Picked by our team
Towns worth discovering along the Camino de Santiago, chosen by our team. Open one to see its history and sights, and where to stay.
24 towns on the Caminho Português Central do Sul
View on the mapAlcácer do Sal changed sides: in 997 Almansor's infantry boarded ships here for the march on Compostela, and in 1217 the castle on the Sado became the seat of the Order of Santiago. After the longest stage of the whole Way, you will find a castle crypt, a church of Santiago with 14 azulejo panels and a stamp at the Turismo.
Caminho Português Central do SulAldeia dos Chãos is where you breathe out: the first village after 20.2 kilometres from São Domingos, almost all of them without any services. It has no sights that we can verify, but it does have a main street to rest on. After that it's only 3.9 kilometres to Santiago do Cacém.
Caminho Português Central do SulAlmodôvar is the place of the first letters: in the Museu da Escrita do Sudoeste stand gravestones bearing the oldest script of the Iberian Peninsula, about 2,500 years old and still undeciphered. For pilgrims, after 101 km the white little town is the first town in the Alentejo, with everything you need. Only a pilgrim albergue is missing.
Caminho Português Central do SulAmeixial is the summit of the route: a village in the Serra do Caldeirão, 65.7 km beyond Faro, where the Camino Ninja track reaches its highest point. Beyond it, at the Vascão, the Alentejo begins. The Junta has a simple albergue for pilgrims, and it is 35.3 km to Almodôvar with almost no supplies on the way.
Caminho Português Central do SulBarrosinha is a village built by a farming estate: founded in 1947 for rice, wine, cork and cattle, with a school, workers' houses, two chapels and two old rice mills. For you it is the last break after 30.6 km from Grândola, before the final 3.2 km to Alcácer do Sal.
Caminho Português Central do SulBenavente sits on alluvial land: on the Sorraia, between rice fields and bull pastures, the stage from Santo Estêvão ends after 26.2 kilometres across the Lezíria. In 1909 an earthquake flattened the old town, and the town moved east. There is no pilgrim hostel, and the end of the Way is only 25.4 kilometres away.
Caminho Português Central do SulCastro Verde is where Portugal celebrates St James's Day: the Battle of Ourique on 25 July 1139 is seen as the birth of the kingdom, and in the Basílica Real azulejos tell the story of it and of the apostle's life. All around lies the Campo Branco, wide, shadeless and home to the great bustard.
Caminho Português Central do SulCaminho Central Via AtlanticoFaro is the beginning at the very bottom: the Camino de Faro starts at the cathedral of the Algarve's capital, and just under 980 kilometres lie ahead of you to Santiago. There is no pilgrim hostel and no credencial here. Pause briefly before you set off, as the bone chapel of the Carmo asks you to.
Caminho Português Central do SulFazendas das Figueiras is the bed after the longest day: 33.6 km beyond Vendas Novas, just after Branca, the Charneca of Coruche begins, with estates, fences and cork oaks. There is little to see, and a few private rooms to sleep in. Tomorrow it is only 16.7 km to Santo Estêvão.
Caminho Português Central do SulTop rated
The stays pilgrims rate highest right now, across every Camino.
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