The Douro Valley

The Douro Valley is one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world, a UNESCO landscape where steep hillsides along the river Douro are sculpted into countless stone-walled terraces of vines. The oldest demarcated wine region on earth, it is the birthplace of port, its slopes dotted with grand wine estates, or quintas, offering tastings and stays, and best seen from the water or the scenic riverside railway.

What you'll find

• The terraced vineyards - the steep hillsides sculpted into vine terraces.
• The quintas - the grand wine estates offering tastings and stays.
• The river cruise - the boat trip along the winding Douro.
• The scenic railway - the riverside train line through the valley.

When to go

Late spring to autumn for the vineyards and cruises; September and October bring the grape harvest and golden slopes. Summer is very hot in the sheltered valley.

What to expect

It is a large region reached from Porto, best over a night or more at a quinta rather than a rushed day trip. A car helps, but tastings mean a driver. The scenic train follows the river beautifully but only part of the way.

Nearby

Porto lies downriver; the estates and the town of Pinhao are in the heart of the valley.