A picturesque base for winery tours, countryside walks, and rabelo river cruises down the Douro, Pinhao is both a popular day-trip destination in northern Portugal and a jumping-off point in its own right. Don’t skip the historic tiled train station before venturing farther afield into the scenic terraced hillside surrounds to sample port and Portuguese table wines. Visiting in fall lets you experience one of the most fun things to do in Pinhao—grape-stomping during the annual wine harvest.
There’s never a bad time to explore the charming town that’s the heart of the Douro Valley in Portugal. For those who love the heat and don’t mind crowds, summer is great. June–August are the warmest months, with temperatures averaging around 85°F (29°C). If you’re looking for a more peaceful experience, spring and fall offer gorgeous weather with fewer crowds. Early fall is also the prime harvesting time for the vineyards, so Pinhao is alive with activity then.
Many travelers opt to explore Pinhao on a day trip from Porto. There are organized wine tasting tours or you can independently reach Pinhao from Porto by train for the day. Once in town, its compact size and picturesque streets make it an ideal place to stroll around and take in the sights on foot. However, to reach the surrounding vineyards, it’s best to hire a car or join a tour to explore the surrounding Douro Valley.
A must do in Pinhao is winery hopping in and around town. Some of the wineries are accessible on foot from the town center, with port wine tastings offered throughout the day. There are also plenty of wine bars and tasting rooms within the pretty streets of Pinhao, so even if you don’t have your own car or group tour, you can still get to try some of the famous local wine.
