Search

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Portugal, Spain & the Douro

15-day escorted rail journey from London through Spain and Portugal's Douro Valley

Illustration of Portugal, Spain & the Douro

Great Rail Journeys' 15-day Portugal, Spain and the Douro tour departs London and returns there after crossing four countries by Eurostar, TGV, regional trains, and scenic rail lines. The journey begins in Paris, moves through Spain's university cities of Salamanca and Valladolid, then enters Portugal's Douro Valley by the UNESCO-listed scenic Douro Line train, following the river through terraced vineyards and past port wine estates. Days 4 to 6 center on the valley: a boat cruise, a private dinner at Quinta da Casa Amarela wine estate, and an evening at Taylor's Port cellar with tasting and dinner. Porto and Lisbon anchor the Portuguese segment with guided tours, a vintage tram ride through old Alfama, and a day trip to Sintra's palaces and castle. The final leg carries you by First Class train north to San Sebastián in Basque Spain, known for pintxos and coastal charm, before returning by Eurostar. A UK Tour Manager accompanies throughout; 14 nights are in 4-star hotels with breakfast daily and eight dinners included.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour includes 8 dinners; other meals are at your own expense. Breakfast is daily, but most lunches are free time.
  • Single supplement from GBP 4,749 represents a significant premium over the half-share of the double rate.
  • The group size can be up to 30 travellers; specific group numbers vary by departure.
  • One Lisbon hotel option (Lumen Hotel & The Lisbon Light Show) is offered on specific April, May, June, and August dates; the Lisbon hotel may vary by departure date.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Biarritz

    A French beginning in Biarritz

    Arrive at London St Pancras and meet the Tour Manager and travel group. Board the Eurostar to Paris in Plus Class, enjoying a light meal. Continue by First Class rail to Biarritz in southwestern France. Check in to the hotel and walk to a local restaurant on the Grand Plage seafront for a three-course dinner.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Salamanca

    Journeying by rail to the 'Golden City', Salamanca

    After breakfast, transfer by coach over the Spanish border to San Sebastián. Join the local rail network and travel by train to Salamanca via Valladolid Campo Grande, arriving in the early evening. Check in to the hotel in the heart of Salamanca and dine at a traditional restaurant. Evening stroll through the floodlit Old City.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Salamanca

    Discovering the sights of Salamanca

    Morning guided tour of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage site. See the two cathedrals, Baroque city hall, Renaissance-era Monterrey Palace, Spain's oldest university (entrance included), and the Casa de las Conchas. Afternoon and evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Peso da Régua

    Travelling into the Douro Valley by rail to Peso da Régua

    Transfer by coach from Salamanca to Pocinho, then join Portugal's most scenic rail route into the UNESCO World Heritage Douro Valley, following the river past terraced vineyards and port quintas to Peso da Régua. Check in to the hotel for two nights and dine in the onsite restaurant overlooking the Douro.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Peso da Régua

    Into the Douro Valley by train and an evening at a wine estate

    Local train trip to Pinhão. One-hour boat cruise on the Douro passing port wine estates and famous bridges. Return to Peso da Régua for a relaxed afternoon. Evening exclusive visit to Quinta da Casa Amarela for a welcome drink, guided walk, and private dinner with views across the vineyards and the Douro.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Porto

    Arrival into the picturesque wine city of Porto

    Travel by train west along the Douro to Porto. Free time over lunch, then guided exploration of Porto's upper streets, architecture, Porto Cathedral (with panoramic views), and the Palácio da Bolsa (entrance included). Three-course dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Porto

    Visiting Portugal's original capital, Guimarães, and Taylor's Port

    Coach to Guimarães, stopping at the shrine of Bom Jesus do Monte. Guided tour of Guimarães including the medieval fortress, Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (entrance included), and Villanova de Gaya. Return to Porto, then evening visit to Taylor's Port wine cellar for port wine tasting and dinner with views over Porto and the Douro.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Porto

    At leisure amongst the history and charms of Porto

    Full day at leisure in Porto. Options include Livraria Lello bookshop, old trams to the lighthouse, riverside walks, and watching the sunset from the riverfront. Dinner independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9railovernight: Lisbon

    From Porto to captivating Lisbon by high-speed rail

    Travel First Class by high-speed rail from Porto to Lisbon, arriving mid-afternoon. Free time to explore: St George's Castle, Principe Real district, Lisbon Botanical Garden, or Praça do Comércio. Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Note: April 18th, May 23rd, June 6th & 20th and August 22nd departures stay at the Lumen Hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Lisbon

    Exclusive vintage tram tour and sightseeing in Lisbon

    Unique city tour aboard a specially chartered vintage tram through Alfama and Bairro Alto to the Belem district. Sample pastéis de Belém with coffee. Free afternoon and evening to explore Lisbon independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11railovernight: Lisbon

    A day in the forested hills of Sintra

    Train to Sintra, former summer residence of Portuguese royalty. Day ticket includes free shuttle buses to Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors, and Palacio Nacional. Return to Lisbon by train in the afternoon, free evening to explore.

    Meals: Breakfast

  12. Day 12railovernight: Valladolid

    Back across the Spanish border to Valladolid

    Travel by train from Lisbon to a station near the Spanish border, then continue by coach to Valladolid. Check in to the hotel near the railway station. Afternoon and evening free to explore the cathedral, San Pablo Church, National Sculpture Museum, and the atmospheric Plaza Mayor.

    Meals: Breakfast

  13. Day 13railovernight: San Sebastián

    To San Sebastián on the Basque coast

    Walk to the train station and board the direct First Class train north to San Sebastián. Check in to the hotel for two nights. Free afternoon and evening to explore the seafront, old quarter, and enjoy pintxos bar hopping (txikiteo).

    Meals: Breakfast

  14. Day 14overnight: San Sebastián

    A free day in Basque country

    Full day at leisure in San Sebastián. Options include Playa de la Concha beach, Plaza de la Constitución, Baroque Basilica of Santa María del Coro, San Telmo Museum, and pintxos bar hopping. Final group dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  15. Day 15rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, transfer by coach to Hendaye station just across the French border. Board the direct First Class train to Paris, then join the Eurostar Plus service to London St Pancras, enjoying a light meal at your seats. Arrive in London this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Board Portugal's most scenic rail route, the Douro Line from Pocinho to Peso da Régua, following the river past terraced vineyards and port wine quintas.
  • Day 5Local train to Pinhão, then a one-hour boat cruise on the Douro past port wine estates; evening private dinner at Quinta da Casa Amarela with views across the vineyards.
  • Day 10Travel by specially chartered vintage tram through Alfama and Bairro Alto to Belem; sample pastéis de Belém with coffee.
  • Day 11Train to Sintra and a day exploring Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors, and Palacio Nacional with included shuttle buses.
  • Day 13Board a direct First Class train from Valladolid to San Sebastián on the Basque coast; evening pintxos bar hopping in the old quarter.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 14 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus Class travel (London St Pancras to Paris and return)
  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
  • Breakfast each day
  • 8 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Salamanca to San Sebastián
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Entrance to Salamanca University college buildings
  • Entrance to Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace), Porto
  • Entrance to Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, Guimarães
  • Specially chartered vintage tram tour in Lisbon
  • Pastéis de Belém tasting with coffee in Lisbon
  • Day ticket for Sintra including shuttle buses
  • One-hour boat cruise on the Douro River
  • Welcome drink and guided walk at Quinta da Casa Amarela
  • Port wine tasting at Taylor's Port wine cellar

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 all train travel included?
Yes. The price includes Eurostar Plus Class, TGV First Class from Paris to Biarritz, regional and high-speed trains throughout Spain and Portugal, and the scenic Douro Line in First Class.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from the start in London through the end in London. Guided tours are included in Salamanca, Porto, Guimarães, Lisbon, and Sintra; some days offer free time to explore independently.
What hotels are used?
Four-star hotels: Hotel Catalonia Plaza Mayor (Salamanca, 2 nights), Hotel Régua Douro (Peso da Régua, 2 nights), Hotel PortoBay Teatro (Porto, 3 nights), Hotel PortoBay Marqués or Lumen Hotel (Lisbon, 3 nights), Valladolid Recoletos Hotel (1 night), and NH Collection Aranzazu (San Sebastián, 2 nights).
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily, 8 dinners, Eurostar light meals outbound and return, a one-hour Douro River boat cruise, a private dinner at Quinta da Casa Amarela, port wine tasting and dinner at Taylor's Port, and a pastéis de Belém tasting with coffee.
When does the tour depart?
Great Rail Journeys operates nine departures from April 2026 through October 2027, with dates in April, May, June, August, September, and October.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes guided city walking tours, stairs at cathedrals and palaces, and free-time exploration of Lisbon, Porto, and San Sebastián. Several days offer full leisure time. Pintxos bar hopping and beach walks are optional.

Similar journeys