Iberian Peninsula: Madrid to Porto
A grand rail and bus journey from Madrid through Seville, the Algarve, and Lisbon to Porto
An open-jaw flight itinerary that avoids backtracking. It connects five segments using high-speed rail, cross-border buses, and Portuguese trains, with stays in four locations, including day trips to Évora and Sintra. Ideal for first-time visitors without a car who have plenty of time. The pace is relatively full; if you want to slow down, you can skip Madrid or Porto. Seville and Madrid can be extremely hot in midsummer.
Seville is scorching hot in July and August; cross-border bus tickets must be booked in advance.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Madrid Old Town
Madrid（Puerta del Sol、Plaza Mayor、Royal Palace of Madrid）
Take the metro or airport express bus to the city center (approx. 40 minutes) and explore on foot in the afternoon.
Stay: Puerta del Sol Area
Day 2 · Paseo del Arte & El Retiro Park
Madrid（Prado Museum、Reina Sofía Museum、El Retiro Park）
Walk from Puerta del Sol to the Prado Museum in about 15 minutes, and walk between the museums and the park.
It is highly recommended to book timed-entry tickets for the Prado and Reina Sofía in advance.
Stay: Puerta del Sol Area
Day 3 · High-Speed Train South to Seville
Seville（Barrio de Santa Cruz、Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)）
Take the AVE from Atocha Station to Seville (approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes) and explore the Old Town on foot in the afternoon.
Stay: Santa Cruz
Day 4 · Royal Alcázar, Cathedral & Plaza de España
Seville（Real Alcázar of Seville、Seville Cathedral & La Giralda、Plaza de España, Seville）
The heart of the Old Town is easily walkable; Plaza de España is about a 15-minute walk away.
You must purchase timed-entry tickets for the Alcázar online in advance.
Stay: Santa Cruz
Day 5 · Triana & the Riverbank
Seville（Triana、Mercado de Triana、Torre del Oro）
Walk across the bridge to Triana in about 20 minutes, and return to the Old Town along the river in the afternoon.
Stay: Santa Cruz
Day 6 · Cross-Border Bus to Lagos
Western Algarve（Lagos Old Town）
Take a bus from Plaza de Armas Station to Faro, then transfer to Lagos. The entire journey takes about 4 hours.
Tickets sell out quickly in July and August, so book well in advance.
Stay: Lagos Old Town
Day 7 · Ponta da Piedade & Beaches
Western Algarve（Praia do Camilo、Ponta da Piedade、Praia de Dona Ana）
Walk about 2 km from the Old Town along the cliffside trail to Camilo Beach and Ponta da Piedade.
Stay: Lagos Old Town
Day 8 · Sagres Day Trip
Western Algarve（Fortaleza de Sagres、Cape St. Vincent）
Take a public bus from Lagos to Sagres (approx. 1 hour). Services are limited, so alternatively, join a local day tour.
Stay: Lagos Old Town
Day 9 · Train North to Lisbon
Lisbon（Bairro Alto & Chiado、Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara）
Take the train from Lagos with a transfer at Tunes to Lisbon (approx. 3 hours and 30 minutes), or take a direct bus.
Stay: Baixa and Chiado
Day 10 · Alfama & Belém
Lisbon（São Jorge Castle、Alfama、Jerónimos Monastery、Belém Tower）
Explore the Old Town on foot in the morning, then take Tram 15 to Belém in the afternoon (approx. 30 minutes).
Stay: Baixa and Chiado
Day 11 · Évora Day Trip
Évora（Roman Temple of Évora、Évora Cathedral、Chapel of Bones、Praça do Giraldo）
Take the intercity train from Oriente Station to Évora (approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes) and explore the historic center on foot.
Trains are infrequent, so book your round-trip tickets in advance.
Stay: Baixa and Chiado
Day 12 · Sintra Day Trip
Sintra（Pena Palace, Sintra、Quinta da Regaleira）
Take the suburban train from Rossio Station to Sintra (approx. 40 minutes), then transfer to a local bus up the mountain.
Stay: Baixa and Chiado
Day 13 · Train to Porto
Porto（São Bento Railway Station、Ribeira、Dom Luís I Bridge、Vila Nova de Gaia Port Wine Cellars）
Take the Alfa Pendular to Porto (approx. 2 hours and 45 minutes). Explore the riverbank and wine cellars in the afternoon.
Stay: Baixa and Avenida dos Aliados
Day 14 · Half Day in the Old Town & Departure
Porto（Livraria Lello、Clérigos Church & Tower）
Explore on foot in the morning, then take the metro to the airport (approx. 40 minutes).