1 week in Portugal by train
Portugal is ideally set up for rail travel. It’s a long, slender country on the far west side of Europe - this makes north to south (or south to north) rail travel particularly easy. 1 week in Portugal will give you enough time to get an overview of the country’s top sights. You'll get to see the likes of Porto, Lisbon, and a few smaller towns and villages in between.
Itinerary highlights
Port wine, bridges, and wooden trams in Porto; University of Coimbra; castle and walled town of Óbidos; nightlife, food, history, and architecture in Lisbon; a glimpse of the laid-back coastal lifestyle on the Costa do Sol.
Days 1 - 3: Lisbon
View of the old Alfama district at sunrise
Walk the old Alfama district and visit Castelo de São Jorge.
Take the train to the Belém district to see the splendid Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Torre de Belém. You can also find the best pasteis de nata (local custard delicacy) here!
Have a night on the town in the many bars of the Bairro Alto.
Spend a day exploring the gardens, palaces and castles of Sintra.
Take a day trip to the fishing village of Cascais, and visit Boca do Inferno, the Mouth of Hell.
Arriving at Lisbon Airport? There’s a metro to the city centre leaving every few minutes.
Day 4: Óbidos
The beautiful village and the wall of Óbidos castle
Walk the ancient town walls for panoramic views of Óbidos and the surrounding plains.
Have a meal or stay overnight in the Castle of Óbidos, a well-preserved medieval castle.
Explore the labyrinthine streets of the walled town.
Catch a regional train from Entrecampos station to Óbidos - there is a direct train that leaves mid-morning and takes 2,5 hours.
Day 5: Coimbra
The university of Coimbra at night
Explore the campus of the University of Coimbra. Dating back to the 13th century, it's one of the oldest universities in the world.
Visit Sé Velha, a remarkable 12th-century cathedral.
Get lost in the books at Biblioteca Joanina, a beautiful and extravagant 18th-century library.
Catch the early train from Óbidos to Coimbra, and connect at Lisbon. It gets you to Coimbra in time for a late lunch.
Days 6 - 7: Porto
View of Porto and the Douro river
Walk across the Dom Luís I Bridge for aerial views of Porto.
Take a walking tour or get lost on your own in Porto's historical centre.
Take a boat cruise up the Douro River to view the Port cellars on the other side. Visit them to get a taste of the best Port wines!
Catch the wooden tram (Tram 1) to the river mouth and lighthouses.
Trains from Coimbra to Porto run every hour. Regional trains will get you there in 2,5 hours and don't require a reservation. The Intercity train does it in 2 hours but needs to be reserved in advance.
Is 1 week in Portugal enough for me?
This itinerary might not get you all the way to the Algarve, but it'll give you time to explore some of Portugal’s most vibrant and noteworthy cities, as well as get a taste of its coastal atmosphere.
With a Eurail Pass and at least 1 week in Portugal, you’ll have enough time for a truly remarkable trip in a culturally and historically fascinating country.
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