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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise

Lisbon & the Essence of the Douro

Nine-day escorted Lisbon and Douro river cruise from Portugal to Spain

Illustration of Lisbon & the Essence of the Douro

Great Rail Journeys offers this nine-day escorted journey through Portugal and Spain, combining Lisbon's urban exploration with a five-night Douro river cruise. The trip begins in Lisbon, where you spend three nights at a four-star hotel and take a guided tour aboard a vintage 1930s tram, sample Belém egg tarts, and make a day excursion by train to Sintra's hilltop palaces. A train journey from Lisbon carries you to Porto, where you board the MS Gil Eanes or MS Amalia Rodrigues for the cruise downstream. Over five nights on the river, you drift through the Douro Valley's terraced vineyards, calling at villages and historic towns. An experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director lead all excursions: to Mateus Palace's 18th-century Baroque interiors and gardens, to the ancient sandstone city of Salamanca across the Spanish border, and along the Port wine route with tastings at a local quinta. Meals, drinks with dinner throughout the cruise, and all transport are included, making this tour ideal for escorted travellers seeking cultural discovery and river scenery without logistical complexity.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement from GBP 4,499 is substantially above half the double price of GBP 2,999, adding GBP 1,500 for solo travellers.
  • Day 7's Salamanca excursion is listed as optional; check with Great Rail Journeys whether this is included or an add-on cost.
  • The four-star Lisbon hotel is marked 'TBC' (to be confirmed); the final property may vary.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lisbon

    Arriving in Lisbon, Portugal's capital

    Holiday begins at London Gatwick where you meet the Tour Manager and travel group. Fly to Lisbon, arriving this afternoon. Coach transfer to four-star hotel. Welcome drink and first dinner together at the on-site restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Lisbon

    Exploring Lisbon

    Guided tour of Lisbon including a ride in a specially chartered vintage tram from the 1930s and 40s. Uncover the colours of Lisbon and the history of its streets, squares and boulevards. Finish in the waterfront district of Belém to sample authentic Belém egg tarts. Remainder of the day and evening free to explore at your own pace.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lisbon

    The colourful palaces of Sintra

    Walk to Lisbon's train station and travel by train to Sintra. Time at leisure to discover Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and the lush gardens at Monserrate Palace. Return to Lisbon by train this evening for drinks at the hotel and dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: MS Gil Eanes / MS Amalia Rodrigues (Porto)

    To Porto, where we join our cruise ship

    Rail journey from Lisbon through the Portuguese countryside to Porto. Coach transfer to the waterfront to board the cruise ship. Welcome drink and first three-course dinner on board. Panoramic evening coach tour of Porto including a stop at São Bento railway station to admire its azulejos.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Gil Eanes / MS Amalia Rodrigues (Régua)

    A day in Porto and Régua

    Guided tour of Porto: winding streets, azulejo-adorned townhouses, ornate churches, iconic iron bridge, and a port wine cellar tasting. Rejoin ship for lunch on board and begin cruise along the Douro to Régua. Drinks, three-course dinner and entertainment on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Gil Eanes / MS Amalia Rodrigues (Vega de Terrón)

    The beauty of Mateus Palace and Gardens

    Coach to Mateus Palace, an 18th-century Baroque masterpiece with Italianate exterior, adorned interiors and lush gardens. Explore grand halls, preserved rooms, chapel and winery. Visit the historic town of Vila Real before returning to ship for lunch. Afternoon cruise to Vega de Terrón on the Spanish border. Three-course dinner and on-board flamenco performance.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Gil Eanes / MS Amalia Rodrigues (Vega de Terrón / en route)

    Into Spain to the golden city of Salamanca

    Coach journey into Spain to Salamanca in the Castille y León region. Guided city tour including the House of Shells, Plaza Mayor and other magnificent buildings. Free afternoon to explore at leisure. Return to ship this evening for drinks and three-course dinner on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: MS Gil Eanes / MS Amalia Rodrigues (Pinhão)

    Uncovering the renowned Porto wine route

    Cruise back downstream to Ferradosa. Relax in the ship's lounge or on the sun deck. Lunch on board. Excursion along the Porto wine route to São Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira, and a visit to a local quinta for a tasting of the region's finest ports. Rejoin ship in Pinhão. Dinner followed by a folklore dancing performance.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9

    Homeward bound

    Disembark the ship in Porto. Coach transfer to Porto airport for the flight home, landing at London Gatwick later today.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Ride a vintage tram from the 1930s and 40s through Lisbon's historic streets, squares and boulevards, then sample authentic Belém egg tarts at the waterfront.
  • Day 3Train journey to Sintra to explore Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and the lush gardens of Monserrate Palace at leisure.
  • Day 5Guided tour of Porto's winding streets, azulejo-adorned townhouses and ornate churches, followed by a tasting at a port wine cellar.
  • Day 6Coach excursion to Mateus Palace, an 18th-century Baroque masterpiece with grand halls, chapel, and winery, set in lush gardens.
  • Day 8Follow the Porto wine route with visits to São Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira, and taste the region's finest ports at a local quinta.

Included

  • Experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team throughout
  • 3 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation in Lisbon
  • 5-night cruise onboard MS Gil Eanes or MS Amalia Rodrigues operated by Croisi Europe
  • 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
  • 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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 in the price?
Yes. The price includes Standard Class rail travel: a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra, the journey from Lisbon to Porto, and all local rail and coach transfers. Flights from London Gatwick to Lisbon and from Porto to London Gatwick are also included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is a fully escorted tour. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout, with scheduled guided tours, included excursions, and group meals.
Which cruise ship is used?
The five-night Douro cruise is operated by Croisi Europe on the MS Gil Eanes or MS Amalia Rodrigues. The specific ship is assigned at booking.
What hotels are included?
Great Rail Journeys includes three nights' accommodation at a four-star hotel in Lisbon (property to be confirmed). The remaining five nights are spent on board the river cruise ship.
What meals and drinks are included?
The package includes eight breakfasts, four lunches, and seven dinners. A drinks package with dinner is complimentary every night of the cruise.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys operates departures in June 2027 and October 2027.

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