19 km/11,8 mi

Distance – 19 km/11,8 mi
Time – 4-5 hours (shifting time) 
Elevation acquire – 280 m

Stage 5 (stage 10). Padrón to Santiago de Compostela, 24 km/15 mi

Distance – 24 km/15 mi
Time – 6 hours (shifting time) 
Elevation acquire – 530 m