8 reasons to visit the magnificent Douro Valley

Magnificent Douro Valley: eight reasons to visit

Located near the historic coastal city of Porto, in the northeast of Portugal, the Douro Valley is a perfect wine region for those who enjoy a good glass from time to time. If you don’t really appreciate wine, or if you’re on a family vacation, you can also enjoy the landscapes and the atmosphere of this sun-drenched northern Portuguese terroir.

If you’re wondering about the main attractions of this picturesque region, here are eight excellent reasons to justify a trip on the roads of the Douro Valley:

1/ To taste world-renowned wine

The first reason to put this lush valley on your itinerary is obviously its vineyards! The Douro Valley is known for being the oldest demarcated wine region (that is, defined by strict boundaries) in the world and has been largely listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.

The landscape is enchanting, the vineyards exuberant, and the wine, delicious!

The terroir is dotted with dozens of wine estates (or quintas in Portuguese), most of which produce the country’s most famous liqueur – rich and syrupy port wine. Why not plan a tasting tour to savor it right at the source?

2/ To fill your Insta with spectacular photos of terraced vineyards

Whether you’re a wine lover or not, the mosaic of terraced vineyards in the Douro Valley is a true feast for the eyes. If you really want to explore the valley and discover all the perspectives it has to offer, follow all the likes to Miradouro de São Leonardo da Galafura and fill your account with Instagram-worthy photos. The highest point of the valley, you can enjoy the view in all directions for miles on a clear day.

3/ For a cruise on the Douro River

Do you love cruises? If the only way to fully enjoy your vacation is to soak up the sun while gliding on the water, then sailing on the Douro River will be one of the most memorable ways to discover the valley. Settle comfortably in the deck chairs on the deck during a sunny day and have a great trip!

Several options are available to you, from a day cruise from Porto with stops in the main historic wine towns and villages to a romantic few-hour tour with your partner to savor wine. Traveling with children, it’s not necessarily ideal.

The choice of tours is impressive, departing from Pinhão, for example, in the heart of the valley, or even a quick one-hour cruise for tight schedules. To descend the Douro in a more original way, you can also rent kayaks and canoes. Surely, this is an activity that the kids will love!

4/ To pamper yourself during your vacation with delicious traditional regional cuisine

While the coastal cities of Portugal are famous for their seafood, the interior of the country, like the Douro Valley, is also full of gourmet dishes.

Many wine estates and tascas (“tavern” in Portuguese) in the villages of the region offer rural specialties, such as Feijoada – a hearty stew with beans, meat, or mushrooms. But since you’re on vacation, it’s time to indulge yourself. And the Douro Valley is the perfect place to book a chic and trendy table, especially at the Michelin-starred restaurant of Chef Rui Paula, the DOC not far from the riverbanks in Folgosa. Super trendy!

If you’re more into picnics – and you might become one after a few meals in Michelin-starred restaurants – a short drive away, the Quinta do Bomfim, outside Pinhão, is renowned for its takeaway picnic baskets, complemented by their own bottles of wine.

5/ To travel back in time in the medieval villages of the region

The Douro Valley is dotted with traditional villages where time seems to stand still. Besides Régua, which is a larger center, six must-see wine villages reflect the importance of wine production in the region’s heritage.

Stop in the beautiful village of Provesende to admire the old houses, majestic mansions, and its cobbled square, where an 80-year-old bakery with old-world charm bakes some of the best bread outside Lisbon. Trust us and give it a try. Barcos, the former district capital, also has plenty of historical attractions, while Favaios is home to a renowned wine cooperative offering tours, tastings, and gourmet packages combining wine and cheese. Wine and cheese, yum!

6/ To work off all that wine with a hike in the Douro Internacional Natural Park

Faced with so many splendid landscapes, it would be a real shame not to take a walk during your stay in the Douro Valley. And you’ll certainly need it after all those hours spent in the quintas!

There’s no better way than to hit the road towards the Parque Natural do Douro Internacional. One of Portugal’s thirteen national parks, it is located at the eastern end of the valley, right on the Spanish border. It is home to more than 100 endangered bird species – such as the golden eagle and the Egyptian vulture! – as well as a breathtaking canyon panorama that seems straight out of the Wild West.

7/ To soak up the local culture on a tour of little-known, iconic heritage sites

The big cities of Portugal are full of wonderful historical monuments and fascinating museums, but the Douro Valley has nothing to envy them with its irresistible attractions.

You can learn all about the history of winemaking in Portugal at the Douro Museum in Régua, relive the distant past of the region during a striking medieval reenactment in Ucanha, or discover the history of the Portuguese royal family at the majestic Mateus Baroque Palace in Vila Real.

8/ To drive through spectacular landscapes

Are you up for a Roadtrip? The winding curves of its roads with a backdrop of majestic mountain ranges, exceptional national parks, and rich vineyards all come together to make the Douro Valley the perfect setting for a Roadtrip. One of the most beautiful roads, the N222 from Régua to Pinhão, will guide you through breathtaking bucolic landscapes. You can join it just south of the river, after a few quintas, where you can stop to taste a glass of port or take the time for a lunch. I’m driving!

What you need to know to get to the Douro Valley

You can easily reach the heart of the Douro Valley in an hour’s drive from Porto. You can find a direct flight to the capital and then pick up a rental car at the airport or in the city center. Before or after your tour of the Douro Valley, you can spend a few days in Porto, in the historic center of port trade. The city is really worth a visit.