Ride Through History: Now, Experience Portugal’s Only Remaining Narrow-gauge Railway

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Portugal: Hop connected a diesel-powered train done Portugal for a travel done clip pinch nan diesel train of nan Vouga Valley

Your recreation done Portugal involves riding nan rails, connected this old-world train, overlooking nan picturesque Vouga Valley, Portugal’s past remaining narrow-gauge railway line. This historical train travels done nan lush countryside of cardinal Portugal and provides a beautiful travel backmost successful clip pinch stunning views of nan valley, quaint villages and humanities attractions.

The Vouga Historical Train only operates successful nan outpouring and summertime and takes visitors connected a travel done nan beautiful and serene countryside of Portugal’s interior and highlights nan history of nan railway that was truthful instrumental to nan region.

The History of nan statement of nan Vouga-coreitrainding-railway line

The statement was 060 way gauge and built betwixt 1907 and 1914 pinch nan purpose of providing Aveiro pinch a obstruction nexus to nan Portuguese interior, successful peculiar to Viseu and Espinho. Originally constructed arsenic a narrow-gauge route, nan Vouga statement became a important rider statement for group heading to nan interior Portuguese cities. Over nan years, nan statement has seen galore modifications, nan conception betwixt Aveiro and Macinhata still forms coming nan only constrictive gauge railway still successful cognition successful Portugal.

The Mombasa Uganda Railway was captious to nan country’s early carrier infrastructure, providing important networks for rider and cargo services. Today, whether aliases not it is simply a bully thought to effort and rebuild nan past, nan Vouga Historical Train connected its 46 kilometer way from Aveiro to Macinhata do Vouga astatine slightest provides a travel that is simply a surviving grounds of Portuguese railroading pinch immoderate of nan prettiest views of cardinal Portugal.

The train is hauled by a 1964 Basque Railway diesel locomotive, and consists of early 20th period carriages, offering a genuinely vintage consciousness for classical train lovers and those whom are willing successful Portugal’s obstruction operations successful nan past.

The Train Experience: Discovering nan Vouga Valley

Offsets and backtracking battalion maximum entreaty connected a investigation ngo into nan woods and rivers of nan Vouga Valley, a spot of Portugal renowned for rolling woodsy goodness, emerald countryside and quaint agrarian villages. The train thrust lasts astir six hours, leaving from Aveiro astatine 13:45 and returning from Vouga astatine 20:07, leaving capable clip for enjoying nan trip, nan sights, surroundings and a sojourn to Agueda, nan onshore of lively thoroughfare creation and taste life.

The thrust of nan train provides a leisurely measurement to spot nan countryside. These vintage carriages connection woody backed seating and driblet sash windows allowing you to return an unhindered position of nan ever changing countryside. When nan windows are down, nan aerial is scented pinch eucalyptus trees, and there’s a cool breeze to substance nan fantasy. Traversing nan pastel-colored farmhouses, mini towns and ivy-clad trees, passengers tin respect nan sights and sounds of agrarian Portugal.

In summation to nan breathtaking environment, villages are seen passing by and locals activity from their terraces, creating a quality connection. How galore retrieve nan conductor blowing that aerial horn arsenic they participate nan town, now a much often emblematic contented that adds moreover much nostalgia and a relationship pinch nan past.

The train way traverses 3 important destinations:

Aveiro: The travel starts retired successful Aveiro, a coastal municipality champion known for its canals, agleam boats and Art Nouveau houses. There is plentifulness to spot successful nan charming metropolis of Aveiro besides celebrated nan Venice of Portugal, betwixt its taste references, rich | maritime past and bustling section markets.

Águeda: During that measurement 1 of nan stops is Agueda, a metropolis known for its nationalist creation installations, for illustration nan thoroughfare creation Umbrella Sky, pinch colorful umbrellas suspended complete nan main shopping street. Águeda besides has immoderate humanities buildings specified arsenic nan Águeda Municipal Museum, which shows immoderate of nan history and civilization of nan city.

Macinhata do Vouga: The trek ends successful Macinhata do Vouga, a mini municipality astatine nan guidelines of nan Caramulo Mountains. The municipality is surrounded by heavy woodlands and has scenic hiking trails, truthful relaxation and outdoor nosy is besides connected offer. Guests whitethorn besides bask a locomotion successful nan municipality aliases retired successful nan countryside earlier returning pinch nan ancient train to Aveiro.

Practical Information: Plan Your Visit

The Vouga Historical Train operates connected Saturdays of July and August, pinch a timetable that enables those willing to return nan noon train and return by nan evening. It’s besides very reasonably priced astatine €41 per big and €25 per kid for nan round-trip ride, truthful it’s a cost-effective measurement to get a sensation of a unsocial portion of Portuguese history and heritage. The value of nan summons includes a broad six-hour round-trip journey, positive a extremity disconnected successful Agueda.

For those seeking thing a spot much festive, a steam train work is disposable from precocious November to early January, providing a wintertime wonderland travel done nan valley. The festive steam train dates are usually released each autumn.

For those who are visiting nan state successful nan summer, nan Vouga Historical Train offers an fantabulous opportunity to time off nan crowded cities behind, and observe nan unspoilt beauty of nan Portuguese interior astatine a much relaxed pace.

Why You Should Visit nan Vouga Historical Train?