Saint James Day in Esposende

Esposende will mark Saint James Day on July 25 with a welcome for pilgrims on the Coastal Route and a gathering open to the public. The initiative is organized by the municipality in partnership with the Via Veteris Association, the Marinhas Parish Council, and the local branch of the Portuguese Red Cross.

During the day, a welcome station near the D. Luís Filipe Bridge in Fão will distribute products and souvenirs related to the Camino de Santiago. At 8:00 PM, the Albergue of São Miguel de Marinhas will host a gathering with refreshments and a queimada (traditional flaming punch), offering pilgrims and the local community an opportunity to share experiences.

The initiative is part of the Plano de Acção para a Sustentabilidade, Crescimento e Competitividade do Turismo em Esposende 2023-2027 (Action Plan for the Sustainability, Growth, and Competitiveness of Tourism in Esposende 2023-2027). As part of this plan, the municipality is strengthening local hospitality and positioning Esposende as an unmissable stop on the way to Santiago, with a direct impact on lodging, restaurants, and local businesses.

The municipality has been promoting initiatives to stress that pilgrims should use only certified and clearly marked routes. Certified through 2028, the Camino is marked in Esposende with signs, markers, and arrows along an itinerary rooted in the Via Veteris, traveled since the Middle Ages.

The Saint James Day celebration reinforces Esposende’s commitment to the Coastal Route, promoting it as a tourist and cultural asset while continuing to support the thousands of pilgrims who pass through the municipality. The initiative is part of the municipal strategy to consolidate Esposende as a significant stage along this route.