Come and discover the amazing, world-famous winemaking region in the Douro Valley! The first demarcated and controlled winemaking region in the world in 1756, it proudly boasts its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Property. Hike up and down the terraced vineyards that Man built from the schistose rocks from the river up to the tops of the hills, delight in the rich regional cuisine, the olive oil and typical produce, and taste the world-famous Port and Douro wines from the region. During your journey, the magical Douro River will enchant you with breathtaking landscapes, whether you are walking along the riverside or travelling on a river cruiser.
The itinerary begins with a walk to Sabrosa, birthplace of Ferdinand Magellan and one of the most emblematic towns in the region. Walk along trails through superb environments, discover little-known places such as the noble winemaking village of Provesende where you will find the greatest number of manor houses and stately homes in the Douro Region, and Ucanha, a stopping place on the Cistercian monks’ wine route that invite you to discover the local sparkling wine. Pinhão, also on your trip, is a town in the heart of the Douro around which the majority of the finest Port and Douro wine estates are located. Stroll into the train station and admire the hand painted tiles with which it is decorated. Take a trip on the river on one of the typical boats, the rabelo, on which, in the past, the young wines were shipped downriver to the warehouses in Vila Nova de Gaia, across from Porto. The monumental city of Lamego invites you to discover the local rich gastronomy and heritage. From there, travelling along the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrims’ way to Santiago de Compostela, you will arrive near Régua, the capital city of the Alto Douro Region.
The itinerary offers a range of opportunities to discover Port and Douro wines with tastings at several wine estates, as well as a tasting of the excellent olive oil produced in this region at a local producer’s. A variety of small restaurants invite you to relish the excellent local cuisine and the quality of the produce.
Day 1 – Sabrosa | On the way to the Douro Wine Region and its famous vineyards
Start your journey with a transfer from Porto airport to Sabrosa, a small town famous as the birthplace of Ferdinand Magellan, the first navigator to circumnavigate the Earth. Discover the natural beauty of this town surrounded by vineyards, one of the gates to the demarcated Douro Wine Region. The vineyards that form the background and the peace and quiet of this town are a sample of what you will expect to enjoy during the rest of your itinerary.
Day 2 – Sabrosa | The essence of the Douro Region with its splendid scenery, vineyards and olive groves
Starting from the village of Celeirós, you will walk among the quintas, the name given to the wine estates where the vines are grown and where the farmhouse often also houses the winery. The peace and quiet of the place are often sought after as a refuge from the stress of day-to-day life. Arriving at the town of Sabrosa you will be greeted by its grand manor houses, many of which have their origins in the medieval ages and are a staple in local architectural heritage. Leaving the town, you walk to Fermentões, with a view over the waving blanket of lush vineyards which is truly breathtaking. The Douro Region begins to reveal its charms!
The optional program offers an opportunity to appreciate the more human and authentic nature of the production of olive oil, with a welcoming visit to the press and tasting at a small local producer’s installations. And you will have the option to visit a Port and Douro winemaking estate where you will be welcomed to enjoy a tasting and learn how these famous wines are made.
Day 3 – Provesende | Village of baroque and neoclassic manor houses
Walking along rustic stone-paved roads connecting the numerous winemaking quintas, we will explore the village of Celeirós after which the trail magically opens up to reveal the majestic Douro Region landscape: hills covered in lush green vineyards on which the winemakers have painted the names of their properties. The vine-covered terraces and their retaining walls were laboriously built by Man by breaking up the schistose stone of the hillsides. From there, your journey will end in Provesende, a well-kept historic winemaking village with a wealthy heritage containing the largest number of manor houses in the Douro Region, with impressive baroque and neoclassic facades dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
The bakery and appealing aroma of freshly baked bread from the wood oven and the handcraft shops with locally produced items are just some of the interesting places to explore.
Day 4 – Ucanha | Vineyards and olive groves landscapes and the town of Pinhão
Today’s hike connects Provesende to Pinhão along a medieval road that will take you down the hillsides to the riverside, always accompanied by the admirable work of Man who built the terraces, stone by stone. Pinhão, considered to be the geographic centre of the Douro Winemaking Region, is the regional headquarters for many of the best-known Port and Douro winemaking firms. Located between the Douro and the Pinhão rivers, it is one of the most picturesque villages in Portugal. The train station, built at the end of the 19th century and decorated with beautiful hand painted tiles describing life in the region, is especially worthy of a visit. You will have the option of a visit and tasting of the exceptional wines produced at one of the fascinating wineries.
From Pinhão, take a ride on a typical rabelo boat, identical to the craft that for centuries carried the young Port Wine down the Douro River to the warehouses in Vila Nova de Gaia, across from Porto. After you disembark, you will be transferred to your final destination of the day, Lalim. This is a chance to bask in the peace and quiet of this rural town and to renew your energies for what is waiting for you!
Day 5 – Ucanha | Mountain villages and superb medieval heritage
This day we shall take a circular route up and down hills and valleys, beginning at and returning to Ucanha. Start your walk along the river and take some time to enjoy one of the small waterfalls along the way. The entire walk brings you in touch with nature as you cross past small farms and pine groves through picturesque villages, down cobblestone streets lined with typical granite-built houses. You may wish to visit the 12th century monastery of Salzedas, an imposing building that looms over the small village in which it is located. Arriving in the village of Ucanha, you can go for a swim off its wonderful river beach. Afterwards, cross the medieval bridge and stop to visit the ancient tower which until 1527, served as a customs house to collect a toll from everyone who crossed into the lands of the monastery. Right before the end of your outing, past the Murganheira wine estate, you may opt for the optional visit and tasting of the sparkling wine for which the area is famous. A delightful, experience amongst an unforgettable visual array of hundreds of thousands of bottles nestled in the dark, cold, wine lodges.
Day 6 – Lamego | A city of monuments in the Douro Region
It is time to bid farewell to Lalim. Amble along small roads and paths amongst villages, vineyards and vast apple orchards famous for the perfume of their fruit. At the small local café, ring the bell to call the owner who will welcome you with open arms. This is where the Cistercian monks produced wine during the 12th century, where they shaped the environment and worked the land, cultivated their vines and created winemaking techniques and traditions that have been handed down to this day. Here you will find some of the finest Portuguese sparkling wines. Before you reach Lamego, you may wish to choose the option to visit and taste those made in a historic winery. Your final destination, the historic city of Lamego, boasts the richest architectural heritage in the Douro Region. Dating from the middle ages are the castle, at the top of the city, and most especially the beautiful cathedral with its sumptuous monumental baroque staircase. Climb up the 686 steps surrounded by lush gardens and richly decorated with works of art: statues, obelisks, fountains and handcrafted decorative tile panels.
Day 7 – Cambres | Along the Pilgrims’ Way to Santiago de Compostela and historic wineries
Beginning on the streets of central Lamego, this last trail takes you partly along one of the secular pilgrims’ ways in the interior of Portugal as they make their way to Santiago de Compostela. Those who travel them today experience life-time challenges, attractions and lessons. Your journey will be accompanied by the impressive environment of vineyards and historic quintas as it was here that the first great vineyards in the winemaking region were planted during the 12th century. Your goal is Cambres, a town surrounded by a green blanket of vineyards, near Régua, the capital city of the Douro Winemaking Region. Attractive stone-paved roads take you past famous quintas where you may choose to visit and taste Port and Douro wines in one of the most famous wineries in the region, dating from the 16th century. Live this last day in your itinerary to the fullest, one that will live on as being memorable for the most fantastic landscapes and wines that Portugal has to offer!
Day 8 – Porto | UNESCO World Heritage city, world-famous for Port Wine
Like the wine, which owes its name to this region, your trip along the Douro ends in the city of Porto, where you can explore one of Portugal's most emblematic cities in peace and quiet, where you'll find a must-see on every street corner. Living up to its title as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, here you'll find more than 150 classified monuments, in which you'll find memories of the history of a region and its people. Lose yourself in the city's typical neighbourhoods, which retain their authenticity, with the traces of the medieval period. The River Douro awaits you and the Ribeira welcomes you with open arms, inviting you to cross over to the famous Port wine cellars, where you can travel back in time and stand next to the oldest barrels in which the famous wine was transported.
Day 9 – Departure
Transfer back to Porto Airport.
End of your journey.
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