A Taste of the Camino: Porto to Bilbao

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Porto


Bilbao

Tour summary

7 days

Portugal & Spain

10 meals

18 guests (max)

Driver

Trip leader

Luxury minicoach

Twin-share / double / double for single occupancy

6 nights in thoughtfully selected accommodation

6 nights

Carve your own pilgrimage of discovery along the Camino de Santiago and beyond, as you savour the taste of local sizzling seafood, uncover centuries-old history and feast your eyes on cinematic mountain landscapes. On this evocative journey from Portugal to northern Spain, following in the footsteps of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, a captivating travel tale that’s uniquely yours awaits. What memories will etch their way into your story? 

Tour highlights

  • Feel the palpable energy of centuries past in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town of Santiago de Compostela
  • Indulge in a wine tasting and locally prepared lunch in the heart of Spain’s Castile & León region
  • Gaze in awe at the majestic mountains of the soul-stirring Picos de Europa National Park  

Tour itinerary

Day 1 - Porto (Portugal)

World-famous port wine, an iconic iron bridge and knots of medieval alleys – our journey along the Camino will begin in postcard-perfect Porto. You could spend a day (or two!) getting acquainted with this captivating city before meeting our small group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant this evening. 
  
So, how will your story unfold in Porto? Perhaps you’ll uncover hidden courtyards and say olá to friendly café owners as you meander up the Ribeira district to the city’s hilltop cathedral. From the cathedral’s terrace, you can watch the sun light up terracotta roofs and catch a glimpse of the mighty Douro River before exploring the vast cathedral complex itself. Be sure to look out for traditional blue and white azulejos (hand-painted tiles) that adorn facades as you go. Or, you could simply stroll along Porto’s vibrant riverfront, soaking up the cosy chatter from restaurants that spill onto the path as traditional rabelo boats float on by. All best enjoyed with a pastel de nata (a classic, Portuguese egg custard pastry) in hand, of course! 

 

World-famous port wine, an iconic iron bridge and knots of medieval alleys – our journey along the Camino will begin in postcard-perfect Porto. You could spend a day (or two!) getting acquainted with this captivating city before meeting our small group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant this evening. 
  
So, how will your story unfold in Porto? Perhaps you’ll uncover hidden courtyards and say olá to friendly café owners as you meander up the Ribeira district to the city’s hilltop cathedral. From the cathedral’s terrace, you can watch the sun light up terracotta roofs and catch a glimpse of the mighty Douro River before exploring the vast cathedral complex itself. Be sure to look out for traditional blue and white azulejos (hand-painted tiles) that adorn facades as you go. Or, you could simply stroll along Porto’s vibrant riverfront, soaking up the cosy chatter from restaurants that spill onto the path as traditional rabelo boats float on by. All best enjoyed with a pastel de nata (a classic, Portuguese egg custard pastry) in hand, of course! 

 

Included today

Accommodation

Hotel Royal Porto Bridges (or similar) 

Meals
  • Dinner

Day 2 - Porto – Viana do Castelo and Ponte de Lima – Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

Legends of Roman soldiers and a mythical river await – our journey north kicks off with a visit to Viana do Castelo. Step off our luxury minicoach and take in your surroundings, from the dazzling white Gil Eannes ship to the sparkling harbour. Have you spotted the neo-Byzantine Santuário de Santa Luzia in the distance? We’ll make our way up to this hilltop church to admire its impressive rose window and vast domed roof (adorned with 16 painted angels, no less!). Perched up here, the views over the Atlantic Ocean are truly spectacular – spot the River Lima flowing into the sea, and notice waves caressing the nearby golden shores like layers of tulle.  
 
Then, we’re off to Ponte de Lima, one of the oldest towns in Portugal. We’ll admire its ancient bridge, first constructed by the Romans in 1 AD (yes, really!) and enjoy some free time exploring the historic centre dotted with quaint cafés, vibrant flower gardens and sunny plazas. Don’t forget to ask your in-the-know Tour Leader for the best local seafood options for lunch.  
 
Having crossed the border into Spain, we'll arrive at Santiago de Compostela – our home for the next two nights and the final stop on the fabled Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. More on that tomorrow... Tonight, you could start your chapter in this sacred city by uncovering hole-in-the-wall bars along its narrow streets or simply spend the evening relaxing at our hand-picked hotel. Decisions, decisions...

 

Legends of Roman soldiers and a mythical river await – our journey north kicks off with a visit to Viana do Castelo. Step off our luxury minicoach and take in your surroundings, from the dazzling white Gil Eannes ship to the sparkling harbour. Have you spotted the neo-Byzantine Santuário de Santa Luzia in the distance? We’ll make our way up to this hilltop church to admire its impressive rose window and vast domed roof (adorned with 16 painted angels, no less!). Perched up here, the views over the Atlantic Ocean are truly spectacular – spot the River Lima flowing into the sea, and notice waves caressing the nearby golden shores like layers of tulle.  
 
Then, we’re off to Ponte de Lima, one of the oldest towns in Portugal. We’ll admire its ancient bridge, first constructed by the Romans in 1 AD (yes, really!) and enjoy some free time exploring the historic centre dotted with quaint cafés, vibrant flower gardens and sunny plazas. Don’t forget to ask your in-the-know Tour Leader for the best local seafood options for lunch.  
 
Having crossed the border into Spain, we'll arrive at Santiago de Compostela – our home for the next two nights and the final stop on the fabled Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. More on that tomorrow... Tonight, you could start your chapter in this sacred city by uncovering hole-in-the-wall bars along its narrow streets or simply spend the evening relaxing at our hand-picked hotel. Decisions, decisions...

 

Included today

Accommodation

Hotel Compostela (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast

Day 3 - Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is believed to be the burial site of Saint James (one of Jesus’ 12 apostles), and so hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make the journey to this fabled city every year. While we may not be trekking the Camino de Santiago ourselves, this morning we’ll meet a friendly local guide who will help us delve deeper on a walking tour. Discover why the Camino’s symbol is a scallop shell, seek out the perfect Tarta de Santiago (a traditional almond cake, typically decorated with the Cross of Saint James) in the Old Town’s medieval, arcaded streets and admire the Cathedral’s cascading spires and intricate Baroque details as you wander.  
 
With free time this afternoon to slow down and explore, be sure to visit the cathedral’s magnificent interior. Feel the enduring spirit of pilgrims who have visited over the centuries, hear the gentle hum of Mass echo from the barrel-vaulted, Romanesque nave, and smell the smoky fragrance of burning incense as you take it all in.  
 
Dinner’s yours for the taking this evening, so why not seek out a local restaurant and dive into traditional Galician cuisine? The Pulpo a la Gallega (boiled octopus seasoned to perfection with sea salt, paprika and olive oil) or Empanada Gallega (a savoury pie filled with meat or seafood plus onions, peppers, and tomatoes) are a delicious place to start. Bellies and hearts full, we’ll sleep well tonight! 
 
 

 

Santiago de Compostela is believed to be the burial site of Saint James (one of Jesus’ 12 apostles), and so hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make the journey to this fabled city every year. While we may not be trekking the Camino de Santiago ourselves, this morning we’ll meet a friendly local guide who will help us delve deeper on a walking tour. Discover why the Camino’s symbol is a scallop shell, seek out the perfect Tarta de Santiago (a traditional almond cake, typically decorated with the Cross of Saint James) in the Old Town’s medieval, arcaded streets and admire the Cathedral’s cascading spires and intricate Baroque details as you wander.  
 
With free time this afternoon to slow down and explore, be sure to visit the cathedral’s magnificent interior. Feel the enduring spirit of pilgrims who have visited over the centuries, hear the gentle hum of Mass echo from the barrel-vaulted, Romanesque nave, and smell the smoky fragrance of burning incense as you take it all in.  
 
Dinner’s yours for the taking this evening, so why not seek out a local restaurant and dive into traditional Galician cuisine? The Pulpo a la Gallega (boiled octopus seasoned to perfection with sea salt, paprika and olive oil) or Empanada Gallega (a savoury pie filled with meat or seafood plus onions, peppers, and tomatoes) are a delicious place to start. Bellies and hearts full, we’ll sleep well tonight! 
 
 

 

Included today

Accommodation

Hotel Compostela (or similar) 

Meals
  • Breakfast

Day 4 - Santiago de Compostela – Ponferrada – León

Follow in the footsteps of the Knights Templar – a visit to the impressive Castillo de los Templarios awaits. Cross the drawbridge, feel the cool touch of ancient stone under your fingertips and travel back in time as we wander the mighty walls of this giant fortress, imagining stories of what life might have been like in medieval times. Built in 1178 to protect the pilgrims on their road to Santiago de Compostela, it’s a fitting start to our day’s journey.  

Continuing our route into northern Castilla, we’ll arrive at León. And, tonight, dinner is yours for the taking. Why not head out and hunt down some local tapas? Typically enjoyed alongside a drink (or two!), tucking into tapas is a social affair. So, you could team up with others from our small group and feast on a plethora of flavours together as the sun sets on another wonderful day. Our favourites? Look out for Pimientos de Padrón (green peppers, fried in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt), Tortilla de Patata (Spanish omelette), Gambas al Ajillo (shrimps cooked sizzling in garlic) and Jamón Ibérico (cured Iberian ham) for a delicious initiation into Spanish cuisine.  
 
Tonight, we’ll settle into our accommodation – an 11th-century monastery-turned-hotel that’s nestled right in the heart of León’s historic centre. Spot the original features like oak floors and stone walls that give each room its unique charm, then get some well earnt shut-eye ahead of more adventures tomorrow.  (B) 

 

Follow in the footsteps of the Knights Templar – a visit to the impressive Castillo de los Templarios awaits. Cross the drawbridge, feel the cool touch of ancient stone under your fingertips and travel back in time as we wander the mighty walls of this giant fortress, imagining stories of what life might have been like in medieval times. Built in 1178 to protect the pilgrims on their road to Santiago de Compostela, it’s a fitting start to our day’s journey.  

Continuing our route into northern Castilla, we’ll arrive at León. And, tonight, dinner is yours for the taking. Why not head out and hunt down some local tapas? Typically enjoyed alongside a drink (or two!), tucking into tapas is a social affair. So, you could team up with others from our small group and feast on a plethora of flavours together as the sun sets on another wonderful day. Our favourites? Look out for Pimientos de Padrón (green peppers, fried in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt), Tortilla de Patata (Spanish omelette), Gambas al Ajillo (shrimps cooked sizzling in garlic) and Jamón Ibérico (cured Iberian ham) for a delicious initiation into Spanish cuisine.  
 
Tonight, we’ll settle into our accommodation – an 11th-century monastery-turned-hotel that’s nestled right in the heart of León’s historic centre. Spot the original features like oak floors and stone walls that give each room its unique charm, then get some well earnt shut-eye ahead of more adventures tomorrow.  (B) 

 

Included today

Accommodation

Hotel Real Colegiata de San Isidoro (or similar) 

Meals
  • Breakfast

Day 5 - León

Wake up to the sound of the cathedral’s chiming bells, fuel up on a café con leche (coffee with milk) and get ready to set out for the day. We’ll meet our expert local guide to kick things off with a walking tour. With the city’s origins dating back to Roman times, it’s only fitting that we start at the Roman walls before taking in the splendour of the Romanesque Basilica de San Isidoro and the Casa de los Botines (designed by none other than Antoni Gaudí). Then, it’s onto the striking cathedral where we’ll discover why this Gothic jewel is often called the ‘House of Light’ – the 1,800 square metres of kaleidoscopic stained-glass windows might just have something to do with it...  
 
All this exploring is thirsty work, so we’ll set a course to a local winery to indulge in a couple of glasses of the region’s finest. As we stroll through the vineyards, spot the sun-kissed Prieto Picudo and White Albarin grape varieties, and take a moment to pause... listen to the breeze rustle through the lush vines like a hushed whisper. We won’t blame you for buying a bottle (or three) after our visit to take home! Compare tasting notes over a generous group lunch (in a wine cellar, no less) before we head back to León. ¡Buen provecho! 
 
Tonight, you’re free to shape your own path in León. Your knowledgeable Tour Leader is bound to have a few suggestions up their sleeve for where to spend a memorable evening. 

 

Wake up to the sound of the cathedral’s chiming bells, fuel up on a café con leche (coffee with milk) and get ready to set out for the day. We’ll meet our expert local guide to kick things off with a walking tour. With the city’s origins dating back to Roman times, it’s only fitting that we start at the Roman walls before taking in the splendour of the Romanesque Basilica de San Isidoro and the Casa de los Botines (designed by none other than Antoni Gaudí). Then, it’s onto the striking cathedral where we’ll discover why this Gothic jewel is often called the ‘House of Light’ – the 1,800 square metres of kaleidoscopic stained-glass windows might just have something to do with it...  
 
All this exploring is thirsty work, so we’ll set a course to a local winery to indulge in a couple of glasses of the region’s finest. As we stroll through the vineyards, spot the sun-kissed Prieto Picudo and White Albarin grape varieties, and take a moment to pause... listen to the breeze rustle through the lush vines like a hushed whisper. We won’t blame you for buying a bottle (or three) after our visit to take home! Compare tasting notes over a generous group lunch (in a wine cellar, no less) before we head back to León. ¡Buen provecho! 
 
Tonight, you’re free to shape your own path in León. Your knowledgeable Tour Leader is bound to have a few suggestions up their sleeve for where to spend a memorable evening. 

 

Included today

Accommodation

Hotel Real Colegiata de San Isidoro (or similar) 

Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Day 6 - León – Picos de Europa – Cantabria Region

Limestone peaks graze the sky like mythical towers emerging from the earth, gorges carve deep into the ground as if created from the hand of a giant sculptor and vibrant wildflowers pepper the emerald green pastures like nature’s confetti – we’re leaving the metropolis behind and journeying to the mesmerising Picos de Europa National Park. Relax in the minicoach and drink in the stunning views as we thread our way slowly through this cinematic landscape, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way.  
 
Once at Parador de Fuente Dé, we’ll tuck into a hearty lunch together. With traditional recipes from the Cantabrian region of Liébana on the menu such as cocido lebaniego (a nourishing chickpea and meat stew), we’ll be fuelled up and ready to take on the remainder of the day. 
 
Take to the skies with a thrilling cable car ride to the soul-stirring Aliva viewpoint – brace yourself for the spectacular views over the verdant Liebana Valley and surrounding jagged peaks as we ascend an impressive 753 metres. Once at the top, linger for a moment... take a deep, cleansing breath of crisp mountain air and feel the immense power of the majestic mountains around you.  
 
We’ll end our day in the Cantabria region. Make yourself at home in our thoughtfully-selected accommodation and unwind before our final group meal together. Perhaps a dip in the pool has your name on it? Over dinner, we’ll raise a toast to the moments we’ve shared over the past week – which has been your favourite? 
 

 

Limestone peaks graze the sky like mythical towers emerging from the earth, gorges carve deep into the ground as if created from the hand of a giant sculptor and vibrant wildflowers pepper the emerald green pastures like nature’s confetti – we’re leaving the metropolis behind and journeying to the mesmerising Picos de Europa National Park. Relax in the minicoach and drink in the stunning views as we thread our way slowly through this cinematic landscape, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way.  
 
Once at Parador de Fuente Dé, we’ll tuck into a hearty lunch together. With traditional recipes from the Cantabrian region of Liébana on the menu such as cocido lebaniego (a nourishing chickpea and meat stew), we’ll be fuelled up and ready to take on the remainder of the day. 
 
Take to the skies with a thrilling cable car ride to the soul-stirring Aliva viewpoint – brace yourself for the spectacular views over the verdant Liebana Valley and surrounding jagged peaks as we ascend an impressive 753 metres. Once at the top, linger for a moment... take a deep, cleansing breath of crisp mountain air and feel the immense power of the majestic mountains around you.  
 
We’ll end our day in the Cantabria region. Make yourself at home in our thoughtfully-selected accommodation and unwind before our final group meal together. Perhaps a dip in the pool has your name on it? Over dinner, we’ll raise a toast to the moments we’ve shared over the past week – which has been your favourite? 
 

 

Included today

Accommodation

Abba Comillas Hotel (or similar) 

Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 7 - Cantabria Region – Santander – Bilbao

Gaze out over the Cantabrian Sea’s bright blue water and cast your eyes over the lilting waves for sea lions and seals – the Magdalena Peninsula beckons! We’ll hop on the peninsula’s little train to admire the scenery and get a close-up view of the Palacio de la Magdalena (one of the most prominent examples of civil architecture in northern Spain) before immersing ourselves in Santander’s charm and seeking out a local haunt for lunch. With its golden, crescent-shaped bays and fresh seafood at every turn, it’s easy to fall in love with this historic port city. 
 
We’ll wind up our day in bustling Bilbao to say our goodbyes. And while this may be the final page of your Camino adventure, your taste of the region’s spirit is sure to leave a lasting impression. 

Gaze out over the Cantabrian Sea’s bright blue water and cast your eyes over the lilting waves for sea lions and seals – the Magdalena Peninsula beckons! We’ll hop on the peninsula’s little train to admire the scenery and get a close-up view of the Palacio de la Magdalena (one of the most prominent examples of civil architecture in northern Spain) before immersing ourselves in Santander’s charm and seeking out a local haunt for lunch. With its golden, crescent-shaped bays and fresh seafood at every turn, it’s easy to fall in love with this historic port city. 
 
We’ll wind up our day in bustling Bilbao to say our goodbyes. And while this may be the final page of your Camino adventure, your taste of the region’s spirit is sure to leave a lasting impression. 

Included today

Meals
  • Breakfast

Things we think you'll love

A view of a cable car travelling up to the Picos de Europa.
Signature moment

A skyward ascension

Ascend 753 metres to the panoramic peaks of Picos de Europa - on Fuente Dé cable car - a glorious mountain range home to animals such as the brown bear and Iberian wolf! Pack your binoculars to help spot these curious creatures.

Traditional Portuguese wine bottles like the table at a wine tasting.

León sips and samples

Compare the subtle notes of León wine over a homecooked lunch, surrounded by the cosy and historic ambience of a rustic wine cellar.

A view of the grand Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Old town tales

Slow the pace in Santiago de Compostela as the past weaves into the present along the narrow streets of its UNESCO-listed Old Town.

Read the reviews

Verified customer feedback powered byFeefo

5

Anonymous September 2024

Great tour, small group, great guide, excellent locations visited and restaurants very good standard

5

Colleen Wa September 2024

It was a great tour, a lovely group to travel with.
Ana our guide made it special in all ways.

5

Anonymous August 2024

Although you don't do the Camino you get an excellent feel of the experience. The history and the accommodation were excellent.

5

Anonymous August 2024

A fabulous tour through towns and villages, stuning scenery and experiencing local life and fascinating history of the early and modern pilgrims. Excellent accommodation and local food.

4

Anonymous June 2024

A very interesting tour.The tour could have more enjoyable with a better guide.She was too obsessed with her own Camino experiences

4

Anonymous June 2024

Felt that the walking tour in Santiago de Compostella took too long.
The accommodation was exceptional. Not too much time to explore.

2

Anonymous June 2024

Having done a previous tour with Blue-Roads Touring, I was disappointed with the lower standards on this tour.
Our tour leader Deirdre was less organised & less knowledgeable than our previous tour...

Read full review

4

Anonymous June 2024

Enjoyed the small group we had ,fantastic to see all the old buildings , roman walls ,churches , and learn some of the history of the pilgrims journey .also liked the wine tour very interesting...

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4

Paul Fi May 2024

Overall a very interesting and enjoyable trip. Our guide Eddi was fantastic, and the group of travellers was a good fit (all 60 / 70s Australians and a few Kiwis).

Some of the hotels left a bit to...

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5

Debra-Lee Be May 2024

Exploring parts of the Camino, travelling through the beautiful countryside of north western Spain and tasting some delicious local fare were standouts for us on this tour. We had a brilliant guide...

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4

Anonymous May 2024

I wasn’t expecting it to be a religious trail. I was unfamiliar with the Camino trail. Although interesting, I was expecting the tour to be more of the food choices and more of the parks and gardens....

Read full review

4

Christopher Gi October 2023

Good value for our money spent. Tour guide could have explained more as we travelled. We missed some details of excellent monuments.

3

Anonymous September 2023

One of our group had an accident the last day of the tour, and the rest of us waited for an update, which didn't come until we got on the bus 2 hours later to end the trip in Bilbao. No one at B.R...

Read full review

3

Anonymous September 2023

Trip Narration inadequate. Rude hotel staff in Santiago. Guide not totally comfortable in English.

4

Lois Se September 2023

. it was marvelous traveling back routes. Some of the places we stayed overnight extraordinary

3

Anonymous September 2023

Good value for the money. Lovely itinerary.

4

Anonymous September 2023

Tour guide deficiency. Not engaged.

4

Grant Bi May 2023

Good value for money other than the Leon accommodation. Leon accommodation location was good but the hotel wasn't the same standard as the others we stayed in.

3

Susan Jo May 2023

As above. Laura and Xavier were great.

3

Anonymous May 2023

Somewhat boring content, needed some thought on medical assistance when required.

5

Jane Te September 2022

Terrific guide, Eddie. Wonderful knowledge of Spain and Portugal, and the history

5

John St September 2022

All around a great value; inexpensive, yet very comfortable.

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Full tour details covering accommodation, transport and included experiences are available in our tour notes.

FAQs

Our thoughtfully selected accommodation is full of charm and historic details – expect elegant country inns, grand town centre hotels and even the odd castle! For this reason, rooms vary in size, and most hotels don’t have lifts – meaning you’ll likely need to access your room via stairs. Porterage will be included wherever possible.  

Although air conditioning is mostly unavailable in historic buildings, fans will be provided during hot spells. Most hotels have bathtubs with overhead showers (rather than walk-in showers), so you’ll be able to enjoy a soak at the end of the day. 

The weather in Spain and Portugal varies depending on the time of year. Generally, summers are hot and dry (slightly cooler as you go further north), and from mid-June to the end of August temperatures can reach 45°C (113°F). Sun hats and sunscreen are essential!  

Because of the summer heat, Spanish culture includes siestas where most businesses close their doors during the afternoon – something to embrace during this journey. 

The tradition of taking a break or having a nap during the hottest part of the day still lives on in many parts of Spain, so you might find shops and restaurants closed in some smaller towns during the afternoons.  

All the tour details in one handy document available to read at your leisure!

Download tour notes

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