Elvas is one of Portugal’s most underrated historic towns. Close to the Spanish border in eastern Alentejo, this UNESCO World Heritage city is best known for its vast star-shaped fortifications, military history and impressive aqueduct. But what surprised me most when I revisited Elvas recently was how enjoyable it isRead More →
I first wrote this packing list after my early Caminos and I’ve updated it several times since. What I pack now is quite different from what I thought I needed back then. After walking the Central, Coastal and Litoral routes, I’ve become much less attached to the idea that youRead More →
If you’ve reached Santiago de Compostela and don’t feel quite ready for your Camino to end, the Camino de Finisterre and Muxía is worth considering. This route starts in Santiago and takes you west towards the Galician coast, first to Finisterre, once known as the “End of the World”, andRead More →
If you’re walking the Camino Português to Santiago de Compostela and wondering whether the Camino Espiritual is worth adding, I’d say yes – if you have the extra time and don’t mind two fairly demanding walking days. Also known as the Variante Espiritual or Spiritual Variant, this route leaves theRead More →
If you’re trying to decide whether the Central Portuguese Camino from Porto is the right route for you, this guide will help you understand what it’s actually like to walk. I’ve walked the Central route from Porto to Santiago de Compostela, as well as the Coastal Camino, Litoral Way andRead More →
If you’re trying to decide whether the Portuguese Coastal Camino from Porto is the right route for you, the first thing to know is that it isn’t always coastal. I’ve walked the Coastal Camino north of Porto, as well as the Central route, Litoral Way and Variante Espiritual, and thisRead More →
Having walked both of the main Portuguese Camino routes between Porto and Santiago de Compostela, as well as the Variante Espiritual, the Litoral Way and the Santiago – Finisterre – Múxia Camino, I’ve helped thousands of other walkers plan their own Camino Português. If you’re thinking about walking the PortugueseRead More →
I still hate packing. Even after years of travelling in Portugal and living here, it’s one of the parts of trip planning I overthink the most. The good news is that once you understand what Portugal is really like – the cobbled streets, the changing weather, the mix of cityRead More →
Figueira da Foz is one of those coastal cities that works well if you give it a bit of time, rather than rushing through. Mike and I have been visiting Figueira da Foz regularly for years, especially for the ice cream, and over the past few years have spent severalRead More →
