The Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its stunning landscapes and winemaking heritage. Porto makes up the perfect base city to explore this emblematic region in northern Portugal. Plan your trip with this flexible itinerary, including top sights and experiences, dining spots, scenic wineries and places to stay.

Road Trip Lisbon-Porto: 1 to 2 Days

If you fly into Lisbon and travel to northern Portugal by car, you can make several stops along the way. Allocate one to two days for this road trip through central Portugal, or book a private transfer from Lisbon to Porto with stops included. The destinations closer to Porto can also be visited on a day trip.

Mafra

The National Palace of Mafra is an imposing royal complex. It was built in the 18th century with the proceeds of Brazilian gold flowing into the country. For lunch in the area, head to Aldeia Típica José Franco. This local sculptor built an entire village in clay, depicting life in rural Portugal a century ago. There is a restaurant serving traditional Portuguese dishes and a shop for ceramics at great prices.

Obidos

Obidos is one of Portugal’s best preserved medieval towns. You can circle the town completely by walking on the former defense walls. Try local speciality ginjinha served in chocolate cups on the charming cobblestoned streets.

Nazaré

A 30-minute detour from Óbidos toward the coast leads to Portugal’s surf mecca. The Red Bull Big Wave Challenge takes place every winter in Nazaré, when waves often reach 20 meters (65 feet) or more. You can watch surfers practice from the viewing platform at Farol da Nazaré lighthouse.

Grutas Mira de Aire

Mira de Aire Cave is 11 kilometers long, making it the largest cave network discovered in the country. The cave can be visited on a one-hour guided tour that takes you through the illuminated chambers. The site was designated one of Portugal’s seven natural wonders.

Fatima

The sanctuary of Fatima is one of the largest Catholic pilgrimage sites in Europe, welcoming over 6 million pilgrims and tourists yearly. It is a convenient stop right off the A1 highway to stretch your legs and have a coffee break in one of the cafés surrounding the sanctuary.

Coimbra

Portugal’s charming university city has been receiving students for centuries. You can freely wander the grounds of the beautiful University of Coimbra, although some buildings require an entrance ticket. Enter the winding streets of the historic center through one of the old city gates.

Aveiro & Costa Nova

The city of Aveiro is known for its canals and typical Moliceiro boats that roam them. You can also try the traditional pastry ovos moles. Continuing west for 15 minutes leads to Costa Nova, a small coastal village with brightly striped cottages that gets extremely busy in summer.

Porto: 2 Days

Two days are perfect to visit Porto at a relaxed pace. Even though it is one of the country’s most populated cities, the historic center is quite compact. I’ve listed my favorite sights, activities, restaurants and bars to include on a first trip to Porto.

Top 3: Sights & Activities

Port tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia

Vila Nova de Gaia is separated from Porto by the Douro River, with the iconic Dom Luis I Bridge connecting both cities. All major port houses are found along the riverbank in Vila Nova de Gaia. The port wine produced upstream in the Douro Valley is aged for several months to decades in their cellars. No visit to Porto would be complete without a visit to its port wine cellars, followed by a tasting.

Historic streets and riverside of Ribeira

Ribeiro is Porto’s most emblematic neighborhood, characterized by colorful façades, historic buildings and a beautiful riverfront. It was a bustling commercial area in medieval times and maintains this vibe today, with many restaurants and non-stop big crowds. The best way to navigate the maze of narrow streets is on a guided tour.

Mingle with the locals in Vitória

The Vitória neighborhood is located right next to the historic center, but offers a healthier balance between tourists and locals. You can find many terraces set up on the winding streets, as well as landmarks like Torre dos Clérigos and book store Livraria Lello. Head to Passeio das Virtudes for a beautiful sunset over the Douro River.

Top 3: Dining & Drinks

Roof Terrace Espaço Porto Cruz

The best views of Porto can be found on the opposite side of the Douro River in Vila Nova de Gaia. Espaço Porto Cruz is the rooftop terrace of the well-known port cellar Porto Cruz. Sunset from the terrace overlooking Ribeiro’s riverfront and bridges was our favorite view in Porto.

Mercado do Bolhão

The historic Bolhão market was completely renovated not long ago, turning it from a farmers’ market into a food destination. From the stalls with fresh produce, fish and meats, you can also buy ready-to-eat local foods to enjoy in a seated area. In addition, there are several restaurants housed on the top floor of the market. Around the corner is the iconic Chapel of Souls, covered in blue-and-white tiles.

Mirajazz

The entrance to this hidden gem is tucked away along a steep flight of stairs in the historic center. Once you enter the small bar, you’ll be surprised to find a beautiful terrace with expansive views of the Douro River. You can enjoy several port tastings, paired with Portuguese appetizers or petiscos.

The Douro Valley: 2 Days

Portugal’s scenic wine region deserves at least two days to get a good taste – to be taken literally, with many stunning wineries and different types of wine to try. If you are short on time, you can also visit the Douro Valley on a day trip from Porto.

Where to Stay

We stayed in a cabin at Quinta das Fontainhas, on the outskirts of Mesão Frio. Quintas are country estates, often transformed into guest houses to receive visitors between the vines. Scattered along the Douro river are many small towns that house quintas, boutique hotels and luxury stays. I’ve listed my favorite lodging options with beautiful views of the Douro Valley.

Top 3: Sights & Activities

River cruise on the Douro

One of the best ways to take in the unique scenery of the Douro Valley is from the water. You can pick between different types of boat trips: an all-inclusive overnight cruise, a river cruise as part of a full-day tour visiting wineries (usually from Porto) or a one-hour cruise by traditional Rabelo boat. We opted for the one-hour cruise from Pinhão to Régua, since we did not need transport from Porto.

Douro wineries

The essence of a stay in the Douro Valley is visiting the scenic wineries and enjoying delicious wines. I picked three wineries before our visit, one of each type: port wine, dry wine, and Vinho Verde or green wine. We ended up visiting just one of these wineries due to extreme heat and traveling with my 4-month-old, but I am sharing the other winners of my research anyway.

Quinta do Pôpa

Our only winery visit ensured we could leave the Douro Valley satisfied. A winding road leads up to the stunning patio of Quinta do Pôpa, overlooking the vineyards and Douro River. We reserved the merenda, a farm-to-table lunch of local products with a glass of wine included. Our delicious lunch was served with spectacular views and we even got a tasting instead of the glass of wine.

Quinta Santa Eufémia

This family-owned winery produces port wines high above the Douro River. You can order wine by the glass in their tasting room with spectacular views. We prefer wineries where you can have a glass of wine rather than do a full tasting, so we can spend that amount on a good bottle to take home.

A&D Wines: Quinta de Santa Teresa

We were ready to make an exception to the tasting-rule at this winery in the Vinho Verde-region of Baião. The grounds are absolutely stunning, with tastings served next to a shimmering pool.

Peso da Régua

This picturesque town is considered the gateway to the Douro Valley. From the Régua train station, you can board the scenic train that runs between Régua and Pinhão several times a day. The town also houses the Douro Museum and three iconic bridges that cross the river.

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