Christmas on rails: CP invites you on an enchanting journey on the Vouga Historic Train
Trips take place on Saturdays and Sundays on the only narrow-gauge line in operation in Portugal.
This Christmas, embark on a journey where history meets magic. The Vouga Historical Train returns to the tracks to transform every moment into an unforgettable experience, featuring illuminated century-old carriages, onboard entertainment, and stops to experience the Christmas spirit, promising unique memories for the whole family.
On what is the only narrow-gauge railway line still operating in Portugal, the Vouga Historical Train will run nine trips on Saturdays and Sundays between December 7, 2025, and January 4, 2026, between Aveiro, Macinhata do Vouga, and Águeda.
The little train, decorated and illuminated with festive motifs, promises to enchant children and families. The trip includes onboard entertainment with elves, guided tours, and a special stop in Macinhata do Vouga to visit the Railway Museum and a Christmas market with typical regional products.
In the city of Águeda, passengers can admire the iconic Christmas decorations, including the World's Largest Santa Claus (21 meters high and with over 250,000 LED lights) and the World's Smallest Santa Claus, a nano-sculpture visible only under a microscope. The famous illuminated "Umbrella Sky" and the Christmas Market complete the fantasy setting.
Every detail has been carefully considered to transform this trip into a memorable experience, with a historic diesel locomotive and century-old carriages (built between 1908 and 1930), adorned with hundreds of lights, which evoke nostalgia in older travelers and curiosity in younger ones.
Tickets, which are already on sale, can be purchased at CP ticket offices or online at www.cp.pt, priced at €41 for adults and €25 for children (with special group rates).
The Christmas edition of the Vouga Historical Train is organized by CP – Comboios de Portugal, in collaboration with the Águeda City Council and the Macinhata do Vouga Parish Council, representing a commitment to promoting railway tourism and local communities, as well as a fundamental contribution to territorial cohesion.
Full Program:
1:45 PM: Departure of the Christmas Historical Train – decorated and illuminated, with elf entertainment on board – from Aveiro Station.
2:59 PM: Arrival in Macinhata do Vouga – with entertainment and music and a complimentary Águeda pastry; opportunity to visit a Christmas Market where you can buy typical regional products and take a guided tour of the Macinhata do Vouga Railway Museum.
4:40 PM: Departure from Macinhata do Vouga.
5:02 PM: Arrival in Águeda - Start of the guided tour of the various activities and entertainment: Christmas Market, the World's Largest and Smallest Santa Claus, Umbrella Sky with Christmas-themed lighting, among others. Foreign passengers can take the tour in a group using a translation device (Vasco).
7:20 PM: Departure from Águeda on the Historic Christmas Train.
8:07 PM: Arrival at Aveiro Station.
All information can be found at www.cp.pt.
