Visit the Douro Valley • Wanderlix

Wine tasting, postcard landscapes and charming villages: you want to discover all the facets of the Douro valley? Here’s all you need to know for an unusual stay!

Porto wine grove, the Douro valley marvels visitors with its terraced vineyards, wild gorges and Portuguese villages with typical charm. It is a destination of choice for the good living who like to reconcile discovery of heritage and tasting.

Whether you're travelling alone, together, with family or friends, you'll find many activities that will allow you to explore the region from an unprecedented angle. Hiking, wine cellars, outdoor sport, table wine tasting, cruise... You have the embarrassment of choice! In this article, you will find all the information you need to know to visit the Douro Valley and to make your vacation a success.

The Douro Valley, the cradle of Portuguese wine

Located in the north of Portugal, the Douro valley owes its reputation to its sumptuous vineyards, which extend on the terrace around the river. In the upper Douro, between Peso da Regua and the Spanish border, we cultivate the vines that produce the porto, this wine of assembly as famous as sophisticated. On its side, the low river valley, near Porto, is the domain of vinho verde , which favours youth and freshness.

For oenology lovers (or gourmets, simply), the Douro Valley is an ideal destination. It offers the opportunity to discover the diversity of Portuguese wines, learn more about their history, admire the vineyards along the Douro, meet the small producers... and finally participate in unforgettable tastings! Of course, we don’t forget the delicious local cuisine: after all, the porto and the vinho verde are also there to accompany her...

The Douro Valley: splendid landscapes and a unique folklore

The writer Miguel Torga described the valley as “geological poem”. It must be said that apart from its wine heritage, the region offers beautiful landscapes! They have been carved by man since ancient times. The vineyards on the terrace, the rabelos which tanguish on the Douro, the villages with a surviving charm, the forests and the palaces draw a real postcard. In short, you dive into an exceptional terroir, typical Portugal as you have little opportunity to see it.

Visiting the Douro Valley is combining the discovery of Portuguese wine and diving into a unique folklore, which flirts between its Spanish and Portuguese roots. Dance, idiom, music: this remote region has a unique culture, an atmosphere that is not found anywhere else. But staying in the valley is also stopping in one of these many caves to admire the canyons and the vineyards with false rice fields. It is not for nothing that this is a road trip destination in Portugal so famous!

How to visit the Douro Valley?

With his palace

It would be unthinkable to visit the Douro valley without tasting Portuguese porto and cuisine. It falls well, many activities highlight the oenology and gastronomy! Visit of wineries and vineyards, panoramic picnic, wine tasting table...

You have the embarrassment of choice to pay tribute to local wines and typical dishes of the Douro valley. Enjoy it!

Guided tour

To fully enjoy everything that the Douro Valley can offer you, why not book a guided tour? Whether it lasts 1:30 or spreads throughout the day, this activity will allow you to learn more about the history and culture of the region. Not to mention the discovery of the most beautiful landscapes of the valley, including views of the Douro Gorges.

The grass oenologists can visit a vineyard and participate in a wine tasting. And for the most gourmet of you, some guided tours include a meal. This is the opportunity to discover local cuisine!

Hiking or cycling

Dive into the wine trails of the Douro Valley, the time for a hike, a trek or a bike ride. You will discover the treasures of the region: centuries-old villages, vineyards, rivers, belvederes... By reserving such an activity in the Douro Valley, you are sure not to miss any inescapable, while taking away from the organizational burden.

Especially if you travel in a group... You just have to let yourself be guided! In a few words, these activities offer an out of time getaway during your stay.

Over the water

Many activities in the Douro Valley allow you to discover the region through the water... These excursions or cruises can follow the Douro, but also take one of the many rivers that swim the valley. Some activities give you the opportunity to ride on typical boats, such as these wooden boats that once allowed to carry the wine barrels. A poetic ride that will remain engraved in your mind...

Those who are looking for a sporting challenge will be able to board a kayak. So they can combine sporting activity and discover the valley! A unique adventure that will appeal to families and groups of friends.

By road

If you want to visit the cellars of the Douro Valley and participate in the tastings... it is not advisable to drive! You can book a day or half day trip by car, jeep, 4×4 or by bus. Thus, you can travel long distances and do not miss any must in the region!

For those looking for adventure, some companies offer the rental of vans and motorhomes. It is an ideal option to discover the Douro valley at its pace, leaving the beaten paths.

How to get to the Douro Valley?

Join the Douro Valley by car

A privileged road trip destination, the Douro valley prefers to visit by car. There's a chance that you're going from Porto, which is home to a very well-served train station and airport. However, make sure to take the right path! To enjoy the most beautiful landscapes of the region, start by joining the city of Via Real by the highway. Then take the way to Regua, to turn to Quinta do Tedo, Pinhao and Tua. So you'll really walk the valley!

If you do not travel with your own car, you have the possibility of rent a car in Porto , even a camper or a fitted van.

Join the Douro Valley by booking a tour

If you don’t have a car, you can book a trip from Porto. As we have seen above, the activities allow you to visit the Douro valley by car, jeep, 4×4, bus or boat.

This is an ideal solution to enjoy all the facets of the region, and this, without a headache.

Join the Douro valley by train

You can also get to Regua by train. We recommend this option in particular if you want to make a cruise. Indeed, taking the boat in Porto, the majority of the journey will be rather uninteresting! By landing in Regua, you will go directly to the essentials.

Finally, you can take Linha do Doura, a historic train that is always drawn by a steam locomotive. You can go from the center of Porto and reach Pocinho in 3 h 30 for less than 13,30 €. Considered one of Europe’s most beautiful train lines, Linha do Doura offers a picturesque and magical experience!

Are there combined visits?

Almost all activities in the Douro Valley can be combined with a tasting or culinary experience.

You will also find activities that combine heritage and sport. They usually last a whole day and are often the most expensive. For example, some excursions include a hike, a panoramic picnic, and finally a wine cellar tour with wine tasting table. What to kiss all the facets of the Douro Valley!

The right addresses

Loger

You will find many hotels and many guest houses throughout the Douro. Some establishments come out of the lot for the quality of their service and their idyllic setting. For example, we think of the hotel The Vintage House. Located in Pinhao, it offers rooms with beautiful terraces overlooking the river. Otherwise, the Quinta do Tedo is located between Rega and Pinhao in a beautiful environment. In addition, its restaurant is delicious.

You also have the possibility to sleep in Porto. You will find accommodations adapted to every desire and budget. Airbnb in the heart of the historic centre, hostels, hotels... Everything is possible! You can use one Compare hotels to find the one that will be most adapted to your needs.

Restaurants

It would be a shame to visit the Douro Valley without enjoying its restaurants. You can pass the gates of Rabelo, a restaurant located in an ideal setting, by the Douro. You will eat for 35€ to 55€. A great place to taste local cuisine!

Do you have a higher budget (50€ to 70 € per person)? Go to Chef Rui Paula restaurant to taste delicious gourmet dishes on the banks of the river.

Finally, if you are looking for an economic restaurant, go to Adega Rio Douro. For a dozen euros, you can enjoy an authentic setting and a delicious meal. It is also the opportunity to listen to the fado in a typical atmosphere... Remember to book to enjoy it!

The spots

As we have seen throughout this article, the Douro Valley is not limited to its pretty vines. It contains beautiful towns and villages: Via Real and its palaces (casa de Mateus, casa de Diogo Cão, etc.), Pesó da Regua and the Douro Museum, Lamego and its charming cellars, Miranda do Douro and its Celtic roots... Between cathedrals, churches, sanctuaries and monasteries, the religious heritage of the valley is of great wealth.

Don't miss the beautiful Pinhão, perhaps the most typical city of the Douro Valley. Visit its station and discover its vineyards and historic cellars.

The valley is also full of viewers, which offer incredible views of the region. We advise you to stop at the Miradouro de São Domingos and the Miradouro de Casal de Loivos.