San Sebastian and Lisbon
- London to Northern Spain by train
- San Sebastian – a foodie’s paradise
- Lisbon – trams, fado music and pastel de nata
- Return via historic Merida and buzzing Barcelona
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 9 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, flight documentation and hotel vouchers
- All credit card surcharges and prompt delivery of your travel documents to your home
Suggested Itinerary
Start your rail journey to Spain and Portugal with a morning Eurostar from London (or Ebbsfleet) to Paris. Cross to the Gare du Nord and board a high speed TGV down through Bordeaux and Biarritz to Hendaye, close to the Spanish border. Here you’ll need to purchase a ticket locally for the service which will take you through Basque countryside to San Sebastian, known in the Basque language as Donostia. On arrival in San Sebastian, check in for a 2 night stay at the Zinema7 Hotel (or similar).
TMR RECOMMENDS: If you would like to break your journey to San Sebastian (which takes a full day from London), we can add an overnight stay in Bordeaux or Biarritz to your holiday plans.
San Sebastian is a beautiful resort town on the Bay of Biscay. It’s famous for its sweeping city beaches and its cuisine. The city boasts the second highest number of Michelin stars in the world, after Kyoto in Japan.
Spend a full day here relaxing, catching some rays on the La Concha or Ondarreta Beaches or, if you’re feeling energetic, take a walk up to the top of Monte Igueldo for spectacular views (there’s also a funicular if you want to take the easy route). In the evening, head for one of the city’s famous pintxo bars (basque tapas) for a delicious meal.
You have another morning to explore San Sebastian before heading to the station for your onward journey. This will take you into the heart of the autonomous Basque Community and to its capital, Vitoria/Gasteiz. From here, continue towards the coast and arrive late in the evening into Vigo, around 30 miles from the Portuguese border.
Here, check in for an overnight stay at the NH Collection Vigo (or similar).
Enjoy a free morning in Vigo today. This is the largest city in Galicia, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. You might like to take a stroll around the Casco Vello (old centre) or even enjoy some time on the beach if the weather is fine.
This afternoon, make your way back to the station and catch a train south, across the Portuguese border to Porto. Change here (or choose to stop for a couple of nights if you have the time) and catch a train to Lisbon. On arrival, check in for a 3-night stay at the Lisboa Prata Hotel (or similar).
Enjoy two full days at leisure in the Portuguese capital. Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and enjoys one of the warmest climates in Europe, particularly during the winter season. You can get around on foot, or use the historic trams to ascend one of the city’s seven hills.
Don’t miss the views from the commanding Castello de Sao Jorge or the stunning, UNESCO World Heritage listed Jeronimos Monastry and Belem Tower, both fine examples of Portuguese Manueline architecture.
It’s an early start today as you make your way back to the station and board an InterCity service to Entroncamento. Here, change onto a Portuguese regional service which will take you back into Spain via Badajoz, and into the Roman city of Merida. Here, check in for an overnight stay at the Parador de Merida (or similar).
You arrive in the mid-afternoon and have the evening here, but we’d recommend an extra night to explore this fascinating city if you have the time. Merida was founded as a Roman colony in 25BC and has some amazing Roman remains.
After breakfast this morning, head back to the station and catch a train up to Spanish capital Madrid. Change here onto a high-speed AVE service to Barcelona and check in for an overnight stay at the Barcelo Sants Hotel (or similar), conveniently located for the station.
This morning, at the end of your exciting holiday, catch a direct TGV service from Barcelona Sants which will whisk you through Catalonia and France up to Paris. Here, an easy connection brings you to the Gare du Nord for your return Eurostar to London.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
San Sebastian
The Zinema7 is themed around cinema and the San Sebastian Film Festival. Each room offers free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV’s and is dedicated to an actor or director who has visited the city. The stylish, sound-proofed rooms feature contemporary décor.
Vigo
The NH Collection Vigo occupies a historic building in the centre of the Vigo, close to the Modern Art Museum and the port. Modern, classically furnished bedrooms are all furnished with air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. For your comfort, a pillow menu is also available. Enjoy late night tapas in the hotel’s café-bar or Galician specialities in the on-site restaurant Irati.
Lisbon
Occupying an 18th century building in the central Baixa Pombalina district of Lisbon, the Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel offers easy access to the sights of the city. All bedrooms feature sound-proofed windows, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi internet access, a minibar and a flat-screen cable TV. The hotel also has a 24-hour reception and a bar, where you can enjoy a drinking before heading out in the evening.
Merida
The Parador de Merida occupies a former convent, dating back to the 18th century, within a short walking distance of the centre of town. Bedrooms are spacious and furnished in a Castillian style with flat-screen TV, mini bar and safe. The hotel boasts a welcoming restaurant as well as an outdoor pool and an internal courtyard and gardens.
Barcelona
This recently renovated and modern hotel is perfectly situated for rail travellers, as it is built on top of Barcelona Sants railway station. The hotel has a subtle space exploration theme and all the bedrooms have a large window with views of the city. Each also has an iPod dock, flat-screen TV, and tea and coffee making facilities. There is a choice of two restaurants and a cocktail bar.
