A Local’s Guide to Visiting the Douro Valley, Portugal
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The Douro River is the largest in the Iberian Peninsula, rising out of the Sierra de Urbion mountains in Spain and flowing west across the country into Portugal, where it meanders through much of the north before finally reaching the Atlantic ocean in the city of Porto.
And all along the route of this great river is the Douro Valley, which encompasses the terrain around the river beginning when it first crosses the border with Spain and continuing until about 60 miles east of Porto. This is one of Portugal’s most famous areas, known worldwide for its beautiful scenery, pretty riverside towns, and renowned winemaking tradition.
The Douro Valley is without doubt somewhere that you’ve already seen photo after photo of: a territory of steep hills covered in terraced fields of grape vines, a lovely river flowing through at the base, and small towns built along the hills, winding right down to the banks of the river.
While pictures, especially in the age of Instagram, often depict everywhere through rose-colored glasses, my memories of the Douro Valley are just as postcard-like as those photos that you’ve seen: I’ve spent afternoon sitting in the sun sipping Port wine while overlooking the hills covered in vineyards, swimming in the river during the summer months, and enjoying the quietness and luxuriousness of one of the countless spa hotels that can be found throughout the area.
Is this a touristy place? Yes, without question. That’s part of what comes with being a major global tourist attraction. But the Douro Valley is by no means “spoiled”, and part of the charm of a visit here is the opportunity it affords to escape into tranquil surroundings, where you can cruise down empty scenic roads, hike in the countryside, go for leisurely bike rides, and of course, sip wine in gorgeous surroundings.
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Table of Contents
What is the Douro Valley
Why Visit?
Where is the Douro Valley?
How to get here
Transportation and getting around
When to visit
How long to spend
Best places to visit
Things to see and do
What is the Douro Valley?
The Douro Valley is one of Portugal’s premier wine growing regions, and it’s the territory that begins alongside the Douro River as it crosses into northeastern Portugal from Spain, and which then follows the meandering path of the river until just about 60 miles east of Porto. All along this route are steep hills covered in terraced fields of grapes, where wineries produce Porto wine, for which Portugal is famous.
This area has been producing wine since Roman times, and while it’s now almost synonymous with fortified Port wine, the region also produces many other red and white table wines, and it actually wasn’t until the 17th century that this Port began to be produced here. Having been a predominantly agricultural area for centuries, it’s only in relatively recent years that the Valley has become a major tourist destination, reshaping itself in response to global interest.
The Douro Valley is technically a collection of three territories, the Baixo Corgo, the Alto Corgo, and the Douro Superior (listed in order from west to east), and the Alto Corgo is the most famous and picturesque, where the majority of the wine is grown and where tourism infrastructure is most robust.
And while this is the region where the vast majority of Northern Portugal’s wine is produced, that’s not the first thing that I personally associate with the Douro Valley: rather, to me, the Valley represents a place to escape from the city, to slow down, and experience rural life and nature. Despite being just a few miles outside of Porto, this is a place that feels light-years away from our bustling 21st-century life.
But the Douro Valley isn't your typical rustic, rural destination. That's what you get in the Alentejo, in southern Portugal, not in the hills of the Douro. Yes, there are many countryside/natural experiences to be had here, and there is plenty of lovely nature, but my best experiences in the Valley have always been when staying in the charming riverside hotels and spas, enjoying a touch of luxury while being nearby to nature.
Why visit?
Wine tourism is the major draw in the Douro Valley, but as I mentioned above, that’s far from the only reason to visit, and for my own trips, it’s never what I’m focused on. Instead, I come here when I need a respite from the city and want to get out into nature, but without having to sacrifice comfort and convenience.
When I plan a visit to the region, I'm not looking for wine tours and riverboat cruises though (even though there are plenty of those to enjoy). My goals here are a nice breakfast overlooking the Douro River, convenient access for scenic drives and pleasant hikes in the countryside, and a chance to get my yearly fix of fresh fish, duck rice, and Cozido à Portuguesa. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you more about these fantastic dishes later on!
More traditionally, what many people come here for are the boat cruises down the gently flowing river, the scenic train route that runs along the banks of the river from town to town, the winding country roads that make for great drives, the countless wineries to visit, and the delightful hotels and spas, many of which are housed in beautifully restored quintas (rural estates).
Where is the Douro Valley?
The Douro Valley is located in northern Portugal, and can be divided into three separate parts: the Baixo Corgo, the Alto Corgo, and the Douro Superior. The Valley stretches from the border with Spain to about 60 miles east of Porto, Portugal’s second city.
The main districts that it falls within are Vila Real, Bragança, and Guarda, and it stretches along the Douro River and its tributaries, encompassing a significant portion of the Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro region.
Porto is the closest large city, sitting about 40 miles away from Ribadouro, the first town of the Valley. Another 30 miles east is Peso da Régua, one of the Valley’s main towns and a central destination, owing to its good transit links - trains stop here and many river cruises depart from town.
Pocinho, one of the Valley’s easternmost towns, is about 120 miles away from Porto, and everywhere in between you’ll find the towns, hills, vineyards, and countryside of the Douro Valley.
Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, is located approximately 200 to 250 miles away, depending on the specific destination you’re headed to within the Valley. Traveling by car, it typically takes around 4 to 5 hours to get here from Lisbon.
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How to get here
Porto is the closest major city to the Douro Valley and it’s also by far the easiest place from which to reach it, with easy access by both car and train.
By train from Porto
As I mentioned above, there is a wonderful scenic train route, the Linha do Douro Railway, that passes through most of the Douro Valley’s towns and which extends all the way out to Porto.
This route, which begins at Porto’s São Bento train station, stretches east to Pocinho, a small town in the province of Guarda, on the Valley’s easternmost end. Along the way, it makes 21 stops, passing through the towns of Aregos, Caldas de Moledo, Regua, and Pinhão (among other destinations), all of which are tourist favorites in the Douro Valley region.
There are regular daily trains throughout the day (typically around 10 to 12 in total), and if you want to run the entire route, it will take around 3.5 hours from Porto to Pocinho.
You can see schedules and purchase tickets on the Comboios de Portugal website.
By car from Porto
If you’re coming from Porto and will have you own car, driving to and through the Valley via the iconic N222 national road is a wonderful experience. This is an incredibly scenic, easy-driving road that follows the path of the River, all the way from Porto out to Vila Nova de Foz Coa, in the Douro Superior region.
Along the way, you should plan to divert off onto route 322 in Peso de Regua to visit the Parque Natural do Vale do Tua and the town of Tua.
Renting a car: if you plan on renting a car, I also always recommend checking prices on the car rental websites DiscoverCars and AutoEurope.
DiscoverCars includes offerings from all the major international rental companies as well as lots of smaller local agencies, which often have much better pricing. You can often find great deals.
AutoEurope tends to be more expensive, but they only list options from large, well-reviewed companies and their customer service is excellent. Their deals often include “zero deductible” (i.e. full coverage) rental insurance.
Arriving from Lisbon
If you plan to visit the Douro Valley from Lisbon and won’t have your own car, then I suggest that you first take one of the many daily high-speed Alfa Pendular trains straight to Porto, and then head into the Valley from there (following the instructions provided above).
If you’ll be coming from Lisbon and have a car, the town of Lamego, one of the Douro Valley’s principal destinations, is about 220 miles and 4 hours away.
Transportation and how to get around the Valley
Driving
Without question, the best way to get around in the Douro Valley is by car. While you can reach many of the region’s towns by train, the main attractions here are not the towns themselves, but rather the vineyards and quintas in the surrounding countryside, which cannot be reached by train (or bus, for that matter).
While you can book taxis/transfers to get to some of those, it quickly becomes quite expensive and is fairly inconvenient, as you will need to line up all of your transportation in advance.
The Douro Valley is not a heavily populated area, so driving here is mostly quite pleasant and easy. The scenic national N222 road runs more or less alongside the river for the entire stretch of the valley, and affords fantastic scenery throughout much of the drive, with scenic viewpoints dispersed all throughout the route.
The N222 is the main route for traveling from one area to the next, but when you want to head out into towns away from the river, or any of the farms/estates, countryside hotels, or vineyards, you’ll just branch off onto little winding local roads.
When the weather is nice, going for a drive is one of the most pleasant things you can do in the Douro Valley, so having your own car is always my recommendation.
Linha do Douro Railway
If you don’t drive or just prefer not to rent a car, don’t despair! The towns of the Douro Valley are well served by the scenic Linha do Douro Railway, which runs along the river all the way from Pocinho, in the far east of the Valley, to Porto.
The train makes about 21 stops along the way, passing through the many riverside towns.
This train is used daily by commuters who live and work in the valley or in Porto, and use it as their primary means of transportation for getting to/from work. Because of that, there are typically between 10-12 departures each day, giving travelers tons of options both for getting to and then around the Valley.
If you only plan to hop around between the Douro Valley’s towns, this train line will be extremely convenient for you and there’s no need to worry about a car.
In Porto, the train leaves from the city’s São Bento station, and one-way tickets to Pocinho, the last stop on the line, cost a bit under €13.
River cruises
Full-day river cruises are another popular option for travelers, although they are really more of a touristic experience than an effective means of transportation.
Lots of travelers, especially those who plan to visit the Douro Valley as a day trip and really just want a taste of the scenery, will sign up for full-day river cruises, which depart from Porto and travel to either Peso da Régua or Pinhão. In town, you’ll depart the boat and then typically visit one of the quintas (vineyards), and will then either take a bus or the train back to Porto.
These touristic boat cruises are usually all inclusive, with breakfast and lunch served on board, and the winery visit included as well. I find these to be pretty tiresome though, as sitting on a boat and then the train/bus for an entire day is a lot of time spent doing nothing. If you’re traveling with kids, it can be a nightmare.
Alternatively, I think a much better option are the 1 to 2-hour river cruises that travel between the towns of the Douro Valley. Lots of these shorter boat rides depart from the towns of Peso da Régua, Tua, and Pinhão, and they offer some really nice scenery. I always suggest riding from west to east, as the valley gets prettier as you move in from Peso da Régua.
Public buses
Buses, the lifeblood of Portuguese public transportation, are also relatively common in the Valley, and they reach many of the small towns and villages that are not covered by the Porto to Pocinho train.
No matter how little the town, you can always open the Rede Expressos or Flixbus apps/websites (they're the two most comprehensive bus companies operating in Portugal) and search for buses going from one place to the next.
I used to move around by bus a lot in Portugal, and I'm still surprised by how well-connected these tiny villages and remote towns can actually be.
With that said, this is a pretty sparsely populated region with no real cities, so don’t expect buses to run regularly throughout the day. For example, Peso da Régua and Lamego, the two main towns in the region, only have three buses per day traveling between them. For smaller towns, you’ll often be lucky if there’s one.
When to visit
The Douro Valley has a mostly typical Mediterranean climate and it is comparatively warmer and drier than other parts of northern Portugal. There are two primary takeaways to be had from that: the spring and autumn are less wet in the valley than in neighboring areas, but the summer is hotter and drier, and is more similar to central and southern Portugal than the north.
In the spring, when the vineyards blossom, temperatures go up to a very pleasant 20°C (68°F), whereas in the summer, they can easily exceed 30°C (86°F), especially the further east you go in the valley.
In the autumn, when the foliage starts to change, temperatures drop, albeit not dramatically, typically hovering between the springtime and summer averages. Winter, on the other hand, is cold and wet, with lots of rainy days and temperatures usually ranging from around 5-15°C (41 to59°F).
In my opinion, September is the best time to visit the Douro Valley and this is for three essential reasons
You get to witness the world-famous Douro grape harvest, which starts at the very end of August and goes through October
The temperatures decrease from the intense summer highs, receding down to pleasantly warm but not overly hot, making it perfect for winery visits, boat rides, and outdoor activities. The day’s are also still fairly long and you will have mostly clear, sunny skies.
The summer crowds will have already departed, meaning you can experience the valley as it should be: peacefully.
Nevertheless, there's really no wrong time to visit the Douro Valley, especially if you come here with the right attitude.
The spring is pretty pleasantly warm and it’s a nice time for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling. The region also becomes green and starts to blossom, making it very pretty. The summer months, although very crowded and hot, and good for river cruises, swimming, and traditional folklore parties/festivals.
And while the winter has generally bad weather, this is a great time for a romantic spa escape, chilling out in rural villas, and saving some money on travel and accommodation.
How long to spend
The “right” amount of time to spend in the Douro Valley depends entirely on what type of experience you’re looking for. If you’re planning a road trip through Portugal and are trying to experience a bit of everything in the country, or are primarily city hopping between Lisbon and Porto and just want a taste of rural wine country, then you might be perfectly fine with spending just one day here.
1 day in the Valley - the standard day trip
The Douro Valley can be comfortably visited as a day trip from Porto, and you can easily get here in just a few hours by car, train, or boat. It’s no problem at all to catch the Porto to Pocinho train first thing in the morning, arrive into Peso da Régua, for example, in the late morning, and then spend the rest of the day visiting towns, vineyards, and taking scenic boat rides. In the later afternoon, just hop back on the train and return to Porto. You’ll probably even be back in the city in time for dinner.
The plan above is a perfectly pleasant way to spend a day, and it’s how the vast majority of people experience the valley. Most people, regardless of what means of transportation they use to get here, come in for the day and then move on to somewhere else afterwards.
3 or 4 days - for a chance to experience rural Douro Valley life
If you want a more immersive experience that actually lets you soak up the atmosphere of the Douro Valley, I suggest spending 3 or 4 days here.
Why so much time when you can easily go from one point of the Valley to the other in just a day? Well, I think that visiting the Douro Valley is about getting away from society, relaxing in nature for a few days, and experience a quieter, slower pace of life. To do that, and if you want the chance to really appreciate the atmosphere here, you need at least a couple of days so that you can actually unwind and get a bit off the typical tourist route.
For me, a big part of the pleasure of visiting the Douro Valley lies in the fact that there aren’t tons of “must-do” attractions here, so you really get to prioritize just enjoying yourself. You won’t find many amazing historical sights, lots of great architecture, world class museums, or other “star” attractions here, so you can forget about checklists and busy days spent trying to fit it all in. Instead, a few days in the Valley is a chance to just relax, visit some wineries, get out into nature, go for some scenic drives, and enjoy a bit of leisure.
Here’s what I’d suggest for a 4-day stay:
Day 1 - Peso da Régua, wineries, and the Museo do Douro
Day 2 - Caldas de Aregos, Ucanha, and a river cruise
Day 3 - the east of the valley: Côa Valley and Douro International Natural Park
Day 4 - Vila Real and Lamego
For a more detailed version of this itinerary, see the “4-day Douro Valley itinerary” section at the end of this article.
Where to stay - best bases
For most travelers, the best bases in the Douro Valley are the towns connected by the Porto to Pocinho train, especially if won’t have a car. If you book your accommodation in any of these villages, you can easily travel to other towns in the Valley, catch boat rides, and get here and back from Porto quite quickly.
The Porto-Pocinho train stops in the following Douro-Valley locations: Juncal, Pala, Mosteirô, Aregos, Mirão, Ermida, Porto Rei, Barqueiros, Rede, Caldas de Moledo, Godim, Régua, Covelinhas, Ferrão, Pinhão, Tua, Alegria, Ferradosa, Vargelas, Vesúvio, Freixo de Numão, and Pocinho. Since all of these towns are on the train route, you could really stay in any of them, but most are too small to have any real appeal for an extended visit.
Of those towns, Peso da Régua, Lamego, Pinhão, and Tua are the ones I’d recommend considering as bases.
If you have a car, you can get creative with where to base yourself. I’d still suggest staying nearby to any of the four towns mentioned above, but many of the nicest accommodations in the Valley are found in rural areas outside of those towns, often in former (or current!) Quintas, as well as renovated old manor houses, so it can be really nice to book one of these. You’ll still be close to the towns, but will be able to start and end your day in blissful, peaceful surroundings.
As a rule of thumb, if you’re staying in a town, you should always try to get a hotel as close to the river as possible. I cannot stress enough how great it is to wake up overlooking the Douro River (from your balcony?!), so you should absolutely prioritize that experience.
My top 3 picks: Peso da Régua, Lamego, and Pinhão
Out of all available solutions, I believe that Peso da Régua and Lamego are the best, with the town of Pinhão as your third option.
Peso da Régua and Lamego are the largest towns in the area, and they combine a great selection of tourism -related businesses and experiences with all the practical amenities and services that you’d expect from any little city: train and bus stations, shops to buy groceries, plenty of restaurants within walking distance, bars and cafes, and welcoming locals.
Pinhão, on the other hand, is much smaller than the other two towns and has a lot less going on. It’s not as good a base if you want lots of options and a busier atmosphere, but has the benefit of offering the feel of being in a remote, rural area, without giving up good transit connections (it’s right on the train line and is also the starting point for lots of river cruises). It also has a few good restaurants, and is in a major wine growing area, so there are tons of excellent wineries nearby.
Best places to visit in the Douro Valley
Now, for the truly exciting part: What kind of places should you visit in the Douro Valley, and what kind of activities can you enjoy in there? If you're in need of ideas, the following recommendations will surely keep you busy:
1. Peso da Régua
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Peso da Régua is not a big city but it is - alongside Lamego - the major town in the Douro Valley. This means that it has the best transit connections, the most services and amenities, and the most to see and do right in town.
I'm a big fan of Peso da Régua because it's an incredibly charming village with plenty of traditional Portuguese restaurants to enjoy. Moreover, it's filled with great hotels, many of which have unforgettable views looking out at the typical terraced vineyards of the Valley. I think the Hotel Vila Galé Collection Douro is the best premium option of the bunch.
Peso da Régua also has the Museu do Douro, or Douro Museum, which gives a fantastic overview of the history and significance of wine production in this region.
In the summer months, Peso da Régua also hosts three must-visit traditional folklore parties: the São João do Rio (June), the Medieval Journeys of the Douro (July), and the Nossa Senhora do Socorro festival (August).
2. Lamego
The Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. Photo: Concierge.2C, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The city of Lamego has existed since Roman times, and it was stolen from the Moors at the beginning of the 11th century. From that day on, Lamego became an important religious hub, best known for the Diocese of Lamego, which was once one of the most significant Catholic buildings in Portugal.
Today, this historic town is a wonderful retreat, inhabited both by upper-class families who have their summer residences here, and the farmers who still make Port wine following the traditional process from hundreds of years ago.
The town center is genuinely lovely (and actually has a fair deal of restaurants, bars, cafes, etc.), the Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios is an impressive Catholic Church featuring a magnificent and extensive tiled staircase reminiscent of the Bom Jesus do Monte (in Braga), and the Lamego Castle offers incredible views of the city and surrounding countryside.
In addition to Port wine, Lamego is also nationally famous for its world-class presunto (a type of dry-cured ham that is popular in Portuguese and Spanish cuisine) and espumante (sparkling wine).
3. Pinhão
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pinhão is a tiny little Douro Valley town about 15 kilometers from Peso da Régua. The town itself is cute and is located on an especially pretty part of the Douro River, it’s very, very small, with little to see or do.
So, the main reason for a visit here are that many of the river cruises depart from Pinhão’s marina, and the surrounding area has an incredible wealth of excellent wineries. You probably won’t stay very long in town, but it’s a place worth mentioning as there’s quite a bit to see nearby, especially for wine-focused travelers.However, the surrounding area has tons of
4. Ucanha
The bridge and tower in Ucanha. Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped from original
Ucanha, not far from Peso da Régua is a nearly deserted village that has recently seen a significant increase in tourism (mostly domestic). Still barely known to international visitors, this is a little gem where it looks as if time has stood still.
Ucanha hasn't appeared in any tourist brochures that I know of yet, and that’s part of what makes it one of the most authentic tourist experiences you can have in the Douro Valley. Near this lost-in-time village, you can find one of the best Douro hotels I have ever visited, the magnificent Douro Cister Hotel Resort, and one of my favorite traditional Portuguese restaurants, the Tasquinha do Matias, where everything is served in clay pots.
If you pay the town a visit, it would be sacrilege to leave without trying the local bagaço, a type of brandy made by distilling grape pomace, which is basically Portugal’s version of moonshine.
5. Caldas de Aregos
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Located in the municipality of Resende and accessible via the Porto to Pocinho train, Caldas de Aregos is an ancient spa town with thermal baths, and it also urrently doubles as one of the top destinations for river cruises in the entire Valley.
I spent a weekend in Caldas de Aregos with some friends, and I was totally taken in by the town's good vibes, welcoming population, and abundance of river sports, all centered around the local marina.
Today, visitors can still relax at the local spas, which have been used therapeutically since the 17th century.
6. Vila Nova de Foz Côa
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
To reach Vila Nova de Foz Côa, in the far east of the Douro region, you’ll either have to drive almost the entire length of the N222 road or take the Linha do Douro train all the way to the final stop, Pocinho, and then continue on a little ways from there. Don't worry, though, because the journey is well worth it!
Vila Nova de Foz Côa is too far east, where the Valley becomes quite arid, to be a wine tourism destination, so what you’ll get here are the following: excellent panoramic views of the Valley, and the Archaeological Park of Foz do Côa, where you’ll have a chance to check out Paleolithic rock art.
Not far away is the Douro International Natural Park, which is a beautiful and very remote park in the Côa Valley that has great hiking, birdwatching, and rural tourism opportunities.
7. Vale do Tua Regional Nature Park
If you’re looking to go beyond just the viewpoints of the Valley and really want to get out into nature, the Vale do Tua Regional Nature Park is perhaps the best option. This little-known natural site has lots of great hiking, with trails ranging from 4 to 20 kilometers in length.
The beautiful Tua Lake is also found here, which is the perfect spot for a swim on a hot summer day (or a picnic at any other time of year when it’s too cold to swim).
8. Palácio de Mateus
Photo: Concierge.2C, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped from original
Historic monuments are the bread and butter of tourism in Portugal, but they are relatively scarce in the Douro Valley region. The wonderful Palácio de Mateus, near Vila Real, is the most notable exception, and it's been a National Monument since the turn of the 20th century.
It features a lavish palace, a humble chapel, a beautiful garden with lots of artificial lakes and fountains, and of course, a wine cellar! The palace is open every day between 9 AM and 6 PM and is most definitely worth visiting.
9. Castelo Rodrigo
Photo: Adriana campale clauz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you dare to extend your Douro Valley adventure to the eastern extremes of the civil parish of Castelo Rodrigo, in Guarda, you’ll be rewarded with the ruins of the medieval Castelo Rodrigo castle, which was built in the 6th century and then “lost” for the thousands of years since.
Castelo Rodrigo is also the perfect starting point for the “Historic Villages of Portugal” program, which encompasses 12 abandoned or nearly abandoned villages from the Beira Interior region.
This is fairly far away from the main towns and traditional points of interest within the Valley, but I think it’s one of the cooler places to experience when here (if you’re not short on time).
Things to do in the Valley
1. Ride along the scenic Porto to Pocinho train
As I’ve said throughout this article, the Porto to Pocinho train route is the lifeblood of the Douro Valley, both for commuters going about their daily lives, and tourists visiting the small towns throughout the region. But this scenic train ride is more than just transportation, as it’s also a tourist experience in its own right. Following right along the path of the river, you’ll have beautiful scenic views all throughout the journey, regardless of which towns you’re traveling between.
This is considered one of the prettiest rail journeys in Europe, so even if you’ll have a car during your trip, you should plan to hop on the train just for the fun of it. I think the prettiest section of the line is the stretch between Pinhão and Pocinho (the last stop), as the eastern side of the Valley is the wilder, more geographically impressive part.
And if you happen to be here during the grape harvest, there are typically a few days throughout the season where the Portuguese national rail carrier, Comboios de Portugal, organizes it’s own wine-focused programming. On these days, they arrange for special carriages to travel the line, and they organize visits to a local winery, including tastings, lunch, and programs for visitors to participate in the harvest and production process. You can learn more about it here.
Photo: Kabelleger / David Gubler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
2. Drive the N222 road through the valley
Driving along the N222 road, which runs the entire length of the Douro Valley, is one of the quintessential experiences for a visit here, and it’s an absolute favorite among domestic tourists. The road intermittently runs along the river, up into the hills, and past towns, wineries, and lovely countryside. It’s without question one of the nicest drives in Portugal.
There are scenic viewpoints and outlooks all along the way, so prepare to stop often. At a few points, it’s very much worth branching off to some other roads, like around the town of Pinhão, where you can veer off onto the N322. This road passes through a very pretty hilly area before it reaches the village of Vale de Mendiz (which is quite nice) and has a great viewpoint, and eventually continues on to the Parque Natural Do Vale do Tua, which is a great hiking area and has a lovely lake.
However you do the drive, know that the destination doesn’t really matter; ghe fun here is the drive itself and the views you’ll have along the route.
3. Take a Douro River cruise
Going on a Douro River cruise is another of the almost obligatory experiences here, and while it’s certainly a very touristy experience, some things are touristy for a reason; because they’re a ton of fun and absolutely worthwhile! Most of the cruises leave from either Peso da Régua or Pinhão, but you can find some others departing from all over the Valley.
There are tons of cruises every day, so you will have no issue finding one and making it work with your schedule. The standard ride is in a traditional wooden Rabelo boat, lasts about 1 hour, and costs 15 euros or less per person.
You can also do half and full-day river cruises, departing from Porto. These can be good options if you only want to visit the Valley on a day trip from Porto, and want all your transportation provided. For a full-day experience, you can board a boat in Porto, cruising down the river for a few hours all the way to Pinhão or Peso da Régua. Afterwards, you’ll disembark, and will often have a bus organized to take you to a nearby winery. To end the day, you can return to Porto by train (this will typically be included as part of the experience).
These full-day river cruises have all meals included (which can be everything from breakfast to dinner if you do a full day on the boat) and the winery visit as well. There are lots of options for these, ranging from budget to luxury, and prices vary accordingly. On the cheaper side of things, they can cost as little as around 30 euros per person though.
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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4. Do some hiking in Douro International Nature Park
The Douro International Nature Park sits in the Côa Valley, right next to the must-visit village of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, and is the ideal Douro Valley destination for hikers and those looking to experience remote nature. ideal for hikers. If exploring the mountains on foot or bike is one of your passions, then you're going to love this place! As for the hikes themselves, there's something for everyone, including both absolute beginners and hiking pros.
My recommendations? For beginners, the 2.6-kilometer Congida route near Freixo de Espada à Cinta should be more than enough to get to know the park. For more experienced hikers, the 11-kilometer Castanha route is amazing.
And if you’re a cyclist, I highly recommend that you make your way to Cicouro, in Bragança, where you can set off on the unforgettable 77-kilometer Carril Mourisco route, which is not for the faint of heart!
Photo: Yola76, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped from original
5. Sample the local cuisine
Great wine isn't the only local delicacy to try in the Douro Valley. The food here is also excellent, and you should make sure that you’re well fed, if for no other reason than to make sure you don’t get too tipsy from all the wine you’ll be drinking!
There are tons of great restaurants here, but my personal favorite is the little-known O Tonel, in Lamego. It looks a bit shabby from the outside, but it’s super welcoming inside and is charmingly decorated like an old wine cellar.
As for the local delicacies themselves, here are my top five recommendations:
Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, which is salted codfish served with potatoes, onions, and eggs
Cozido à Portuguesa, this is THE traditional Portuguese stew
Caldo Verde, a comforting soup made with potatoes, kale, onions, and chorizo or linguiça sausage
Arroz de Pato, or duck rice
Grilled fish, especially if the fish is fresh and comes directly from the Douro River
6. Take an olive oil tour at Lagar da Sancha
Wine isn't the only great Mediterranean product coming out of the Douro Valley, whose climate is equally good for the production of olives and olive oil. If you're not a big fan of wine, or if you're simply tired of wine-related activities, I suggest that you pay a visit to the Lagar da Sancha farm, near Sabrosa, to see how some of the best Portuguese olive oil is made.
As a Portuguese, I can assure you that olive oil is even more important than wine to the locals, as it's used in virtually every dish we cook, from traditional stews to roasts.
7. Check out the views at Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura
"Enjoying the view" is something you'll be doing every step of the way during your Douro Valley adventure, but if you're looking for that million-dollar shot of the surrounding landscape, you’ve got to head to the little village of São Leonardo de Galafura, outside Peso da Régua, to check out their famous Miradouro (which is the Portuguese word for viewpoint).
At the Miradouro de São Leonardo, you get one of the best panoramic views in the entire Douro Valley while lounging in the shade of an olive tree - now, can you think of anything more Portuguese than that?
8. Visit the wineries
Douro Valley wineries, also known as Quintas, are the ultimate tourist experience in the region. These wineries are so abundant and popular that there are almost countless to choose from, ranging from little family-run farms to massive, internationally owned and run estates.
For a solid list that includes some of the most historic and highly regarded Quintas in the Valley, check out this winery guide.
4-day Douro Valley itinerary
There are many ways to approach a four-day trip here, but below is a quick outline for what I think would be a really nice itinerary:
Day 1 - Peso da Régua, wineries, and the Museo do Douro
Travel from Porto to Peso da Régua, where you’ll be spending the night ( Quinta do Vallado rents rooms and and also happens to be one of the best wineries in the area).
Start off with a tour of this pleasant town, making sure to learn about the history of the Valley at the Museo do Douro. After, head out into the hills and countryside to visit some wineries and do some tastings.
In the evening, try out one of Régua's many classic traditional Portuguese restaurants. O Lagar is my personal favorite.
Day 2 - Caldas de Aregos, Ucanha, and a river cruise
If you have a car, hop on it and set out to explore some of the surrounding area. You can use the N222 national road to reach beautiful Caldas de Aregos, a small town with a river marina that's especially welcoming during the summer months.
Sitting just 14 miles outside of Régua's city center, the traditional Portuguese village of Ucanha is also a must-visit location.
And whether you have a car or not, a river cruise is always a great option here. Many boats depart from Regua throughout the day, traveling on to Pinhão and other riverside towns. You can also take the Linha do Douro train anytime you want to hop between other cities and towns.
Day 3 - the east of the valley: Côa Valley and Douro International Natural Park
Today, head deep into the eastern end of the Valley, making the 75 mile drive out toward Vila Nova de Foz Côa. You’ll pass by lots of scenic viewpoints along the way, as well as a host of riverside towns, so plan to make lots of stops during the drive. This part of the Valley is drier and much more rugged and wild than the area around Peso da Régua, so it will be pretty different from where you’re coming from.
On the way to Vila Nova de Foz Côa, I recommend making a detour off to the Douro International Natural Park, a very remote area in the Côa Valley that has among the best hiking terrain in the whole Valley. It’s right on the border with Spain and the steep ravines that rise up around the river are really impressive.
Afterwards, the Archaeological Park of Foz do Côa, which has ancient Paloeolithic rock art carvings is also well worth visiting.
Day 4 - Vila Real and Lamego
Today, your final destination and the place you’ll be spending the night is the town of Lamego, the Douro Valley’s other major town after Peso da Régua. From Vila Nova de Foz Côa it will take around 1.5 hours to get there, but you should plan to make a stop along the way in the town of Vila Real.
If you want to get a really early start, you could also try to fit in a visit to Castelo Rodrigo, which is about 40 minutes in the opposite direction. It’ll add almost an hour and a half of driving to your day today, but this is a super cool medieval town, still ringed by its ancient walls, and boasting some impressive castle ruins.
With a population of around 30,000, Vila Real is the biggest city in the Douro Valley and the capital of the Tras-O-Montes province. Built along the confluence of the Rio Cabril and the Rio Corgo, this is a picturesque little town that was once a very popular summertime destination for Portugal’s elite.
In town, you’ll still find lots of lovely old manors, while just a few miles outside the center is the gorgeous Palácio de Mateus, with tis palace, chapel, wine cellar, and lovely grounds.
After, continue on to Lamego, which is a lovely and busy little town, where manyPortuguese have second homes nowadays. The town center is charming, the Lamego Castle has great views, and the Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios has a magnificent and extensive tiled staircase reminiscent of the Bom Jesus do Monte (in Braga).
For a luxury experience in Lamego, I recommend the exquisite Six Senses Douro Valley Hotel.
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