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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Highlights of Spain & Portugal

Spain and Portugal rail loop from Barcelona to Lisbon in 13 days

Illustration of Highlights of Spain & Portugal

Vacations By Rail's 13-day Highlights of Spain and Portugal is an independent journey that lets you explore the Iberian Peninsula at your own pace on a planned itinerary. The trip begins in Barcelona with guided tours of La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, then moves south by train to Granada for the UNESCO World Heritage Alhambra and Generalife Gardens. From there, you travel by AVE rail to Seville for a private flamenco dinner, and then to Madrid for a skip-the-line tour of the Royal Palace and a free day to visit museums or the optional Toledo. A flight carries you to Porto, where you board a Douro River cruise to a winery and then spend a full day exploring the terraced vineyards and wine estates of the Douro Valley. The journey concludes with a scenic three-hour train ride to Lisbon, where you attend a Fado performance with dinner and tour historic monuments including the Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower. Nights are spent in well-regarded hotels; most days include breakfast and some include lunch or dinner with cultural performances. This trip suits couples, history enthusiasts, and food-and-wine lovers who value both structure and freedom.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 3 involves a six-hour rail journey from Barcelona to Granada passing through Madrid, a long travel day.
  • Day 9 includes a flight from Madrid to Porto, not rail travel.
  • The itinerary includes free time (Day 8 in Madrid, afternoon of Day 11 in Lisbon), though many guided experiences are optional extras.
  • Arrival and departure flights to Barcelona and from Lisbon are not included in the from-price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Barcelona

    Arrive in Barcelona

    An English-speaking driver escorts you from the airport to your downtown Barcelona hotel. Later, meet your local guide for a private walking tour of the city's skyline, famous attractions, and coastline.

  2. Day 2overnight: Barcelona

    Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia

    Optional paella experience by the sea, then a tour of La Sagrada Familia with a local guide, followed by a visit to Park Güell in the Carmel Hill neighborhood to see Gaudi's structures.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Granada

    To Granada by Train

    A six-hour rail journey from Barcelona to Granada, passing through Madrid. Transfer to the hotel in Granada, set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains near the Alhambra.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Seville

    The Alhambra and Generalife Gardens

    Tour of the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife Gardens at the Alhambra. In the afternoon, transfer by train to Seville, about two and a half hours.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Seville

    Seville Sightseeing/Evening Flamenco Performance

    A half-day guided tour of Seville including the Real Alcazar and the Cathedral of Seville, with a climb up the Giralda bell tower. In the evening, an authentic flamenco performance with dinner on a private patio.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Madrid

    Seville to Madrid

    A train journey of under three hours from Seville to Madrid. Optional ham, cheese, and wine tasting excursion through Madrid's taverns and markets in the afternoon.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Madrid

    Madrid Highlights Featuring the Royal Palace

    A panoramic city tour by coach visiting Plaza Mayor, Puerta de Alcalá, Puerta del Sol, and Plaza de Cibeles, culminating in a skip-the-line tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid, including the Crown Room, Royal Chapel and Grand Staircase.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Madrid

    Madrid at Leisure

    A free day in Madrid to visit the Prado Museum, Mercado San Miguel, Retiro Park, or join an optional half- or full-day tour of Toledo including St. Tome Church, St. Maria La Blanca Synagogue, the Monastery of San Juan and (full-day) Toledo Cathedral with a tapas tasting.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: Porto

    Flight to Porto/River Cruise & Wine Tasting

    A direct flight from Madrid to Porto. Transfer to the hotel, then a Douro River cruise concluding at a riverside winery for a tasting.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10overnight: Porto

    Douro Valley

    A full-day exploration of the Douro Valley by bus and panoramic cruise, viewing terraced vineyards and country estates. Lunch at a local establishment, followed by tastings at the Portal Wine Estate and Bonfim Wine Estate.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  11. Day 11railovernight: Lisbon

    Porto to Lisbon by Train

    A three-hour scenic rail journey from Porto to Lisbon, passing through the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park. Afternoon free to explore Lisbon's Alfama and Mouraria neighborhoods.

    Meals: Breakfast

  12. Day 12overnight: Lisbon

    Lisbon Sightseeing/Fado Performance

    An escorted sightseeing tour through Rossio and Alfama, including the Belem Tower, the Monument of Discoveries, the Jeronimos Monastery and the Coach Museum. In the evening, a Fado music performance with dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  13. Day 13

    Tour Conclusion

    A private transfer to Lisbon's international airport to complete the journey.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Visit La Sagrada Familia with a local guide and explore Park Güell to see Antoni Gaudí's architectural works.
  • Day 4Tour the Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens at the UNESCO World Heritage Alhambra, then travel by train to Seville.
  • Day 5Watch an authentic flamenco performance with dinner on a private patio in Seville.
  • Day 10Spend a full day in the Douro Valley by panoramic bus and river cruise, visiting terraced vineyards and tasting wines at Portal and Bonfim estates.
  • Day 12Attend a Fado music performance with dinner in Lisbon after touring the Belem Tower, Monument of Discoveries, and Jeronimos Monastery.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 12 nights
  • Rail travel on the high-speed AVE
  • Rail travel on local rail lines
  • Select transfers
  • Flight between Madrid and Porto
  • 15 meals, including a Fado performance with dinner
  • Expert-led touring experiences: city tour of Barcelona including La Sagrada Familia, the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, authentic flamenco show with dinner, full-day Douro Valley tour with lunch and wine tasting

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Arrival and departure flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Vacations By Rail includes high-speed AVE rail travel throughout Spain and local rail lines, plus rail from Porto to Lisbon. A flight between Madrid and Porto is also included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an independent tour. You travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary; some days include expert-led tours (Barcelona city tour, the Alhambra, flamenco and Fado performances), and some days are free to explore on your own.
Which trains are used?
The itinerary uses Spain's high-speed AVE rail network and local rail lines, including a six-hour Barcelona-to-Granada journey and a three-hour Porto-to-Lisbon scenic route through the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park.
How many meals are included?
Vacations By Rail includes 15 meals, comprising breakfasts daily, lunches on Days 5 and 10, and dinners with flamenco (Day 5) and Fado (Day 12) performances in Seville and Lisbon.
What is the walking and climbing involved?
Expect city walking tours in Barcelona, Seville, Madrid, and Lisbon. Activities include climbing the Giralda bell tower in Seville and the Belem Tower in Lisbon. Day 10 features a Douro Valley bus and cruise day.
What are the optional extras?
Optional experiences include a paella tasting by the sea in Barcelona, a ham, cheese, and wine tasting in Madrid, and a half- or full-day tour of Toledo from Madrid.

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