“Portugal’s enviable train routes eliminate the need for a car,” Essentialist founder and CEO Joan Roca says, who suggests starting in Porto and training down to Lisbon before taking a ferry to Comporta for downtime on the beach.
Efficient transportation helps ease potential anxieties when traveling alone, which is why Portugal—a relatively small and easy-to-navigate country—is well-suited for a solo adventure. “Portugal’s enviable train routes eliminate the need for a car,” Essentialist founder and CEO Joan Roca says, who suggests starting in Porto and training down to Lisbon before taking a ferry to Comporta for downtime on the beach. “Solo travel here is easy to do thanks to plenty of great dining options, city tours, and cultural discovery options.” The country’s primary rail provider is Combios de Portugal and the Douro Line (which runs from Porto to Pochino) is said to be the most picturesque, offering front-row views of the river and valley. (Book your train tickets via Omio: it aggregates all of your tickets in one place and is intuitive to use.)