Walk the Coastal Camino Way & Beyond in Baiona, Galicia

The Coastal Camino Way is the third most frequent pilgrimage way of Saint James with 52,746 pilgrims during 2023, an increase of 75% compared to 2022. The total amount of pilgrims that walked the Camino de Santiago in 2023 was a record-breaking 446,035 pilgrims. During our virtual live-streaming camino walk we will follow part of the Portuguese Coastal Way coming into the noble seaside village of Baiona, Galicia, Spain. I will be accompanied by my good friend Mark Auchincloss a camino expert who has walked the way many times. A wealth of knowledge about the pilgrimage way and in fact, he lived in Baiona for many years. As we walk (virtually), we will chat about what it is like to walk the pilgrimage way of Saint James, and we will go beyond the Camino trail to show you some must-see sights when visiting Baiona...

We will start our live-streaming tour from the Virxe da Roca (Virgin or Lady of the Rock), an iconic statue in Baiona inaugurated in 1930 that offers its visitors a breathtaking panoramic view of the town. Located at the top of Monte de San Roque hill, reaching an elevation of 100 meters above sea level. Inside this magnificent granite stone monument built by Antonio Palacios, there is a spiral staircase that leads to a viewpoint within the boat that the Virgin is holding. From there, you can admire a spectacular landscape with the majestic Monterreal Fortress taking center stage against a backdrop of beauty. There is a popular festival held here every year, the Romeria de la Virgen de la Roca (Pilgrimage of the Virgin of the Rock) on the last Sunday of August in honor of the Virgin of the Rock in Baiona. During the celebration, you will see a Galician folk dancing contest, dancing and singing by Galician folk groups, and a dancing performance by fishermen, the ancient Sword Dance. 

This Romanic Ex-Collegiate church built in the 13th century, is known for being one of the most important religious temples to visit in Baiona. Its beautiful Romanesque rose window and its breathtaking main façade stand out. We will take a peek inside walking through like the pilgrims do on their way through Baiona. Continuing through the old quarter of Baiona we will show you the cobblestone granite streets with many markers of the way to keep you on track following along the right path! The distance from Baiona to Santiago de Compostela is just over 120km/75mi approx., so it is enough for you to get the Compostela at the end of the way in the Pilgrims office in Santiago de Compostela. You must walk at least 100km/62mi to be able to get the official document La Compostela.