Walking the Camino Portuguese: What My Last Camino Taught Me & Some Tips On How You Can Plan Yours

In a couple of days, I’ll be setting off to walk the Camino Portuguese (Central Route), carving my way from Portugal into Spain, all the way to Santiago. Two years ago, I walked the entire Camino del Norte — an adventure that left me with more memories, stories, and personal lessons than I could have imagined. So before I arrive in Portugal I wanted to share a few reflections on what that first Camino taught me, why I’m drawn back to this walk, and some simple planning tips that might help if you’re considering walking the Camino.

If you’re thinking to yourself, what is the Camino? Don’t worry—until a couple of years ago, I had never heard of it either. The Camino de Santiago is a historic pilgrimage route across Europe that leads to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. According to tradition, this is where the remains of Saint James one of Jesus’s twelve apostles, are buried. People from all over the world walk the Camino for spiritual, cultural, or personal reasons, enjoying beautiful landscapes, local food, and meaningful connections along the way.

There are several routes of the Camino de Santiago, each offering a unique experience. The Camino del Norte runs along Spain’s northern coast and is famous for its stunning seaside views and vibrant Basque culture—a definite foodie’s haven! The Camino Portugués starts in Portugal, often from Porto or Lisbon, and follows scenic paths through charming villages and countryside before crossing into Spain. The Camino Francés is the most popular and traditional route, beginning in the French Pyrenees and winding through historic towns, rolling landscapes, and quaint villages all the way to Santiago. The Camino Primitivo, considered the original route, starts in Oviedo, Spain, and offers a more mountainous and challenging journey with fewer crowds. The Vía de la Plata begins in Seville in southern Spain and is the longest route, leading pilgrims through diverse landscapes and Roman ruins.

Each route varies in length, difficulty, and offers its own unique qualities, so I recommend exploring each one to find the path that appeals to you most. I found helpful vlogs on YouTube, and Lonely Planet provides great information comparing what to expect from each route.

So in July 2023 I set off to walk my first Camino starting in Biaritz where I enjoyed some incredible food which I really would like to write about in another blog post but for now, I wanted to start with some questions you might have about walking the Camino:

Why Would You Walk The Camino?

This is a very personal question. People walk the Camino for many different reasons—some love walking, others are drawn by the history of the trail, some are seeking something spiritually, while others simply want to connect with family or friends along the way. There are also those who find the Camino just makes sense during whatever situation or life circumstances they are in right now.

In my experience, you’ll meet people from every walk of life, each with their own reasons for undertaking the walk, and that’s what makes the Camino so special. You’ll share meals, walk alongside strangers who become friends, and encounter perspectives that challenge and enrich your own. In today’s world, where we often curate very individual lives, these encounters are rare and precious. For me, that’s one of the most special things about walking the Camino—the people you meet and the stories you hear have the incredible potential to change your worldview and challenge how you live your life.

Another joy of walking the Camino is discovering the local flavors and regional specialties along the way. The Basque Country, in particular, stands out as a food lover’s haven, with its exceptional variety and quality of dishes. Naturally, this was my second favorite part of the journey—tasting such a wide range of incredible dishes in a relatively short time felt like a rare and unforgettable experience.

What Should You Pack?

Please, don’t bring your entire makeup bag and skincare routine—I say this from experience because I did! The Camino highlighted something important for me: I had become overly reliant on a version of myself that’s always put together.

My advice is to keep your bag light and pack only the essentials. I was away for nearly two full months, and one of the joys of the Camino is living with less. Many of us aren’t used to this anymore, but I promise you, living lightly—even for a little while—makes you feel freer and more present. It gives you more time and space to appreciate the things around you exactly as they are. The Camino really strips things back: living simply, sharing community, and walking toward somewhere new each day.

A few things you should definitely bring: electrolytes (you lose a lot of salt every day, and staying properly hydrated is crucial—I learned this a little late, so I’m making sure to pack them this time), a couple of tops and leggings or shorts (dark colors are best since you’ll likely wash things by hand, and not every village has easy access to laundry facilities), good sunscreen, a hat, and most importantly, well-broken-in walking boots or shoes. The terrain can vary greatly depending on your route, and I met so many people who regretted not investing in quality footwear. A blister can quickly ruin your walk, so good shoes are absolutely worth it.

How long should you go for?

This is another very personal question that depends on how much time you have and your current circumstances. I was fortunate to have enough time to do the entire Camino del Norte route on my first walk. However, this time around, I’m opting for a shorter trip—the Portuguese Central Route— starting off from Porto, which should take about 14 days at most. For me, right now, that feels like the perfect balance but I may opt to continue my walk to Finisterre.

What to expect?

Expect interesting conversations and meeting people from every walk of life. Expect to walk with strangers who quickly become friends. Expect basic accommodation—and yes, expect snoring at night! Expect moments when you’re not sure if you can keep going, followed by moments of surprise when you realise you absolutely can.

Expect to hear stories that move you, to taste incredible food, and to soak in beautiful scenery that feels even more special because you’re experiencing it slowly, step by step. Expect encounters that challenge how you see the world and invite you to rethink how you live your life.

Expect days when you walk alone, deep in your own thoughts, and days that you fall in step with others, sharing the road and your stories together. Expect early mornings so you can reach the next albergue in good time. In short—expect all of it.

One thing that’s really stayed with me is just how unique the Camino is. It felt almost like all the life lessons you might learn over a year were condensed into a few intense weeks. In that moment back in 2023, walking the Camino gave me a kind of bird’s-eye view of my life—so when I returned, I felt not only a little wiser, but also more aware of my own inner strength, probably because I had been away long enough to truly see it.

Some practical tips

Here are a few simple things I would recommend from my own experience:

• Leave early in the morning. Most people set off around 6:00–7:00 am. This helps you secure a bed at the next albergue and means you’ll be walking in the cool of the day—especially important if you’re going in summer, when afternoons can be scorching. Try to finish most of your walking by midday.

• Pack a couple of snacks. Keep something simple in your bag to keep you going between towns—nuts, fruit, or energy bars.

• Bring electrolytes. You’ll lose a lot of salt and minerals walking long distances each day. Adding electrolytes to your water really helps with hydration and can prevent muscle cramps.

• Drink plenty of water. It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget when you’re caught up in the rhythm of walking.

• Ask for help. The Camino is full of people who understand what you’re doing—fellow walkers, locals, hospitaleros (the people who run the albergues). Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need directions, advice, or simply someone to listen.

• Consider booking your albergues, donativos, or monasteries a couple of days in advance. For the first half of my trip, I didn’t book ahead—I just showed up and was lucky to find a bed most nights in the municipal (public) albergues. But staying in Donativos and Monasteries is an amazing experience, and they often have fewer beds or different requirements. So if you can, I’d recommend booking 2–3 days ahead.