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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Portuguese Explorer

16-day rail journey London to Girona via Portugal's coast and cities

Illustration of Portuguese Explorer

Tailor Made Rail's Portuguese Explorer is a 16-day independent rail holiday from London to Girona that showcases Portugal's Atlantic coast and historic inland cities. Departing by Eurostar and TGV, you travel through France and Spain before entering Portugal at Porto, where a 3-night stay allows exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage riverside city and its famous wine cellars. The itinerary includes the historic university city of Coimbra, Lisbon draped across seven hills with views of Castelo de Sao Jorge, and Faro's walled old town in the Algarve, with optional day trips to nearby beaches. You return north through Seville and the medieval Catalan walled city of Girona before the final Eurostar to London. The pace is relaxed, with multiple nights in each major city and included hotel breakfast. All Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations is covered, along with 15 nights in handpicked three- and four-star hotels. This trip suits first-time rail travellers seeking a structured itinerary, history lovers interested in Roman and medieval sites, and couples wanting leisurely exploration of multiple cities across three countries.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 14 involves a coach journey from Faro to Seville instead of rail travel; confirm this segment meets your preferences before booking
  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar', so your final accommodation may differ from the named properties
  • The regional train from Vigo to San Sebastian (Hendaye to San Sebastian) is payable locally and not covered in the package price
  • No day-by-day activity plan is provided for free time in each city; you arrange your own exploration

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: San Sebastian

    London to San Sebastian

    Board a morning Eurostar to Paris, cross to Gare Montparnasse for a direct TGV to Hendaye on the Spanish border, then a regional train (payable locally) from the Eusko Tren terminal to San Sebastian. Check in at the Zinema7 Hotel (or similar). The journey can optionally be broken in Hendaye or Bordeaux.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vigo

    San Sebastian to Vigo

    A free morning in San Sebastian, a beachfront city with world-renowned restaurants. At lunchtime, take a Spanish service to Vitoria/Gasteiz, then change onto a service across to Spain's northwest coast city of Vigo. Check in at the NH Collection Vigo (or similar). The journey can optionally be broken in Santiago de Compostela or Leon.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Porto

    Vigo to Porto

    A short journey by regional train takes you across the border into Portugal. On arrival, check into the Eurostars das Artes (or similar) for a 3-night stay. Straddling the Douro River, Porto is an important maritime city and UNESCO World Heritage site since the 1960s, known as the home of port wine; Vila Nova de Gaia's wine cellars and São Bento station are worth visiting.

  4. Day 4overnight: Porto

    Porto

  5. Day 5overnight: Porto

    Porto

  6. Day 6railovernight: Coimbra

    Porto to Coimbra

    A short rail journey brings you to Coimbra for a 2-night stay at the Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas (or similar). Coimbra is a picturesque riverside city with a UNESCO World Heritage listed university and a history going back to Roman times, with impressive churches, monasteries and cultural institutions.

  7. Day 7overnight: Coimbra

    Coimbra

  8. Day 8railovernight: Lisbon

    Coimbra to Lisbon

    Another short rail journey takes you into Lisbon's Santa Apolonia station, then on to the Heritage Avenida Liberdade (or similar) for a 3-night stay. Perched on the edge of the Atlantic, Lisbon is built on seven hills, watched over by the medieval Castelo de Sao Jorge, with limestone buildings and picturesque alleyways. A tram ride up to the old Alfama district gives stunning city views.

  9. Day 9overnight: Lisbon

    Lisbon

    Perched on the edge of the Atlantic, Lisbon is built on seven hills, watched over by the medieval Castelo de Sao Jorge, with limestone buildings and picturesque alleyways. A tram ride up to the old Alfama district gives stunning city views with a glass of Ginja.

  10. Day 10overnight: Lisbon

    Lisbon

    Perched on the edge of the Atlantic, Lisbon is built on seven hills, watched over by the medieval Castelo de Sao Jorge, with limestone buildings and picturesque alleyways. A tram ride up to the old Alfama district gives stunning city views with a glass of Ginja.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Faro

    Lisbon to Faro

    Continue south to Faro, capital of the Algarve, for 3 nights at the Hotel Faro and Beach Club (or similar). Faro has a beautiful walled old town and is the gateway to the Ria Formosa Nature Park; inside the walls are the Sé (gothic cathedral), Paco Episcopal Palace and the convent of Nossa Senhora. Portimao, Lagos and Albufeira are a short train ride away.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Faro

    Faro

    Faro has a beautiful walled old town and is the gateway to the Ria Formosa Nature Park, with tranquil islands and unspoilt beaches; inside the walls are the Sé (gothic cathedral), Paco Episcopal Palace and the convent of Nossa Senhora. Portimao, Lagos and Albufeira are a short train ride away.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Faro

    Faro

    Faro has a beautiful walled old town and is the gateway to the Ria Formosa Nature Park, with tranquil islands and unspoilt beaches; inside the walls are the Sé (gothic cathedral), Paco Episcopal Palace and the convent of Nossa Senhora. Portimao, Lagos and Albufeira are a short train ride away.

  14. Day 14overnight: Seville

    Faro to Seville

    An air-conditioned coach journey north to Seville, arriving in time for a late lunch. Check in at the Catalonia Santa Justa (or similar), within walking distance of the station, then an afternoon exploring Seville's orange-tree lined streets, La Giralda Cathedral, the Alcazar and the Plaza de España.

  15. Day 15railovernight: Girona

    Seville to Girona

    A rail journey by high-speed AVE to Zaragoza, then a connecting service to the Catalan city of Girona. Check in at the Ciutat de Girona Hotel (or similar) and spend the afternoon in the historic, medieval walled Old Town, used as a set for Game of Thrones and Killing Eve.

  16. Day 16rail

    Girona to London

    A leisurely breakfast before returning to the station for a service through France to Paris, transferring to Gare du Nord for the return Eurostar to London. The holiday can optionally be extended with another night in Girona or a stop in Paris.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, TGV to Hendaye, and regional train into San Sebastian on Spain's northern coast
  • Day 3Arrival in Porto, UNESCO World Heritage site straddling the Douro River, with a 3-night stay to explore the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia and São Bento station
  • Day 8Entry into Lisbon by regional train to Santa Apolonia station, with 3 nights to explore the city built on seven hills beneath Castelo de Sao Jorge
  • Day 11Intercity train to Faro in the Algarve for access to the Ria Formosa Nature Park and nearby towns of Portimao, Lagos, and Albufeira
  • Day 15High-speed AVE train to Zaragoza then connecting service to Girona, a medieval walled city in Catalonia

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 15 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Comprehensive directions to your hotels
  • Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel vouchers and other documentation
  • Complimentary delivery of your travel documents

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations is included on all named trains from London to Girona: Eurostar, TGV, regional, intercity, and high-speed AVE services. The only exception is the Eusko Tren regional train from Hendaye to San Sebastian, which is payable locally.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
This is an independent, tailor-made holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides comprehensive directions to hotels, ticket wallets, and travel documentation, but there is no accompanying guide.
What is included in the price?
The package includes Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations, 15 nights in handpicked hotels with breakfast, comprehensive directions, ticket wallets, and complimentary delivery of travel documents.
How long is the trip and when does it run?
The trip is 16 days and 15 nights. Low season (November to March) starts at GBP 1699 per person; high season (April to October) from GBP 1899 per person, based on two people sharing a twin or double room.
Can I upgrade to First Class?
Yes. First Class upgrades for all rail journeys are available from GBP 200 per person.
Can I break up the journey or extend the holiday?
Yes. Optional breaks are available in Hendaye or Bordeaux before San Sebastian, in Santiago de Compostela or Leon between San Sebastian and Vigo, and in Paris or Girona at the end. Day trips from Faro to Portimao, Lagos, or Albufeira are also optional.

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