Crossing the Minho River on the Portuguese Coastal Way: from Caminha to A Guarda
How to cross the Minho estuary from Caminha into Galicia when the ferry is not running — the local Taxi Boat, how to book it in advance, and what to expect on arrival in A Guarda.
Crossing the Minho: a small piece of logistics in a great moment of the Camino
If you are walking the Portuguese Coastal Way towards Santiago de Compostela, there is one moment every pilgrim eventually faces: arriving at the mouth of the Minho River.
After following the Portuguese coast with the Atlantic always nearby, you reach a natural border between two countries. On the other side of the river lies Galicia, and with it a new stage of your Camino.
But one question almost always comes up at this point: how do you cross from Caminha to A Guarda?
For many years the Caminha ferry (Santa Rita de Cássia) was the traditional way to cross the river. However, because of the nature of the Minho estuary, the tides and maintenance periods, it is not always available or predictable.
That is why many pilgrims now choose the local Taxi Boats, small vessels that regularly connect the two riverbanks.
The crossing takes only a few minutes and turns what could be a logistical headache into one of the most beautiful moments of the Camino: crossing an international border by boat, right where the river meets the ocean.
Booking ahead: less worry, more Camino
One of the difficulties of this crossing is that for a long time the Taxi Boats worked mostly through local contacts: phone numbers shared between pilgrims, notes in the albergues, or calls made on the day itself.
In high season this could mean waiting, hunting for an available skipper, or simply not knowing whether you would be able to cross when you needed to.
Today you can book your crossing online through Atlantor, securing your place before you even reach Caminha and continuing your Camino with peace of mind.
A special departure beside the mouth of the Minho
The operator available on Atlantor departs from the beach, a different spot from the traditional ferry pier.
As well as being closer to the natural landscape of the estuary and involving fewer detours from the Camino, it lets you begin this short crossing in a unique setting: Portugal on one side, Galicia on the other, with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop.
The trip to A Pasaxe, in A Guarda, takes around 8 minutes.
A crossing designed for pilgrims and travellers
Not every boat offers the same experience.
This operator runs one of the oldest Taxi Boat services in the Caminha area and has long experience navigating the Minho River.
The boat stands out for its comfort, with individual seats — an important advantage after several hours of walking. Instead of ending a tiring stage with an uncomfortable ride, you can make the crossing calmly.
The boat carries up to 9 passengers, making it a good solution for solo pilgrims, small groups, families and travellers.
Can I bring a bike or travel with children?
Yes. The crossing is prepared for different kinds of travellers:
Bicycles can be carried when booked in advance.
Children of all ages can travel accompanied.
Backpacks and Camino gear are welcome.
That makes the Taxi Boat a practical option both for those walking the Camino and for those riding it.
Arriving in A Guarda
You land at A Pasaxe, on the Galician bank of the Minho River.
A few minutes later you are already in Galicia, in A Guarda. Even though you cross an international border, this is a simple passage within the Schengen Area, without the usual external-border procedures. Just step aboard, enjoy the crossing and continue your Camino on the other side of the Minho.
From here you can carry on along the Portuguese Coastal Way or take the chance to explore A Guarda, a town known for its bond with the sea, its food and the famous Monte de Santa Trega.
The town centre is about 3 km from the arrival point.
Walking along the riverbank
If you want to avoid any transport, you can also follow the Minho riverbank up to Vila Nova de Cerveira and cross the international bridge there.
However, this option adds many kilometres to the route (around 30 km) and can turn a calm stage into a much longer day.
One of the most special moments of the Camino
Crossing the Minho River is far more than a simple link between two points.
It is the moment you leave Portugal and enter Galicia, crossing a natural border that has brought these two regions together for centuries.
With a small advance booking, you can simply arrive, step aboard and enjoy this unique moment of the Camino.
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