Portuguese Coastal Way: Stage 2
Camino Portugues Along The Coast
On foot
13 stages
Information
About this stage
This stage will take us to Póvoa de Varzim, where we will see why it is so popular due to its beaches and typical dishes. Before arriving to this location we will cross among different places such as Castro de Sampaio, a place that holds the ruins of an old village from the Iron Age. Also, the Bird Sanctuary of Mindelo or even the church of Santa María de Azurara, original of the 16th Century and close to the Ave river.
On our way towards the end of the stage we will cross Vila do Conde, a city with a great cultural heritage represented by its aqueduct, its main church and San Juan fortress.
Once at Póvoa de Varzim we will see the beauty of this town: we will need to take a tour to appreciate all its monuments and heritage.
Recommendation Pilgrim
This stage will take place mainly through wooden walkways next to the sea, so every now and then you may feel like walking on the sand or even, if the weather is nice, to have a bath in the Portuguese coast.
Distance and elevation
Stage profile
Route
Itinerary
Km 0.0 ‧ Labruge
We will have to return to the beach to resume the path. The path continues along wooden walkways between beaches, rocky hills and dune areas, in a very beautiful landscape. One of the first beaches is Sampaio, where an Iron Age settlement was discovered. We soon reach the multicoloured fishermen’s houses of Vila Chã; in a square next to the beach we see an original glazed chapel with an image of the Senhora da Guia inside.
Km 3.4 ‧ Vila Chã
We cross the town, which has a couple of cafés, restaurants and some shops. Then, along Marginal Avenue, we enter the Louçá neighbourhood.
Km 4.5 ‧ Louçá-Mindelo
We alternate between various neighbourhoods of houses and flat blocks with sections of footbridges. This brings us to Mindelo beach, where the walkways lead us behind the dunes. We continue straight ahead, bordering the Mindelo Ornithological Reserve. After the flat blocks on Árvore beach, with the view of Vila do Conde in the background, we return to the walkways. We continue along the beach parallel to the fence of the Árvore campsite; just at the end of the campsite we head inland, passing by a block of flats where we see the Azurara Surf School (with road signs). We turn left along a concrete pavement painted yellow, next to a wooden slatted lane, until an arrow turns us to the right onto a cobbled track; we cross a small bridge over an estuary and take Rua Francisco Gonçalves Monteiró to the left, until we reach a small road (Rua da Junqueira) that takes us to Azurara. Here this route joins the “historical route” coming from Padrão da Légua and the airport. When you reach the N13 road, turn left and cross the bridge over the river Ave on the same pavement. On the other side we see the convent of Santa Clara. After crossing the bridge we enter Vila do Conde; the road continues on the left hand side, parallel to the river, until we reach Praça da República. From Praça da República the arrows lead us to the old part of the town, along Rua do Lidador to the Paços do Conselho (Town Hall) and in front of the church. You can get your credential stamped at the tourist offices, at the Conselho (Town Hall) or at the pilgrims’ hostel. Be careful, because from Vila do Conde they have also marked inland arrows that lead to São Pedro de Rates, a town on the Central Portuguese Way, which would take us away from the route along the coast.
Km 10.7 ‧ Vila de Conde
We continue uphill along the narrow Rua da Igreja and turn right along Rua da Costa, walking up to Rua dos Benguiados, where we reach a roundabout. We continue straight on along Rua dos Benguiados itself, along the fence of an institute and a school, and continue along Rua da Estrada Velha and Rua das Violetas, passing by the cemetery of Caxinhas. Along Rua dos Ferreiros we enter the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim. We continue straight on towards Praça do Almada. We are in the centre of the town, where we have the town hall and, very close by, the metro station. Nearby are the tourist information office, the market and the main shopping streets, including the pedestrianised Rua da Junqueira, along which the route of the road continues.
Km 14.0 ‧ Póvoa de Varzim
Localities
Towns
Labruge
Province: Porto
Póvoa de Varzim
Province: Porto
