Douro River (Rio Douro) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Douro River. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Douro Valley Small Group Tour: 2 Wineries, Lunch & River Cruise

• Douro Valley Tour: 2 Vineyard Visits, River Cruise, Winery Lunch

• Small Group Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch and Cruise

• Douro Valley Wine Tour: 3 Vineyard Visits, Wine Tastings, Lunch

• Premium Douro Valley Small-Group Tour, Wine Tasting, Lunch & Boat

You can visit the banks of the Douro River and swim in it for free, but it's popular to experience it by boat on a river cruise or day trip from Porto. These tours vary by price depending on duration and what's included. Two-hour sunset cruises start at around US$40 per adult, while Douro Valley tours that feature a boat ride and take you to the region's vineyards cost upwards of US$100.

Yes, the Douro River is worth experiencing, especially to see more of Northern Portugal and learn about the history of wine and port. The entire Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose claim to fame is being the world's oldest demarcated wine region. Viewing the vineyards from the river offers a unique, and scenic, perspective. Plus, it makes for an idyllic escape from urban Porto.

Per one customer who booked the Porto: Douro River Boat Cruise with Port Wine and Snacks, "This is an absolutely fabulous time on the river. These guys provide a great tour of Porto and Gaia from the water as well as serving wine and snacks. It was so relaxing and informative. I'm sure it's good any time of day, but the sunset cruise gave us amazing light on the bridges."

The best times of year to visit the Douro River are in the spring, between April to early June, or the autumn months of late September to October. Both periods offer comfortable weather without the extreme summer heat, aren’t too busy, and benefit from seasonal colors.

The Douro River Valley is famous for port wine, a sweet red fortified wine that originates in the region. The riverside cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia are a great place to go for a tasting. It also produces a selection of still and table wines, of which Touriga Nacional is one of the most well-regarded.

Yes, you can swim in many spots along the long course of the Douro River. Small sand beaches are found at bends in the river—such as at Praia da Lomba and Praia Fluvial de Zebreiros—providing areas where it’s easy to enter the water for a dip.

Enjoying a glass of wine (or several) is one of the most popular activities for tourists visiting the Douro Valley. Other options include kayaking along the river, boat tours, the Douro Historical Train, and helicopter rides over the valley.

Most tours of the Douro River from Porto include driving, activities, and sightseeing. One-day tours are likely to explore a specific section of the river, generally no further than Peso da Régua or Pinhão. A more detailed trip, with multiple stops along the river, could easily fill several days.

There are tons of things to do after experiencing the Douro River. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Northern Portugal:

• Porto Cathedral

• Dom Luis Bridge

• Clérigos Church and Tower

• Palace of the Stock Exchange

• Rua Santa Catarina

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Northern Portugal.