Douro Valley wine tours
The Douro Valley in Portugal is one of our favourite wine regions in the world! The Unesco recognised the beauty of this region and we are sure you will enjoy every minute of your stay in the valley. The Dour valley offers stunning landscape. It is characterised by terraced vineyards and picturesque villages along the winding course of the Douro. The region specialises in Port wine but also in red and white still wines. Tours in Douro valley can be enjoyed from Port or from the valley if you decide to stay. A driver or guide is highly recommended. The region´s beauty makes it also difficult to drive. Have a look at our selection of Douro valley tours and find one that best suits you!
This is a private Douro valley wine tour from Porto. Get driven in a luxury vehicle and enjoy one of the most fascinating wine regions in the world during your stay in Porto. A fantastic day tour to enjoy local food, wine tasting and amazing landscapes. This is one of the best options to enjoy wine tours in Portugal
- Private
- 9 Hours
- Mon-Sun
- Pick-up
This private tour is perfect to explore in 10 days some of Spain´s and Portugal´s top gems. From the vibrant heart of Madrid to the captivating charms of Porto and Lisbon, this itinerary has been tailored by our dedicated team of local experts to ensure you make the most of your time and money.
- Private Tour
- 10 days
- Mon-Sun
How to get to Douro valley from Porto
If you are here it most probably means you are planning a trip to Douro Valley. Well done! The Douro valley is an amazing region, not just for wine lovers, but for any person who enjoys beautiful landscapes. Few people visit the valley and regret it. For most visitors expectations are exceeded.
We will cover here not just the best way to get to Douro valley from Porto, but also provide you with some ideas on things to do and see once you are there. Depending on how many days you plan to visit and how you plan to get to the valley some things are possible whilst others are not.
Where is the Douro Valley? First things first. The Douro river is named Duero in Spain, where the river is born. In the border between Spain and Portugal the Duero becomes the Douro. The Douro valley is the region that goes along the Douro river in Portugal. The river meets the ocean in Port. The Douro valley starts near Port and extends eastwards for some 120 kilometres (75 miles).
Best way to get to the Douro valley. There are 3 basic ways to get to the “heart” of the Douro valley. Train, boat and by car. Depending on your travel plans each may have advantages and disadvantages. We will cover all three now
Map - Douro Valley
For wine lovers, the greatest allure of the Douro Valley lies between the towns of Peso da Régua and Pinhão. This is the area covered by most of the wine tours in the Valley.
To the west of Peso da Régua, the valley stretches toward Porto, where you’ll find interesting wineries in Vinho Verde wine country. Peso da Régua, a medium-sized town, has traditionally been the most important hub of the valley. It’s a place with character, shaped by generations of hardworking people who molded the valley into what it is today. A great place to understand the valley and how it was shaped is the Douro Museum in Peso da Regua. It is not often included in wine tours since it takes a long time to visit it and it can easily be accesed in Peso da Regua. However, do not expect of Peso da Régua particular charm. It is not a particularly picturesque town, nor does it boast any significant historical landmarks.
About 30 kilometers east lies Pinhão. As you move further east, the slopes become steeper. Very few people live in the area and it is dominated by large Quintas (wine estates). While near Peso da Régua you’ll find a landscape filled with small family vineyards and charming whitewashed houses, the scene changes dramatically as you approach Pinhão. Here, expansive vineyards and grand Quintas take center stage.
This sparsely populated region east of Peso da Regua was chosen by Porto’s major wine brands to establish their estates, shaping the landscape with their iconic terraced vineyards. The journey between Peso da Régua and Pinhão is defined by these impressive Quintas and is well worth exploring. Even traveling just a few kilometers east of Peso da Régua will reveal the valley’s contrasting nature, where small family-owned plots give way to the vast domains of Porto’s renowned wine producers.
The Douro valley in images
Below, we present images showcasing the towns and experiences you can enjoy during a wine tour in the Douro Valley.
Visiting nearby towns is only feasible if you stay overnight in the valley or plan multiple tours from Porto. On a one-day tour, time is limited, and wine tours departing from Porto typically focus on exploring the “heart” of the valley between Peso da Régua and Pinhão.
For an ideal experience, consider starting with the Vinho Verde region to appreciate the striking contrast between the different areas of the valley.
On the way to the valley from Porto we find the beautiful riverside town of Amarante. It is known for its historic bridge, the Church of São Gonçalo, and its main square. Getting here, however, implies an important detour in any tour to the Valley.
The Peso da Régua bridge is a key crossing point in the region. It connects the north to the south. There aren’t many bridges in the Douro Valley, which helps preserve the landscape’s unobstructed beauty but also makes traveling through the area more challenging. If you decide to stay more time in the Valley, you should consider a visit to the Douro Museum. Another interesting spot for wine lovers in Paso de Regua is the old station. It has been transformed into a series of wine bars, wine shops and restaurants.
