Spanning over 500 miles from its source in north central Spain, the Douro River also serves as part of the Spanish-Portuguese border, eventually discharging into the Atlantic Ocean at Porto, Portugal. Once the main waterway for transporting famous Port wine, the Douro River is still considered the lifeblood of the region. The Alto Douro, the winegrowing region in the Portuguese Douro Valley, has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural significance and outstanding beauty.
There are several popular river cruises and train voyages along the Douro, and driving along the scenic Douro Valley is another attractive option. Whether you travel by car, boat, or train, here are some of the must-see sites along the Douro River.
Lamego, Portugal
Located in the town of Lamego, this hillside Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios chapel overlooks the Douro River and features a staggering 686 step Baroque staircase to the top, rewarding visitors with breathtaking views of the surrounding region. The Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies boasts Portugal’s iconic blue and white azulejos tiles adorning the base of its staircase, as well as dozens of elaborate statues and monuments.
Pinhão, Portugal
Pinhão is a picturesque village situated along the Douro River and the heart of the valley’s port wine making region. So much so, the village’s railway station features azulejos tiles painted with port wine production scenes. Quintas, or wine estates, are prevalent and dot the landscape along the Douro River in Pinhão and the surrounding regions.
Casal de Loivos, Portugal
Located a short distance from Pinhão, Casal de Loivos is home to another must see site along the Douro river. The Casal de Loivos Viewpoint provides unparalleled views of the river and the terraced vineyards that rise from its banks, making for one of the most scenic landscapes in the region.
Porto, Portugal
Porto is one of the oldest cities in Europe, and its historic city center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical significance and colorful architecture. Porto is where the Douro River empties into the Atlantic, and the city’s Ribeira neighborhood features a riverside promenade with gorgeous views of the river. The impressive Dom Luis Bridge spanning across the Douro is another must-see site. You can walk or drive across the bridge to get to Vila Nova de Gaia, a city popular for its numerous port wine cellars, with tours and tastings available from over 50 estates.
Parque Natural do Douro Internacional, Spain-Portugal border
The International Douro Natural Park is a large natural area located along the Douro river at the border between Spain and Portugal. The park is home to diverse wildlife and flora and fauna and offers excellent hiking opportunities, including the Miranda do Douro to São João das Arribas trail that offers breathtaking views of the Douro river.
Who offers Douro River Cruises? There are plenty of options. AmaWaterways River cruises has 2 ships sailing the region, the AmaVida (2013) & AmaDouro (2018) ships, Tauck river cruises which use the ms Andorinha (2020), Viking river cruises where you sail on the Viking Hemming (2014), Viking Osfrid (2016) or Viking Torgil (2014) and Uniworld river cruises where you sail on the Queen Isabel (2013) or the SS Sao Gabriel which will be a new ship in 2020.
