The Guided Way of St. James - Coastal Route from Oia to Santiago

From Oia, you will take a coastal path away from the main road. After 10 km, you will continue along a wooden boardwalk following a magnificent coastline and offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cíes Islands.

Leaving the beautiful town of Baiona, you'll travel along a fine sandy beach for most of the day. You'll have plenty of opportunities to stop at the beachside cafes. You'll then arrive in the lively city of Vigo after a 3 km walk through the port.

On this excursion, we will transfer you from Vigo to Redondela (10 km from Vigo), the starting point of your walk. Once in Redondela, you will join the traditional Portuguese Way. You will encounter more and more pilgrims along the Camino. You will cross typical Galician landscapes, between countryside and lush eucalyptus forests. Before reaching the halfway point, you will pass by Ponte Sanpaio, the site of the defeat of Napoleon's troops.

Arriving in Pontevedra offers two options: a slightly shorter route by road or a slightly longer one in the shade. Your final stop of the day boasts a charming town center with pedestrian streets and a pleasant cider bar/restaurant located behind the church.

After passing through chestnut groves, the Way leaves Pontevedra and runs alongside the railway line for a while. At the hamlet of Ponte Cabras, you'll discover the presbytery of Santa Maria de Alba, nestled among pines and eucalyptus trees. Emerging from the dense woods of Lombo da Maceira, you'll see a statue of Saint James, whose crosier points the way. The charming village of Tibo, with its fountain, public washhouse, and stone cross, leads to Caldas de Reis.

At the end of the day, our driver will take you back to Pontevedra for a second night.

This morning, the driver will take you back to Caldas de Reis (where you finished yesterday).

Leaving the town, we cross a bridge over the Umia River, which leads us to a hot spring that has given the village its name since Roman times. Entering the woods again, the Way climbs gently towards the hamlet of Santa Marina. Descending, we cross the Fontenlo River. Finally, we reach the river again upon arriving in Padrón. Padrón is famous for being the first land sighted by the ship carrying the body of Saint James.

The Way passes through numerous hamlets before arriving at the Baroque sanctuary of A Esclavitude. On a hill to the left stand the mysterious ruins of Castro Lupario. A few kilometers further on, you reach the oldest crossroads in Galicia. As you approach Agro dos Monteiros, you can see the spires of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Finally, the Way skirts the ruins of A Rocha Vella Castle before entering the city of Santiago de Compostela.

After breakfast, we say goodbye.

If you wish to stay in the area, we recommend:

– to take your time and visit the magnificent historic center of Santiago de Compostela;

– to continue with us along the Camino Fisterra (Finisterra Way) and spend the night at the lighthouse hotel!

– or take a bus to Fisterra to discover the unspoiled coves and fine sandy beaches of the west coast. This less-visited region guarantees a unique experience. Buses depart from the Santiago de Compostela bus station at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM. They return to Santiago de Compostela at 4:45 PM and 7:00 PM. The journey takes 3 hours.