Ever wondered what a train journey through the Douro Valley would look like? We've put together a photo travelogue of the trip, which captures the essence of this beautiful region. Follow on our footstep on this amazing tour, which will take you up the river, right into the valley's heart.
Traveling by train is the quintessential method for touring Europe and rightfully so. They're scenic, convenient, inexpensive, and comfortable. Journeying to the Douro Valley by train is a brilliant way to go. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that the Douro Line is Portugal's most scenic train ride.
Currently, five trains a day run from Porto - São Bento and Campanhã Train Station - to the Douro Valley, and you can easily make the return trip in a day if you take a morning train.
Régua is where the Douro Line gets most exciting, running closely to the river all the way to the heart of the winemaking region. Some stations are little more than halts, used by the local wine producing estates.
Your first stop will be at Ferrão, where you'll get off the train. A van will be waiting for you to take you to Quinta Nova Luxury Winery House. Billed as the first wine hotel in Portugal, you'll take part in a guided tour of the property, followed by a tasting of three class-rated wines. With great views of the river and the estate's vineyard, on-site are some of the region's top walking trails which explore the ridgetop's gorgeous vineyards and lead to outstanding viewpoints.
Lunch will be held at the in-house Terraçus Winery Restaurant, which has no menu, and you'll get served whatever the kitchen has cooked.
With full bellies, the next point of call is back up the river, at the pretty port-producing town of Pinhão. This picturesque village sits right by the river, encircled by terraced hillsides and whitewashed houses. Its incredible blue-tile station, decorated with murals depicting daily scenes of life in the valley, dominates the scene.
The town is one of the most-visited in the region and makes a fine base for exploring the many surrounding vineyards. Once you get off the train, head to nearby Quinta da Roêda, located within a pleasant 30-minute country walk alongside the river. Surrounded by its own vineyards, it is housed in the old stables, which have been carefully restored to their traditional style. While there, you will have the opportunity to taste some of its best wines - including the famous Croft Pink Port - paired with roasted almonds.
At the end of the tour, head back to Pinhão and board one of the last trains back to Porto. If you plan to extend your stay in the Douro Valley, we can assist you with that as well.
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!