If it has only been declared an “official Jacobean route” very recently, but it is experimenting the strongest growth

(TRAVPR.COM) SPAIN - December 12th, 2018 - This year in October, almost 2,000 pilgrims reached Santiago de Compostela through the Portuguese Coastal Way. This figure is particularly remarkable considering that last year, during the same period, less than 1,000 pilgrims used this route.  

The French Way is still the most popular path of the Camino de Santiago, followed by the traditional Portuguese Way (an inland route) and now, the third one is the Portuguese Coastal Way.

According to the information provided by Galiwonders.com, a local travel agency specialized on the Camino de Santiago, the Portuguese Coastal Way has been one of the most popular walks for a couple of years.

“In our case, it is the second most demanded walk”, stated Sabela Ruiz, the CEO of the company. She explained that “pilgrims choose this path motivated by its spectacular ocean views, because of the lovely fishing villages and the gastronomy along the way… but they also get to experience a sociable adventure, as the number of people is increasing every year”.

The walk starts in Porto, and it passes through some of the most genuine coastal towns in Northern Portugal, like Esposende, Viana do Castelo or Vila Praia de Ancora. In Galicia region, it goes over the rural areas, but also traverses some of the most popular cities, like Vigo, Baiona or Pontevedra.

Even if the Portuguese Coastal Way has been drawing pilgrims’ attention for a couple of years now, it was not been declared an “official Camino de Santiago route” until 2016. This recognition meant an important step towards its consolidation. How? By reinforcing all the signposting along the way, planning to build new accommodations and providing "extra protection". 

Nowadays we can find an increasing number of alternatives to experience the Camino de Santiago. There are sociable routes, quiet paths, walks that stand out because of its landscapes, or its culture, or gastronomy… We can even state that, there as many routes of the Camino de Santiago, as pilgrims walking them.

###