Self-guided Porto to Santiago de Compostela Coastal Path Bike Tour

Arrive at the Porto airport and be welcomed by our team. Our hotel in Porto is located in the heart of the city, making it a great place to explore Porto.

Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and consistently ranked as among the most beautiful cities in Europe. As you walk around the city, you will understand why.

It's historic city center is home to more than 150 listed monuments.

The famous Douro river, whose valley nurtures the vineyards from which comes the famous Port wine, meets the Atlantic after flowing through Porto. In fact, Port wine gets its name from the city of Porto, as it was first shipped out to England from here.

Take a walk along the river bank, past Porto's the famous Dom Luis bridge built by Gustave Eiffel, and across to the Port wine lodges that rise up from the Douro's southern bank.

You can see the unique rabelo boats floating on the Douro. These flat-bottomed boats are found only on the Douro river and no where else the world. Before motor transport, they were the fastest means of transporting wine barrels from the upper Douro Valley to the city of Porto for shipping.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at any of the fine restaurants in Porto. Make sure to pair your meal with a glass of fine Port wine from the Douro Valley.

We start the day with a transfer of about 45 minutes out of the bustle of Porto to the small town of Chafe along the Atlantic Coast. From here, with the sea as our constant companion, we pedal northwards.

We pass through the town of Viana do Castelo, a beautiful town located on the mouths of the river Lima. Viana do Castelo is often called the "Mecca of Portuguese Architecture". One look at its famous Santa Lucia church, and you will understand why this Roman era town has some of the most beautiful monuments in Portugal.

Our destination for the day is Caminho, a town located right where the Minho river meets the sea. To the north of the river lies Spain. The wide estuary of the river forms scenic sandbars, while the granite mountains surrounding the town are covered with pines, making for a picture-perfect rural setting.

Road Surface: 55% paved, 45% trails

Today we cross the border from Portugal to enter Spain. We can ride over the Ponte da Amizade or Friendship Bridge across the Minho river. The crossing takes 15 minutes. Alternatively, we can take a taxi boat across the river. (price not included).

Once inside Spain, we ride through the Galicia province, known - much like its Portuguese counterpart- for its verdant greenery.

Our destination for the day is the harbor town of Baiona, known especially for its fresh seafood. Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de Argalo mountains and facing the Atlantic, Baiona is also famous for its 12th century Monterreal castle.

Our hotel for the night - Parador de Baiona - is situated in this very castle. Part medieval castle, and part Galician manor, the hotel has a large swimming pool with amazing views of the bay.

Road Surface: 50% paved, 50% trails

We are now cycling through the Rias Baixas region of Galicia. Rias are coastal inlets formed when river valleys submerge under the sea. Rias are a relatively uncommon natural phenomenon, and Spain's Atlantic Coast, particularly the Galicia region through which we are cycling has one of the highest number of rias in the world.

The scenery consists of beaches and mountain sides covered with pines.

We pass through the village of Arcadia, often called the oyster capital of Galicia. Make sure to try a few freshly harvested oysters as you ride through this town.

Our destination for the day is Pontevedra, the second most important historic centre in Galicia after Santiago de Compostela itself. Situated in a Ria, and at the mouth of the Lerez river, Pontevedra combines scenic beauty with historic charm. A city of art and history, Pontevedra was given the nickname The Good City by the French historian Jean Froissart.

We stay the night in the Parador de Pontevedra, a renovated 16th century palace located in the heart of the city. Its restaurant serves excellent local food which pairs well with Albariño, a wine Rias Baixas is best known for.

If you have time, make sure to visit the farmer's market in town and have a look at the various historic sites such as the 13th century Church of San Francisco or the 14th century convent of Santa Clare. The Santa Maria la Mayor basilica is a jewel of Gothic architecture and another must-visit.

Stay for the night is in the Parador de Pontevedra, a 16th century palace.

Road Surface: 50% paved, 50% trails

We are now in Albariño wine country, and you will see the landscape change noticeably from sandy beaches to lush green wineyards. The cool, moist, and windy climate of this part of Spain produces the distinctive Albariño grape with characteristic thickness, which in turn gives the Albariño wine its distinctive aroma.

The greenery of the wineyards contrasts starkly with the rich blue of the water of the estuary of the Arousa river on the other side, making for stunning views.

Our destination for the day is the town of Cambadps, known for its Gothic and Baroque monuments, and great seafood (once again!).

The town is also famous for the Festa do Albariño, a gastronomical festival celebrating Albariño wine held in the first week of August each year. It is one of the most important festivals in Galicia.

We stay the night in the Parador de Cambados, a 17th century manor facing the sea.

Road Surface: 62% paved, 38% trails

Today we cycle in the region of Ria de Arousa, yet another ria or inlet that indents into the Galician coast. Since rias are regions where freshwater rivers and saline sea waters mix, they are rich with aquatic life. The Ria de Arousa region, especially, has a reputation as one of the largest producers of mussels in the world. Consequently, mussels find a prominent place in the cuisine of this region.

The Ria de Arousa has several sandy beaches that are tempting to relax at. Our destination for the day is the small coastal town of Carril.

Road Surface: 73% paved, 27% trails

We start the day by riding towards Padron, a small coastal town were the boat carrying the body of St. James from Jerusalem is believed to have docked. And while the ride is scenic, it is sure to be overwhelmed by the excitement of reaching Santiago de Compostela, one of the holiest shrines in Christianity.

The magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is where the remains of St. James, the Apostle are believed to have been buried. It is one of only 4 cathedrals in the world built over the burial site of an Apostle.

St. James is the patron saint of Spain, and is believed to have been the one who brought Christianity to Iberia.

As we enter Santiago today, we can't help but feel the enthusiasm that countless pilgrims since the 9th century AD must have felt as they neared the end of the Camino de Santiago to finally pay their respects to St. James the Apostle. For more than a millennium now, devout pilgrims braved difficulties and challenges to reach this very sanctuary before which we stand.

It is truly, an incomparable feeling.

Our hotel for the night is befitting of the occasion.

The Parador Hostal dos Reis Catolicos, also called the Parador de Santiago de Compostela is a 15th century building located next to the cathedral. It was used as a hospice by pilgrims during the middle ages. Today it is a luxurious museum hotel which is the oldest hotel in Spain, and one of the oldest hotels in the world still in existence.

Road Surface: 87% paved, 13% trails

We can depart according to our own schedule on this day.

Santiago de Compostela has an international airport located 12kms ( 7.5 mi) away from the centre of town. The airport is well-connected to major European cities including Madrid, Barcelona, London, Frankfurt, and Paris.