Discover Spain & Portugal by Rail

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11 Days Excluding Flights From

0 Days from

£ 3699

Culture

Activity Level

Moderate

Comfort Level

Classic

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group

Activity :

Culture

Group Size :

6 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

ASP

Explore the iconic sites of Madrid, Seville, Lisbon and Porto using the excellent train network

Rediscover the joy of train travel on an extra-special cultural adventure through Spain and Portugal. Using the excellent rail network, we explore the landmarks of Madrid, Seville, Lisbon and Porto. There’s also time to tour Faro and the university city of Coimbra and take a scenic boat ride along the Douro River. With the train seats prebooked and an expert tour leader managing the schedule, you only need to worry about soaking up the culture and sharing the adventure with your small group of like-minded travellers.

Highlights

Visit Spain and Portugal's greatest cities using the excellent train network
Get to the soul of Madrid, visiting areas normally missed by most tourists
Watch a flamenco show in Seville, the birthplace of the artform
Discover the landmarks of Lisbon by tram and metro
Visit Coimbra University, one of the oldest in Europe
Explore Porto and cruise along the Douro River

Key Information

Accommodation: 10 Classic nights (hotels)
Travel by train, coach and taxi
Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Countries visited: Portugal, Spain

What's Included

All breakfasts, one lunch
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations
Tourist tax (paid locally)

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

TRIP

ASP - Discover Spain & Portugal by Rail

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

Itinerary

Madrid Porto

Say hola to Madrid, where our adventure kicks off. The excitement starts with a welcoming briefing, before a walking tour of the capital, which visits highlights including the Plaza Mayor and Palacio Real.

In the evening, the group typically gathers for dinner. It’s a great chance to get to know each other better and quiz the tour leader on the local lingo and customs in a relaxed setting.

Accommodation: Hotel Gran Legazpi (or similar)

Explore the soul of the city on a three-hour tour, visiting areas we did not see yesterday, such as El Retiro Park (a World Heritage site home to 15,000 trees, monuments, and gardens) and neighbourhoods normally missed by most visitors, such as arty Chueca and trendy Malasaña.

The afternoon is free for independent exploration. For world-leading culture, consider visiting the Museo del Prado, Spain’s national art museum, or the Museo Reina Sofia, where you can see Picasso’s masterpiece, Guernica.

In the evening, the tour leader takes us hopping around the tapas bars, in which you can taste great food (purchased locally) and soak up the atmosphere as the madrileños do.

Accommodation: Hotel Gran Legazpi (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Take a taxi to the railway station and enjoy our first train ride of the trip, travelling 2hr 50min to Seville station.

After taking a taxi to the hotel and check-in, we explore the city. Walk through the Jewish Quarter with its narrow streets towards River Guadalquivir, where we can see the Triana district and Torre del Oro where gold-filled boats arrived from the American colonies during the Spanish empire.

This evening, we attend a flamenco show at Museo del Baile Flamenco – Seville is known as the birthplace of flamenco after all.

Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Giralda (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Venture into the capital of Andalucia today to visit the highlights, including the Royal Alcazar palace, one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim architecture and art in Spain. We also enter Seville Cathedral, the largest gothic church in the world. Finally, we head to Plaza de España in Parque de María Luisa. Built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition 1929, it displays a magnificent collection of architectural styles.

Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Giralda (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Bid adios to Spain and olá to Portugal, as we take a taxi to the coach station for our journey (2hr 35min) to Faro. After taking a taxi to the hotel, join our tour leader to enjoy an afternoon exploring the seafront promenade, a great spot for lunch, and walking along under the old city walls and around the beautiful old town (Cidade Vela).

Accommodation: Hotel Faro Boutique (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Take a taxi to the station to catch the train (3hr 15min) to Lisbon today, the trendy capital of Portugal. The hotel is a five-minute walk from the station. In the afternoon, we have a two-hour exploration of the Baixa district, home to old neighbourhoods, colourful architecture, old-fashioned trams, delicious food and a rich history.

Accommodation: Hotel Gat Rossio (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Discover the capital more today, making use of the tram and metro network. We see the magnificent Jeronimos Monastery (entrance not included and subject to availability) and sip coffee at the original pasteis de Belem factory, which was founded in 1837 and still follows a secret recipe from Jeronimos Monastery.

The afternoon has been left free for you to independently explore the city, where you can walk the streets of Barrio Alto or head to the Alfama District to see the castle and viewpoints over the Tagus river.

Accommodation: Hotel Gat Rossio (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

It’s back on the rails today as we travel (1hr 40min) to the riverfront city of Coimbra, once the capital of Portugal. On arrival, we take a taxi to the hotel before visiting Coimbra University; founded in 1290, it is one of the oldest universities in Europe and now a World Heritage site. We also visit the 18^th-century Biblioteca Joanina (entrance not included), which is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Coimbra (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Transferring to the railway station by taxi, we continue our adventure by taking a train (three hours) to Porto, our final destination. After a taxi transfer to the hotel for check-in, we have a walking tour of the city highlights, including the Clerigos Tower and Aliados Square. We then enjoy sunset at the popular Miradouro do Jardim do Morro, a scenic viewpoint overlooking the historic centre, Ribeira district and river.

Accommodation: Legendary Oporto (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Take the train (1hr 45min) to Regua, a journey alongside the Douro River. After, we board a boat for a scenic cruise along the waterway, admiring views of the terraced vineyard hills.

The six-hour journey includes lunch on board and a visit to the wine town of Pinhão. We then return to Regua where we catch the train back to Porto.

Accommodation: Legendary Oporto (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

The trip ends in Porto after breakfast. If you’d like a little more time to explore this fascinating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Luggage: We highly recommend you bring a backpack for your main luggage rather than a suitcase as we will be getting on and off trains and walking to and from the hotels.

Itinerary: Due to variable train schedules, your tour leader may have to amend the timings of some activities.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Hotel Gran Legazpi, P.º de la Chopera, 71, BAJO, Arganzuela, 28045 Madrid
Phone: +34 618 38 30 53
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Madrid Airport (MAD)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for those booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Madrid
Location end: Porto

Vaccinations and Health

Spain

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Portugal

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Visa

Spain

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Spain. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/spain
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/spain
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Spain.html

Portugal

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Portugal. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/portugal
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/portugal
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Portugal.html

Food & Drink

All breakfasts and one lunch are included.

Vegetarians: While a meat-and-fish diet is the norm in Spain, many vegetarians have not experienced any problems here. However, the choice of vegetarian and vegan meals may not be as extensive as you are used to.

Mealtimes in Spain and Portugal are later than in many other countries; dinner is usually taken between 9pm and 9.30pm.

Weather

Seasons are marked, with pleasant temperatures in the spring, summer and autumn. Heatwaves can hit between mid-June and September. In April and October, expect temperatures around 5C-25C (41F-77F). May, June and September are typically sunny and warm with temperatures of 10C-30C (50F-86F).

TRIP

ASP - Discover Spain & Portugal by Rail

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Locally owned hotels

We have chosen small, locally owned hotels for this adventure, which are generally well positioned for exploring the city. See the normal accommodations used on the day-to-day itinerary,