Need help planning your day trip to the Douro Valley from Porto? You’ve come to the right place!
With its lush green vegetation, countless vineyards and sweeping views, the Douro Valley is one of the most popular places to visit in Portugal. It’s famous for its vineyards, but it’s not only wine fans that will enjoy visiting it.
I did a day trip to the Douro Valley from Porto, and it was one of the highlights of my Portugal trip. We spent the day hiking, taking in the gorgeous views and exploring cute Portuguese towns.
Besides that, you can also taste delicious local wine, visit a vineyard, cruise the river and more! In this article I have listed everything you need to know to plan the perfect Porto to Douro Valley day trip.
I included essential information like how to get to the Douro Valley, listing all the different transport modes, what to do once there, what to pack, where to stay and more.
So without further ado, dive in and plan your perfect Douro Valley day trip!
Table of Contents
How to get to the Douro Valley from Porto
Let’s start with the basics, how do you actually get to the Douro Valley from Porto?
By car to Douro Valley from Porto
There’s nothing quite like exploring a region with the freedom of your own vehicle. And getting to the Douro Valley from Porto is a breeze. It takes around an hour to an hour and a half to drive to the Douro Valley from Porto.
The route itself takes you along the winding N222, which runs through the valley itself along the route of the Douro River.
The road isn’t a boring one: it twists and turns around many corners, and there are a ton of beautiful views to soak up along the way.
This is what we did, and we personally preferred it. It also gives you the most freedom the exact towns, vineyards and hikes you want.
The only thing to consider is that the Douro Valley is quite big, so although it takes 1.5 hours to reach it, depending on where you want to go it might be further.
By train to Douro Valley from Porto
Taking the train is super straightforward and a very scenic way to arrive at the Douro Valley from Porto. If you’re a fan of train journeys, then chances are this is the mode of transport you’ll be angling towards anyway.
But it’s not exactly the quickest way to get there. It takes around three hours, with trains leaving roughly once per hour.
However, even if it’s not the quickest way, it is one of the cheapest ways to get to the Douro Valley from Porto.
By bus to Douro Valley from Porto
Another option is taking the bus. There are a number of different bus companies in operation that connect up the two destinations.
These leave throughout the day and cost approximately 10 euros per person. It’s certainly up there on the affordability scale, but it’s not the most comfortable, fastest or efficient.
With a Porto to Douro Valley tour
Definitely not the cheapest, but probably the most convenient way to get to the Douro Valley from Porto, is to simply take a tour. These often include added extras like wine tasting and river cruises.
Plus you’ll have a guide and you’ll get to learn more about the history of the area, making this a full day trip that’s worth the money – especially if you’re short on time and don’t want the hassle of arranging transport from the train station to the various spots.
Douro Valley Small Group with Wine Tasting, Lunch & Optional Cruise – For example this small group tour will pick you up at your hotel in Porto and take you to the Douro Valley, where you can see the sights, taste local wine and even go for a river cruise.
Click here to book your Douro Valley from Porto with Viator!
From Porto: Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch– Similarly, this tour offers a complete day trip experience to the Douro Valley, including pick up and drop off in Porto so you don’t have to worry about anything!
Check out prices and availability for a Porto to Douro Valley with GetYourGuide!
Or check other popular Douro Valley day tours below!
Best things to see and do in the Douro Valley
Go hiking
The Douro Valley is a particularly picturesque region of Portugal and, naturally, this area lends itself to a bit of hiking. Therefore, exploring on foot is a great way to take it all in.
You’ll get to see some amazing views from some of the best viewpoints along the way.
One option is the Trilho do Vinho do Porto (aka the Porto Wine Trail). It’s a loop that’s just under four miles. Here you’ll walk through vineyards, along countryside trails and along cobbled pathways.
It’s not too challenging at all, so if you’re up for a hike but you’re not exactly a veteran trekker, chances are you’ll be more than able to tackle this one.
The path is well marked and easy to follow, but you can also follow this wikiloc trail to be sure you’re in the right place.
Alternatively, if you don’t fancy getting lost amongst the vineyards, you can also join this guided hiking tour, which also includes a boat cruise and brunch (well deserved after the hike)!
Click here to book your Douro Valley hiking tour!
Do a wine tasting & winery tour
It would be impossible for wine lovers to visit the Douro Valley and not visit some of its wineries and sample delicious wines. Just impossible. There are a whole host of different vineyards to try.
While some can be a little touristy, such as the famous Quinta da Roeda (known for its “craft port”), that’s obviously not the case everywhere you go.
Others are much more quaint and easygoing. Take Quinta do Popa, for example. Not only can you go to simply try a few different wines, but there’s also the option to enjoy a picnic with snacks to pair with your port.
Go for a Douro River cruise
The river is definitely a striking feature of the Douro Valley, as the wineries are tucked along it in the countryside. What most people do when they visit this region is take a river cruise.
Because of the popularity, there’s a whole load of different companies that offer river cruises along the Douro River. Some are a few hours long, while others can actually take you along the river across several days.
Click here to book your Douro River cruise!
Stop by the capital of the region
If you’re traveling to the Douro Valley from Porto, chances are you’ll find your way to Peso da Regua at some point. If you don’t, it’s still worth a visit.
It may not be the most beautiful of cities, but this former 18th-century trading hub offers up river views, a charming old town and the Museo do Douro where you can learn more about the region.
And if you want to pick up some cheaper port wine to avoid the sometimes pricey vineyards, Regua is a good alternative for shopping and gift buying.
Visit the Archaeological Park of the Coa Valley
As well as being one of the largest open-air museums dedicated to the Paleolithic (that is, the “old” stone age) era, this archaeological park also features some UNESCO-recognised rock art.
Drawings engraved in the rock here incredibly have been dated back to around 22,000 BC!
So if somehow you’ve had enough of port wine, swing by this landmark museum and understand more about the layers of history to be found in this region.
Check out the city of Lamego
The picturesque city of Lamego is definitely worth a visit. Situated around 12 km from the banks of the Douro River, this city grew from the 18th century when it became known for its port wine.
The history, however, stretches back much further.The castle here, for example, has its roots back in the 4th century.
But far more attractive is the 12th century The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, which is perhaps only topped by the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remédios and its beautiful staircase, dating back to 1750.
While planning your Portugal itinerary, chances are you have already seen photos of these recognisable azulejos churches, it’s now time to see them in real life!
Soak up the views
There are a number of stunning viewpoints dotted around this region that make a trip to the Douro Valley from Porto worth it for the landscape alone.
One of these lookouts is the charming Sao Salvador do Mundo that features a handful of charming chapels, as well as some incredible vistas out across the valley.
Somewhere else to gawp at the view is Sao Domingos, which boasts a particularly dramatic part of the valley.
Chill out at Congida Beach
The Douro Valley may not be near the coast and the famous Algarve beaches, or to the surf towns of Nazare and Ericeira, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go to the beach!
The river beach of Congida is still a good place to cool off and take a break.
Located on a reservoir formed by a dam in Douro International Natural Park, the well kept river beach is the perfect place to take in all the nature on a sunny day.
There’s a floating swimming pool, a jetty and amenities making it ideal for a day out if you’re staying in the Douro Valley for multiple days.
Best Douro Valley day tours
Short on time? Then a day tour is probably the best way to see this beautiful slice of Portugal, whether you’re arriving in the Douro Valley from Porto or if you’re staying in the area.
The two most popular elements of pretty much any tour in the Douro Valley are river cruises and wine tasting.
From Porto: Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch– Some of these leave directly from Porto itself, such as this one which sees you slicing through the river on a traditional Portuguese rabelo boat.
Douro Valley Full-Day Private Tour from Porto – For wine tasting, then you’ll want to opt for a wine tasting tour.
These allow you to see traditional wine-making processes, enjoy gourmet lunches and sample a few different wines – all without having to worry about drinking too much or arranging your own transport.
It’s a super convenient way to experience (arguably) one of the best parts of the Douro Valley.
Click here to book your private Douro Valley wine tasting tour!
Port Wine & Sparkling Wine Tour – Douro Valley – Other tours, such as this one, will allow you to learn more about some of the amazing cities of the Douro Valley, such as Lamego.
You’ll visit the top sights, like the Cathedral, while a knowledgeable guide tells you all there is to know about this gorgeous city. And of course, there will also be some wine tasting included!
Click here to book your wine tasting & history tour to the Douro Valley!
Or check out prices & availability below!
Is doing a Douro Valley day trip worth it?
Personally, I would say: yes, of course. However, if you have more time to spare, then staying for at least one night in the Douro Valley makes it even more worth it.
The drive is fairly long (and the train is even longer), and staying an extra night means you’ll be able to properly get to know this beautiful region.
Staying longer means that you’ll get to relax, enjoy the countryside landscape, try as much port wine as you can manage, and learn about some interesting towns and cities while you’re there.
In short, it’s worth a day trip – and much more.
Where to stay for your Douro Valley day trip
There are lots of cool places to stay in Porto, but the ones listed below are especially convenient for getting out of the city for your day trips.
Budget – Hotel Do Norte: The rooms in this hotel are a bit tiny, but when you look outside the window and see the azulejos of the Chapel of Souls you’ll easily forget that! And for the price, it’s a great bargain.
Click here to book your stay at Hotel Do Norte!
Mid-range – Vera Cruz Porto Downtown Hotel – This modern hotel is perfect for those who want something nice, without breaking the bank. Centrally located, it has an epic terrace with Porto views.
Book your stay at Vera Cruz Porto Downtown Hotel here!
Luxury – Oporto Home – River Front: If you want to treat yourself, this wonderful apartment is the place to do so. The huge windows provide plenty of light, as well as epic views over the river and Porto.
Check out prices and availability at Oporto Home – River Front here!
Final thoughts on doing a Porto to Douro Valley day trip
There you have it, the ultimate guide on how to plan the perfect Douro Valley day tour from Porto! Have you ever visited the Douro Valley? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!
We did a day trip to the Douro Valley from Porto and primarily focused on hiking. It was a great hike with epic views, and one of the highlights of my Portugal itinerary.
I really believe everyone should add Douro on their bucket list of Porto day trips. Together with Sintra,Obidos and Evora, it was definitely amongst my favourite day trips.
Whether you choose to drive yourself or join a guided Douro Valley day tour, you’re sure to have an amazing time. I hope this guide answers all your questions about visiting the Douro Valley from Porto.
If you have any questions, just ask them in the comments! I’ll be happy to answer and help you plan the perfect Douro day trip!
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