A Day Trip to the Douro Valley

Day tours are the easiest and quickest way to explore somewhere new while easily fitting it into a tight travel schedule. Departing from Porto, a day trip to the Douro Valley is a great option for those looking for a countryside escape, at the doorstep of the city.

Starting with a pick up in Central Porto or at the city's Airport - all the way to the end of the tour - you'll head inland to the Douro River Valley. Known for its outstanding wine culture and breath-taking landscapes, which have earned it a UNESCO World Heritage listing, it has become one of the most exciting places to visit in Portugal.

Roughly a two hour's drive away from Porto and boasting numerous wineries, the Douro Valley is also a wine connoisseur's paradise with grand wine producing estates, picturesque towns, and elegant lodgings, as well as a wide selection of wines to choose from. 

Located near Port wine town and cruise centre of Peso da Régua, Quinta da Pacheca was one of the first properties to bottle wine under its own label. You will take a vineyard tour here, with a stop at the old winery and cellar, followed by a wine tasting before heading to the second estate of the day.  

Beyond this point, the main stop is the beautiful wine town of Pinhão and, across the river from it, is Quinta do Seixo, where the well-known Sandeman winery combines state-of the-art cellar technology with great wine experiences. Best yet, the view is absolutely breath-taking throughout the year! Head to the vineyards and find the perfect spot to lay out a blanket. Soak up the spring sun and dine on delicious food and wine, and just relax.

Upon arrival in Pinhão, in the heart of the Alto Douro Wine Region, you'll get close and personal with the picturesque landscape from a very unique viewpoint with a guided tour through the vineyards at Quinta das Carvalhas. This is the biggest vineyard in the Douro Region, situated on a privileged position overlooking the river. On this tour, you'll have a genuinely unique experience walking around the vineyards side by side with someone who knows them by heart, ending with a tasting of four wines and a cheese platter.

At the end, you'll be driven back to Porto. There's also a no-driver option available, which means that you''ll need to drive yourself through the region - either by using your own car or renting one.

Although you can reach some of these places by public transport, for the most part, you’ll need a car. For that reason, a guided tour is the best practical option when visiting the Douro Valley. A private driver will leave you free to fully appreciate the wines and views, as well as allow you to quickly move around - especially in a mainly rural, sparsely populated area.

This is a ready-to-book private tour, designed to be enjoyed off-the-rack. If you're looking for something different, we’d be happy to tailor-make you a trip from scratch. Tell us your plan and we'll do the rest!