Travel from portugal to spain: Spain and Portugal itinerary | Eurail.com

Spain and Portugal itinerary | Eurail.com

Dream of your Iberian adventure

 

Spain and Portugal are ideal rail partners. These countries, part of the Iberian peninsula, are packed full of beautiful cities, fascinating history and plenty of attractions – both day and night. With comprehensive rail networks and easy international rail links in the north, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t follow this Spain and Portugal itinerary for the ultimate Iberian adventure.

Cities visited on this trip:

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One-week Spain and Portugal by train itinerary – On the Luce travel blog

Explore Spain and Portugal by train in just one week on this rail itinerary which takes you from Barcelona to Valencia, Madrid, Porto and Lisbon, with delicious food and drink along the way.

* This site contains affiliate links, where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

From paella to port, churros to custard tarts – eat and drink your way through two countries as you travel across Spain and Portugal by train. This one-week rail trip takes you from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, starting in Barcelona and Valencia before heading inland to the Spanish capital Madrid and across to Porto and Lisbon.

This Spain and Portugal rail itinerary will show you which trains to take, how much they cost, how to book and what to see and do along the way – with quirky architecture, world-class artworks, golden sand beaches, river boat trips and plenty of tapas.

One-week Spain and Portugal by train itinerary

Spain and Portugal by train map

Day 1: Barcelona

Start your journey across Spain and Portugal by train with a full day in the seaside city of Barcelona. The Catalan capital’s 2000 years of history, impressive art and architecture, and inventive culinary scene have helped make it one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations – and it can feel like it when you’re walking down the bustling Las Ramblas.

Explore the bustling Gothic quarter with an audioguide walking tour* and discover the Barcelona’s cathedral, Roman ruins, palaces and royal squares as you get an insight into the history and legends that form the foundations of this city.

Architect Antoni Gaudí left his mark across the city with his unique take on Art Nouveau. You can see his handiwork at Parc Güell, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà and the unfinished Sagrada Família. This giant basilica has been under construction since 1882 and won’t be finished until at least 2026. But you can still take a tour* to see work in progress.

The Sagrada Família under construction

When you get hungry, stock up on local cheese and jamón at La Boqueria food market. Then take the cable car to Montjuïc to watch the sun set over the city and toast the evening with a glass of cava at a beachside bar in the seafront neighbourhood of Barceloneta.

Where to stay in Barcelona: The Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella* is a stylish, good-value hotel near the main city sites, with a 24-hour lounge bar and a rooftop terrace overlooking Ciutadella Park. Rooms are small but bright, with splashes of colour coming from the chain’s signature turquoise details and murals by a local artist.

Barceloneta beach

Day 2: Barcelona > Valencia

Next morning, take the 3.5-hour Torre Oro train journey south along the coast to Valencia, which departs from Barcelona Sants station at 08.30 and arrives into Valencia’s Estacion del Norte (north station) at 11.55. Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia hosts the famous Las Fallas festival each March to welcome spring in riotous style.

Take a walk around the Ciutat Vella (old town) for some of Valencia’s most impressive historic buildings, including the Lonja de la Seda medieval silk market, Torres de Serrano city gates and Valencia Cathedral – where you’ll allegedly find the Holy Grail, and will definitely find impressive views over the city from the top of the Micalet belltower.

The Torres de Serrano

Visit the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences – a complex of buildings, bridges and turquoise pools which looks like something from a sci-fi show. It’s actually a park built in the late 1990s to redevelop an old dry riverbed. Its unique buildings are home to the Oceanogràfic aquarium, a 3D cinema, science museum, opera house and sculpture garden.

If you fancy an afternoon on the beach, Valencia has a string of wide, sandy beaches stretching north and south of the city. Admire tiled buildings in the traditional fisherman’s district of Cabanyal-Canyamelar. Then take an evening stroll along the seafront promenade before trying traditional local dishes like Fideuà (seafood noodles) and the original Paella Valenciana, made with chicken, rabbit, snails, garrafó beans and rice.

Where to stay in Valencia: The Hotel Balandret* is right on the beach, 30 minutes from the old town by public transport, with views of the ocean or marina and a sunny terrace restaurant. The owners are proud of their local heritage, with sculptures and a giant mural made of 1000 botijos (traditional water jars) decorating the reception area.

Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences

Day 3: Valencia > Madrid

The following morning, take the short 1 hour 45 minute AVE high-speed train to Spain’s capital Madrid. The 10.10 service from Valencia’s Joaquín Sorolla station arrives into Madrid Atocha at 12.32. Along the way it climbs upwards from sea level to 700 metres, with views of the Contreras Reservoir and Hoces del Cabriel Nature Reserve.

Then you have the afternoon and the next morning to explore Madrid. Admire the city’s architecture in the Plaza Mayor, take a walk down the Gran Vía and people-watch in one of the cafés in Puerta del Sol square. Don’t miss a stop off for churros con chocolate – sticks of deep-fried dough rolled in sugar and dipped into thick hot chocolate.

Take a breather and stop for a picnic in one of Madrid’s parks – there’s Retiro Park with its lawns, lakes and glass Palacio de Cristal, the Parque del Oeste with its Egyptian temples, or the giant Casa del Campo park – which you can reach by cable car on the Teleférico de Madrid. Or football fans can take a tour* of Real Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium.

The terrace bar at the Círculo de Bellas Artes

Start your evening in Madrid at the Círculo de Bellas Artes, an arts and cultural centre with a rooftop terrace bar that’s the perfect spot to watch the sun go down with a cocktail. Then head out on a food and drink-filled tour* of the city’s tapas bars. Or visit the beautiful glass Mercado de San Miguel, with stalls selling treats from across Spain.

Where to stay in Madrid: Palacio Plaza Conde Miranda* apartments are in an 18th-century building in a quiet square close to San Miguel market. They’re smart and modern, with one or two bedrooms and a kitchen/lounge. Each is themed around a couple from films, TV series or books – from Elizabeth and Mr Darcy to Homer and Marge Simpson.

Read more: Visiting Madrid on a budget

Food stalls in the Mercado de San Miguel

Day 4: Madrid > Porto

The next morning, enjoy Madrid’s art and culture before catching the train across the border to Portugal. Art-lovers are spoilt for choice in Madrid’s ‘Golden Triangle’, with modern art at the Reina Sofia museum, European art at the Thyssen-Bornemisza and Spanish art at the famous El Prado (though you may need to book in advance*).

Or you can overdose on gold, marble and frescoes at the elaborate Palacio Real. It’s the largest palace in Europe and the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family – though they actually live outside the city and it’s only used for ceremonies. There are over 3400 rooms, 50 of which you can visit on a tour to admire the lavish interiors.

The Palacio Real

Previously we suggested taking the Lusitania overnight train from Madrid to Lisbon next, but the service has been discontinued so it’s now easier to head to Porto first, which takes just under 7 hours, changing in Vigo close to the border. Catch the 14.30 train from Madrid Chamartin to Vigo Guixar, arriving at 19.20. Then change onto the 19.56 from Vigo which arrives in Porto Campanha at 21. 18, just in time for a late dinner.

Where to stay in Porto: If you fancy splashing out, the luxurious Yeatman* in Vila Nova de Gaia has one of the best views in town and five-star service. From the decanter-shaped infinity pool to the grape-based spa treatments, they’ve gone all out with the wine theme. There’s also a two-Michelin-starred restaurant and an extensive wine cellar.

The Teleférico de Madrid

Day 5: Porto

Spend the next day exploring the laid-back riverside city of Porto. Get lost in the Ribeira, Porto’s medieval old town, with its maze of narrow streets running up into the hillside alongside the River Duoro. Cool off in the shady Jardins do Palácio de Cristal gardens and grab a drink by the riverside in colourful Praça da Ribeira square.

Climb to the top of the 76-metre-high Clérigos Tower and look out across the city’s rooftops. Visit the ornate Lello Bookshop – whose lavish staircase was the inspiration for the Hogwarts library in the Harry Potter books – and admire the traditional blue and white painted azulejo tiles which cover the walls of São Bento train station.

The Dom Luís I bridge

There are six bridges across the River Duoro which which link Porto with neighbouring Vila Nova de Gaia – including the arching Dom Luís I bridge. Take a boat tour* on board a traditional rabelo port barge, which takes 45 minutes to sail below all six of the bridges, with some great views of Porto’s riverside along the way.

Vila Nova de Gaia is the home of port-making, and you can visit the cellars of well-known brands like Taylor’s, Graham’s and Croft for a tour and tasting to find out more about how its made. And make sure to try some petiscos – the lesser-known Portuguese version of tapas, perfect with a refreshing glass of white port and tonic on a warm evening.

Read more: Exploring the Ribeira: Getting lost in Porto old town

Port tasting at Taylor’s

Day 6: Porto > Lisbon

Finish your trip across Spain and Portugal by train by travelling south down the Portuguese coast to Lisbon in just under 3 hours. Catch an Alfa Pendular high-speed tilting train from Porto’s Campanha station at 09.32 and you’ll arrive into Lisbon Santa Apolónia at 12.30. Then you have the rest of the day to spend in the Portuguese capital.

Wander through the grand Praça do Comércio square and explore the narrow winding cobblestone streets of medieval Alfama, the city’s oldest district, where you’ll find Lisbon’s Cathedral and the hilltop São Jorge Castle. Prepare yourself for a workout as Lisbon is one hilly city – though that does make for some fantastic views.

Climb to the top of the Miradouro São Pedro de Alcantara or the Miradouro do Graça (or you can catch the funicular or tram) to look out across Lisbon’s red roofs. You can also take a budget city sightseeing tour on board Lisbon’s bright yellow retro No 28 trams.

Lisbon’s red rooftops

Take a boat trip down the Tagus River to Belém, where you’ll find the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. And make sure to try Portuguese specialities like bacalhau (salt cod), ginjinha (cherry liqueur) and of course the infamous – and delicious – pastéis de nata custard tarts. You can try dishes from top local chefs at the Time Out Market food hall.

Where to stay in Lisbon: The boutique Brown’s Central Hotel* in the Baixa Pombalina downtown district features stylish vintage-meets-modern touches like Roberts radios and retro lamps. It’s close to metro and tram stops and has a brasserie and Art Deco-style cocktail bar which plays host to exhibitions and performances.

The No 28 tram

Day 7: Lisbon

Spend the last day of your Spain and Portugal rail trip seeing more of Lisbon. Or if the sun’s shining you could visit one of the sandy beaches just outside the city – take a local train to Praia de Carcavelos from Cais do Sodré on the end of the green Metro line. Then if you’re flying back home, Lisbon’s airport is 20 minutes by Metro from the city centre.

Colourful Sintra

More time?

If you’ve got more time you could add on day trips from Lisbon to the colourful palaces of Sintra or the medieval city of Évora. Or if you feel like relaxing on the beach, you could travel south to Lagos on the Algarve coast (4. 5 hours) for golden sands and clear seas. And if you want to go further, a ferry connects the Algarve with the island of Madeira during the summer – taking 24 hours to travel between Portimao and Funchal.

Sailing into Madeira

How much does it cost?

When you’re planning a European rail trip, you can either book individual tickets or get a railpass, which can be a better deal if you’re under 28, want more flexibility or are booking late. Here’s how the prices break down for the two different options on this route.

Individual tickets

Ticket prices vary depending on how early you book, with a limited number of cheap tickets available. So book as early as possible (on most routes you can book 3–4 months in advance) but beware these tickets are non-transferable so you’re tied to a specific train. Using the cheapest fares, the cost of trains on this route starts at €76.65 per person.

  • Barcelona > Valencia: from €12.35
  • Valencia > Madrid: from €7
  • Madrid > Porto: from €47. 80
  • Porto > Lisbon: from €9.50

Porto’s trams

The railpass option

There are also various rail passes available through InterRail (for European residents) and Eurail (for non-European residents), which cover individual countries or the whole region and are valid for different periods of time, varying from four days to three months.

The Spain and Portugal by train itinerary involves four travel days across two countries, so the best option is the Global Pass for 4 travel days within 1 month. This costs €246 for adults, €185 for youths (aged 12–27) or €221 for seniors (aged 60+) in second class.

Colourful buildings in Madrid

As well as the pass, you also need to pay an extra compulsory reservation fee for all trains in Spain and for high-speed services in Portugal. For this trip, the reservation fees come to €28, broken down as below, meaning the overall railpass cost starts from €274.

  • Barcelona > Valencia: €6.50
  • Valencia > Madrid: €10
  • Madrid > Porto: €6. 50
  • Porto > Lisbon: €5

Reservations can be made at any train station in the country or for Spanish trains they can be made online through the InterRail/Eurail reservations service for a fee of €2.

Azulejo tiles in Porto’s São Bento station

How to book

There are a variety of websites where you can book European train journeys, but often the best deals are though the official railway company sites for each country. For this trip these are Renfe (Spain) and Portuguese Railways (Portugal).

You can also book tickets for train travel in Italy with Omio* or The Trainline. The advantage is these sites are in English, you can see prices in €, £ or $, use international credit cards and print or use mobile tickets, but they do both charge a small booking fee.

Trains within Portugal can only be booked through Portuguese Railways, so you’d need to book tickets for Vigo to Porto and Porto to Lisbon separately.

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Spain and Portugal – tour for 14 days on the route Madrid – Lisbon – Castelo di Vidi – Marbella – Fatima – Tomar – Mateus – Porto – Coimbra – Guimarães – Ronda – Malaga – Granada – Evora – Valencia – Mertola – Nazare – Peñiscola – Seville – Braga – Barcelona – Marvan – Pignan – Obidos

  • Route
  • Program

Excursion tour to Spain and Portugal from St.

Petersburg along the route: Barcelona – Peniscola – Valencia – Madrid – Granada – Malaga – Marbella – Ronda – Seville – Mertola – Evora – Marvau – Castelo di Vidi – Tomar – Fatima – Porto – Braga – Guimarães – Mareos – Pignan – Coimbra – Batalha – Nazare – Obidos – Lisbon.

14 days

The tour will be on sale soon.
Start of sales – March 2024.

Tour route:

  • Barcelona, ​​Spain

  • Peñiscola, Castellón, Spain

  • Valencia, Spain

  • Madrid, Spain

  • Granada, Spain

  • Malaga, Spain

  • Marbella, Spain

  • Ronda, Spain

  • Seville, Spain

  • Mertola, Portugal

  • Evora, Portugal

  • Marwan, Portugal

  • Castelo di Vidi, Portugal

  • Tomar, Portugal

  • Fatima, Ourén, Portugal

  • Porto, Portugal

  • Braga, Portugal

  • Guimarães, Portugal

  • Mateus, Portugal

  • Pignan, Portugal

  • Coimbra, Portugal

  • Batalha, Portugal

  • Nazare, Portugal

  • Obidos, Portugal

  • Lisbon, Portugal

Double click to move the map

Tour itinerary:

  • Independent arrival in Barcelona.

    Transfer to the hotel.

    Free time.

    In the evening you will receive information about the start of the tour, or it will be indicated on the information sign at the hotel reception.

  • Breakfast.

    Morning city tour: Rambla, Gaudí buildings, Olympic buildings.

    Free evening.

    Night transfer to the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc (ticket included) to enjoy its enchanting beauty and music.

    Free time for dinner (extra charge) in the area.

    Note: If you are staying in Barcelona in February, the Magic Fountain is closed. Therefore, a night transfer to the Olympic Port, a quarter with restaurants, nightclubs, etc., will be included.

  • Breakfast.

    Departure along the Mediterranean coast to the south.

    Stop in Peñiscola, a small medieval town surrounded by the sea.

    Time for a walk around the city.

    Departure for Valencia.

    Free time for lunch in the historic center (extra charge).

    Bus tour of the City of Arts and Sciences, a modern architectural complex designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava.

    Departure to Madrid.

    Arrival at the end of the day.

    Night transfer to Plaza Mayor, where you can have dinner (extra charge) and try Spanish wines in typical taverns.

    Attention: if the number of passengers Valencia – Madrid is small, it is possible that the trip will be carried out on a high-speed train.

  • Breakfast.

    In the morning, a sightseeing tour of the city, during which you will get acquainted with the main sights of the capital.

    Optional extra fee excursion to Toledo.

    Optional extra flamenco show fee, where you can also enjoy typical Spanish drinks.

  • Breakfast.

    Departure from Madrid early in the morning.

    Departure to the south of Spain via La Mancha.

    Stop in Puerto Lapis, a small town in the Autonomous Community of Castile-La Mancha that reminds of Don Quixote.

    Entrance to Andalusia through the Despeñaperros Gorge.

    Arrival in Granada.

    Lunch.

    In the evening, excursion with a local guide through the architectural and park ensemble of the Alhambra and through the wonderful parks and gardens of the Generalife, built during the era of Arab rule.

  • Breakfast.

    Departure from Granada.

    Departure for the Costa del Sol.

    Arrival in Malaga.

    Time for a walk through the historic center of the city, where the Malaga Cathedral and the Picasso Museum stand out.

    Departure along the Mediterranean coast to Puerto Banus, a wonderful port for top class leisure activities in Marbella.

    Continuation of the route through this mountainous area, where you will hear stories about robbers.

    Arrival in Ronda – the most beautiful white city, soaring over the abyss.

    Departure to Seville.

    Arrival late in the evening.

    Dinner at the hotel.

  • Breakfast.

    In the morning sightseeing tour of the city.

    During the tour you will get to know the city’s cathedral and the famous Giralda, the symbol of the city, the banks of the Guadalquivir River and the popular quarters of Santa Cruz and Triana.

    After the tour, a boat cruise on the Guadalquivir River.

    Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the ship.

    In the evening you will have the opportunity to visit a flamenco bar.

  • Breakfast.

    Departure from Seville.

    Departure for Palos de la Frontera.

    Visit to the caravel museum.

    From here, Christopher Columbus set off for America on August 3, 1492.

    Visit to the Monastery of Santa Maria de La Rabida, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    This Franciscan monastery is associated with the history of the discovery of America.

    Departure to Portugal.

    Stop in Mertola.

    Lunch on request for extra charge fee.

    Departure to Évora, a city in the east of Portugal declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    White streets, Renaissance palaces and cathedral.

    Visit the impressive Capela dos Ossos Chapel of Bones, the interior walls of which are covered and decorated with human skulls and bones.

    Free time.

    You can relax in the hotel’s swimming pool.

  • Breakfast.

    Travel through the beautiful nature of Alentejo.

    Stop in Marvau, a picturesque town protected by a fortified wall, offering excellent panoramic views of the entire region.

    Visit to Castelo di Vidi.

    The city is famous for its castle and the old Jewish quarter, where you can visit the ancient synagogue at the present time, the museum. We also recommend walking along the narrow streets of this city.

    Lunch on request for extra charge fee.

    Departure to Tomar.

    The history of the city is closely connected with the famous Knights Templar.

    Visit to the monastery of Convento de Cristo – an ancient monastery-castle of the Knights Templar.

    Arrival in Fatima.

    Visit to the village of Alzhushtrel.

    Here you can visit the home of Lucia de Jesus Rosa Santos, a Portuguese Catholic nun who witnessed the Fatima Revelations. Then, if you wish, you can visit the Architectural Complex of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima and see thousands of candles burning at night.

    Dinner.

  • Breakfast.

    Departure to the north of Portugal.

    11:00 Arrival in Porto, the second largest city in Portugal.

    Panoramic tour of the city: the historic center of the city, the banks of the river Duero.

    Visit to an old wine cellar.

    Free time.

  • Breakfast.

    Walk around Braga – the religious capital of Portugal with an old church.

    The oldest funicular in the world will take you up to the Sanctuary of Bon Jesus do Monti, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city. It is recommended to walk down the stairs. The city of Guimarães was the first capital of Portugal, as the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza reminds of.

    Lunch break (extra charge).

    Evening visit to the beautiful gardens of Mateusz.

    In the Duero Valley, you can enjoy wonderful landscapes and vineyards.

    City travel
    Sabrosa, birthplace of Ferdinand Magellan, Portuguese and Spanish navigator.

    In Pignan, you will find a wonderful railway station covered with Portuguese tiles.

    Short cruise (approx. 1 hour) on the river Duero.

    ATTENTION: from November to March the cruise is not included. Includes local train ride along the river.

    Trip to Coimbra.

    Arrival at the end of the day.

    Dinner at the hotel.

  • Breakfast.

    Free time in Coimbra, the third largest city in Portugal, where you can visit the ancient university and picturesque streets.

    Continuation of the trip to the south.

    Stop at the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria in Batalha, an impressive medieval building where the kings of Portugal are buried.

    Lunch break (extra charge).

    Walk through Nazare – the city of fishermen
    and a sanatorium.

    Includes a lift ticket that takes you up to the old town for panoramic ocean views.

    On the way to Lisbon stop in Obidos.

    This is one of the most beautiful villages in Portugal: white streets decorated with flowers.

    Arrival in Lisbon around 19:30.

  • Breakfast.

    In the morning you will have a sightseeing tour of the city, during which you will get acquainted with the Belém region, from which Portuguese navigators set off on sea voyages in the 15th century.

    Free time.

    Optional extra fee guided tour of the cities of Sintra, Cascais and Estoril.

    In the evening transfer to Reshtauradores (Restorers) Square.

    Here you can sit in bars and cafes, or take the da Gloria funicular to the highest area of ​​the Portuguese capital and to the observation deck.

  • Breakfast.

    End of tour.

The price includes:

  • excursion by bus with an English-speaking guide;
  • basic travel insurance;
  • hotel accommodation;
  • daily breakfast buffet;
  • transfer upon arrival;
  • ship: along the river Guadalquivir, along the river Duero in Pignana;
  • panoramic tour to: Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Seville, Porto, Lisbon;
  • night transfer: in Barcelona, ​​Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Restauradores Restorers Square in Lisbon;
  • tickets: Palace and architectural and park ensemble of the Alhambra, La Rabida Monastery and Caravel Museum, Chapel of Bones in Evora, Monastery – Convento de Cristo in Tomar, Port wine cellars, Mateus Gardens;
  • meals – 4 Lunches or dinners in: Granada, Seville, Fatima, Coimbra;
  • funicular: Bon Jesus do Monti in Braga, To the ancient city of Nazareth.

Additional services:

  • air tickets St. Petersburg – Barcelona; Lisbon – St. Petersburg;
  • supplementary power supply;
  • excursion to Toledo;
  • flamenco show;
  • City tour of Sintra, Cascais and Estoril.

Travel along the Spanish border from Salamanca to Braganca

After visiting the golden city of Salamanca, we continued our journey along the Spanish border. We drove through the Arribes del Duero Natural Park and visited small towns, namely Aldeadavila de la Ribera and Zamora.

We then returned to Portugal through the village of Rio de Onor and enjoyed the views from the top of the Montecinho Natural Park before reaching the center of Bragança.

Below you will find our day trip itinerary in northern Spain and Portugal, including places to eat in case you want to follow our itinerary.

Morning – Spain

Arribes del Duero Natural Park Tour

We left Salamanca early in the morning and headed west towards Arribes del Duero Park. Stretching over 100 hectares, it forms the northern border between Spain and Portugal, with the Duero River running through the middle. High mountains, granite outcrops and waterfalls make up the landscape of this vast natural park. If you come here at the beginning of the year, then it is worth visiting Pozo de los Humos, a beautiful waterfall that flows into the Uces River.

Arribes del Duero is also a wine region. There are several wineries here, for example, Arribes del Duero or Bodegas Ribera de Pelazas. For nature lovers, there are many hiking trails, such as the Senda del Duero, a route that runs along the river Duero.

Visit the city of Aldeadavila de la Ribera

Aldeadavila de la Ribera is a picturesque village located in the territory of Arribes del Duero. The Spanish writer Miguel de Unamuno called it “the heart of Arribes”. The village is surrounded by lookouts that offer views of the river and mountains. The best sites are Mirador del Picon de Felipe and Mirador del Fraile (Miradouro do Frade). Next to the second site is Llano de la Bodega, a picnic area with stone benches and tables.

There are other interesting sights in the city, such as the Church of San Salvador (the Iglesia de San Salvador) and the Cabrero Monument (Monumento al Cabrero), dedicated to the local shepherds.

If you’re visiting in the summer, you might want to check out Playa del Rostro, a small river beach where you can swim, rent a kayak or join a boat tour.

Get to know the city of Zamora

From Aldeadaville de la Ribera we went to the city of Zamora. Set along the banks of the Duero River, it has a charming historic center surrounded by medieval stone buildings. There are over 20 Romanesque churches in Zamora, significantly more than in any other city in Spain. We started our tour from the Church of Santa Maria Magdalena (Santa María Magdalena de Zamora). Built in the 12th century, it is one of the most beautiful churches in the area, distinguished by its doorway with floral motifs.

From the church head straight for the Puente de Piedra, a footbridge built in the 13th century.

A few steps away is the Mirador del Troncoso, an observation deck that offers a magnificent view of the river and the bridge.

On the way to the castle, one cannot miss the cathedral with its majestic dome rising above the roofs of the city.

Inside is the Cathedral Museum (Museo Catedralicio), which houses an impressive collection of Flemish tapestries.

Finally, head up to Zamora Castle and walk along the ramparts for a panoramic view of the city.

Enjoy Spanish cuisine

While in Zamora, you can dine at El Mesón del Zorro. Located next to the train station, this restaurant specializes in meat dishes. He is known for his Cocido, a traditional Spanish stew made from chickpeas, meat and vegetables. If you want to eat near the center, try the original tapas at La Sal restaurant.

Cosido, a traditional Spanish stew made from chickpeas, meat and vegetables, Zamora, Spain

Morning tour itinerary

Afternoon – Portugal

Visit Rio de Onor village for lunch

continued our tour heading to Portugal via Rio de Honor. Just over 70 people live in this tiny village on the border between Portugal and Spain. Slate-roofed cottages line both sides of the river, and sheep roam the green fields. On the streets and in cafes, you can hear a mixture of Spanish and Portuguese, namely the local dialect, also known as Rionorês.

Walk in the Montecinho Natural Park

Rio de Onor is one of the many villages located within the Montecinho Natural Park. After visiting the village, be sure to take the time to explore this protected nature reserve of over 70,000 hectares. Chestnut trees and oak groves cover its hills, which are inhabited by various animals, such as the Iberian wolf, wild boar, roe deer.

This is an ideal place for cycling, walking and swimming, as there are several river beaches, such as Praia Fluvial de Fresulfe. If you are traveling with children, you should check out the Vinhos Zoobotanical Park (Parque Biológico de Vinhais), where you can interact with some of the animals or even spend the night in one of their capsules.