Douro Valley Cruise with Lunch
About this activity
Highlights
- Scenic Douro Valley river cruise
- Traditional Portuguese onboard lunch
- Round-trip transportation from Porto
- Breathtaking vineyard landscapes
- Relaxing day amidst nature's beauty
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Porto
- Panoramic river cruise in Douro Valley
- Traditional Portuguese lunch on board
- Wine tasting fees at local vineyards
Itinerary
Pass by: Board on a fun day on this 1 day cruise from Régua, the capital of the Douro Valley, and enjoy the unique scenery and landscape of the wine estates and the river. Our reservation team will give you the exact location when you confirm your booking.
Pass by: It is thought that the town´s name originated from the name of a Roman house that once stood here - the "Villa Reguela". Its great development was, however, only to begin after 1756 with the creation of the Real Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro (Royal Company of Vine-Growers from the Alto Douro Region), which set up the world's first ever demarcated region for wine production. Situated on the banks of the River Douro, Peso da Régua played a fundamental role in the production and sale of Port wine, for it was from here that the barrels were transported in the special boats known as barcos rabelos to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the wine was left to age in the local wine lodges. In this region, the vines are grown on terraced slopes leading down to the river, providing visitors with a series of spectacular views, which are best admired from the area's many viewpoints, such as those of São Leonardo at Galafura and Santo António do Loureiro.
The Carrapatelo dam is located on the border of Porto and Viseu district, respectively between the municipalities of Marco de Canaveses and Cinfães. Inaugurated in 1972, it was the first dam to be built on the national section of the Douro River. This is the Douro dam with the highest gap, 35m, which makes the boat passage through its lock an unforgettable experience. It is located at km 65 of the Douro waterway and is the second dam before the mouth of the Douro. Pass by this dam the cruises that make the route Porto and Régua.
The Crestuma-Lever Dam is located in the Porto district, between the parishes of Crestuma and Lever, from which the dam's name derives, and connects the municipalities of Vila Nova de Gaia and Gondomar. It was opened in 1985. This is the Douro dam closest to the mouth where it is 22 kms. It is therefore the first dam that we find when we go up the river by boat and the last when we go down. The lock overcomes a 13.9m height difference of the waters, being the smallest difference in the Douro Dams. In addition to water storage and electricity production, the dam also serves as a pedestrian and road crossing.
Pass by: The Douro Valley could as easily be called the enchanted valley, such is the beauty and magic that its landscapes offer.
Pass by: By the end of the day you will reach Porto. Cross the bridges of Porto until you get to the mouth of the River where it meets the sea and finish the experience with the best views of Porto historical center and the Port Wine Lodges in Gaia. The arrival location can be either the Estiva Quay, or Gaia Quay. Our reservation team will give you the exact location when you confirm your booking.
Meeting point
Start Location
Sao Bento station, Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto, Portugal
Important information
Know before you book
- The cruise operates in all weather conditions; cancellations due to weather are rare but possible.
- Vegetarian meal options are available upon request; please inform in advance.
- Wine tasting at local vineyards is not included in the cruise package but can be arranged separately.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for a day on the water.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and memorable moments.
- Consider bringing a light jacket or sweater, as temperatures can vary throughout the day.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- The cruise is subject to availability, weather and sailing conditions
- Panoramic cruise
- The cruise requires a minimum number of participants
- No refunds for late passengers
- Departure location will be confirmed after the booking.
Traveler reviews
Whole day was excellent....
Whole day was excellent. Meal was lovely but too much. All the staff were friendly and professional. Good value for money.
Fun filled day
If you have Slimmy as your guide and Rui as your driver you hit the jackpot. You will have a fun filled day. You will be entertained on your journey with lots of interesting and sometimes funny stories. The best tour guide ever !
Day on the Douro
You must do it if you have the opportunity; the staff is top-notch, the food is excellent, a bit delayed, but they always waited for us to park.
Jorge and Slimmy rocked!! Amazing half day tour, delicious wine, fun boat ride, GREAT way to view the entire countryside
Omg!!! WOW! We had such a wonderful experience on the Douro Valley tour, and a huge part of that was because of our guide, Slimmy, and our driver, Jorge. Slimmy was incredibly knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely passionate about the region. He made every stop interesting by sharing the history, culture, and local stories in a way that never felt like a scripted tour. He also made everyone feel welcome and kept the day running smoothly from start to finish. Jorge was an excellent driver. The winding mountain roads through the Douro Valley are no joke, but we always felt completely safe and comfortable. His professionalism made it easy to relax and enjoy the incredible scenery. This was one of the highlights of our trip to Portugal. If you’re lucky enough to get Slimmy and Jorge, you’re in very good hands. Highly recommend!
Nice but can be improved
It is maybe too long for what the scenario actually offers. The food could be better and the age group was too old (most were 70 plus, creating groups with people from similar ages could improve the experience.