Explore Santiago & Valença in comfort and style on our private tour.
Wander the medieval streets of the 2 historic centers and savor the flavors of Galician cuisine.
An experienced guide will accompany you and ensure an unforgettable experience.
- History and legend of the "ways" of Saint James
- Explore Santiago de Compostela ( UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Discover Santiago's 11th cent. Cathedral
- Taste Galician cusine lunch in the historical
- Visit the fortress-city walls of Valença
Experience a day of authentic experiences full of history and tradition, heading to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela. We will share the ancient history of Santiago with you while we cross the region of Alto-Minho towards Spain.
Upon arrival at the historical center of Santiago , you will have time for personal discovery of the mythical 11th-century cathedral, where you can attend the famous "Pilgrim's Mass" (on festive days you can also witness the ritual of "Bota-Fumeiro"). Then it's time to taste the flavors of Galician cuisine in one of the typical restaurants in the old town. On the way back to Portugal, we will explore the frontier town of Valença where you will discover an 17th-century wall and relax to the taste of a fine regional tasting, paired with a traditional local delicacy and drink to match.
All this without haste, at your own pace, and accompanied by experienced guide who will make this day an unforgettable memory to share with your family and friends.
1) Meet your guide at your accommodation
Your private guide will meet you at your accommodation, to start your private experience (All inclusive) along the pilgrim paths from Alto-Minho to Santiago de Compostela.
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2) Learn the history and legend of the "caminos" of St. James on a scenic route between Portugal and Spain
From the starting point up to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela, you will have the opportunity to discover the morphology and different landscapes of Minho, Alto-Minho and then cross the Portuguese-Spanish border.
While you enjoy this panoramic discovery, we will share the stories, legends and historical-cultural characteristics of Santiago with you and the world famous "Camiños de Santiago" that have taken pilgrims to one of the largest pilgrimage centers in the world for centuries.
This experience includes:
-Panoramic route through the landscapes of Alto Minho
-Border crossing between Portugal and Spain
-Panoramic route through the landscapes of Vigo and Pontevedra
- Historical-cultural contextualization of the legends, myths and influence of Santiago in the world
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3) Explore Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO city famous for its history, stunning architecture, and religious legacy
After a panoramic discovery of the fraternal Iberian regions of Alto-Minho and Galicia, you will be able to explore the Historical Centre of this holy city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Get ready for a true journey in time, walking through the medieval streets and monumental squares surrounded by the local traditional stores and taberns, all of them leading us to Praza do Obradoiro, where the pilgrim's emotionally celebrate the arrival of the "caminos" final checkpoint, just in front of the iconic Cathedral.
This experience includes:
- Free time to explore Santiago de Compostela Historical Centre
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4) Visit the impressive Cathedral of Santiago, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world
This one of the oldest and most beautiful cathedrals in the world and it bears a unique energy which was brought and left here by millions of pilgrims throughout centuries until today.
Witness the Pilgrims' Mass and the "Botafumeiro" Ritual, (when available), and explore the square's surrounding historical buildings such as the Hostal Parador dos Reis Católicos and the Pazo de Raxoi and enjoy a moment of free-time in order to capture and enjoy all of this mythical environment.
This experience includes:
- Free time to explore the Cathedral and surrounding squares
- Time and opportunity to attend Pilgrim's Mass
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5) Savor the flavors of Galician cuisine in a typical restaurant in the historical center
One can only truly grasp a foreign people's culture, when tasting their food and drinking their wines! And that's why, thinking about maximizing your experience of discovery of Galician people and legacy, we invite you to immerse in a pure typical restaurant in the old town, to have a regional lunch paired with local wines.
This experience includes:
- Regional lunch, with presentation of wine at every moment of the meal:
- Appetizer, Main course (option: fish / meat / vegetarian), Dessert, Coffee
- Other drinks included (water, juice and/or soda)
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6) Discover the historical center of Valença, famous for its 17th-century walls
With renewed energy, still watching the lands of Galicia on the other side of the river, we will discover the 17th century fortified city of Valença do Minho, a jewel of bastioned military architecture, with 5 km of wall, whose interior seems untouched by time.
We will stroll through the houses, the military buildings, the churches, always with incredible panoramic views over the Minho river and the old metallic bridge that overlooks the medieval Spanish city of Tui.
This experience includes:
- Guided visit of the fortress of Valença do Minho
- Photo-stop moment
- Free time
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7) Enjoy a Chill & Wine moment in a unique setting
After exploring the charming city of Valença do Minho, indulge in a wine tasting paired with regional products. Savor the authentic flavors of the local wines and products and take a moment to unwind and relax.
This experience includes:
Local wine tasting, paired with regional products.
Moment of free time.
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8) Return to your accommodation
It is time to return, relaxed, to your accommodation. While doing so, you'll be able to recall the day's memories, photos and videos of the memorable moments spent in our company and share them with your group of friends and family.
Thank you for your preference.
We hope to see you soon!
- Pick-up and drop-off at your place of accommodation
- Private transportation in comfortable panoramic tourism vans
- Certified private tour guide
- Portuguese-Spanish border crossing
- Stop for photostop in San Simón
- Accompaniment to the Historical Centre of Santiago Compostela
- Regional lunch in the historical centre (drinks included)
- Visit of a medieval border town
- Regional tasting harmonised with local products
- Insurance and taxes
- Expenses related with products or services not mentioned in the "included" section of the program
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Gratuities of any kind
Start Location: Porto, Portugal
- Infant seats available
Audio : French, Portuguese, English, Spanish
- Diet: If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, let the guide know to make the arrangements
- Mobility restrictions: If you have any conditions, please inform us so that we can guarantee the best possible experience
- Customization: We adapt the experience to your preferences. Contact us to adjust the programs to provide you with a tailor-made experience
- Items to bring: Camera, water, comfortable walking shoes, personal essentials for the day.
- Tour info: Time & meeting point confirmed pre-arrival. Arrive 15 mins early at designated spot.
- Clothing: Check weather. Rain gear, sunscreen, warm layers might be needed based on season.
Cancellation Cutoff: 24 hours
Cancellation Notes: Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Group of 1 person
1 person | RETAIL PRICE |
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Adult (12 - 99 years) | €400.00 |
- Oficinas Paxonal, Rúa do Restollal, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- centro histórico Santiago de compostela, Rúa do Vilar, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Ponte Internacional Valença-Tui, Tui, Portugal
- Muralha Valença, Travessa da Secretaria Militar, Valença, Portugal
- Universidad, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, Praza do Obradoiro, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Pazo de Raxoi, Praza do Obradoiro, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Fortaleza Valença, Rua dos Inválidos, Valença, Portugal
- Obradoiro, Sarria, Spain
- Portas do Sol, Rua Doutor Ilidio do Vale, Valença, Portugal
- Museum of Pilgrimage, Praza das Praterías, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Cancellations & Refunds
Flexible and Family-friendly Policy
In case the reservation is rescheduled to a later date, the amount already paid is guaranteed but also the rescheduling of the reservation will not have any additional cost.
In case of cancellations made up to 24 hours before the starting time of the Van Tour, a refund of 100% of the amount paid is guaranteed.
In case of no-show or cancellation made less than 24 hours before the starting time of the Van Tour, there will be no refund.
Your Tours Portugal – Tour Operator
Your Tours Portugal is a company specialised in the design of private tours, guided tours and self-guided tours, personalised and tailor-made programs, as well as other Cultural Touring activities in Portugal and is legally registered with charter and certification by the Tourism of Portugal as Tourism Animation Agent RNAAT 347/2016 and as Tourism Operator with the registration RNAVT 9902. This certification can be consulted at any time at Turismo de Portugal or directly on the RNT platform (National Tourism Register). We invite you to check our quality and standards, through customer feedback on various platforms for travel recommendations, such as Tripadvisor or yourtours.com.
Clean & Safe | Safe Travels Protocols
Your Tours Portugal guarantees the best conditions of comfort and safety required and holds the Clean & Safe Certification Seals (Touristic Animation), Clean & Safe (Guides-Interpreters) and also the Safe Travels Seal - WTTC, result of the company and its team's investment on specific trainings. The partners of Your Tours Portugal follow the hygiene and prevention standards required in the services provided, working, the first one, only with partners that comply with the recommendations and mandatory requirements of their respective sector.
Insurances
All tours, packages and services of Your Tours Portugal, as well as its clients and collaborators, are fully covered by the mandatory insurance required by law for this activity, including (but not limited to):
Liability Insurance, Vehicle Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Workers Accident Insurance.
Other notes/information
Your Tours Portugal is not responsible for the change of routes, delays and/or the non execution of the natural sequence of the tours, packages or any services acquired from the company, for reasons beyond its control (adverse weather conditions, accidents, ongoing works on the roads, among others).
Your Tours Portugal will not be held responsible for speculative, false or fraudulent travel reservations made by the customer, for faults in the execution of the agreement attributable to the customer, for faults attributable to a third party not involved in the supply of the planned services, for faults that are unforeseeable and unavoidable and for situations due to force majeure.
Learn more at: https://yourtoursportugal.com/terms-and-conditions/
Not wheelchair accessible.
The tours are subject to local traffic, visit schedules and other external factors.
Specific nutritional or dietary food restrictions must be informed in advance.
Infant seats are available on request. Please advise in advance.
What is included in the Santiago de Compostela private tour?
The Private Tour of Santiago de Compostela includes the accompaniment of a specialized tour guide, you will learn about the history and culture of the historic center of Santiago de Compostela (UNESCO World Heritage Site), you will have free time to visit the beautiful 11th century cathedral dedicated to Santiago de Compostela. Also included is a lunch with Galician gastronomic tasting, a visit to the Fortress of Valença and the city center and ends with a Chill & Wine moment in a unique setting.
Why is it better to take a Santiago de Compostela private tour with Your Tours Portugal compared to other operators?
Our private tours are tailored to your individual needs and interests, providing a more personalized and intimate experience. You have the flexibility to adapt the itinerary and pace of your tour, making it a more enjoyable and rewarding experience. It is a very complete tour, where our experienced guides have a solid knowledge of the region and its history, culture and traditions. They're dedicated to sharing the mysteries of the cities of Santiago de Compostela and Valença, ensuring an unforgettable experience and showing you the best that each city has to offer, at your individual pace. With years of experience and operation in Portugal, our long-standing personal relationship with local partners allows us to offer truly unique and authentic experiences that cannot be found anywhere else.
What should I bring for the tour?
You should bring comfortable clothing, appropriate for the weather and outdoor activities. A camera is also recommended for capturing the stunning landscapes and unique experiences throughout the tour.
Are there any restrictions for this tour?
This tour is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, but please let us know if you have any special needs or requirements. We recommend that you inform your tour-guide of any food allergies or dietary restrictions so that we can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.