Douro Valley River Cruise

Porto · Régua · Pinhão · Salamanca · 7 nights

Seven nights on board and ashore, round trip from Porto.

The Journey

Seven nights by ship, with days ashore at Porto, Peso da Régua, Pinhão, Salamanca, Barca d'Alva and Régua. Shore days are planned with private guides where shown, and you can always stay on board instead.

The days are built around Porto and the Port Lodges; Through the Locks to Régua; Pinhão and the Quintas; and Vega de Terrón, for Salamanca. Each one is set out below with what you will see, how you get there and which meals are included.

The defining moment of this route: port house cellar tasting with the winemaker. Your travel specialist can add a night, swap a day or change the order before you book.

Signature Highlights

Port house cellar tasting with the winemaker
Through the Locks to Régua, Peso da Régua
Pinhão and the Quintas
Vega de Terrón, for Salamanca
Barca d'Alva and Castelo Rodrigo
Mateus and Vila Real, Régua

Day by day

Your Itinerary

8 days

01
Day 1 · Porto, Portugal
Embarkation in Porto
Private transfer to your river ship, moored on the Douro, and an evening walk along the Ribeira waterfront.
- Private airport transfer
- Boarding on the Douro
- Ribeira at dusk
Meals:
D
02
Day 2 · Peso da Régua, Portugal
Through the Locks to Régua
Sail upriver through the Crestuma and Carrapatelo locks, Carrapatelo among the deepest in Europe, into the terraced vineyards of the Douro.
- Carrapatelo lock
- Scenic cruising into the wine region
- Douro Museum in Régua
Meals:
BLD
03
Day 3 · Pinhão, Portugal
Pinhão and the Quintas
The blue-tiled railway station, then a quinta in the Cima Corgo for a cellar tasting with the winemaker, from white port to aged tawny.
- Pinhão station tiles
- Quinta cellar tasting
- Vineyard walk
Meals:
BLD
04
Day 4 · Salamanca, Spain
Vega de Terrón, for Salamanca
Across the border into Spain and a day in Salamanca, about 90 minutes by road: the Plaza Mayor, the two cathedrals and Spain's oldest university.
- Salamanca's Plaza Mayor
- Old and New Cathedrals
- University of Salamanca
Meals:
BLD
05
Day 5 · Barca d'Alva, Portugal
Barca d'Alva and Castelo Rodrigo
The fortified hilltop village of Castelo Rodrigo, almond groves and views over the upper Douro.
- Castelo Rodrigo
- Upper Douro landscapes
- Almond groves
Meals:
BLD
06
Day 6 · Régua, Portugal
Mateus and Vila Real
The baroque Mateus Palace and its gardens near Vila Real, then an afternoon sailing downstream.
- Mateus Palace and gardens
- Downstream sailing
- Douro vineyards from deck
Meals:
BLD
07
Day 7 · Porto, Portugal
Porto and the Port Lodges
The São Bento station tiles, the Livraria Lello and the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia across the river. Farewell dinner on board.
- São Bento station
- Port lodge cellars in Gaia
- Farewell dinner on board
Meals:
BLD
08
Day 8 · Porto, Portugal
Disembarkation in Porto
Breakfast on board, then a private transfer to Porto airport, about 25 minutes.
- Morning disembarkation
- Private airport transfer
- Optional nights in Lisbon
Meals:
B

Inclusions

Handpicked luxury accommodations across the journey
Daily breakfast; select lunches and dinners as noted
Private airport transfers and inter-city ground movement
Curated experiences and reserved access as listed
24×7 on-trip concierge from our India desk

Not included

International airfare unless explicitly mentioned
Visa fees, travel insurance and personal expenses
Meals and experiences not listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel staff
Anything of a personal nature (spa, minibar, laundry)

Transfers

Private arrival and departure transfers with a named driver
Moves between stops by private car, rail, ferry or domestic flight, as shown day by day
Timings reconfirmed with you the evening before each transfer

Visa & Documentation

Visa guidance provided by our documentation desk
Recommended to hold passport valid for 6+ months
Digital pre-arrival forms handled on your behalf where possible

Common Questions

When is the best time for a Douro cruise?+

April to June, and September to October for the harvest. July and August are very hot in the valley.

Do we need a visa for Portugal and Spain?+

Yes. Both are in the Schengen area, so one Schengen visa covers the voyage, including the day in Salamanca.

Are wine tastings included?+

Yes. The port-house cellar tasting and the quinta visits shown day by day are included; additional tastings can be added.

How far in advance should we book?+

Three to four months ahead gives the widest choice of rooms and guided days, and more for school holidays, festivals and peak season. Shorter notice is often possible; ask and we will check live availability.

Can the itinerary be customised?+

Yes. Every journey is a starting point: add or remove nights, swap a day's plan, change hotels or reorder the route, and your travel specialist re-plans the whole trip around it.

What is the payment schedule?+

Your quote sets out the deposit that confirms the booking and the date the balance is due. Both depend on the hotels, airlines and guides involved, so they are agreed with you before you pay anything.