Normally, the walk from Lisbon to Santarém takes about three days and covers 90 kilometers. However, the first few days on any Camino tend to be the hardest as your body gets used to the physical demands of the trek. While that was a consideration, the main reason we decided to skip ahead a day was because of the wildfire smoke and heat. Even though the plumes were high, the smell of smoke filled the air, which meant there were particulates floating around. And honestly, I’d rather not be breathing in toxic air while hiking in the heat!

Instead, we took the opportunity to enjoy a rest day in Santarém and explore the town. It’s a lively place thanks to the polytechnic college, though the population is only around 30,000. We wandered around, ate some great food, checked off a few chores, and just enjoyed the rhythm of the day. It was a good, laid-back day.