When to Walk the Camino Portuguese : A Seasonal Guide

Seasons of Sun and Rain along the Atlantic

The Coastal Way of the Camino Portuguese is a maritime walking environment, heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic moderates the temperatures along the coast, providing a cooler and more temperate walking environment compared to the inland routes. Understanding these climate variations is crucial for pilgrims to prepare adequately and enjoy their journey. Of late, there have been changes in the climate patterns, that we experienced in our recent camino.

Spring along the Coastal Way, from March to May, brings a gradual warming trend with daytime temperatures typically ranging between 12°C and 18°C. However, we saw daytime temperatures soar to 25 C, with lots of sunshine. Just a week before there had been continuous torrential rain unlike the expected occasional rain showers. In spring the rain is meant to be brief and interspersed with periods of sunshine, allowing the coastal route to turn a lush green dotted with wild flowers.

Summer, from June to August, offers favorable weather conditions for the Coastal Way. With average temperatures hovering between 18°C and 25°C, the warm but not overly hot climate is ideal for long days of walking, provided you wear a hat, suitable clothes and drink a lot of water. The…