Itinerary · 4 days · Portugal

Porto and the Douro Valley in 4 days

Start where port ends up, in the cool lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia. Then follow the river inland by train to where it begins, on the sun-baked terraces of the Douro.

Traditional rabelo boats on the Douro in front of the colourful Ribeira district of Porto
Ribeira and rabelo boats from Cais de Gaia, Porto · Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0

Day 1Porto and Gaia

Walk the Ribeira, cross the Dom Luís I bridge, and take a booked port lodge tour in Gaia. Have dinner back in Porto.

Day 2The Douro line

Take a morning train from São Bento along the river to Pinhão, which takes about 2½ hours. Check in at a quinta and spend a quiet afternoon by the pool or in the vines.

Day 3Quintas and the river

Visit two quintas with a lunch in between, using quinta transfers, a local driver or a tour. You could also take a short river boat trip from Pinhão.

Day 4Back to Porto

Take the train back. A Douro museum or one more tasting in Régua fits on the way, if the timetable allows.

Want this trip planned for you?

Tell us the dates, the wines you love and how you like to travel. Our trip planners will suggest a tailor-made route with drivers, trains and tasting bookings arranged, so nobody in your group has to drive.

Start a tailor-made enquiry

Official sources to check before booking

Keep exploring

Terraced vineyards covering the hills of the Douro Valley in golden lightWine region · PortugalThe Douro: terraces, port and a river railwayHand-built terraces above a slow river. Port lodges in Porto and a train that follows the water.Two copper pot stills inside Dallas Dhu DistilleryGuide · Bottles & luggageGetting your bottles home: luggage, shipping and the rulesPacking, airline limits, courier options and the import rules to check first.The village of Pinhão on the Douro river, with terraced hills rising behindGuide · Getting aroundHow to taste without driving: drivers, tours and trainsThe non-negotiable rule of tasting trips, and the easy ways to follow it.