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Need Itinerary Suggestions for Spain/Porto

I have 6 nights (either before or after) a wedding in Porto, Portugal this August and want to explore Spain. I was going to fly into Porto, and then fly to Barcelona and spend 2 nights in Costa Brava, then 4 nights Barcelona before heading home. Is there a better itinerary either starting from or ending in Porto that would allow me to explore Spain for 6 nights without flying? Would prefer the train or bus to enjoy the scenery (and avoid paying extra baggage fees on small airline carriers).

Thanks !

Posted by
16893 posts

No, there isn't. The best transport options are to fly, to stay within Portugal, or to rent a car in Porto to drive north and circle back to return in Portugal.

The primary trains between Portugal and Spain are the once-daily overnight trains departing Lisbon and Coimbra and ending at either Madrid or San Sebastian. A couple of buses per day would cover the same routes and take all day or overnight. Train connections straight north from Porto to Santiago de Compostela are more fractured and slow than you'd expect, making driving more attractive.

Posted by
7175 posts

Take the train from Porto via Vigo to Santiago de Compostela (2N) then on to Madrid (3N).
For your 6th night consider a stop in either Pontevedra or Leon.

Posted by
136 posts

Thanks for confirming what I thought:) I guess a flight out of Porto to Spain is the most efficient way to go.

Posted by
136 posts

I really had my heart set on visiting northern Spain (San Sebastian, Basque country) or southern Spain with a beach added ( kids love water/ beach). I have done the Lisbon to Algarve, to Seville, then Granados to Madrid trip before (southern Spain). Thanks

Posted by
7175 posts

Fly Porto to Pamplona (1N) via Madrid
Train to San Sebastián (3N)
Bus/train to Bilbao (2N)
Fly to Barcelona

Posted by
27122 posts

I spent a good chunk of last summer in northern Spain. The temperature in the Basque Country is likely to be a lot milder than you'd have farther south. I think you'll appreciate that. Understand, though, that you could have some rain on any given day. The Basque Country is green for a reason.