Pontevedra

Camino Portugues

To end of camino
63.5
Altitude
30

O Pobo - Santa Marta

2.20

Pontevedra

3.90

Alba

Services
ATM
Yes
Bar
Yes
Bus
Yes
Bus Terminal
Yes
Correos
Yes
Grocery
Yes
Hospital
Yes
Medical Center
Yes
Pharmacy
Yes
Public Pool
Yes
Train
Yes

Your entrance to the old town center of Pontevedra is punctuated with its most famous church, the Iglesia de la Virgen Peregrina, a shrine to the Pilgrim Virgen who guided pilgrims here from Baiona. 

To see the rest of Pontevedra’s notable buildings will required you to stray from the arrows a bit. The old town is not large enough to get lost in, so take your time and enjoy the many plazas and parks. 

The most important landmarks are the Convento de San Francisco, the Basilica de Santa María (often referred to as the Cathedral), the Iglesia de San Bartolomé, and the Convento de Santa Clara

There are plenty of plazas to choose from, including the large Plaza de Teucro and the diminutive (and best) Plaza de Leña.

The Road

Leave by crossing the Ponte do Burgo and heading straight-ish through the next roundabout, turning left immediately after. Before long you will be alongside the railway, which you will cross just before the church of Alba.

TWO WAYS TO PONTECESURES / PADRÓN

There are two routes to Pontecesures/Padrón from Pontevedra, and the split occurs about 3km after crossing the bridge in Pontevedra

The original camino keeps on its inland trajectory and is currently the most popular choice among pilgrims. It is also the shortest.

The second option is known as the Variante Espiritual and it turns westward to cross over the Monte Redondo as it heads towards the sea at Vilanova de Arousa.  From here you have the option of a 3rd day of walking to Pontecesures or a trip by boat up the Ría to the same place. This variant was created and named by the local tourism sector and although the stories told about its origins are fantastic, they are also just that... stories. Don’t let this clever bit of marketing discourage you though, the route is recognized by the Pilgrim Office as an official variant and you will not have any difficulty obtaining your Compostela regardless of whether you take the boat or not.

This recognition, and lots of praise from pilgrims, means that this route is growing in popularity. 

VIA THE VARIANTE ESPIRITUAL - 44. km on foot + 28 km on foot or ferry

The Variante Espiritual is an alternative route which connects Pontevedra with Pontecesures. It adds 8.2km of walking (and a significant climb to the top of the Monte Redondo) and another 28km by boat (from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecesures).

Getting started is as simple as turning left at the well signposted fork in the road. The way almost immediately begins climbing upwards, though gently at first. It is making its way back to the Ría de Pontevedra, going up and around a small monte before arriving in the waterfront town of Combarro. There is one small hamlet before arriving at Cabaleiro, and it has a bar/shop with a very limited selection, but as it has odd hours it is not included here as being reliable.

THE ORIGINAL CAMINO, INLAND VIA CALDAS DE REIS  - 36.3 km

This is the easiest to navigate and shortest of the options. From the split simply carry on straight.

City Map

Comments

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Had a wonderful pilgrim meal at Rincon Perigrino Bar-Tapia for 12Euro. Very large serving and very friendly service.

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Great location, exceptionally clean, kind and patient reception staff.
It was easy to find using Google maps.
Pillow slips, sheets, towel and blanket plus a locking cupboard in your cubicle and one to place your pack safely in. I highly recommend a night here.

All Caminos App User (not verified)

After a day walking in the rain it was nice to be able to have a hot shower and then wash and dry your clothes. Great location, very modern families and very clean and new.

Although it’s not the hostels fault our dorm had many women turning on lights, talking very loudly, which made for a rough sleep.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

This was a perfect hostel, private room and bathroom, everything was perfect and clean and Julio was amazing, he booked us dinner and everything, I really recommend this one, I think it has a part of the hostel with share beds and bathrooms

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Outstanding hostel. Extremely comfortable beds. Right in the very heat of the old district. On the Camino route. New, clean, excellent facilities - huge, well equipped kitchen, loads of seating and common areas. The outside terrace is nicer than the photos suggest. There are hanging lines out there for laundry too, a well as washers and dryers. The showers are great. The beds are pod style bunks with curtain, shelf, light, USB charger and socket etc. Each pod has a security locker inside out to - big enough for a 30L-ish rucksac, and each persons get a big locker too. Beds comes with fresh white top and bottom sheets, comfy pillows, and thin freshly washed top blanket, a warm fleecy blanket. Staff were really friendly. Great location meaning you can pop back and forth. Highly recommended.

All Caminos App User (not verified)

I stayed in the Bulezen Hostel which is slightly more expensive (25€ for a bunk bed in may) than the Albergues but I chose it because it’s located 250m from the old town and they offer women-only rooms (28€ in a 10-bedroom). I longed for a night without snoring - no offence guys - and wasn’t disappointed. The host os super nice. Everyone gets a tour of the premises. It’s spotlessly-clean, very modern, comfy bunks, sheets and towel included, with privacy curtains and your own socket as well as USB plug, private locker. Plenty of showers and toilet, huge clean kitchen and living room plus sunny terrace where cloths dry really quickly. I would definitely recommend if you can afford the extra Euros.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

It's not listed here but it's a great place to stay it had excellent facilities and is new and modern. It is at the entrance to Pontevedra, opposite the railway station (where we were able to get a meal when everything else was closed)

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Nacama Hostel was a perfect stop along the Camino. It’s super clean, lots of beds with curtain and light, 20 euro, and the owner is super kind. Highly recommended.
The bakery called Pumpernickel was yummy!

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Xunta albergue is a long way from anything but a small supermarket. I recommend to find a albergue on the other side of the bridge. Go see the waterfall at Briallos - you do NOT wanna miss this!

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

And a beautiful stop, if your feet don’t hurt too much. You’ll learn more about Galician and Spanish history, as well as art.