Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Undiscovered Portugal in Style 2026

Escorted 8-day Portugal tour on scenic regional trains

Illustration of Undiscovered Portugal in Style 2026

Railtrail Tours runs this 8-day escorted tour through Portugal, starting in the Templar town of Tomar and ending in Lisbon, travelling throughout by regional train. A Tour Manager accompanies the group, and free afternoons are built into several days for independent exploration. After a guided visit to the UNESCO-listed Convento de Cristo in Tomar, the tour rides the Beira Baixa Line along the River Tagus to Castelo Branco, then an international train to the fortified town of Elvas before settling into the five-star Hotel Aqueduto in Evora for four nights. From Evora, the tour takes a train to the historic town of Beja and a guided walking tour of Evora itself, including the Roman Temple of Diana and the chapel of bones, before a final excursion to the hilltop village of Monsaraz. The trip suits travellers who want a mix of scenic Portuguese railways, historic towns, and one high-quality base in Evora.

What to know before you look closer

  • The lead price of £1,675 is for the Ground Only option, joining and leaving at Lisbon; the Flight Inclusive option from Stansted or Luton costs £1,925. A Rail Inclusive option is also offered, but it is a 12-day itinerary with Eurostar from London, priced from £2,475, rather than the same 8-day tour.
  • Only two evening meals and two lunches are included across the seven nights; breakfast is included daily, but most other meals are at travellers' own expense.
  • The train to Entroncamento's National Railway Museum on day 2 is offered as an alternative to free time in Tomar, not a fixed part of the itinerary.
  • Only one departure is currently listed, for October 2026.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Tomar

    Travel to Tomar

    We will be offering both flight and rail options for travelling to Tomar. After flying into Lisbon, you will take a train directly to Tomar. If you are travelling overland from the UK, you will not need to go via Lisbon. Direct flights available from Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton, and Manchester.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Tomar

    Convento de Cristo and National Railway Museum

    Founded in 1157 by the Order of the Templars, Tomar is dominated by the 12th century castle containing the UNESCO World Heritage Convento de Cristo. Guided visit to the Convent, then free afternoon in Tomar or a train to Entroncamento to visit the National Railway Museum. Return to Tomar for our Welcome Dinner.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Tomar

    Beira Baixa Line to Castelo Branco

    A rail trip on the Beira Baixa Line, one of Portugal's most under-rated scenic railway lines. Train to Entroncamento then regional train along the Beira Baixa Line as far as Castelo Branco, riding along the north bank of the River Tagus past the 'Gates of Rodao'. Time for lunch and to visit the 'Jardim Episcopal' in Castelo Branco.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Evora

    Elvas and on to Evora

    Coach to Abrantes station to catch the international train to the fortified town of Elvas. Free afternoon to explore Elvas, including its star-shaped defensive walls and 16th-century aqueduct. Coach to the five-star Hotel Aqueduto in Evora, home for the next four nights. Dinner in the hotel.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Evora

    Beja by train

    Inter-city train to Casa Branca, changing to a train south to the regional town of Beja. Lunch at Beja Pousada, free time to explore the town's castle and centre, then train back to Evora.

  6. Day 6overnight: Evora

    Evora with a local guide

    Guided exploration of Evora's Roman Temple of Diana, the university, the cathedral, the chapel of bones and the aqueduct. Free afternoon to continue exploring or enjoy the hotel's facilities.

  7. Day 7overnight: Evora

    Monsaraz

    Coach to the fortified hilltop border village of Monsaraz for a short guided tour, followed by free time to explore, with views over the Alqueva Dam and into Spain. Farewell lunch in a local restaurant.

  8. Day 8rail

    Departure

    This morning, catch a train to Lisbon Oriente from where we take the metro to the airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A guided visit to the UNESCO-listed Convento de Cristo, founded in 1157 by the Order of the Templars, with an optional train to Entroncamento's National Railway Museum.
  • Day 3The Beira Baixa Line runs along the north bank of the River Tagus past the 'Gates of Rodao' en route to Castelo Branco.
  • Day 4An international train crosses to the fortified town of Elvas, with its star-shaped defensive walls and 16th-century aqueduct.
  • Day 6A guided tour of Evora's Roman Temple of Diana, cathedral, and chapel of bones.
  • Day 7A guided tour of the fortified hilltop village of Monsaraz, with views over the Alqueva Dam into Spain.

Included

  • 7 nights bed & breakfast plus 2 evening meals and 2 lunches
  • All travel and excursions as per itinerary
  • Services of experienced Tour Manager

Not included

  • Optional activities, souvenirs, laundry etc.
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Additional hotel services (e.g. minibar, spa)

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From £1,675 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,263 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?
Yes, train travel is included throughout the itinerary, in first class where possible, including the Beira Baixa Line and the international line to Elvas.
Is it escorted or independent?
Escorted, with a Tour Manager throughout, plus free afternoons on several days for independent exploration.
Which trains are used?
Regional Portuguese trains including the Lisbon to Tomar route, the Beira Baixa Line to Castelo Branco, an international line from Abrantes to Elvas, and trains to Beja and back to Lisbon.
What hotels are used?
The Hotel dos Templarios in Tomar for three nights, and the five-star Hotel Aqueduto in Evora for four nights.
How do you get to Portugal?
The Ground Only price of £1,675 is for travellers who make their own way to Lisbon; a Flight Inclusive option from Stansted or Luton costs from £1,925, and a Rail Inclusive option with Eurostar from London extends the trip to 12 days from £2,475.
When does it depart?
One departure is listed, in October 2026, priced from £1,675 for Ground Only.

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