A city stay centred on the river, with the option of a longer excursion.
Photo: Daniel VILLAFRUELA. · CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted for the web and cropped for display; the image remains under this licence.
FIND YOUR BASE
Where should you stay?
A city stay suits the streets around the Douro and walks between its two banks. A smaller hotel can be practical for active days; extra comfort or a view leaves room for a break. Set aside a separate day if you choose a trip to the Douro Valley vineyards.
Plan your stayThe Douro and port wineBefore bookingGive the river and the city a day each
Three ideas for your days
01
Along both banks of the Douro
Walk through Barredo and Ribeira and on towards Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side of the Douro. Your guide connects the old neighbourhoods with stories of the river and the importance of port wine to the city.
See the waterfront buildings of Porto and Gaia on a small-group boat trip. The route offers views of the bridges and city from the water, with a glass of port included.
Travel from Porto to the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley. This day trip combines visits to two wineries with lunch and a boat trip, so you can experience the landscape from both land and river.
April–October offers possibilities for cities and the coast. Spring and autumn are good for excursions, while summer is popular in the Algarve. The Atlantic can be cool.