The Coastal Portuguese Way in Galicia

Stretching 100 miles (162 km) to Santiago de Compostela, the Galician part of this route runs parallel to the Atlantic coast in an extraordinary fusion of art, landscapes, traditions, and hidden secrets.

Over the centuries, all sorts of ancestral beliefs and forms of religious devotion have been associated with this place. It is the site of one of Galicia's most popular romería pilgrimages in honor of the Virgin of St. Thecla, the patron saint of A Guarda.

Life in A Guarda revolves around its busy port: a sheltered haven offering a welcome respite from one of the wildest stretches of Galicia's Atlantic coast. The town's seafaring spirit is apparent wherever you look, from the Museum of the Sea to the bustling market. A Guarda also has several splendidly beautiful late-19th century Indian houses (casas indianas) built by locals returning from the Americas, fortresses, churches, and country houses known as pazos.

Its perilous location, right on the sea, resulted in the Cistercian monks becoming artillery experts who saw off cannon fire from a Turkish naval offensive in 1624. Looking at this peaceful corner of Galicia today, it is almost impossible to imagine its bellicose past!

The building's different architectural styles are easy to spot: the remarkable Baroque facade and bell tower, the Romanesque church, and the cloister, rebuilt in the Renaissance style during the 16th century.

The route leads to Cape Silleiro, from where the Vigo Estuary flows toward the historic town of Baiona. Baiona's small yet beautiful old town holds the status of a Site of Historic and Artistic Significance. A stroll through its narrow, cobbled streets, with their colonnaded buildings and tiny churches, is a delightful experience.

The imposing fortress of Monterreal is surrounded by a defensive wall that is just under two miles (three kilometers) long. It was built in the 11th century to protect the town from attacks by sea. It was rebuilt in the 17th century by the Count of Gondemar, and this restoration is what visitors see today. The building is now used as a luxury hotel.

Crossing the medieval bridge at A Ramallosa, pilgrims continue until they reach Nigrán. According to tradition, in the Middle Ages, St. Elmo himself ordered the building of the bridge to cross the estuary of the Miñor River, which is the area's main geographical feature.

The main stop-off point on this route is in Galicia's most densely populated city, and one of the largest urban areas along the routes of the Camino de Santiago in Spain: Vigo.

The name Vigo, which is very common in Galicia, captures the very essence of this city, as it is derived from the Latin word vicus, meaning inhabited village or place. Vigo is also known as the Olive City. This name comes from an olive tree planted in the atrium of the temple of Santa María (St. Mary) as a symbol of eternal life, by the monks of the Knights Templar.

Pilgrims leave behind the Ensenada de San Simón (St. Simon's Cove) and the island of the same name, known for its spectacular views of the sea and mountains, and shrouded in a magical light. Although the route continues along the coast as far as the city of Pontevedra, the Coastal Camino Portugués ends here, merging with the main Camino Portugués.