You know, after a few rounds on the Camino, you start collecting favorite places like little souvenirs. For me, the Navarre region—from the rolling hills and vineyards near Pamplona all the way to Burgos—will always have my heart. Picture ancient churches with baroque flourishes that have been there for longer than some countries have existed, and that unbeatable Spanish climate.

We were surrounded by beautiful scenery

But as every pilgrim knows, the Camino is a mixed bag of charms and challenges. While the end of the French Way near Sarria can feel like a theme park of pilgrims—a bit too bustling and Bluetooth-speaker-laden for my taste—the Portuguese Way has its own quieter magic.

Josie having a silly moment with a street carving

So here’s the scoop. We dipped into Portugal, and honestly, it felt a bit less curated and friendly than Spain. Maybe that’s just the vibe shift we felt crossing the river back into Galicia. Suddenly, that Spanish charm kicked back in, and the uneasiness I felt at the end of the French Way near Sarria just wasn’t there.

They make a killer Cappuccino here

From Tui to Santiago, the Camino gets the balance just right. There are fewer people, enough to be friendly but not feel like you’re in a parade. No biker pelotons zooming by. And the scenery? Its filled with forests, coastal inlets, and those charming towns where real Spanish life hums along. Mass at 8 pm with the locals instead of a tourist-centric Mass? Yes, please.

Sure, there’s a bit more urban walking along the Portuguese coastal stretch, but take the little complementary detours they give you and you’ll get that countryside magic back. Overall, I’d say this leg of the journey is a solid nine out of ten. It’s become my strong second favorite after Navarre.

Little side trip to the home of Port Wine - Porto!

So there you have it. The Portuguese Way: a place where the charm sticks around, the bikers don’t, and every town still feels like a slice of real Spain. I’m already itching to go back and share it with fellow pilgrims.