Day 1: Porto to Vila do Conde - Saturday, September 24, 2011

Church in Vila do Conde


We followed Brierley's advice and took the Metro to Mercado and started walking at 8:00am. First lesson, if you are buying two tickets for the Metro from a machine, you buy one and then the other one. If you ask for two tickets you receive one ticket for two journeys for one person. We had that explained to us ("for the next time'') by a ticket inspector.

At Mercado the Metro stops at the steps to the bridge over the harbour. Coming off the bridge we continued straight for a short distance to a roundabout and there turned left down Rua de Hintze Ribeiro to the sea. For the next 15-16 km we were able to walk beside the sea on either promenade or boardwalk. We ventured on to the sand once and found it difficult.

We had to use the sand briefly just short of Castro Sao Paio - the yellow arrows were very reassuring here. After S. Paio it was back to the board walk and in the next village we must have 
Staying close to the coast
missed an arrow. We had to go back to the beach for a short distance before climbing stairs to a car park. Not liking the look of the next beach without a boardwalk we turned inland for about 150 metres and found another arrow. We appeared to be in Vila Cha at that stage.

Following the arrows we again reached the sea at Bairro da Louca where we stopped for a long leisurely lunch at Dunas Restaurant. Head for the bar and not the restaurant as there seems to be a huge difference in price.

Brierley suggests a long walk along the beach from here. We chose to follow the arrows which took us away from the sea. They eventually took us on to a dirt track which seemed to go on forever. Shortly after joining the dirt track we came to a Y-fork without an arrow - bear right.

The arrows did their job and we arrived at the Estrogen do Brazao hotel, in Vila do Conde, at 4:30pm. The hotel, which I recommend, has a stamp for your credenciale, the beautiful old church nearby, where we attended Saturday evening Mass, does not.

We picked up our credencial at the Cathedral in Porto yesterday - perfectly straight forward. Desk to the right just inside the main entrance. About 12 others signed in ahead of us on the same day. We failed to see any other pilgrim today.

By the way the weather was perfect for walking. Cloud or hazy sunshine, light breeze, temperature about 18C.  Liam


Catering for the coastal walker

Entering Vila do Conde

End of day review

Next: Our Day 2 - Vila do Conde to Pedra Furada


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