The Portuguese Way to Santiago is a historical pilgrimage route that crosses Pontevedra, a notable stage on the route. This Galician city has charms and attractions that deserve to be discovered, such as its Old Town, its emblematic bridges and its places of tourist interest. In addition, pilgrims can enjoy the local cuisine and the hospitality of its inhabitants. There are options and variants to continue the route to Santiago, including alternative routes and the spiritual variant of the Camino.
The Portuguese Way: a historic pilgrimage route
The Portuguese Way of Santiago it is one of the oldest and most traditional routes that lead to the sacred city of Santiago de Compostela. It is estimated that its origin dates back to the 12th century, when Portuguese pilgrims began to travel this path in search of the tomb of the apostle Santiago. Since then, thousands of pilgrims have undertaken this journey in search of spirituality and connection with the divine.
Origin and route of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago
The Portuguese Camino de Santiago has its starting point in the city of lisboa , capital of Portugal. From there, pilgrims pass through beautiful landscapes and historic towns, following a route that extends along the Atlantic coast and passes through various Portuguese regions, such as the northern region, the center and the Alentejo.
Along the way, pilgrims have the opportunity to visit important places of interest, such as the Porto Cathedral, the city of Barcelos and the beautiful town of Ponte de Lima. The route continues north, crossing the border between Portugal and Spain, until reaching the Galician city of Tui, where it joins the Central Portuguese Way.
Importance of Pontevedra as a stage on the Camino
Pontevedra is a prominent stop on the Portuguese Way of Santiago and plays a fundamental role on the route to the Compostela cathedral. This beautiful Galician city has numerous attractions that make it an essential place for pilgrims.
One of the highlights of Pontevedra is its old town, which preserves a rich historical and architectural heritage. Pilgrims can walk its cobbled streets and discover centuries-old churches, charming squares and emblematic buildings.
Another highlight of Pontevedra on the Portuguese Way is the emblematic,burgo bridge, a medieval jewel that offers spectacular views of the Lérez River and the city. Crossing this bridge is like going back in time and immersing yourself in the history of the area.
In addition, Pontevedra has a wide range of services for pilgrims, such as hostels, hotels, restaurants and shops, which provide them with everything they need to rest and recover before continuing on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
Remember that at Pontevedra Tourist Apartments we have at your disposal our wonderful apartments located in the center of the city ideal for resting and getting to know this wonderful city of the Rías Baixas. You can ask us about their availability by filling out our form or by making your reservation directly by clicking the link to each of our tourist apartments in Pontevedra
Continuing the route to Santiago: options and spiritual variant
Once in Pontevedra, pilgrims have different options to continue their journey to Santiago. This stage offers a variety of alternative routes that allow you to explore other places of interest before reaching the long-awaited goal.
Alternative routes from Pontevedra
One of the most popular options is to detour to Combarro, a charming fishing village where pilgrims can enjoy its picturesque streets and coastal atmosphere. Another recommended detour is towards Tambo Island, a small natural paradise in the Pontevedra estuary that offers tranquility and scenic beauty.
The spiritual variant of the Camino de Santiago
In addition to the alternative routes, there is a spiritual variant of the Camino de Santiago that starts from Pontevedra. This option, less known but equally significant, offers pilgrims a more introspective path connected to their spirituality. It is characterized by its greater tranquility and greater adherence to religious and spiritual principles.
In this variant, pilgrims have the opportunity to visit sacred places and monasteries that highlight the mystical dimension of the Camino. The spiritual route is an enriching experience that invites reflection and inner connection, with greater emphasis on the religious and transcendental aspect of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
From Apartamentos Turísticos Pontevedra we encourage you to take this route and get to know all the corners of this wonderful city.