Best time of year to walk the Camino Portugués - Variante Espiritual

When planning your walk along the Camino Portugués - Variante Espiritual, timing can make all the difference between a pleasant journey and a challenging one. The best time to start this route is: mid May to early July, or late August to early September. These periods offer a balance of comfortable temperatures, minimal rainfall, and stable weather conditions, making them ideal for a memorable Camino experience.

Why these months are ideal

Mid to late May and June

Late spring and early summer are some of the best times to walk this Camino. During these months:

Temperatures: The weather is pleasantly warm, perfect for long days of walking.
Rainfall: The rainy season is tapering off, and dry, sunny days become the norm.
Natural beauty: The countryside is lush and vibrant, with spring flowers adding to the scenery.

Early July

July marks the height of summer, offering bright, sunny conditions for your journey:

Temperatures: While the days are warmer, the heat remains manageable for most walkers.
Crowds: Early July is the start of the busier season, ideal if you enjoy a social atmosphere on the trail.

Late August and early September

As summer transitions into early autumn, late August and early September bring another perfect window for the Camino:

Temperatures: The heat of midsummer begins to ease, providing warm but comfortable conditions.
Rainfall: This period remains part of the dry season, with little chance of disruptive rain.
Seasonal charm: Early September, in particular, offers the beauty of late-summer landscapes, including ripening vineyards and fields ready for harvest.

Additional considerations

The Camino Portugués - Variante Espiritual is famous for its scenic detours, including serene river valleys and coastal stretches. The recommended months allow you to enjoy these highlights without the challenges of extreme weather. Additionally:

Heat and rain: By walking during these months, you minimize the risk of encountering extreme heat or heavy rain that can make the journey more demanding.
Trail conditions: The paths are generally in excellent condition during this time, with fewer muddy or waterlogged sections compared to wetter months.

Conclusion

Whether you’re drawn to the fresh greenery of spring or the golden tones of late summer, the months of mid to late May, June, early July, late August, and early September offer the perfect combination of pleasant weather and stunning scenery for your Camino Portugués - Variante Espiritual adventure.

Of course, while these recommendations provide a solid starting point, everyone's preferences and circumstances are unique. For example, if you prefer walking in the cooler morning hours to avoid midday heat, you might prioritize dates with drier conditions. On the other hand, if you are more accustomed to colder climates, you may choose to avoid hotter periods - even if it means encountering more rain. Our search tool allows you to customize your journey to align with your specific needs and preferences, ensuring the best possible experience on the Camino.

Furthermore, if your plan differs from walking the standard stages from Tui to Santiago de Compostela, then you can edit the Search Settings below accordingly.

How to find the best time of year to walk the Camino Portugués - Variante Espiritual

Limit the Average Daily High to below 25°C/77°F.
This ensures you won’t be walking in overly hot weather.
Limit the Average Daily High to above 15°C/59°F.
Similarly, this ensures you won’t be walking in cold weather.
Limit the Historical Record Daily High to below 35°C/95°F. (Advanced filters)
This might sound similar to the first step – but instead of looking at averages, it filters out extreme temperatures that don’t happen every year. In other words, you’re excluding those parts of the year when there might be a heat wave.
Limit the Historical Record Daily High to above 5°C/41°F. (Advanced filters)
Like the previous step, this applies to extremes instead of averages – but this time you’re excluding cold snaps.
Limit the Historical Record Daily Precipitation to below 10mm/0.39in. (Advanced filters)
This step excludes those times of year which might have storms or intense showers.
Limit the Average Daily Precipitation as much as possible.
If the previous steps haven’t narrowed down the search to 20%, you can further limit the dates by finding the overall driest periods.

Feel free to use this guide as a starting point to find the time of year that best suits your personal needs and preferences. By tailoring the filters to your specific situation, you can discover the perfect time of year for your Camino.

Below is our weather search tool, with the filters already set up according to this process.