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Euroventure · Self-guided rail tour

Portugal: 1 Week

Three Portuguese cities by rail: Faro, Lisbon, Porto in eight days.

Illustration of Portugal: 1 Week

Euroventure's Portugal: 1 Week is a self-guided rail tour linking Faro, Lisbon, and Porto over eight days. You travel by train on two main legs (Faro to Lisbon, then Lisbon to Porto), stay in centrally located hotels or hostels, and have a personalised travel pack with maps, walking directions, and language guides. Two days in Faro let you explore the Algarve beaches and old town, with optional dolphin watching or cave tours. Three nights in Lisbon give time to climb to the castle, wander cobbled streets, and absorb the city's colonial architecture. Two nights in Porto include a visit to the UNESCO Ribeira district, port wine cellars, and the Dom Luis bridge. Throughout, Euroventure offers 24-hour emergency support and optional group activities like pub crawls at partner hostels. This suits first-time rail travellers who want independence without a guide, solo travellers, and anyone seeking low-cost European travel with the flexibility to shape their own days.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights to Faro and from Porto are not included and must be arranged separately.
  • The tour includes optional activities (dolphin watching, wine tours, tourist trains) but these cost extra and are not pre-booked.
  • Accommodation is in top-rated hostels or hotels; your final choice depends on the tier and city selected.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Faro

    Faro

    Be witness to the soft sand and sun-soaked coast of the Algarve. Soak up the rays and explore the old town.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Faro

    Faro

    Try surfing on the famous west coast rolling waves, or go dolphin-spotting. Ride the Comboio Turística tourist train to discover Faro, or take a dolphin watching boat trip, cave tour, or both.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lisbon

    Faro / Lisbon

    Train to Lisbon (4 hours). Lisbon is picturesque and modest while maintaining an enthralling urban landscape filled with exhilarating sights, sounds and smells. Learn about Portugal's colonial past.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lisbon

    Lisbon

    Climb up steep cobbled streets to the castle and get a feel for the city's trendy yet old-worldly vibe, with imposing castles, towers and monasteries to explore.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lisbon

    Lisbon

    When night falls, check out the quirky bars and clubs, or dance to live rock and electro at the Music Box club.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Porto

    Lisbon / Porto

    Train to Porto (3 hours). Porto exudes charm, from its parties in the piazzas to the zigzag streets of the UNESCO Ribeira district and its namesake fortified wine.

  7. Day 7overnight: Porto

    Porto

    Visit the famous port wine cellars for an educational and boozy tour, cross the iconic Dom Luis bridge, and take in the stunning hillside views and lavish Baroque buildings.

  8. Day 8

    Porto

    Final day of the trip. You can arrange flights home from Porto Airport, or continue travelling with a custom Euroventure route.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Dolphin watching or cave touring from Faro, or ride the Comboio Turística tourist train.
  • Day 3Day 3: Four-hour train ride from Faro to Lisbon across Portugal.
  • Day 4Day 4: Climb steep cobbled streets to Lisbon castle for views of the old-worldly vibe and monasteries.
  • Day 6Day 6: Three-hour train to Porto; explore the UNESCO Ribeira district and its zigzag streets.
  • Day 7Day 7: Port wine cellar tour and crossing of the Dom Luis bridge with hillside views.

Included

  • Train tickets from the first to the last city on the route, as shown on the map
  • Any Interrail or Eurail passes if required, based on the best value for you
  • All possible seat reservations on high-speed rail, night trains or ferries
  • Accommodation in top-rated, centrally located hostels or hotels, tested by us
  • Walking directions between the stations and your booked accommodation
  • Travel Disruption Protection - alternative travel included if there is a strike or similar disruption
  • Access to a 24hr emergency phone number while you're away
  • A personalised travel booklet with maps, language guides, top tips and more
  • Optional walking tours, pub crawls and other activities at partner hostels
  • Exclusive discounts on attractions across Europe
  • 1GB of free data, with the option to add more anytime with eSIM

Not included

  • Flights to Faro and from Porto (arranged separately)

Questions travellers ask

Is this trip escorted or self-guided?
It is self-guided. Euroventure provides a personalised travel pack with maps and language guides, walking directions between stations and hotels, and 24-hour emergency phone support, but you travel at your own pace without a tour leader.
What train travel is included?
Train tickets from Faro to Lisbon (4 hours on Day 3) and Lisbon to Porto (3 hours on Day 6) are included. Euroventure also arranges any Interrail or Eurail passes if needed and all seat reservations on high-speed rail.
What accommodation is included?
Top-rated centrally located hostels or hotels tested by Euroventure. The specific property depends on your tier selection and the city.
What activities are optional?
Dolphin watching and cave tours in Faro, the Comboio Turística tourist train in Faro, and port wine cellar tours in Porto are all optional and not included in the base price.
When does the trip run?
Euroventure publishes no specific departure dates in the package information. Confirm available dates directly with the operator.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate city walking on Days 4-7 in Lisbon and Porto, including cobbled streets and stairs. Beach and town exploration on Days 1-2 in Faro. Walking directions between stations and hotels are provided.

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