9-Day Train Journey across Spain & Portugal: San Sebastián → Santiago → Porto → Lisbon → Faro → Córdoba → Madrid → Valencia → Barcelona (Start 13 Apr 2026)
Start with coffee and a pintxo or croissant at a local café in Parte Vieja; cafés typically open around 8:00 — a relaxed introduction to Basque cuisine.
Taste Basque specialities — try Bar Nestor’s tomato salad and chuleta or La Viña’s cheesecake; popular places can sell out so arrive early (lunch service ~1pm).
Book ahead for Arzak (Michelin) or pick a popular tavern for modern Basque tasting menus; Arzak requires reservation and opens for dinner from around 8:00pm (check and reserve).
Depart in the morning by long-distance rail (likely via Vitoria/Madrid route or with a single change); total rail travel ~6–8h depending on connections — book earlier trains to maximise daylight in Santiago.
Visit the cathedral — central to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage; cathedral opening hours commonly 7:00–20:30 for visiting (museum and rooftop tours have separate times).
Book ahead for Casa Marcelo for inventive Galician flavours, or pick a traditional taverna for fresh seafood and pulpo (octopus); typical dinner times are from 8:00pm.
Try the famous roast pork sandwich with Serra cheese at Casa Guedes or enjoy codfish dishes by the Douro; many restaurants open from 12:00–15:00 for lunch.
Visit the monastery (often open 10:00–17:30) and try the original pasteis at Pastéis de Belém (open early to late); museums and monuments may have set hours so check ahead.
Regional or Intercidades trains take roughly 2.5–3h to Faro on the Algarve coast; morning departure leaves the afternoon free for the Ria Formosa or old town.
Explore the cathedral, cobbled streets and city walls at a relaxed pace; cathedral and museum hours vary, so check opening times if you plan to go inside.
This is a longer rail day with one or two changes; expect ~5–6 hours depending on connections — aim for an early departure to arrive with daylight for the Mezquita.
Explore Córdoba’s UNESCO Mezquita — one of Spain’s most spectacular monuments; visitor hours often 10:00–19:00 but check seasonally and for mosque services/concerts.
Tapas sampling and market stalls in the historic centre; Mercado de San Miguel is open from mid-morning to late evening and offers many small-plate options.
Architectural complex with museums and the Oceanogràfic; opening hours typically 10:00–19:00 for many sites but check specific venues (Oceanogràfic has separate times).
Try an authentic Valencian paella on the Malvarrosa seafront; paella houses usually serve from noon and are busiest at lunchtime, so reserve if possible.