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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Lisbon and the Algarve

Independent rail trip from Lisbon to Lagos with guided Algarve day trips

Illustration of Lisbon and the Algarve

Railbookers sells Lisbon and the Algarve as an 8-day, 7-night independent rail vacation, starting in Lisbon and ending in Lagos. Three nights in Lisbon take in landmarks such as the Praca do Comercio, Belem Tower, and the Jerónimos Monastery, plus a very small group day trip to the UNESCO village of Sintra and its Pena Palace, returning along the coast via Cabo da Roca, Cascais, and Estoril. Day 4 is a CP train south from Lisbon through the green fields of the southern Portuguese plains, changing at Tunes for a local train into Lagos, where four nights include free beach time and two more small group day trips, to the mountain villages of Silves and Monchique and to the West Coast Natural Park's black cliffs and the Cape of St Vincent. With guided highlights bookended by independent free days, the trip suits travelers who want history and dramatic coastal scenery without a fully escorted schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists six hotel options in Lisbon across different tiers; the specific hotel included depends on which tier you choose. In Lagos, the trip uses the Tivoli Lagos Algarve Resort.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lisbon

    Your Journey Begins in Lisbon

    Welcome to Lisbon! On arrival ride the metro or let us know if you would rather have a car pick you up from the airport and transfer to your hotel for a 3-night stay. Once checked in, head out to explore this beautiful city.

  2. Day 2overnight: Lisbon

    Lisbon

    Enjoy a day of leisure in the Portuguese capital today. The Praca do Comercio is the unmissable heart of the city, and from here head to the Padrao dos Descobrimentos and impressive medieval Belem Tower, then visit the world heritage listed Jerónimos Monastery.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lisbon

    Sintra, Cabo Da Roca, Cascais and Estoril Day Trip

    Join a very small group tour today to Sintra – a village of UNESCO World Heritage. The former summer residence of the Portuguese Kings is home to the Pena Palace. Following lunch, return to Lisbon via the coast with stops at Cabo da Roca, Cascais and Estoril.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Lagos

    Lisbon to Lagos

    Make your way to Lisbon Entrecampos station for your train south. Enjoy watching the green fields of the southern Portuguese plains fly past as you arrive in Tunes and change here for a local train through to Lagos.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lagos

    Lagos

    Spend the day relaxing today, and perhaps even hit the beach - Praia da Batata and Meia Praia are 2 of the Algarve's most beautiful beaches. If you are feeling energetic, stroll to the Ponta de Piedade and walk down to the impressive caves for a dip.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lagos

    Silves and Monchique Day Trip

    Visit 2 beautiful villages today on a small group tour. First Silves, with its must-see castle and ancient Cathedral. Next the thermal spa of Caldes de Monchique, then the small village of Monchique, then Foia, the highest point in the Algarve.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lagos

    West Coast Natural Park Day Trip

    Following breakfast at your hotel head off to explore this beautiful region on a very small group tour. Visit ancient Aljezur castle, Monte Clérigo beach, the black cliffs of Arrifana, then Sagres and the Cape of St Vincent.

  8. Day 8

    Your Journey Ends in Lagos

    A car will collect you from your hotel and drive you to Faro airport or speak to any of our Travel Consultants about continuing your travels elsewhere.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A very small group day trip to the UNESCO village of Sintra and its Pena Palace, returning to Lisbon along the coast via Cabo da Roca, Cascais and Estoril.
  • Day 4The train south from Lisbon through the green fields of the southern Portuguese plains, changing at Tunes for a local train into Lagos.
  • Day 5A walk to Ponta de Piedade in Lagos, with a dip in its sea caves for the energetic.
  • Day 6A small group day trip to Silves castle and its ancient cathedral, the thermal spa at Caldes de Monchique, and Foia, the highest point in the Algarve.
  • Day 7A very small group day trip to the West Coast Natural Park, taking in Aljezur castle, Monte Clerigo beach, the black cliffs of Arrifana, Sagres, and the Cape of St Vincent.

Included

  • Rail travel as per the itinerary
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lisbon
  • 4 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lagos
  • Day trip to Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais and Estoril
  • Day tour of the West Coast Natural Park from Lagos
  • Day tour of the historic villages of Silves, Monchique
  • Private transfer from Lagos to Faro airport

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Rail travel is included as per the itinerary, including a CP (Comboios de Portugal) train from Lisbon's Entrecampos station via Tunes to Lagos on day 4.
Is it an escorted tour or independent travel?
It is an independent rail vacation with three guided day trips built in: Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais and Estoril in a very small group; Silves and Monchique in a small group; and the West Coast Natural Park in a very small group.
Which hotels are used?
Railbookers lists six hotel options in Lisbon, including the InterContinental Lisbon and Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade. In Lagos, the trip uses the Tivoli Lagos Algarve Resort.
How many nights are spent in each place?
Three nights in Lisbon and four nights in Lagos.
What day trips are included?
A day trip to Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais and Estoril; a day tour of Silves and Monchique; and a day tour of the West Coast Natural Park, including Aljezur, Monte Clerigo, Arrifana, Sagres and the Cape of St Vincent.
What is the starting price?
From $949 per person, about $119 a day.

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