The science of pilgrimage along the Camino Way: Portugal and Spain

6 September 2025 - 9 days for £3,899

Why would a rational science magazine delve into a religious practice? Because pilgrimages transcend mere spirituality. They offer profound benefits: calming the mind, embracing a slower pace, challenging the body, and fostering connections with places and like-minded individuals. Science, at its core, is about discovery and understanding of both ourselves and the universe.

Imagine embarking on a pilgrimage that marries scientific exploration with an age-old tradition. You'll delve into the biomechanics, physiology, and psychology of such a journey while soaking in the stunning landscapes of northern Portugal and Spain. Starting in the charming city of Porto and concluding in the historic Santiago de Compostela, this adventure promises enriching talks and immersive activities, accompanied by New Scientist writer Linda Rodriguez-Mcrobbie.

Embarking on this incredible journey is not just about the destination, but also about the proof of your remarkable achievement. As we traverse over 100 kilometres to the historic Santiago de Compostela, you'll earn the prestigious Camino Compostela certificate on the final day. Upon your arrival in Porto, you'll receive a Pilgrim Passport. This special document will be your companion along your pilgrimage, and you'll need to collect at least two stamps daily from churches, town halls, and other official establishments along our route to show proof of the journey you have undertaken. When we finally reach Santiago de Compostela, your tour leader will coordinate with local officials to present you with a certificate celebrating your accomplishment. This beautiful memento will be a cherished reminder of your unforgettable pilgrimage.

Your journey begins in picturesque Porto, winding along Portugal's rugged coastlines and through the coastal towns of Vigo, Cesantes, and Pontevedra. Then, you'll head inland, traversing rolling hills to reach Santiago de Compostela. Because this tour traverses through the beautiful rural areas of Portugal and Spain, where dinner is included it will always be at the accommodation. A traditional 'pilgrim dinner' is common and is part of the pilgrimage experience. It usually consists of a choice of starter, main and desert from a set menu using delicious local produce.

This fully supported walk ensures your comfort, with luggage transfers to each hotel, allowing you to focus on the experience and the discoveries that await. It has been designed for you to walk at your own pace. You can choose to walk with the group or in your own world. The route is very well signposted, there will be designated meet up points every 90 minutes, and there will be three members of staff accompanying you to ensure no one is left behind.

In partnership with Intrepid Travel. 

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN PORTO 

Your tour begins in the beautiful city of Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. With winding cobblestone streets set against the banks of the Douro River, the city gives its name not only to the country of Portugal but the famous fortified wine, port.  

In the evening at the hotel, meet your fellow guests, tour leader and accompanying expert Linda Rodriguez-Mcrobbie, who will give an introductory lecture on the journey ahead. You'll also receive your Pilgrim Passport in which you are invited to collect at least 2 stamps per day of your pilgrimage from churches and town halls along the route. On arrival into Santiago de Compostela, this will be used to apply for your Camino Compostela certificate if you wish.

Afterward, you will head out to enjoy dinner together. 

DAY 2: PORTO CITY TOUR, LABRUGE TO VILA DO CONDE COASTAL WALK (12 kilometres– 2-3 hours) 

This morning, head out into the city on a guided walking tour admiring the twisting alleyways, crisscrossing staircases and baroque churches. Visit Porto City Hall, a neoclassical building set at the top of the Avenida dos Aliados, and Torre dos Clérigos, a genuine baroque masterpiece dating from the mid-18th century before ending up in the enigmatic Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage neighbourhood.

Travel 25 kilometres north by road to the coastal town of Labruge for the first section of the pilgrimage to Vila do Conde, totalling 12 kilometres (2-3 hours). As you start your journey, there will be opportunities to go wild swimming in the beautiful seas of the Atlantic Ocean. There are many proven benefits to swimming including enhanced mental health through the release of mood-enhancing endorphins, improvements to cardiovascular health, aiding in sleep and improved metabolism through exposure to cold water.

You will stop for lunch half-way and continue your walk through to Vila do Conde, arriving late afternoon. After an active day, you will transfer to your hotel in Vigo, Spain where you will stay for the next two nights. Enjoy dinner together in this coastal city.

In the evenings throughout this event, Linda will be giving short and highly informative talks on the science of pilgrimage, including topics such as:  

• History of pilgrimage 
• Science of pilgrimage (mental) 
• Science of pilgrimage (physical) 
• Religious influence on science 
• Science of awe, transcendence, and the sublime 

DAY 3: VIGO TO CESANTES, STARGAZING AT SEA (21 kilometres – 4-5 hours) 

After breakfast, you will pick the pilgrimage trail back up as you walk 21 kilometres to Cesantes. 

As you continue your walk, the rugged coastlines of Galicia come to the fore. The beauty of embarking on a pilgrimage lies in the removal of the normal structures of everyday life. With a group of like-minded travellers, you will learn from insightful talks how the temporary release from day-to-day routine can result in a period of transformation and the mechanisms behind this.

You will stop for lunch at your own leisure, before continuing the walk to Cesantes. 

After a light tapas dinner, embark on an exclusive yacht cruise to the Cíes Islands, an archipelago part of the UNESCO-recognised Atlantic Island of Galicia National Park. Together with a professional astronomer you will take part in guided stargazing. The islands are recognised as a ‘Starlight Destination’ for their minimal light pollution, and unique location. Learn about our place in the cosmos as you wonder at the celestial phenomena of the night sky.  

DAY 4: CESANTES TO PONTEVEDRA (17 kilometres – 4-5 hours) 

After a relaxed breakfast, it’s time to strap on your walking shoes as you transfer to the next part of the trail which takes you from Cesantes to Pontevedra. This portion of the walk is 17 kilometres with some beautiful hills and you will be walking for around 4-5 hours. 

Lunch will be at your own leisure at one of the cafes or restaurants en route. 

Before dinner, a lyric soprano with extensive international choral and soloist experience, will lead a singing session for the group. Here you will understand the physical mechanisms that allow us to sing and develop a deeper understanding of the social connection one gets from participating as a group, as well as the physical and mental benefits of singing which are well-documented.  

After working up your appetite with all that singing, dinner will be served at the hotel.  

DAY 5: PONTEVEDRA TO CALDAS DE REIS (21 kilometres – 5-6 hours) 

This morning after breakfast you will head out to explore the beautiful city of Pontevedra. Walk through its historic centre, stroll through its most emblematic streets and squares, and discover through them its history, culture and charming character. Afterwards, it’s time to start the next stage from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis, a 21 kilometres trek lasting roughly 5-6 hours. 

The route leaves Pontevedra alongside a large wetland known as A Xunqueira de Alba. You’ll continue along eventually coming to the leafy woods of Reirís and Lombo da Maceira. As you approach your final destination for the day, the path alternates between short sections of trail, dirt tracks and paved paths until you finally reach the spa town of Caldas de Reis. Spring waters have been part of the history of this town since Roman times, when it was known as Aquis Celenis. With a long history as a spa town, there is still evidence today with a public fountain with two spouts, built by the town council in 1881, pouring water with a temperature of around 50 ºC.

You will transfer back to Pontevedra via a local vineyard where you will enjoy a tour and a tasting.

Dinner will be at your own leisure in Pontevedra. We would recommend heading out to the old quarter where the architecture of medieval, modern and contemporary styles coexist for a beautiful setting. 

DAY 6: CALDAS DE REIS TO PADRÓN (19 kilometres – 4-5 hours) 

After breakfast, you will make the short drive back to Caldas de Reis and walk 19 kilometres (4-5 hours) to Padrón. Along the way you will pass Monte Castelo, dense woods washed by the waters of the Valga River, cross much-changed Roman bridges, and witness spectacular views of the Ulla River valley. 

Dinner is included.  

DAY 7: PADRÓN TO MILLADOIRO (17 kilometres – 4-5 hours) 

Today you will take part in the practice of yoga. Originating in India, yoga has elements of physical, mental and spiritual exercise. After a gentle warm up, you will be introduced by your professional instructor to basic postures and breathing techniques. Yoga is intended to ground you, to allow you the time check in with yourself from all possible perspectives. You’re on day 7, how are your feet feeling? Have you learned anything on the trail so far? Has anything surprised you?

Time to get back on the trail! This section will take you from Padrón to Milladoiro and is your penultimate day of walking. You’ll journey through the Sar Valley and pass by the burial place of renowned Spanish author and Nobel Prize winner for Literature Camilo José Cela. The 17-kilometre section ends at Milladoiro where pilgrims were “humiliated” or knelt when they saw the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela for the first time in the distance.

Transfer back to Padrón where you can enjoy dinner at your own leisure. 

DAY 8: MILLADOIRO TO YOUR FINAL DESTINATION SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (9 kilometres – 2-3 hours) 

This morning, you will be introduced to the basics of meditation, focusing on relaxation, awareness and mindfulness. Various studies have shown how meditation reduces symptoms of stress and blood pressure.

Afterwards, transfer to Milladoiro to walk the final 9-kilometre section (2–3-hours) of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Follow the course of the Sar River which takes you into the city and to the magnificent cathedral which dominates the landscape.

If you wish to apply for your Camino Compostela certificate then now is the time to do it! Having collected the necessary stamps over the previous 7 days, the certificate is an official religious document confirming you have completed your pilgrimage. For the religiously minded, this might help you enter the pearly gates; for others, it is a lovely memento of a hard-earned achievement. 

Spend the afternoon exploring the city and having a well-earned rest. With its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings, the Old Town of Santiago is one of the world's most beautiful urban areas. The oldest monuments are grouped together around the tomb of St James and the cathedral.

In the evening, after successfully completely your pilgrimage together there will be a final farewell dinner as a group to celebrate your accomplishment and hear closing comments from Linda.  

DAY 9: DEPART SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA 

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight. However, if you wish to spend some additional days in Santiago De Compostela, we can extend your stay.