Stage Baiona – Vigo

We hope that yesterday’s stage hasn’t left any consequences on your knees or ankles. Today’s stage on the Camino de Santiago is much more relaxing if you opt for the coastal variant because on the official road we expect more ups and downs.

Today, we welcome those pilgrims who join us in Baiona.

Let’s go on the Camino Portugues coastal route!

Throughout this stage, we will find several alternatives to reach our destination today, Vigo. After the Romanesque Bridge of Ramallosa, we will be able to follow the official route, in the interior, or opt for the road that runs along the coast and take advantage to say goodbye to the Atlantic coast.

Those who opt for the official route, on the road, they will find another alternative, that of O Freixo, which follows the course of the river to the city.

The Cies Islands will be present both on one route and on the other. While the interior is only appreciated from some viewpoint, on the route along the coast, and if the day is clear, you can enjoy its company for almost the whole day.

If you are thinking about walking the Camino de Santiago from Baiona tell us what your plans are for the Camino de Santiago and we will contact you to advise you on everything you need.

Itinerary stage Baiona – Vigo

This stage of the Camino Portugues coastal route has a route of approximately 25 kilometres, two more than if one opts for the interior route (the official one).

Regarding the profile of the stage, it should be noted that the official path has continuous climbs and descents, while the coastal route runs through basically flat terrain.

Baiona (Km. 0). Beginning of stage

Practical tips for this section: Today’s stage promises to be long and in between, we will have to make important decisions about our route. We recommend that you have a quiet breakfast in Baiona and enjoy the charming town before You start walking. Buen Camino!

We start the morning by going to the church, next to the wall that follows the pilgrim’s path, but immediately deviates by a staircase to the beautiful Rúa Manuel Valverde. Before reaching the Praza do Concello, the arrows are directed towards the right, along Rúa do Conde, passing by the Zeta fountain.

Then, we follow from Rúa Porta da Vila to the stone cross of the Holy Trinity, covered with a superb canopy. We go along Rúa Loureiral and Rúa do Burgo, along a path that follows the old Roman road.

We cross a small bridge over the River Baíña, where we find a laundry, and we walk Rua do Cruceiro to an avenue, we go over it and we enter in the district of Sabarís (km. 3).

Sabarís (km. 3). 

Practical tips for this section: we need to tell you that at the end of this section you will have to decide which route to follow to get to Vigo: The official one, which runs through the interior, or the alternative, which follows the coastline. You have a kilometre and a half to think about it. Buen Camino!

We continue straight ahead through Rúa da Ponte Nova, crossing a couple of small stone bridges: Ponte Nova and Ponte Vella. The pilgrim path continues through Rúa Viso de Calvos, ascending, where we find a niche with a chapel.

We walk a few metres from Avenida José Pereira and after a stone barn, we swerve sharply to the left, taking the Miño do Lindeiro, a narrow sidewalk that leads us to a line of terraced houses.

We go around the houses on the right and we go to a dirt road that runs in descent and flows onto an asphalted route. Following the paved road, we reach the banks of the River Miñor, the boundary between the municipal areas of Baiona and Nigrán.

We cross the river by the impressive A Ramallosa Bridge. Luckily, the bridge is a nice place to stop because on the way out we will have to decide which route we want to follow to get to Vigo.

One route follows the official path and runs through the interior. This is indicated with yellow arrows and is quite hard because it is full of ups and downs.

The other route, the alternative, is indicated by green arrows and runs parallel to the river and then along the coastline, with little unevenness and slightly shorter. We will accompany you, whichever one you choose.

Official route. To Ramallosa (km. 4,5).

Practical tips for this section: If you want to follow the official path, you will have no problems because this path almost intuitively takes you along this route. Buen Camino!

After the Ramallosa Bridge, and to follow the official route, signposted with yellow arrows, we must cross Avenida de Portugal and continue straight ahead by Rúa Damas Apostolicas.

300 metres later, we pass by the door of the Pazo das Pías, we border on the right the country house garden and continue in ascent on the Cabreira way, surrounded by houses and high stone walls.

Without leaving the asphalt, we pass through a forest of eucalyptus and then we turn on the left-hand side by Rúa Manuel González Prado, which leads us to a crossroads with a traffic light and a stone cross.

We take the street on the right-hand side and arrive, 150 metres later, at the Church of San Pedro in A Ramallosa (km. 6.1), located next to a cemetery.

The arrows lead us through a narrow street, with a concrete pavement, and then by Rúa Soleiro and the Camiño da Camesella, surrounded by walls of estates, stone buildings and granaries.

When you arrive at a small roundabout we are located on the sidewalk on the left, to reach a blue metallic walkway that crosses the AG-57 motorway.

Following the indications, we pass another roundabout, we pass under the Val Miñor Institute and, at once, we cross a two-way street.

We take the ascent of the Camiño de Rectoral and turn right into Rúa do Casás until we reach a wide street where we see the entrance of the Abbey House in Nigrán.

In front of the monastery, the Camiño de Dehesa begins, which leads us to another avenue. We continue straight ahead and zigzag up the Rúa da Nogueira to the Comesaña, on which we continue to the left.

By a detour to the right, on ground with stone slabs, which runs uphill, we return to asphalt. We continue to the PO-552 road, next to a bus stop, in the village of Priegue.

Priegue (km. 10). 

Practical tips for this section: In this section, you will find another fork, where you have to decide whether to follow the official route or the alternative, which goes by O Freixo. Buen Camino!

We continue for 100 metres on the road and leave by a street on the right-hand side that runs uphill and gives us some nice views over the Cies Islands.

800 metres later, we descend to the main road, next to the Saians roundabout and immediately the arrows indicate to us move to the right, following a strong climb by Camiño Cal do Outeiro.

Surrounded by trees, we arrive at an antenna and we continue to turn, quickly, by a path of land that runs through a beautiful forest and with good views over the ocean. The dirt trail ends, 900 metres later, on a small road, but after following it a few metres, we return to the forest path.

In descent, we arrive at the Gontade mills and then to the houses of the Das Roteas urbanization, where we find a fork between the official path and the alternative route to O Freixo (Km. 13.8).

The alternative route continues on the right and is marked with green arrows, work completed by the pilgrim Luis Martínez Portela or also known as Luis do Freixo.

This itinerary continues eastward along the Camiño do Fragoselo and is 4.9 kilometres longer, with some unusually long climbs, but it runs through pleasant wooded areas. The route links with the official one in the park of the reserve, right at the entrance of Vigo.

To follow the official route, you have to continue straight ahead, passing behind a warehouse and then down to the main road, to reach the centre of Coruxo, where the Church of San Salvador awaits (Km. 15.9).

Coruxo (km. 15,9).

Practical tips for this section: In this section, you will find several churches since you have chosen the interior route.  Take advantage to visit the historic heritage of the parishes that come across your path. Buen Camino!

For about a kilometre, we advance along the sidewalks of the road through an urban stretch to the Camiño de Pitasia, which starts on our right. We pass the highway viaduct and, following the arrows, we deviate onto a dirt track.

Then we enter a semi-rural area, where a stone cross is built on a granite rock. We enter the village of Santo André de Comesaña (km. 18.5) and walk along its main street.

300 metres later, we turn right through the Camiño Vello and then Camiño de Sanín, to end up crossing a tunnel under the branch of the highway that leads us next to the Citroën factory. Climbing and surrounded by orchards and houses, we arrive at San Pedro de Matamá (km. 20.1).

San Pedro de Matamá (km. 20,1). 

Practical tips for this section: From Plaza España to the centre of Vigo you won’t find many arrows or they will be very small and in adhesives. Don’t worry because the route is very simple. Buen Camino!

We pass in front of the parish church and continue along the Camiño Real, with a panoramic view of the city of Vigo. The arrows take us to stroll to the fence of PSA-Citroën car factory.

We border the factory and continue along a path that runs under high tension towers and lines, parallel to the fence of the factory and the Pereiró Cemetery.

We go onto to Avenida Alcalde Portanet, next to Balaídos Stadium, cross by the traffic lights and continue to the right between houses, at whose back are located the remains of a small medieval bridge that formerly crossed the River Lagares.

After the last block of houses, we cross another avenue and go into Castrelos Park (km. 22.1). We walk along the course of the creek and the fluvial path of River Lagares.

900 metres later we leave the path, to cross a street and we link with another path of land through the forest of Ribera, again next to the river.

By an asphalt trail that starts on the left, we leave the beautiful stretch, to pass under the bypass and continue in ascent through the Baixa a Salgueira.

In Rúa do Carballo, we turn right, until the Church of Colegio San José de Cluny.

The arrows on the road divert us to the left, along Rúa Emilia Pardo Bazán, to Gran Via and Plaza España. In a route that passes through Rúa Rúa Urzáiz, Rúa do Príncipe and Plaza de la Porta do Solequeñas we arrive in the centre of Vigo.

Route along the coast. To Ramallosa (km. 4,5).

Practical tips for this section: If you want to take the route that goes along the coast, you will have to be attentive at the exit of Ramallosa Bridge, since this variant is not very well signposted. Look for the green arrows to follow this route. Buen Camino!

To follow the route along the coast, marked with green arrows, and after crossing the Ramallosa Bridge, you have to turn left. We continue parallel to the River Miñor and the bike lane, along the Avenida Torrente Ballester, finding on our way a stone cross, a chapel and a tourist hut.

We walk along a pedestrian promenade by the river, towards the mouth of the River Foz, using boardwalks as we did in the first days, at the exit of Oporto.

Following the green arrows, we cross the small peninsula of Monte Lourido and arrive at Playa América (km. 5.9).

At the end of the vast sandbank we pass over the mouth of the River Muiños and by a pedestrian promenade and Rúa Cidade de Vigo, we link to Panxón Beach (km. 7.9).

After this, by Rúa Tomás Mirambell, we reach another beach, smaller and quieter. Always along the same route, we descend a hill with houses, to arrive at Patos Beach (km. 9.5).

Beach of Patos (km. 9,5).

Practical tips for this section: In the next stretch, we will enter the centre of Vigo, this is the last piece of the Camino Portugues that runs completely along the coast, enjoy it! Buen Camino!

After the beautiful cove, and with the Cies Islands on the horizon, take the Paseo da Areosa, to access the small Canas Beach. At the end of the beach, we take Rúa do Caranquexo, in a pronounced climb, to turn left onto Rúa de Coba, which runs below the PO-305 road, parallel to it.

We continue along the Camiño do Portiño, surrounded by huts and fields, towards the district of Saiáns (km. 11.9), already in the municipality of Vigo.

In this neighbourhood, the arrows divert us to the road, which in this section is called Avenida Ricardo Mella, where we find a path and a bike lane. We go beyond a roundabout and continue straight ahead to the coastal Parish of Oia (km. 14.9).

After a roundabout, located next to the Café Nido, we continue along Avenida Cesáreo Vázquez, which leads us to the Nido Beach, and from which we access Vao Beach, with some pines and dunes. Here we find the bridge that links the beach with the nearby privately owned island of Toralla, (km. 15.8).

Beach do Vao (km. 15,8).

Practical tips for this section: In this section, you will find a few arrows but the route is quite intuitive. Buen Camino!

We continue parallel to the coast, finding a stone cross at the foot of the rocks, to the mouth of the River Lagares, which passes over a bridge, next to the Samil football stadium. Straight ahead, we arrive at the huge Samil Beach (km. 17.9).

From here we will find only a few arrows, but they are not necessary because the layout is very intuitive and any route will take us to the centre of Vigo. We pass Punta do Muiño and take Avenida da Atlántida up to the end of the ascent.

Parallel to the estuary, and above the port, we travel almost three kilometres that separate us from the centre of Vigo, crossing several neighbourhoods in the city. In Ribeira do Berbés, any street rising up will lead us to the old town.

Vigo (Official route: km. 27,1 ; route along the coast: km. 25,3). End of stage

ractical tips for this section: If you want to visit the city and the Cies Islands, a recommended visit, it is best to spend two nights in this place, before continuing with the Camino Portugues coastal route. See you tomorrow!

To enter Vigo, we will have to be patient, as it is the largest city in Galicia. There you will find many places of historical and cultural interest to visit, both religious, such as the Church of Santa Maria-known as The Collegiate-or the Church of Santiago; and civilian, such as the García Barbon Theatre, the old Town Hall or the Durán House.

If you prefer and want to enjoy beautiful white sand beaches, as well as one of the best seabeds in Spain, you can take a boat to the Cies Islands. But above all, you should not forget to enjoy the beautiful sunsets on this side of the peninsula. A good place is the terrace in the A Laxe Shopping Centre, located in the port.

Comments stage Baiona – Vigo

Here are some tips for you to get the most out of today’s stage.

How to get to Baiona

The easiest way to get to Baiona is by bus. If you want to link from another of the nearby cities of Spain or Portugal, the easiest thing is to link with Vigo and from there take transport to Baiona.

In the case of coming from another country or the south of Spain, the most comfortable will be to take a flight to Vigo Airport and link with Baiona. However, remember that if you do not want to worry about transfers and accommodation during your Camino Portugues coastal route, then contact us and we’ll organise everything.

Precautions Baiona – Vigo

On today’s stage, we will find two possible paths, the official route and the alternative. It is advisable to be attentive at the fork that is located behind the Ramallosa Bridge if you want to follow the coastal path (alternative route) and to look for the green arrows.

The two options are not well signposted and most pilgrims take the official route without considering the other option.

On the official route, we will have to cope with continuous and considerable unevenness; this section is known to be somewhat  “long-winded “.

For the pilgrims who make the bike tour or who have mobility problems, it is recommended to follow the alternative route, along the coast, to avoid the continuous rises and falls of the path of the Camino Portugues (official route).

On both paths, during the last kilometres to access the old town of Vigo, we will find few arrows to indicate the route, but it is quite intuitive.

Food Baiona – Vigo

Now we recommend some dishes that you can try on the stage today. We also want to advise you that in Vigo, tapas culture is impressive, and the challenge is to locate the best areas of free tapas.

• Shellfish from the Vigo Estuary
• Oysters
• Pulpo á feira (Local Octopus)
• Steamed Mussels
• Empanada de zamburiñas (Scallop Pie)
• Grilled Meats

Services stage Baiona – Vigo

Meet the main health care services, cafes, ATMs, restaurants and are in this stage of the Portuguese Coastal Way.

Map stage Baiona – Vigo

Consult the map with the route, points and towns along the stage.

Profile stage Baiona – Vigo

Consult the profile of the stage: altitude and degree of difficulty of each section.

What to do stage Baiona – Vigo

Throughout the stage today and in the city of Vigo, you will find various points of interest. Now we tell you what they are and we will provide information about them.

Puente de A Ramallosa

The Romanesque Bridge of A Ramallosa dates from the 13th century and is one of the most beautiful medieval-style bridges preserved in Galicia. Its structure, made in Ashlar granite, is formed by 10 spans with half-point arches and separates the municipal areas of Baiona and Nigrán. So, that eight spans belong to Baiona and the rest to Nigrán.

In the centre of the bridge stands a stone cross with the image of San Telmo, skipper of the navigators and who, according to the legend, ordered the reconstruction of the bridge, on which happened one of its miracles during a strong storm that jeopardized its structure.

20 metres from the bridge, is another much more modern one, over which the road from the coast to Vigo passes.

Pazo de Pías

The Pazo de Pías is located in the town of San Pedro de Ramallosa and dates from the 17th century. The construction was carried out under the order of Felix Corea, a scribe in the municipality of Baiona and member of the Spanish Inquisition.

The Farm has an area of 13,000 square metres and the building, L-shaped, with 3,500. The façade of the building looks like a lintelled door and is surrounded by a smooth moulding.

This is flanked by columns with Doric capitals and on it, you can see the coats of arms of the Correa, Guarantor, Losada, Arias and Castroviejo families.

The house was looted and burned by Portuguese troops when they invaded the Miño Valleys, in 1665.

This is why the building has a much higher wall than the other constructions of this style, giving a fortified aspect. From the interior of the building, you can access a chapel and a stone barn.

Pazo de Cea

The Pazo de Cea is located in the Parish of Nigrán. It dates from the last third of the 16th century and its construction was carried out under the order of the abbot, Joan de Cea.

It is a typical Galician construction with Portuguese influences, declared an asset of cultural interest and artistic historical monument.

The area has walls made in granite of blockwork with stonework in the corners and the floor is L-shaped. The façade of the building is simple, except for the balcony supported on huge corbels. The majestic Stone gate stands out, with three shields, next to which stands a chapel, an emblazoned fountain and a barn.

Since its construction, the Cea family has inhabited the building, except at the end of the 20th century, when it was the residence of the writer Elena Quiroga.

Later, it was abandoned until the year 2011, when it was bought by a innkeeper who rehabilitated it as a space dedicated to the celebration of events. At present, the Pazo is open to tourism and guided tours are organized.

Iglesia de San Pedro de Matamá

The Parish Church of San Pedro is located in Calle de los Canteiros in the Parish of San Pedro de Matamá. The temple dates from the late 18th century and features a bell tower. Inside it houses an altarpiece, acquired from the old Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, as they say, for 3,000 reales.

Molinos de Gontade

The Gontade Mills collection is made up of four examples located in a wooded environment, on the edge of A Carballo. Three of the four mills are located next to each other, taking advantage of the ground level and sharing water. The room is located 200 metres away beside a dam.

Iglesia de San Salvador

The Church of San Salvador is located in Coruxo and dates from the 12th century. In its origins, the monastic church was inhabited by the Benedictine Monks and in 1142, until the 14th century, it became occupied by the Order of Saint Benedict.

It is one of the best preserved Romanesque temples in Vigo. The temple is built in Galician granite and presents a Latin cross-shaped basilical plant, composed of three naves and semi-circular apses.

Iglesia de San Andrés

The Church of San Andrés is located in the parish of Comesaña. The temple dates back to the 17th century and is Baroque in style. Its structure consists of a longitudinal plant formed by a single nave and a bell tower, neoclassical in style. In The façade, you can see the figure of San Andrés.

Cementerio de Pereiró

The cemetery of Pereiró, in the parish of Matamá, is the principal burial ground in Vigo. The space was inaugurated in the year 1989 to respond to the prosperity of Vigo in the late 19th century, which came accompanied by an increase in population and, therefore, also the deceased.

Parque de Castrelos

Castrelos Park, also called Finca de la Marquesa or Quiñones de León Municipal Park, is the largest park in Vigo. It has an area of 220,000 square metres and houses the Museo Pazo Quiñones de León where you can visit archaeology, painting, with a wide sample of Galician painting, and decorative art.

Islas Cíes

The Cies Islands are present both in the official layout and on the alternative route of the Camino Portugues coastal route. The Islands make up a national maritime and terrestrial park, combining beaches with one of the most beautiful sea beds in Spain.

The archipelago has been inhabited since antiquity, receiving in the past the name of Siccae (arid). During the Middle Ages, it was inhabited by various orders of monks. In the 1970s, the islands were depopulated in a definitive way and they were reserved as space of rest and recreation.

These days, they are only occupied by park services, a camping site and a restaurant. Access to the islands is restricted to 2,200 people a day and can be reached by boat from Vigo.

Capilla de la Virgen del Carmen

The Chapel of the Virgen del Carmen is located in the immediate vicinity of the Vao Beach, in the Parish of Coruxo. It is a temple from the second half of the 20th century and in a neo-Gothic style.

The temple, ornamented with seaworthy motifs, shows a pointed façade and at the top of its tower, you can see an image of the Carmen Virgin, patron of all sailors.

Isla Toralla

Toralla Island is a small island located opposite the Vao beach. The island is famous for the bridge that connects it to the beach and the huge block of apartments built in the mid-20th century, on an old Castro.

The island has an area of 11 hectares and on it resides 135 people. It is private, although thanks to coastal laws, today you can access Toralla Beach, divided into two.

Vigo

Vigo is the largest city in Galicia. The Municipality has an area of slightly more than 100 square kilometres and with a population of almost 300,000 inhabitants.

The city is famous in Spain for various reasons. One of them is its proximity to the Cies Islands, with beautiful white sandy beaches and breathtaking sunsets.

Another reason is that the city was immortalized by the writer Jules Verne in his famous novel ‘ Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea ‘. This is why in the port of the city you can visit a sculpture of the writer.

Vigo has also been the scene of several famous films, such as “Mondays in the Sun”, directed by Fernando León de Aranoa and starring Javier Bardem.

In addition to the above, the city has a rich urban heritage, both religious, as the Church of Santa Maria or Santiago, and civil, as the Teatro Garcia Barbon, the Pazo de Montecelo, or Casa Durán, and the Old City Hall, among many other buildings.

Porta do Sol

The Porta Do Sol Square is kilometre 0 in the city of Vigo, the link between the historic district and the Ensanche. In the square, we find the sculpture of The Siren, which represents the Union of man with the sea, and the “Dinoseto”, a dinosaur-shaped plant sculpture.

Iglesia de Santa María

The Church of Santa Maria is located in the old part of the city of Vigo and is known as The Collegiate. The temple dates back to the Middle Ages, although in the 19th century the original church was demolished and the temple that we can see today was built in neoclassical style.

This is the most popular temple in the city. It has a basilica plant and its structure is made up of three naves covered with barrel vaults and separated by 12 Doric columns. It has a baroque-style tower and its simple façade features a sundial.

In the interior, the image of the Victorious Christ, which according to the count, favoured the city in the War of Independence. A series of chapels are located on the sides of the temple.

Practical Information

Opening Hours: Open every day. From Monday to Sunday (from 9:00 to 13:30 and from 18:00 to 20:30).

Admission: Free.

Iglesia de Santiago

The Church of Santiago is located in a central avenue in Vigo, Garcia Barbon. The temple dates from the 19th century and is the work of the architect Manuel Felipe Quintana. The Church is of medieval ethyl, although its main façade looks like a neo-Gothic style.

The temple floor plan is made up of three naves without crosses. The chancel has a polygonal apse, in which three windows are located.

Pazo de Montecelo

The Pazo de Montecelo, also known as Casa Durán, is located on Avenida García Barbon de Vigo. Its construction dates back to 1850, although it has undergone subsequent repairs.

The building combines baroque and medieval styles. It is built in blockwork granite and is distributed on two floors. In one of its sides, tower battlements are situated.

The property is classified as an asset of Cultural Property and is currently occupied by a law firm.

Antiguo Ayuntamiento de Vigo

The Old City Hall of Vigo, or Town Hall, is located in Constitution Square. The building dates back to 1859 and is the work of the architect José María Ortiz y Sánchez. The property presents an eclectic style, incorporating classist elements.

The construction consists of three floors, with three spans each and a symmetrical composition. The difference between one floor and another is in its decoration. Nowadays the building houses the Casa Gallega de la Cultura.

Teatro García Barbón

he García Barbon Theatre is one of the most emblematic buildings in Vigo. It was projected at the end of the 19th century by the architect Antonio Palacios and is in an eclectic style. The exterior of the building stands out for its white granite stonework.