Before you go

Where the Douro is

About 100 km upriver from Porto. The famous terraced vineyards begin after Régua. You can cruise all the way (a full day) or take the train to Régua or Pinhão and cruise the best stretch (half a day).

• PortoStart here. The 6 Bridges cruise, or a full day upriver.
• RéguaGateway to the valley. Half-day and lunch cruises; reachable by train.
• PinhãoThe heart of the terraces. Short scenic cruises and quinta visits.
• Douro SuperiorToward Spain. Long full-day cruises, seasonal.

km 0 Porto · km ~100 Régua · km ~125 Pinhão

How much time you have

• Under 2 hoursThe 6 Bridges cruise in Porto. Departures through the day.See options
• Half a dayTrain to Régua or Pinhão, cruise the best stretch, back for dinner.See options
• A full dayPorto to Régua or Pinhão by boat, lunch on board, return by train or bus.See options
• 2 days or moreSleep in the valley. Cruise, quinta visits and hotel in one booking.See options

The Douro without a car

The Linha do Douro leaves Porto (Campanhã and São Bento) and follows the river as far as Pocinho. Régua station is about a 10-minute walk from the quay; Pinhão's is beside it. That is why the half-day cruises from Régua or Pinhão work so well without a car: train up, cruise the best stretch, back by the end of the day.

Timetables and tickets at cp.pt.

The best month

• March to October is the sailing season. In winter the dams close for maintenance and most of the longer routes do not run.
• Spring: the valley green, fewer people, the days already long.
• September and October: the harvest and the valley gold, the most asked-for time of year.
• July and August: genuinely hot in the Douro Superior. There is shade on deck, but bring a hat.