Vale do Douro, Portugal: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Vale do Douro, inland in northern Portugal, is where the grapes for the vinho do Porto are grown. In 1756 the Marquês de Pombal created the Região Demarcada do Douro there, considered one of the first demarcated and regulated wine regions in the world. The Alto Douro Vinhateiro has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.

The landscape is made of socalcos, hand-built stone terraces on steep schist slopes, where vineyards descend to the river. Quintas, as the wine estates are called, line the banks, and many welcome visitors for wine tastings.

Peso da Régua is the arrival town, with the Museu do Douro and the boat quay. Upstream, Pinhão is a village in the heart of the quintas, with the tiled station and the Casal de Loivos viewpoint. On the south bank, Lamego has the Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios with its large Baroque staircase, the Sé and the castle; nearby are the fortified bridge of Ucanha and sparkling wine caves.

Summers are hot and dry in the valley, and the harvest usually runs from late August to October.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Peso da Régua, Lamego, Pinhão.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Vale do Douro is

Contornos: Direção-Geral do Território, CAOP 2025, CC BY 4.0. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Vale do Douro

✈ Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro (OPO), in Maia · 125 km to Peso da Régua

Check before booking. From Porto, the Linha do Douro takes about two hours to Régua and two and a half hours to Pinhão; by car, Régua is about 1h15 away.

Suggested arrival point: Peso da Régua

Vila Real · Vale do Douro Suggested arrival point

Peso da Régua

City on the banks of the Douro, considered the gateway to the valley and for centuries the departure point of the wine that floated down the river to Porto. It has the Museu do Douro, in the old Casa da Companhia, the quay where cruise boats dock and the station of the Linha do Douro. Up on the hill, about 12 km away, is the Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura.

Viseu · Vale do Douro

Lamego

An episcopal city on the south bank of the Douro, about 13 km from Régua, with a historic center and manor houses. The Baroque staircase climbs to the Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, and the center has the Sé, founded in 1129, and the medieval castle. Nearby are the fortified bridge of Ucanha, the Mosteiro de Salzedas and sparkling wine caves.

Vila Real · Vale do Douro

Pinhão

Small village in the municipality of Alijó, at the confluence of the Pinhão River with the Douro, in the heart of the vinho do Porto estates. The train station is decorated with tile panels about the grape harvest. Around it are estates that receive visitors, such as Quinta do Bomfim, and the Miradouro de Casal de Loivos above the river bend.

The local experience

Things to do in Vale do Douro

Pinhão · Vila Real · Station

Estação do Pinhão

Station on the Linha do Douro decorated with blue-and-white tile panels showing valley landscapes, the grape harvest, and wine transport. It is one of the most photographed stations in Portugal.

Peso da Régua · Vila Real · Museum

Museu do Douro

Museum dedicated to the Região Demarcada do Douro and Port wine, housed in the Casa da Companhia Velha, the former headquarters of the company created by the Marquês de Pombal in 1756. It is next to the river, in the center of Régua.

Lamego · Viseu · Santuário

Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios

Baroque sanctuary atop the Monte de Santo Estêvão, connected to Lamego's center by a staircase of more than 600 steps with landings decorated with tiles, fountains and statues.

Pinhão · Vila Real · Observation deck

Miradouro de Casal de Loivos

Viewpoint in the village of Casal de Loivos, high on the hillside above Pinhão, with views of a large bend in the Douro and the quintas and terraced vineyards on both banks.

See 5 more places in Vale do Douro

Peso da Régua · Vila Real · Observation deck

Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura

Viewpoint at about 640 meters altitude on the hill above Régua, with a chapel and wide views of the socalcos and the Douro's bends. Plaques bearing excerpts by Miguel Torga celebrate the landscape.

Lamego · Viseu · Cathedral

Sé de Lamego

Cathedral founded in 1129, which retains the original square Romanesque bell tower. The façade is 16th-century Gothic, the cloister is Renaissance, and the interior vaults were painted in the 18th century.

Lamego · Viseu · Castle

Castelo de Lamego

Medieval castle atop the historic center, with a keep tower and walls that today blend with the neighborhood houses. It preserves a medieval cistern covered by stone vaults.

Pinhão · Vila Real · Winery

Quinta do Bomfim

Quinta of the Symington family on the banks of the Douro, a few minutes' walk from the village of Pinhão, with terraced vineyards, a visitor centre, vinho do Porto tastings and a restaurant.

Lamego · Viseu · Monument

Ponte Fortificada de Ucanha

Medieval bridge over the Rio Varosa with a fortified tower, where tolls were collected from those entering the lands of the Mosteiro de Salzedas. It is about 15 km from Lamego.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

September and October are usually the harvest season, with vineyards heavy with fruit and leaves changing color. Spring, from April to June, brings green slopes. Summer, July and August, is often very hot in the valley. In winter, December to February, it is cold and some quintas reduce visits.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

One day, leaving Porto, you can reach Régua or Pinhão and visit a quinta. With two or three days staying in the valley you can include Lamego, the viewpoints and more than one quinta, without rushing and without driving after tastings.

Which city to stay in

Peso da Régua has more hotels and services, plus the station and the quay. Pinhão is smaller, surrounded by quintas, and several of them offer accommodation among the vineyards. Lamego, on the south bank, has a historic center and serves as a base for the Santuário and Ucanha. Those seeking peace often choose a quinta with rooms on the slopes.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Vale do Douro

Can you do a day trip from Porto to the Douro?

Yes. The comboio to Régua or Pinhão allows you to spend the day and visit a quinta near the station. Organized tours with van, boat and lunch also depart from Porto. Staying overnight in the valley is more rewarding.

Do you need a car in the Douro?

It helps a lot, because the quintas and viewpoints are spread across the slopes. Without a car, use the comboio, boats and taxis, or organized tours. Those who drive should not drink at tastings; the roads are narrow and winding.

What is the best time to go to the Douro?

September and October, when the harvest usually takes place. Spring is also good. July and August tend to be very hot in the valley.

Do you need to book visits to the quintas?

In most cases, yes, especially for tastings and lunches. Book before leaving Porto.

How many days to stay in the Douro?

One day as a day trip; two or three staying in the valley to explore Régua, Pinhão, Lamego and some quintas.

Vale do Douro

A region to enjoyat your own pace.