Camino Portugese
Hey, yesterday I (M26) finished the Camino Portugués (Central Route + Spiritual Variant) in 12 days.
Normally I don’t post things like this, but this forum really helped me prepare and understand what to expect. So I wanted to share a bit about my experience, plus some tips on what I would do the same or differently next time. And yes there will definitely be a next time!
Shoes
I used my Brooks running shoes and they were perfect. The terrain isn’t that rough, so running shoes are totally fine. You can use hiking boots, but honestly I think they’re too heavy for this route.
Backpack
Make sure you get the right size. Mine was way too small (borrowed it from my mom..) , and by day three my back was hurting a lot. I ended up buying a new one and donated the old one to a hospital. Mother was fine with it ;)
Clothes
Keep it simple: a good rain jacket (just in case), a fleece, zip-off pants, 2–3 sports T-shirts, 3 pairs of socks and underwear. That’s really all you need. You can wash everything at the albergues. If you’re missing something, just buy it along the way. I met a lot of people carrying way too much, which just slows you down. And don’t forget one comfortable outfit and flip-flops for relaxing at the albergue.
Toiletries
Same as cloths bring the minimum. There are plenty of shops along the route if you need anything.
Blisters
I only had one blister. As soon as I felt something coming up, I stopped and taped it. That worked perfectly. The one I got on day 2 healed almost completely on the end of walk just by doing that.
Albergues
You can book most albergues in advance. You’ll almost always find a place to stay, but it’s a nice feeling knowing you already have a bed waiting for you.
Cash
In Portugal you’ll need cash quite often. In Spain you can usually pay by card. I’d recommend always carrying around 60–80 just in case. It’s annoying to arrive somewhere and then have to walk another 20 minutes to find an ATM.
Spiritual Variant
In Pontevedra you can choose the Spiritual Variant. It’s really beautiful and less crowded than the main route towards the end. The last part includes a boat trip (30) to Padrón. It adds an extra day, but I’d definitely recommend it.
Going alone
This was my first time traveling alone, and I loved it. I met so many people, heard great stories, and learned a lot about different cultures. I walked mostly alone because I enjoyed the silence and time to reflect. But in the evenings I’d often meet the same people again for dinner or just to hang out. People are very open, and it’s easy to connect. Even if I hadn’t met anyone during the day, I’d just ask someone at the albergue if they wanted to grab dinner those spontaneous evenings were some of the best.
I hope this helps someone preparing for their Camino. If you’re still doubting: just go. I can definitely recommend it. Buen camino!