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How I walked the Camino de Santiago 🥾
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items I walked April 2026 in 12 days from Porto to Santiago de Compostela, Camino de Santiago the coastal route. I'm sharing my route, my hostels and what I brought with me. A complete guide to an easy-going, light-packed Camino de Santiago.
Sections
16
Day 0 - Porto
Day 1 - Porto to Vila do Conde
Day 2 - Vila do Conde to Esposende
Day 3 - Esposende to Viana do Castelo
Day 4 - Viana do Castelo to Caminha
Day 5 - Caminha to Oia
Day 0 - Porto
I started in Porto. I had been before, so I didn't feel the need to do sightseeing, just walking around a bit and prepare for the day ahead. On the first day, I did take a taxi to Matosinhos becuase it would already be quite a walk and that way I ski...
Stay at a hostel near public transport. Some hostels provide breakfast which is a great start of your day!
Nice Way Porto Hostel
Day 1 - Porto to Vila do Conde
The first day is from Porto to Vila do Conde. It's a long beautiful walk alongside the coast. You'll mainly walk on wooden boardwalks, and people will wish you a “Bom Caminho”
On my first day, it was raining. So happy with my good rain jacket. I didn't mind, it's part of the Camino! I didn't get blisters, but I did get muscle ache. Also just part of it. The walk felt magical, I was so happy taking the coastal route.
Vila do Conde
The first hostel and I stayed in the girls room. A small town, perfect to have a little stroll but tbh the first evening it’s great to rest.
HI Vila do Conde - Pousada de Juventude
Day 2 - Vila do Conde to Esposende
The second day started a bit tough on the legs, but after warming up luckily the muscles adjusted and relaxed. Another beautiful walk, with boardwalks and lots of ocean views.
Walk along the coast to this cute harbour town. I had a glass of wine at a little square, still getting used to the idea that I was walking the Camino.
Esposende
Friendly hostel with sturdy beds. It's in a cute street and everything is very walkable from here.
Hostel Eleven, Esposende
Day 3 - Esposende to Viana do Castelo
I mostly remember the last bit of this walk, a change of scenery (see pics), walking on a bridge already seeing the town (and longing for a bit of rest). It was sunny and Viana do Castelo looked beautiful.
Viana do Castelo is a beautiful town, take some time to walk around a bit if you have the energy. You could go up to the castle, but tbh I didn't because resting felt more important. Next time!
Viana do Castelo
Chill, cheap hostel. Nothing special, but I slept and there were plenty of showers. My room mate was a nice 70 year old lady who bought me a beer. Adventures!
HI Viana do Castelo
Day 4 - Viana do Castelo to Caminha
This day you walk to the little town Caminha, to take a boat the next day to Spain. A beautiful walk in the nature and again, lots of ocean views.
A beautiful walk and the last day in Portugal! To arrive in this little town, knowing that tomorrow you need to take a little boat to Spain…
Caminha
This hostel has a nice rooftop terrace and decent kitchen. I stayed in the girl's room, which I always do if I can.
Bom Caminha
Day 5 - Caminha to Oia
Welcome to Spain! This part I walked with a new friend, sharing the first cafe con leche together. Oia is very small, but the restaurant was actually quite cozy and lively.
A rougher coast it seemed, but this day was so windy! You definitly get fresh air with this route of the Camino.
Oia
I'm not going to lie, when I walked into this hostel I didn't really like it. Too many people in one room and a bit dark. But I think I slept the best here. Weird but true.
Alojamiento Camino Portugues Oia
Day 6 - Oia to Baiona
A short day, a rest day if you will. Only 15KM. It was a beautiful walk, but I did think it was short. I would have been happy to walk along, but that would mean the next leg would be too long and in the end you have to take care of yourself.
Here I had some rain again, but nothing that could stop me. Baiona is a nice harbour town with some sights you can visit by foot.
Baiona
This hostel felt really clean. I did my laundry here, and just made some simple food from the supermarket next door. Convenient!
Hostel Albergue Baionamar
Day 7 - Baiona to Vigo
To walk into a big city, after a week in the smaller towns, was a bit weird and to myself quite unwelcome. I wanted just a cute swuare with four restaurants to pick from. But Vigo is high up, it is an interesting city for sure and beautiful parts.
It was a beautiful walk along smalltowns, and then suddenly an industrial route and up into the city. I was walking with a new Camino friend and we were considering a taxi, lol. We didn't though…
Vigo
Yes, on the 7th day I took a private room with private bathroom. Simple place buit clean and it felt so luxury!
Hostal Ancla Dorada, Vigo
Day 8 - Vigo to Redondela
Getting out of the city, I got lost. And it wasn't my favourite part, so I was happy to leave.
Luckily, getting out of town got to a very Galiciean walk through green scenera and small town with old walls and all that.
Redondela
A cute hostel, especially when you get the girls room, on a very cute square.
A Casa da Herba, Redondela
Day 9 - Redondela to Pontevedra
More green scenery, and a bonus walk alongside a small very cold stream where we sat down and gave our feet an ice bath. Pontevedra is a smallish bigger city, much cuter than Vigo.
A nice walk in a fairytale like forest, this was a beautiful leg of the Camino!
Pontevedra
Modern, clean, practical. It's a large hostel but it doesn't feel this way. In the middle of the centre, very convenient.
Bulezen Urban Hostel, Pontevedra
Day 10 - Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis
Small churces, small streets, little pond to wash your feet. It is weird to know you're almost at the end, but I guess it is what it is.
A beautiful walk into this cute little town, I enjoyed this walk very much. It's getting busier from Vigo & Pontevedra to here, because more people walk the last 100KM.
Caldas de Reis
I liked the cool room and terrace outside of this one, I really slept well as well.
Albergue As Pozas Termais
Day 11 - Caldas de Reis to Padron
Getting closer to Santiago de Compostela, the route gets through more small towns but luckily also a lot of green Galicean nature.
A beautiful walk into a beautiful town with lots of trees and a church a bit higher up. My Camino friends and I had lots of food and maybe a beer too many, celebrating the last bit before the finish.
Padrón: Un Pueblo Mágico en el Corazón de Galicia y del ...
Right in the middle of the small town, hostel beds with curtains. I slept well here.
Albergue Corredoiras
Day 12 - Padron to Santiago de Compestela
The last day is sad, magical, and to be honest a bit of a disappointment. Santiago is very pretty, but the walk to there was for me not the best. I was reminiscing about the coast, the nature, so the city was a bit much. But spaning the last night wi...
The last cake, the last yellow arrow, it was a walkign day that felt very nostalgic. But arriving in Santiago was magical and I did the pilgrim's church service.
Santiago de Compostela
Only for the name I picked this hostel ;). It's also in the middle of town and clean.
Albergue The Last Stamp
My Camino gear
I walked mine quite minimalist, with two trousers, two pairs of socks, four shirts, three underwear, a fleece and a raincoat. Then two towels, sandals, hat, sleeping bag liner and the most important: shoes and backpack
Backpack and shoes are the most important! I bought this one, and would buy again. The special air system in the back makes it that you're getting less sweat and it's big enough for your stuff, but no risk of overstuffing it.
Deuter Futura 27 Hiking Backpack
Shoes are very personal. I took sturdy shoes that protect my (weak) ankles. Extra wide. The lady in the shop told me “if you ahve good boots and socks, you won't get blisters” and she was right!
Women's Walking Boots (2E Width)
Take two pair of socks, take the good one and avoid blisters. You can easily wear them two days in a row (some people do more but ewww) and then the other pair has enough time to dry. Don't be cheap about socks.
Hiking Socks, Quick Dry Merino Wool
Buy three of these. Wash one every day and have one spare all the time. With sleeves, because of your backpack straps.
Short Sleeve UPF 50+ Shirts Quick Dry
I walked the Camino in biker shorts. Easy to wash and dry, comfortable (take the long ones so your legs are not shaving), practical.
9" Biker Shorts
I had one long trousers for colder mornings and evenings. Ones that dries quickly, one that’s light, and one that’s soft, to avoid anything annoying rubbing your skin.
Women's Hiking Cargo Pants Quick Dry
Don't be like me and be cheap about new underwear. Fast drying underwear is very important, so you don't have to dry it on your bag and wqalk around it half of the day. Trust me.
Breathable Easy Care Travel Underwear
They won't provide towels most of the time, so bring your own. I had two of these.
Microfiber Towel Quick Dry
These are very lightweight, can get wet and are some sort of stylish. If I wasn't walking, I was wearing these. Some evening maybe a bit cold, but still the soft soles and open toes were very welcome.
Teva Women's Olowahu Flip-Flop
I added a little bit of fun to my outfit with this little fanny pack
Hip Packs
Take a serious rain jacket. I only had three times rain, but one day it was constant and you don’t want to get wet. I stayed dry with a proper jacket, it’s a very important investment!
Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket
Nothing nicer than wearing your fleece in the fresher evenings after a shower. Fleece and flip flops was my evening look
Women's Full Zip fleece
My Camino essentials
Don’t take too much! There will be shops, you won’t need that much soap. My routine was start walking - arrive at next hostel around 3/4pm, laundry and shower, enjoy the evening, sleep, repeat. See? You won’t need a lot.
You can charge your phone every day at your hostel, no problem. And you won’t be using it a lot because you’re walking. But you don’t want to run out of power, so I would bring a little power bank for sure.
Small Fast Charging Power Bank
Bring or buy your best ear plugs. This is the essentialist of the essentials! People will be snoring, starting their day early, talk out loud in the morning when you still sleep. Avoid annoyances and cut off the noises.
Ear Plugs for Sleeping
You can do two things: bring a sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner. I did the second (would do first next time). Most places were clean but just to have your own extra layer I would definitely bring this.
Ultralight Sleeping Bag Liner
Depending what time of the year you go, you may want a sleeping bag. The cheaper albergues don’t always provide blankets, so if you want to include those sleeping options, bring a good lightweight sleeping bag.
Backpacking Sleeping Bag
My Camino toiletries
Small everything! You can easily buy this on the way. What you need: sunscreen, soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, Vaseline. And then some of your own stuff, like I took face serum because I wanted to feel luxury. Don’t overpack!
It goes without saying. The whole day outside, some days really sunny and not much shade. Start the day with some spf
Travel Sized Sun Care kit
Your feet might get dry and it’s nice to give them a massage after shower anyway. A lot of people take Vaseline, so did I, and it’s the best simple treat for your feet.
Vaseline Healing Jelly Tube
Take small shampoo, small toothpaste, small body wash, etc. There will be shops, so starts off small.
Travel Toiletry Kit
This was an item I brought but fortunately didn’t need! Would still bring it, for obvious reasons. Stock up some plasters!
Advanced Blister Care Pads
I washed every day. Mostly by hand, just the shirt, the underwear and the socks. Bring something small to wash with.
Tide Travel Sink Packets
This is perfect for your soap, you can even cut your block in half and only bring that.
Slim Travel Soap Case