Travelling by train is one of the most relaxing and scenic ways to discover Portugal. The rail network, run by CP (Comboios de Portugal), links the main cities with fast trains such as the Alfa Pendular (Lisbon-Porto in about three hours), but some regional lines are true scenic routes.
The Douro line
The Linha do Douro is considered one of Europe's most beautiful railways. It leaves Porto's São Bento station, with its azulejo hall (see azulejos), and after Marco de Canaveses reaches the river, which it follows for more than a hundred kilometres to Pocinho, past terraced vineyards, quintas, tunnels and bridges. The most spectacular stretch is between Peso da Régua, Pinhão and Tua, with the river flowing a few metres from the tracks: sit on the right-hand side heading towards Pocinho. On summer weekends the historic steam train runs between Régua and Tua, with vintage carriages, music and port wine tastings.
Other scenic lines
- Linha da Beira Baixa: between Entroncamento and Castelo Branco it follows the Tagus, passing Almourol castle and through the Portas de Ródão gorge, then climbs towards Covilhã and Guarda.
- Linha do Minho: from Porto to Valença, it crosses the green Minho countryside and runs along the coast between Viana do Castelo and Caminha, then along the Minho river facing Galicia.
- Linha de Cascais: from Lisbon (Cais do Sodré) to Cascais, it runs a few metres from the sea the whole way, past Belém and the beaches of Carcavelos and Estoril. A 40-minute ride, cheap and glorious at sunset.
- Linha do Vouga: the last narrow-gauge railway still in service in the country, between Espinho and Oliveira de Azeméis, with small trains crossing villages and woods.
- Linha do Algarve: from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António, linking the towns of the south coast, with stretches along the Ria Formosa.
Trams and funiculars
Portuguese cities also have historic trams and funiculars. In Lisbon the famous tram 28 crosses the historic districts of Graça, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela, and the Glória, Bica and Lavra funiculars, together with the Santa Justa lift, tackle the city's slopes. In Porto tram 1 follows the Douro to its mouth, and the Guindais funicular climbs from Ribeira to Batalha. In Sintra a vintage tram runs in summer to the beach at Praia das Maçãs. Other famous funiculars are those of Nazaré, Santa Luzia in Viana do Castelo and Bom Jesus in Braga, water-powered, the oldest in the world still running on this system.
Tips
Tickets are sold on the CP website and app or at stations; for the Alfa Pendular and Intercidades, buy in advance for discounted fares. See also getting to Portugal.