The route day by day
| Day | Stage | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Porto - Vigo | About 150 km, 2 h; evening in the centre and the port |
| 2 | Vigo - Cíes Islands - Vigo | Boat of about 40 min from Vigo, return between 5:30 and 6:50 pm according to one operator |
| 3 | Vigo - Santiago de Compostela | Drive of about 1 h; cathedral and old town |
| 4 | Santiago - Porto | Drive back of about 2.5 to 3 h; add a night in Santiago if you have time |
On 5 days, add a night in Santiago or a stop in a town on the Vigo ria. Driving times are orders of magnitude: check them in your navigation app on the day.
The Cíes Islands: the permit
The Cíes Islands are a national park. According to guides and operators read on 30 October 2026, a permit from the Xunta de Galicia is needed at Easter and from about 15 May to 15 September, with a cap of about 1,800 visitors a day; dates and procedure differ between sources and between years. It is usually requested when you book the boat. Check the Xunta's official site before booking. A tour ticket of about 5 hours was listed at 27 € per adult.
The car: border, tolls, time
There is no border control between Portugal and Spain, but tell your rental company: some ask for a permission or a fee to leave the country. Toll motorways exist on both sides; ask the company how the Portuguese electronic toll is billed. Mind the clock: Galicia is one hour ahead of Portugal. To choose the car, read renting a car at Porto airport. Without a car, Santiago from Porto works as a day trip. If you would rather walk, see the Camino Portugués. For the night before, see where to stay in Porto.
FAQ
How many days for Porto, Vigo and Santiago?
Four days is enough for the route above; five if you want to sleep in Santiago.
Do I need to book the Cíes in advance?
In high season yes: the permit is limited per day and usually goes through the boat company.
La rédaction Porto Authority, 30/10/2026.
