Camino Portuguese — Day Eleven — Pontevedra — Caldas de Reis 20 km • Secret land

On the eleventh day of my Camino Portuguese from Porto to Santiago de Compostela, I had to cover 22 km and reach the small town of Caldas de Reis.

After a delicious breakfast at Hotel Don Pepe, I set off on my way. To get back onto the Camino de Santiago, I had to cross a bridge Ponte do Burgo.

Along the way, I came across a charming sign for pilgrims on one of the houses.

Only 64 km remain until Santiago de Compostela

The route on the eleventh stage of the Camino Portuguese was easy.

At this point, the Camino de Santiago splits: to the right is the classic Camino Portuguese, and to the left – Spiritual Way.

Spiritual Way - to the left — Spiritual Way – to the left

Igrexa de Santa María de Alba

By the wall of the church, I found this monument

Cruceiro de Santa María de Alba and messages from pilgrims

There is also a message from Ukraine

Capela de San Caetano

The interior of the Capela de San Caetano. Unfortunately, the stamp here was broken.

I met some pilgrims walking with their dogs.

There were loads of pilgrims, and I kept having to pass people all the time.

The trail wound its way through the forest.

Only 51 km remain on the journey.

The trail led through vineyards, and the aroma was absolutely breathtaking.

A picturesque village surrounded by vineyards, with narrow roads winding between charming houses under a bright blue sky.

A scenic village nestled among vineyards

Igrexa de Santa María de Caldas de Reis

This is the Umia River, which flows near the town of Caldas de Reis.

A wooden statue of a pilgrim in Caldas de Reis.

I arrived in Caldas de Reis at 1:30 PM and set off to find my apartment. Initially, I was supposed to stay at Hotel Sena, but then it seemed to me that the hotel was too far from the town center and the Camino de Santiago route, so I canceled my reservation.

I found an apartment in the city center called Martínez Rooms Pilgrims. It took me some time to find the right building. As it turned out, it was a flat on the third floor of a residential building, divided into three separate rooms. I got a room with a private bathroom. It was a new experience for me, staying in a place like that.

Where can a pilgrim find a place to eat in Caldas de Reis?

Near the house where I was staying, there was a good gastrobar called O Encontro Gastrobar, where many pilgrims were having lunch and where you could also get a stamp. I had lunch there as well.

I ordered a Russian salad for €5 and a Spanish omelette for €8, as well as a beer.