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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Tour & Cruise

Lisbon & the Douro Valley Cruise

Lisbon, Sintra, and a seven-night Douro River cruise through Portugal and Spain

Illustration of Lisbon & the Douro Valley Cruise

Great Rail Journeys operates this 11-day escorted tour blending city culture with river scenery. You fly from London Gatwick to Lisbon for three nights in a four-star hotel, exploring Portugal's capital and the hilltop palaces of Sintra by coach. On day 4 you travel by standard-class rail to Porto, where you board the MS Gil Eanes for a seven-night cruise through the Douro Valley. The river journey takes you past terraced vineyards and small towns, with guided excursions to medieval Guimarães, the Spanish city of Salamanca, and local wine quintas. Onboard you receive daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus evening entertainment including Fado and flamenco performances. The pace is relaxed, with time for independent exploration balanced against guided tours and ship-based relaxation. This tour suits couples, history enthusiasts, and food-and-wine travellers who value organisation and prefer guided discovery over independent logistics.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is GBP 1,500 (about USD 2,000), significantly more than half the per-person base price, reflecting limited single cabins on the river ship.
  • Day 8 in Salamanca offers optional guided and discovery tours; the core itinerary includes coach transfer and lunch only, leaving structure partly to your choice.
  • The trip involves multiple transport modes (flight, coach, train, river ship); the standard-class rail leg from Lisbon to Porto is relatively brief.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lisbon

    Arrival in Portugal's capital, Lisbon

    Depart from London Gatwick, meet the Tour Manager and travel group. Fly to Lisbon, arriving this afternoon. Coach transfer to four-star hotel. Check in, relax or explore the area near the hotel. First dinner together in the hotel's restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Lisbon

    Exploring Lisbon

    Guided tour of Portugal's capital city, uncovering the colours of Lisbon, its streets, squares and boulevards. Finish in the waterfront district of Belem, sampling Belem pastries. Evening free to explore at own pace, wander cobblestone streets, experience Fado music, or visit Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for panoramic views.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Lisbon

    The grand palaces of Sintra

    Coach to Sintra, a former royal summer retreat filled with palaces. Leisure time to discover Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace gardens. Return to Lisbon by coach for drinks and dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: MS Gil Eanes (Porto)

    To Porto, where we join our cruise ship

    Rail journey through the Portuguese countryside to Porto. Coach transfer to the waterfront to board the MS Gil Eanes. Settle into cabin, explore the ship. Welcome drink and first three-course dinner on board. Panoramic evening coach tour of Porto including São Bento railway station with its magnificent azulejos.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Gil Eanes (Porto)

    Guided tour of Porto and port wine tasting

    Guided tour of Porto's winding streets, azulejo-adorned townhouses, ornate churches and iconic iron bridge. Visit a wine cellar to sample port wine. Lunch on board, then free time to explore independently, try the Gaia Cable Car or relax in a city square. Evening drinks, three-course dinner and traditional folk entertainment on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Gil Eanes (Régua)

    Exploring historic Guimarães

    Visit the medieval city of Guimarães on a guided tour of its historic Old Town, Gothic fortifications, cobbled squares and traditional timber-framed houses. Free time to explore at leisure before returning to Porto. Rejoin ship for lunch, then begin cruise along the Douro to Régua. Drinks and three-course dinner followed by evening entertainment.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Gil Eanes (Vega de Terrón)

    The delights of Mateus Palace and Gardens

    Coach to Mateus Palace, an 18th-century Italianate masterpiece with grand halls, preserved rooms, chapel and winery. Return to ship for lunch, then afternoon cruise through astounding scenery to Vega de Terrón on the Spanish border. Three-course dinner with drinks followed by an onboard flamenco performance.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: MS Gil Eanes (Vega de Terrón/Salamanca area)

    The golden city of Salamanca

    Coach into Spain to Salamanca in the Castille y León region. Optional guided city tour (House of Shells, Plaza Mayor) or discovery tour with tapas tasting. Free afternoon to explore architecture or the Central Market. Return to ship for drinks and three-course dinner on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: MS Gil Eanes (Pinhão)

    The renowned Porto wine route

    Cruise back downstream to Ferradosa. Relax in the ship's lounge or on the sun deck. After lunch, excursion along the Porto wine route to São Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira, visiting a local quinta for port wine tasting. Rejoin ship in Pinhão. Dinner followed by Fado-themed entertainment.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: MS Gil Eanes (Porto)

    Baroque splendour in Lamego

    Morning guided tour of Lamego, renowned for its stunning Baroque cathedral with 700 decorated steps. Return to ship for lunch, then relaxing afternoon and evening sailing back to Porto. Three-course farewell dinner and traditional Fado performance on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11

    Homeward bound

    Disembark in Porto. Coach transfer to Porto airport for the flight home, arriving at London Gatwick this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Lisbon's coloured streets and azulejo-tiled buildings, ending in Belem to sample pastries, with evening free to visit Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for panoramic views.
  • Day 4Standard Class rail journey through Portuguese countryside to Porto, then embark on the MS Gil Eanes with a panoramic evening coach tour of Porto's São Bento railway station.
  • Day 7Visit 18th-century Mateus Palace with its grand halls and winery, then cruise through the Douro Valley's astounding scenery to Vega de Terrón on the Spanish border.
  • Day 9Excursion along the Porto wine route to local quintas for port wine tasting at São Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira.
  • Day 10Guided tour of Lamego's Baroque cathedral, renowned for its 700 decorated steps, followed by an evening Fado performance aboard ship.

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 3 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation in Lisbon
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Gil Eanes operated by Croisi Europe
  • Excellent service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Gatwick to Lisbon and Porto to London Gatwick
  • 3 breakfasts and 2 dinners on Lisbon tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • A superb choice of excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Tips/gratuities (at guest's discretion)

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The tour includes Standard Class rail travel from Lisbon to Porto on day 4, plus all coach and flight transfers from London Gatwick.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Fully escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a Tour Manager throughout and a Cruise Director onboard the MS Gil Eanes; guided tours are offered in most cities.
What meals are included?
Three breakfasts and two dinners during the Lisbon stay; breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily on the seven-night cruise. Drinks are included with dinner each evening onboard.
How much walking is involved?
Guided walking tours in Lisbon, Porto, Guimarães, Salamanca, and Lamego cover city streets, squares, and historic sites. Evening and afternoon free time allows you to set your own pace.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance, tips and gratuities (at your discretion), and optional excursions such as the Salamanca guided or tapas-tasting tours.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers departures in May 2027, August 2027, and September 2026.

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