A journey to Portugal's stunning northeast corner

Our journey began at St. Pancras International Station, in the heart of central London. Before boarding your train and travelling across the English Channel to France, allow yourself time to experience nearby neighbourhoods, such as Bloomsbury, Camden and Primrose Hill. 

• Just across the street from St. Pancras International, the British Library is a convenient place to explore before embarking on your Interrail trip. The library’s Treasures Gallery, which travellers can visit free of charge, has something for everyone, from the earliest surviving copy of the epic Beowulf to handwritten lyrics penned by members of The Beatles. 
• Continue your literary tour of London at nearby Word on the Water, a bookstore located on a 100-year-old barge floating on Regent's Canal. 
• Enjoy some fresh air before your train journey begins. Just down St. Regent’s Canal are the “Green Steps,” perfect for relaxing with a coffee or tea before you head inside St. Pancras to continue your adventure. 

Crescent-shaped beaches, lush hills and historical city streets awaited us in San Sebastián, also referred to as Donostia. After arriving at Amara station, we made a beeline to the centre, eager to sample pintxos, the city’s most famous culinary highlight.

• Pintxos, small dishes served in restaurants and bars across San Sebastián/Donostia, showcase the variety of Basque cuisine. Begin hungry and hop from one restaurant to the next, trying a few different pinxtos at each stop.  
• Learn more about Basque history at the San Telmo Museoa, located in a former convent from the 1500s in the city’s scenic Old Town. 
• Spend a morning surfing the waves at Zurriola Beach, a popular stretch of sand along the city’s Gros district. A number of nearby surf shops offer lessons and rentals, making Zurriola Beach the perfect beginner-friendly spot. 

On the journey to our next destination, we left behind the green mountains and coastline of Basque Country and travelled into the rocky hills and arid plains of Castile and León. The city of León, steeped in medieval history, has a long been a destination for travellers – after all, the city is on the 1,000-year-old Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, which hundreds of thousands of trekkers hike each year.  

• Stepping into León’s Cathedral, with over 700 stained glass windows, is like stepping inside a kaleidoscope. Construction on the Gothic masterpiece began in the 1100s and today, it continues to attract travellers to the centre of León.  
• After sightseeing, enjoy some tapas in Barrio Húmedo in León’s Old Town. The Plaza de San Martín, located in the centre of the neighbourhood, is a picturesque and lively place to spend a few hours relaxing in the sun. 
• If your schedule allows, time your visit to overlap with one of León’s local festivals. On our October visit, we arrived in the city during the celebration of San Froilán and enjoyed exploring the medieval market, live music and other festivities.  

Welcome to Spain’s Galician coastline. Under 40 kilometres from the border of Portugal, we stopped in Vigo to rest and recharge before continuing our adventure to Porto and beyond. Spend a few hours exploring the harboursides and marinas of Vigo, a maritime destination going back to Roman times.  

• Catch a bird’s eye view of Vigo’s waterfront with a visit to Mirador Olivia, Monte de A Guía, or another scenic viewpoint. 
• Learn more about Vigo’s sea-faring history with a visit to the Galician Sea Museum, which promotes understanding of marine ecosystems and combats overexploitation of ocean resources.  
• Take time to wander the streets the Casco Vello, Vigo’s Old Town, stopping by landmarks such as the Concatedral de Santa María and the Plaza de la Constitución. 

Portugal’s second-largest city is a whirlwind of perspectives. There’s the historic centre, where my travel companions and I marvelled at landmarks such as the Clérigos Church and Fonte dos Leões. There’s the colourful, low-lying Ribeira neighbourhood, along the Douro River, and the reaching heights of the Jardim do Morro, perched on a bluff. Take your time exploring as much of it as you can.  

• Get to know Porto by wandering around the city’s vibrant green spaces, such as the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal and Jardim da Cordoaria.
• As you explore the nooks and crannies of Porto, take full advantage of its wide variety of public transit options. In addition to a metro, trams and buses, travellers can choose to take a funicular connecting the Ribeira neighbourhood to the Batalha Palace, a water taxi from one side of the Douro River to another, and a cable car that offers a panoramic view of the city.  
• Looking for a meaningful souvenir? There are plenty of small, locally-owned businesses in Porto’s historic centre, such as Poetria, a bookshop dedicated to theatre and poetry. If you visit on a Saturday, don’t miss the Porto Belo market, where craftspeople set up booths selling handmade clothing, records, and more.   

Our journey culminated in Portugal’s striking Côa Valley, a lesser-visited part of the country compared to Lisbon and Porto and wine regions such as the Douro Valley. With its carefully preserved prehistoric rock art and wide stretches of rewilded nature, the Côa Valley was a meaningful place to take stock of our train adventure and reflect on the beauty of the environments, cultures and communities we encountered on our trip. 

Note: There are limited public transportation options in the Côa Valley. After arriving at Pocinho, arrange transport with your accommodation to reach destinations around the area.  

• My fellow travellers and I stayed in Castello Rodrigo, a medieval castle and surrounding village perched on a hill in the Côa Valley. Casa Cisterna, a historic guesthouse founded by two biologists in the heart of the town, was a serene place to learn about the history and ecology of the area. 
• Experience a close-up look at the landscapes and native plants of the Côa Valley with a hike through the Faia Brava Natural Reserve. Keep your eyes on the sky – Faia Brava provides a habitat for several bird species, such as the griffon vultures, royal eagles, and black storks.  
• Rewind time at the Côa Valley Archaeological Park, where travellers can glimpse prehistoric rock art dating back to 22,000 BCE. After seeing the rock art in person, make a stop at the Côa Valley Museum to learn more about the art and the ancient people who called the region home.