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Douro River Cruise: In Depth Review – All You Need to know

Are you thinking of taking a Douro River cruise?

I am lucky enough to have taken a group of 140 guests on a Douro River cruise while working as a tour manager.

A Douro River cruise is a fantastic way to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site known for win production and stunning scenery. Cruises generally depart from Porto and last 7 nights taking in terraced vineyards, picture perfect villages and historic wine estates.

I have written this detailed review so you can see if a Douro River cruise is the perfect trip for you.

What to Expect on a Douro River Cruise

Most Douro cruises have a similar program. They may visit things in a different order. The main differences are:

  • Ship styles
  • Layout
  • Customer demographics

My Review Includes

  • An overview of the Douro River and its popularity
  • What we did each day, along with reviews of all the excursions
  • Details (and some videos) of the river locks
  • Pictures that I took throughout the cruise

If you want to know if a Douro cruise is right for you, this guide will help you find out.

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Douro River Cruise

Table of Contents

Is the Douro Valley Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! The Douro Valley is awash with stunning scenery. From picturesque Porto to wonderful wine valleys, there is always a great view. Cruising the Douro Valley is a great way to enjoy it.

Douro River Cruise – Where is the Douro Valley?

  • The River Douro actually starts in Spain and flows West.
  • It meets the Atlantic Ocean at Porto.
  • The river is 557 miles long.
  • It’s the Portuguese part of the river that is navigable – that’s 133 miles.
  • There are 15 dams along the river of which 5 are commonly passed through during a Douro river cruise.
  • Scroll across the map below to see where the Douro River flows.

Why are Douro River Cruises Popular?

As far as river cruises go, the Douro is the second most popular river cruise in Europe. (The Danube is number one.)

Breathtaking Scenery

The main reason many guests choose the Douro is the stunning scenery. Here are some highlights:

  • Steep hills with cascading vineyards
  • Charming towns
  • Quaint villages
  • Vibrant cities along the way

A Cultural Haven

The Douro River is a great destination for culture and history lovers.

A Wine Lover’s Paradise

It’s also a wonderful wine destination. All the river cruises will include at least one (but often more) wine tasting visits.

Cruise Douro River

What is the Douro Valley Famous For?

The Douro Valley is UNESCO-listed because of its rich winemaking history. This history dates back over 2,000 years, although evidence shows grape production in the area for 3,000 years.

Types of Wine in the Douro Valley

Port Wine

Port wine is made throughout the valley. Who doesn’t love a nice glass of port with some cheese?

Vinho Verde

Vinho Verde is also produced here. This wine is generally not exported because it doesn’t travel well. It has a fresh and clean taste, and I love it because it doesn’t have tannins.

Key Points:

  • Douro Valley has a winemaking history of over 2,000 years.
  • Port wine is widely produced in the valley.
  • Vinho Verde is fresh, clean, and typically not exported.

Little Tip from Me: Try Beirao whilst in Portugal. It’s a spirit that is best tried simply – on the rocks.?

  • a landscape with hills and trees
  • a body of water with buildings and a bridge
  • a valley with trees and mountains
  • a garden with a hedge and trees
  • a building with a staircase
  • a city by a river
  • a blue and white tiled building
  • a river running through a valley with Douro in the background
  • a fountain with a statue in the middle of it
  • a white building with a garden and a woman walking in front
  • a bridge over a river
  • a bridge over water with people walking and a blue sky
  • a bridge over water with boats and a boat
  • a boat in the water
  • boats on the water next to a city
  • a river with a road and hills with rows of plants with Douro in the background
  • a statue in a body of water with a building in the background

    • Memorable Moments from My Douro River Cruise

    The River Locks

    • I loved going through the river locks. The engineering was impressive to see.
    • Being on such a large boat and squeezing through a lock was very memorable. Traveling up and down such a height was also unforgettable.

    The Sun Deck

    • I loved being out on the sun deck. It’s my favorite feature of any river cruise.
    • Sitting outside and watching the scenery slide by while enjoying a drink and snack is so relaxing.
    • With a river cruise, there is always something to see.

    Rural Areas and Countryside

    • Several excursions visited small towns and rural areas of the Douro Valley.
    • I loved this quieter experience after the bustle of Porto. It was a lovely contrast.

    The Crew

    • The crew were amazing. They worked hard to look after all the guests.
    • Most of them were locals, with many interesting stories about the area.

    Special Moments

    • Every trip has special moments. Despite working, I had many memorable experiences.
    • While exploring Castela Rodrigo, some guests and I found a little caf?. Tucked down a cobbled street, we had a lovely time chatting over drinks.
    • On the way to Salamanca, we stopped to see vultures. These huge birds floated on the thermals. We were high on a hilltop, so they were at the same height as us.
    • Another memorable moment was the early morning cruise back into Porto. I woke up early and headed to the sun deck. To my surprise, I found it all to myself. With a coffee in hand, I watched Porto appear, draped in morning mist, making it look even more beautiful.

    Douro River Weather

    River cruises run from March to November, although this varies depending on the operator.

    Average temperatures: (based on historical data) are as follows;

    • March: 7 -15 Celsius
    • April: 9-18 Celsius
    • May: 11-22 Celsius
    • June: Average 24 Celsius
    • July: Average 27 Celsius
    • August: Average 30 Celsius
    • September: Average 28 Celsius
    • October: 26 Celsius dropping to 22 at the end of the month
    • November: 22 Celsius dropping down to 16 towards the end of the month

    Ref: Weather Climate

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Now let me answer some frequently asked questions about a Douro river cruise.

    What Is the Best Time of Year to Cruise the Douro River?

    The best time of the year to cruise the Douro is when the temperature is right for you. July, August & September temperatures can be in the high 20 Celsius to mid 30 Celsius range. In May temperatures are warming to around 22 Celsius. In October they are cooling to around 22 Celsius.

    How Long is a Douro Cruise?

    Most Douro cruises are 7 nights. The total distance travelled from Porto to the Spanish border is around 135 miles.

    Where Do Douro Cruises Leave From?

    Douro River cruises generally leave from Vila Nova De Gaia. This area is on the opposite side of the Douro from the city of Porto.

    How Do I Get To The Douro River?

    Porto city is beside the Douro. There are good train connections to the rest of Portugal. Porto airport is around 30 minutes away from the Douro. There are flights from the UK. Lisbon is approximately 3 hours from Porto. There is a good train service connecting Lisbon and Porto.

    Where Does the Douro River Start and End?

    The Douro starts near Soria in Spain and flows West to Porto where it joins the Atlantic Ocean.

    Which Cruise Lines Offer Douro River Cruises?

    Croisi Europe is the largest operator with 7 ships operating on the Douro. Viking, Scenic, Emerald, Avalon Waterways, Ama Waterways and Uniworld also offer cruises on the Douro.

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    Now let’s look at what we did for each day of our Douro River cruise.

    Most Douro river cruises will have an itinerary that looks quite similar.

    I’ve included some videos and some of my pictures too.

    Cruise Douro River

    Day By Day Itinerary

    Before I share the itinerary let me just point out a couple of things.

    • The cruise I took travelled from Porto to Barca d’Alva and back again. This is a very common route for Douro cruises.
    • The total distance is approximately 135 miles or 200 kilometres.
    • Many of the excursions along the Douro involve travelling by coach.
    • There was a 2-2.5 hour transfer by coach to reach Salamanca.
    • I think a Douro Cruise is a touring holiday, with some touring done by the ship and some by coach.

    a green landscape with a hill and a house

    Cruise River Douro

    Day 1 – Joining the Ship

    It took a while to load three coaches with all the passengers and their luggage. I sent two coaches on ahead while we waited for the last passengers. This meant we didn’t all arrive at the ship at the same time.

    Distance and Travel Time

    • The distance from the airport to Vila Nova de Gaia is around 22 km.
    • The travel time was approximately 40 minutes.

    Boarding the Ship

    You are unlikely to be able to board the ship if your flight arrives before midday. The ship will be doing a changeover from the previous cruise.

    Once we reached the ship, we checked in. Our luggage was unloaded from the coach and taken to the cabins.

    Group Travel Experience

    Our ship was only for our group. We all traveled from the UK on the same flight. This meant we all arrived at almost the same time.

    As a result, it took a while for everyone to get checked in.

    Little Tip from Me: Pack items in your hand luggage so you can enjoy the sun deck while your luggage is being delivered

    There was some time for guests to explore Vila Nova de Gaia. This is a pretty area that hosts all the port wine cellars.

    Location

    It’s on the opposite side of the river from Porto itself. You can find a beautiful riverside promenade area, along with:

    • Shops
    • Cafes
    • A funicular

    Check out things to do in Vila Nova de Gaia.

    Our Experience

    We spent the first night moored in Vila Nova and enjoyed a lovely first evening on board.

    Douro River Cruise: Day 2 – Travelling to Regua

    On our second day, we cruised from Vila Nova de Gaia to R?gua. The total distance traveled by ship is around 62 miles (100 km).

    Journey Time

    The journey time takes around 7 hours.

    Locks and Dams

    Not far from Vila Nova de Gaia is the first lock navigation. It is 22 km (13.5 miles) from Vila Nova de Gaia to the Crestuma Lever Dam. The height of the dam is 25 metres (82 feet).

    A bit further upstream, we passed through the Carrapatelo Dam, which is 64 km (40 miles) from Vila Nova. The height of this dam is 57 metres (187 feet).

    Experience the Journey

    It’s a great experience to travel through the locks and dams. Enjoy it from:

    • The bar
    • The boat’s front area

    Check out the video I took from the sun deck of our ship!

    Little Tip from Me: There can be quite a lot of water dripping down when going through river locks, so you might want to take a hat.?

    a river running through a vineyard

    Lamego Excursion

    This excursion lasted 3.5 hours from leaving the ship to returning.

    Location

    Lamego is in the hills, about 10 miles away from R?gua.

    Visit to the Sanctuary

    The main attraction was the lovely Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Rem?dios. Builders constructed the shrine between the 18th and 20th centuries. It remains a popular pilgrimage site, with many visitors climbing the 700 steps on their knees.

    Highlights of the Sanctuary

    • A beautiful baroque staircase
    • The sanctuary located at the top of the hill

    Guests had the option to either:

    • Walk down into the city of Lamego
    • Take the coach down to avoid the steps

    For more information, check out this page on Lamego. It features a great view of the sanctuary and an interactive map of Lamego’s attractions.

    Exploring Lamego

    Lamego is a small town with:

    • A pleasant square
    • Nice coffee shops
    • Cozy cafes to enjoy

    Return Trip

    After our visit, we took the coach back to the ship.

    Evening Entertainment

    After dinner, we enjoyed a Portuguese folk music show. Local musicians came and performed on board the ship.

    It’s common for river cruises to bring entertainers on board.

    Douro River Cruise: Day 3 – To Pinhao

    After spending the night in Regua, the ship cruised to Pinhao.

    Cruising Distance and Duration

    • The cruising distance was 24 km (or 15 miles).
    • It took around 3 hours to complete the journey.

    Highlights of the Cruise

    During this part of the cruise, we passed through the Regua Dam. This dam is:

    41 metres (around 134 feet) high.

    Douro River Cruise: Day 4 – To Vega De Terron

    On Day 4, the ship sailed from Pinhao to Vega de Terron.

    • The distance covered was 82 km (51 miles).
    • The journey took around 7 hours.

    Arrival at Vega de Terron

    Vega de Terron is located on the Portuguese/Spanish border, where the Douro and Agueda rivers meet.

    Passing Through Dams

    During the journey, we passed through two important dams:

    Later that day, we arrived at Vega de Terron.

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    Figueira De Castelo Rodrigo Excursion

    During the afternoon, we visited Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo. This excursion lasted around 3.5 hours.

    Travel Details

    • Distance: 21 km (or 13 miles) from Vega de Terr?n
    • Travel Time: 30 minutes due to small roads

    Exploring the Village

    The pretty village sits on top of a hill. It features several narrow streets with cute caf?s to enjoy. We had free time to explore the village.

    Some guests found the cobbled streets a bit tough to navigate. The entrance to the village had a sloped cobbled section. I had to help some guests over this part.

    The video above gives you an idea of the terrain for this excursion.

    Evening Dinner

    In the evening, we enjoyed a lovely Portuguese dinner on board the ship.

    River cruises often feature local dishes on their menus, which is something I really enjoy.

    a boat on a lake

    Douro River Cruise: Day 5 – Visit to Salamanca

    After breakfast, we enjoyed an included excursion to the city of Salamanca. This historic Spanish city is located inland from the Douro River.

    Trip Details

    • Duration: Approximately 10 hours
    • Distance: About 121 km (75 miles) from Vega de Terr?n to Salamanca

    Journey Highlights

    The first part of the journey by coach involved a climb over the hills. This part of the road was quite twisty. However, once we left the Douro Valley, the road became straighter and more level.

    Little Tip from Me: I felt a little travel sick on the first part of the journey. You might want to take something to help if you get travel sickness too?

    The journey took around two hours and there was some commentary during the journey about Spanish history.

    Important Note:

    There were not any comfort stops en route to Salamanca but there was a comfort stop on arrival in Salamanca at a local hotel. It might be worth checking this information in advance if it is important to you.

    Salamanca is a UNESCO-listed city in Spain. It is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and boasts two stunning cathedrals. The city features a pedestrianised centre, making it easy and enjoyable to explore.

    Walking Tour of Salamanca

    Shortly after arriving in Salamanca, I joined a walking tour led by a local guide. We headed to Plaza Mayor, which is one of the finest squares in Spain.

    Unexpected Turn of Events

    Unfortunately, I missed the rest of the excursion due to an emergency. A guest needed urgent care while we were on the city tour. I took her to the hospital, and we spent the rest of the day there before returning to the ship in a taxi.

    Group Activities

    While I was at the hospital, the rest of the group enjoyed:

    • Lunch at a local restaurant
    • A flamenco show
    • Free time to explore Salamanca on their own

    Journey Back

    Later in the afternoon, the coach took us on a two-hour journey back to the ship.

    The ship then traveled from Vega de Terron to Pochino, covering a distance of around 35 km.

    Scenic Views

    Here’s my video of the view across the Douro Valley from a viewpoint in the hills on the way to Salamanca.

    a bridge over a river

    Douro River Cruise: Day 6 – Mateus Gardens

    This morning, we cruised 102 km (64 miles) from Pocinho to R?gua, taking around 7 hours. We set sail at 7 am. Along the way, we passed through the Pocinho and Valeira dams again.

    Mateus Palace Excursion

    This 3.5-hour trip took us to the famous Mateus Palace. It is featured on the Mateus Rose wine label. You might have even used the bottles as candle holders! We had a guided tour of the palace’s interior and explored the beautiful gardens outside.

    Change of Plans

    We had to return to the ship earlier than planned, which cut our visit short. The reason was a problem with one of the river locks. This lock had a fault and couldn’t operate at full capacity. This caused a change in all ship bookings.

    Cruising from Regua to Bitetos

    After returning to the ship, we cruised from Regua to Bitetos. This journey covered:

    • 75 km (46 miles)
    • It meant quite a late arrival.

    Farewell Dinner

    There was a farewell dinner on board, even though it wasn’t the last night of the cruise. This was because many of the crew live locally. For the final night of the cruise, they go home for one night.

    Douro River Cruise: Day 7 – Return to Porto

    This morning, we cruised from Bitetos to Vila Nova de Gaia.

    Distance and Route

    The distance is around 50 km (31 miles). During our journey, we passed through the Crestuma dam again.

    Arrival Time

    We arrived in Vila Real at around 9 AM.

    Little Tip from Me: Don’t miss cruising back into Porto under the bridges

    Port Cellar Excursion

    This 1.5-hour tour was a lovely start to the day. From the ship, we walked to a nearby wine cellar in the historic quarter of Vila Nova de Gaia.

    Discovering the Wine Cellar

    Our knowledgeable guide welcomed us to the wine cellar. We learned about the process of producing sweet, velvety Port wine. The key steps include:

    • Harvesting
    • Blending
    • Grape selection

    At the end of the tour, we did a tasting (well, I didn’t because I was working!).

    Oporto Excursion By Coach in the Afternoon

    This excursion lasted 3.5 hours.

    Afternoon Tour of Oporto

    In the afternoon, we enjoyed a tour of Oporto. This university city inspired J.K. Rowling, who lived here for a while. We saw students walking around town in their distinctive gowns.

    Tour Highlights

    Most of the tour took place on the coach, with a few stops along the way. This meant we had short walks rather than long distances.

    Notable Visits

    One of the key places we visited was the Se Cathedral. Here are some important details:

    • This is where Philippa of Lancaster married King Joao of Portugal in 1387.
    • The cathedral features stunning architecture and rich history.

    Douro River Cruise Day 8 – Disembarkation

    This morning, after breakfast, we disembarked the ship and headed home.

    Exploring Porto

    Our flights weren’t until later in the day. We were taken to a hotel in the city, which served as our base for the day.

    We were able to do some more exploration of Porto on foot. Here is what we did:

    • Had lunch at the hotel
    • Left our hand luggage there, which was helpful

    Returning to the UK

    After our exploration, we were then taken by coach to the airport and returned back to the UK.

    Douro River Cruise – Conclusion

    The Douro River is a great option if you love scenery and wine.

    Popularity and Crowds

    The fact that it is the second most popular river cruise in Europe can mean that it may be a bit busier than some other rivers.

    Cruise Lines for Everyone

    There is a great selection of river cruise lines operating on the Douro. Here are some options to suit everyone:

    • Luxury cruises
    • Family-friendly options
    • Budget cruises

    Considerations for Accessibility

    The Douro may not be the best option if you have walking difficulties. There can be quite a lot of hills due to the terrain. If this could be an issue, I would strongly recommend getting more details from your cruise line.

    Or you could ask me to check all this for you – I am a travel agent too!

    Get My Douro Top Tips

    Get my list of essential top tips you need to know before you book a Douro River Cruise

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    If you want more help finding your perfect coach holiday then check out my Coach Holidays page

    Further Reading

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