How long does it take to walk the Portuguese Camino? Complete guide

The Portuguese Camino de Santiago is one of the most beloved pilgrimage routes in Europe, attracting thousands of walkers each year with its scenic beauty, cultural richness and spiritual significance.

If you’re wondering how long it takes to walk the Portuguese Camino, the answer depends on several factors: the route you choose, your walking pace, how many rest days you take and how immersive you want the experience to be.

This guide breaks down the different Portuguese Camino routes, typical walking durations, and what you can expect along the way, whether you're planning a full pilgrimage or a short, self-guided adventure.

• Portuguese Central Route (Lisbon to Santiago): 610 km (380 miles) | 25–35 days;
• Portuguese Central Route (Porto to Santiago): 240 km (150 miles) | 10–14 days;
• Portuguese Coastal Route (Porto to Santiago via the coast): 260 km (160 miles) | 11–15 days;
• Portuguese Camino shorter options: 100–200 km (60–125 miles) | 5–10 days.

The Portuguese Camino, or Caminho Português, is a historic pilgrimage route that leads to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. It traces the footsteps of medieval pilgrims, passing through ancient towns, forest paths, vineyards and coastal villages. The journey offers both physical challenge and spiritual reflection.

Compared to the more crowded French Way, the Portuguese Way is known for being peaceful, well signposted and increasingly popular with travelers seeking a more authentic and less commercialized experience.

The Portuguese Camino offers multiple route options, each with its own rhythm, scenery and duration. How long it takes to walk the Camino depends largely on where you choose to start, whether from Lisbon, Porto or one of the shorter trailheads closer to Santiago.

We break down the main routes and the average time needed to complete each one, helping you to choose the journey that best fits your schedule and walking style.

• Start: Lisbon or Porto;
• Distance: 610 km (380 miles) from Lisbon, 240 km (150 miles) from Porto;
• Terrain: country roads, cobblestones, forest paths;
• Time required:
  • Lisbon to Santiago: 25 to 35 days;
  • Porto to Santiago: 10 to 14 days.

This is the most traditional version of the Camino in Portugal. From Lisbon, you pass through towns like Santarém, Coimbra and Porto. From Porto northward, the path becomes more popular, well maintained and scenic, with highlights such as Barcelos, Ponte de Lima and Valença, before crossing into Galicia.

• Start: Porto;
• Distance: 260 km (160 miles);
• Terrain: boardwalks, beaches, country lanes;
• Time required: 11 to 15 days.

This route follows the Atlantic Ocean north from Porto to Caminha, crosses into Spain by ferry, and then rejoins the central path in Redondela. It's ideal for walkers who prefer sea breezes, ocean views and charming fishing villages.

For those short on time, you can start closer to Santiago, such as:

• Tui (Spain): 115 km (71 miles) | 5–7 days;
• Valença (Portugal): 120 km (75 miles) | 5–8 days.

These options still allow you to receive the Compostela certificate (minimum 100 km on foot is required) while experiencing the final leg of the pilgrimage.

The days it takes to walk the Portuguese Camino doesn’t just depend on distance, it also varies based on personal pace, travel style and seasonal conditions. Some walkers prefer to move slowly and take in every detail, while others aim for efficiency and challenge.

Find the key factors that influence how long your Camino will take and how to plan accordingly for a rewarding experience.

• Leisurely - 15–20 km/day (9–12 miles/day): ideal for enjoying local culture, longer breaks or walking with children;
• Moderate - 20–25 km/day (12–15 miles/day): common pace for most walkers with average fitness;
• Fast - 25–30+ km/day (15–19+ miles/day): for experienced hikers or those with limited time.

Including rest days in key locations such as Porto, Ponte de Lima or Santiago can enhance your experience. Many walkers schedule 1–3 rest days depending on the length of their Camino.

• Spring (April–June) and Autumn (September–October) are ideal for comfortable weather;
• Summer can be hot, especially south of Porto;
• Winter offers solitude but may have rain and closed accommodations.

Walking without a heavy backpack, using luggage transfers, such as those offered by Authentic Trails, can allow for longer walking days and more comfort.

A self-guided pilgrimage offers:

• Freedom to walk at your own pace;
• Support with route planning, accommodations and luggage transfers;
• Authenticity without the constraints of rigid group schedules.

Authentic Trails specializes in self-guided Camino experiences, giving you the tools to focus on the journey, not the logistics.

Authentic Trails offers carefully curated self-guided Camino de Santiago tours designed to suit your pace, interests and time frame. Whether you want a short journey or the full experience, we’re here to help.

Explore our most popular Portuguese Camino tours:

• Camino de Santiago Self-Guided Hike Tour;
• Camino de Santiago Self-Guided Bike Tour;
• Camino de Santiago Self-Guided Essential Hike Tour.

Let your journey begin, with time to explore, reflect and discover the Camino your way.