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La Coruna to Lisbon

Independent rail trip from La Coruna to Lisbon on Renfe trains

Illustration of La Coruna to Lisbon

Railbookers built this 9-day, 8-night independent rail package along the west coasts of Spain and Portugal, running from La Coruna to Lisbon on Renfe trains. As an independent package, travelers plan their own days rather than follow a tour manager. The route begins in Galicia, Spain, with two nights in La Coruna to explore its long beach fronts and historic Cidade Velha, then continues by train along the Pilgrims' Trail to Santiago de Compostela and on into Portugal, arriving at Porto's ornately tiled Sao Bento station for a two-night stay that includes a Douro river cruise. From there the train carries travelers to the university city of Coimbra and finally to Lisbon for two nights, including a Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing tour. It suits independent-minded travelers who want a specific coastal rail route through Spain and Portugal and are comfortable changing hotels every one to two nights.

What to know before you look closer

  • The accommodation for La Coruna is listed as options between the Melia Maria Pita and the ibis Styles A Coruna, so the exact hotel booked may vary; confirm which one applies to your dates.
  • The Douro river cruise included in Porto only operates from March to November, so it will not be part of the package outside that window.
  • The evidence does not list specific current departure dates for this itinerary; confirm live availability and pricing with Railbookers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Overnight in La Coruna

    Your Journey Begins in La Coruna

    Arrive in La Coruna today, and check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Once you have settled in, head out to explore the city! La Coruna is Galicia's largest city, and you will no doubt find a wealth of beauty and activities to enjoy during your stay here. If the weather is fine, there is no better place to start your trip than the long beach fronts that flank the city. For sandy, coastal vistas, head to the beaches Orzan and Riazor. From either of these spots, you can relax or take a walk and stop in one of the many local bars or cafes to people watch and sample some local cuisine.

  2. Day 2overnight: Overnight in La Coruna

    La Coruna

    After breakfast today, enjoy exploring more of La Coruna. The historical centre - Cidade Velha - is home to many of the wonderful architectural and cultural monuments of the city. Here you will find the wonderful Santiago Church, as well as the Castelo de San Anton - a castle that plays host to a fascinating archaeological museum. To follow Portillo, and the hordes of Edwardian Britons who travelled before him, visit the remains of Sir John Moore by heading into the romantic gardens 'Xardín de San Carlos,' also situated in the old town. And don't leave without visiting the Torre de Hércules - or Tower of Hercules - a famous Roman lighthouse that is arguably the oldest in the world still in use. In the evening, the best tapas can be found around Calle de la Estrella, where you will find locals indulging in some of the finest seafood and tapas in the country. There is also no better place to enjoy a pint of the city's famous, local beer - Estrella Galicia.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Overnight in Santiago de Compostela

    La Coruna to Santiago De Compostela

    Enjoy breakfast in your hotel this morning before catching the train along the Pilgrims' Trail to Santiago de Compostela. Check in at your hotel for an overnight stay. Santiago de Compostela is famous around the world for being the final resting place of St James the Apostle, who it is said was brought to the city by a stone boat after his death in Palestine. You can visit the Cathedral Santiago de Compostela, an imposing and breathtaking church that showcases a variety of beautiful architectural styles. The tomb of St. James is located underneath this Cathedral, and it is possible to visit the tomb and observe the sculpture representing the man himself. Also of interest are the Pilgrimage Museum and the Cathedral Museum, which provide an in-depth insight into the trail and the Apostle. The historical squares surrounding the Cathedral are also exciting places to visit and photograph. For the best views of the Cathedral, head to Praza de Pratero­as, which is also home to a beautiful fountain! the old city centre is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and wandering the medieval streets admiring your surroundings and stopping in a local tavern is the perfect way to spend an evening!

  4. Day 4overnight: Overnight in Porto

    Santiago De Compostela Porto

    Check out of your hotel this morning and take the beautiful journey from Santiago de Compostela towards Porto, arriving at the magnificent So£o Bento station. Don't leave the station without admiring the incredible, ornate azulejo (tile) panels that depict the history of Portugal - as these are a treat in themselves! Head to your hotel and check in for a two-night stay. Porto is known for being a stunning city, and you will no doubt be charmed by the colourful buildings flanking the hills, the beautiful baroque churches and the meandering mazes of streets that embroider the banks of the Duoro. For the best sightseeing, head to the Ribeira district, a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site near the river. From here you will be able to see the port-wine lodges on the opposite bank and the impressive Dom Luo­s I Bridge that spans the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.

  5. Day 5overnight: Overnight in Porto

    Porto

    After breakfast, spend another day enjoying Porto. Take a 50min river cruise to admire this beautiful city and its bridges then for a true local experience, visit the Mercado do Bolhao, a traditional food market selling fresh produce and dotted with local restaurants. Those interested in photography shouldn't miss a trip to the Centro Portuguoªs de Fotografia, the Portuguese Photography Museum in the city center that is housed in an impressive building. For an evening stroll, head to the Matosinhos area near the beach. It is here you will find some of the best restaurants in the city.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Overnight in Coimbra

    Porto to Coimbra

    This morning after breakfast you will take the train from Porto down to the university city of Coimbra. Check in at your hotel for an overnight stay. Coimbra is often described as the medieval capital of Portugal, and the prestigious university has a strong influence over the city, both in terms of providing the area with beautiful history and architecture, and also in supplying the city with huge numbers of students during term times, which creates a lively and exciting atmosphere. The university is well worth a visit, of course. Walk from the glorious Mondego River up to the top of University Hill for beautiful views of historic, multi-coloured buildings that climb the hill and impressive vistas from the top looking out over the city. A clear highlight of the University is the wonderful Biblioteca Joanina, the Old University's library which was a gift from Joo£o V. View the elaborately frescoed ceilings and the Chinoiserie bookshelves and gaze at the 300,000 books on offer - some of which are incredibly ancient and valuable. The medieval downtown area is a beautiful place to spend time. In the evenings, you will likely hear the deep and dulcet tones of traditional Fado singers accompanied by the delightful sounds of their guitars. Here, visit the churches of So£o Bartolomeu and Sao Tiago for incredible architectural highlights.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Overnight in Lisbon

    Coimbra to Lisbon

    Head back to the station this morning and take the high-speed train towards Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. On arrival, make your way to your hotel and check in for a two-night stay. Lisbon offers all the wonders you would expect from an established European capital, yet perhaps does not get the attention it deserves. You will find delights along every turning backstreet here, with a melting pot of monasteries, museums, cathedrals and historic squares waiting to be discovered. Head to Rossio, the main square in Lisbon that dates back to the middle ages. The column of Pedro IV is located in the middle, with the Maria II Theatre and the Public Gardens towards the north. You will find many shops and restaurants here and, as the square is a popular meeting place, the area is perfect for people watching!

  8. Day 8overnight: Overnight in Lisbon

    Lisbon

    After breakfast this morning, explore Lisbon with your Hop on Hop off tickets. For incredible views of the city, take the elevator and visit the Cristio Rei, a statue of Christ that stands 328 feet over the city. You may want to include a trip to Praça do Comercio - Palace Square - as Michael Portillo did, for a wonderful look into Portugal's amazing history and architecture. In the evenings, a visit to the hilltop district Bairro Alto is recommended. Here you will find pretty, narrow streets embellished with a wide range of restaurants, bars and cafes and - in the summer especially - the streets are likely to be filled with music.

  9. Day 9rail

    Depart Lisbon

    After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and continue with your travels. If you wish to extend your holiday, perhaps with an additional day in a different city, one of our Rail Experts will be happy to assist you with the details.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Walk La Coruna's long beach fronts on arrival day
  • Day 3Take the train along the Pilgrims' Trail to Santiago de Compostela and visit the Cathedral
  • Day 4Arrive at Porto's Sao Bento station and admire its ornate azulejo tile panels depicting the history of Portugal
  • Day 5Take a 50-minute river cruise on the Douro and visit the Mercado do Bolhao food market in Porto
  • Day 8Ride the elevator to Cristo Rei, a 328-foot statue overlooking Lisbon, on the Hop-on Hop-off tour

Included

  • Rail travel in standard class throughout
  • 2 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast in La Coruna
  • 1 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Santiago de Compostela
  • 2 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast in Porto
  • 1 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Coimbra
  • 2 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lisbon 50min Douro river cruise in Porto (March-November only) Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing tour of Lisbon

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, rail travel in standard class is included throughout, connecting La Coruna, Santiago de Compostela, Porto, Coimbra and Lisbon on Renfe trains.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail package. There is no tour manager; travelers make their own way between cities and explore on their own.
Which cities does the route visit?
La Coruna and Santiago de Compostela in Spain, then Porto, Coimbra and Lisbon in Portugal.
What hotels are used?
The evidence names hotel options for La Coruna, the Melia Maria Pita and the ibis Styles A Coruna. Hotel names for the other four cities are not given in the available information.
How much does this trip cost?
Railbookers prices this trip from $1,029 per person for the 9-day, 8-night package, around $114 per day.

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