Exploring the Majestic Douro Valley
Hello, My name is Ismail Siddiky. Today I’m talking about ”Douro Valley” Your complete travel guide. Let’s start .
Just come out with us to the majestic Douro Valley. A quick note: Marco and I are both sick, so this blog is going to be different. I decided to share some information to help you plan your vacation to Douro Valley. When I was planning our trip, it was a little confusing, so I wanted to provide more information about the Douro Valley and how to best plan your trip.
What is the Douro Valley?
To begin with, let me talk about what the Douro Valley is. Well, this is the area with majestic views of the Douro River, hills, and mountains covered in vineyards. Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means the area is protected. It’s also a large region known for wine production. The Douro region is where port wines officially come from. The grapes must be specifically from this region in order for the wine to be called Port Wine. For centuries, this area has been known to grow great grapes, and they make fortified wine here, which is then transported to Porto.
Why Visit the Douro Valley?
This region has become popular for visiting vineyards, wine tasting, river cruises, and enjoying relaxing scenic views. Unfortunately, due to the weather and our health conditions (not Covid, as a disclaimer), we weren’t able to film much, but I still want to give you as much information as I can.
The Douro River flows all the way from Spain and enters the Atlantic Ocean in Porto. The river used to transport wine from the Douro Valley to Gaia for the wine cellars, but now they use trucks. There are plenty of things to do in the Douro Valley, and the region is really large, so I was confused about where to book our stay and how to get there. In this vlog, I will cover all of that.
Popular Destinations in the Douro Valley
There are two of the most popular destinations in the Douro Valley: Peso da Régua (where we are now) and Pinhão, and you can reach both by train. River cruises also offer different options, such as visiting Pinhão or Peso da Régua (shortened to Régua). Régua is a slightly bigger city than Pinhão, which is more like a small village. We chose to stay in town because we’re not driving, so it’s easier to reach a supermarket, which is just five minutes away from where we’re staying.
There are plenty of restaurants, and we were surprised by the number of luxury stores here. Many of them sell fancy clothes and watches, which seem to be for tourists because most people living here in Régua and Pinhão are older. The demographic here is primarily seniors. On Saturdays, and especially Sundays, a lot of places, including restaurants, are closed, and the town feels like a ghost town. You’d think the weekends would be lively, but not in the Douro Valley.
Pinhão is a bit more popular than Régua because of the way the river curves and the scenic hills covered in vineyards. It’s a bit more picturesque, but Régua is still a beautiful destination. The views are incredible, the air is fresh, and I’m loving it.
How to Get to the Douro Valley
There are a few ways to get to the Douro Valley. One is by train, like we did, and I’ll show you how to get here by train in a bit. Another popular way is by taking a day trip from Porto, as many cruise companies organize trips by boat to the Douro Valley. We partnered with Living Tours, and in a few days, we’ll take a day trip by bus from Porto, visiting two vineyards.
Driving is probably the most convenient option. Coming to the Douro Valley by cruise or train is scenic, but having a car is practical for a few reasons. There are many hiking opportunities here, and a car would be useful for that. There are also many scenic lookouts, which are easier to reach by car. If you arrive by train, you can take a taxi to vineyards or other parts of the Douro Valley, like Lamego. We tried to rent a car, but since we only know how to drive automatic cars, it was too expensive (200 euros for two days versus 60 euros for a manual car). So, we opted for the train.
Traveling by Train
Now, we’re on the train, and it was super easy to get the tickets and find the right track. To get to the Douro Valley, you can take the train from either São Bento or Campanhã station. The ticket to Régua is 10 euros, and it’s more expensive to go further to Pinhão. There are two types of trains: the InterRegional (IR), which is a bit faster and more expensive, and the Urbano, which is a local train. The IR train takes 1 hour and 54 minutes to get to Régua, while the Urbano takes 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Quick tip: for the best views, sit on the right side of the train (depending on the direction of travel). The train is comfortable, the windows open, and there’s a bathroom on board. The ride was really nice, and the scenery was absolutely stunning. On the train’s website, you can find different discounts for families, seniors, and young travelers under 25, which makes it really affordable.
Arrival in Régua
Outside the train station in Régua, there are taxis lined up, but since our Airbnb is just a four-minute walk away, we’ll walk. As soon as you step off the train, you’ll see a huge statue of Sandeman—a black figure with a cape, hat, and a glass of wine.
If you’re arriving by train or car, here are some options: we took the train to Régua and rented an Airbnb in town. While Régua is small and there isn’t much to do in town itself, you can take a boat cruise to Pinhão or a shorter river cruise just up and down the river. Pinhão is about 30 kilometers from Régua. There are also smaller rivers connected to the Douro River, where resorts offer activities like kayaking and paddleboarding.
In the next vlog, we’ll be staying in a four-star resort in Lamego, so stay tuned! Another fun thing to do in Régua is to take a historic train tour. It’s actually really affordable—750 euros for the tour. One of the most popular vineyards in Régua is Quinta da Pacheca, located right across the river. It’s about a 40-minute walk, but the roads aren’t pedestrian-friendly, so it’s easier to take a taxi.
Vineyards offer different types of tours: some include just the vineyard tour, while others offer tastings, lunch, or even picnics. You need to book these in advance. September is harvest season, and it’s the most fun time to visit because you can participate in the experience of harvesting and stomping grapes. We were planning to visit Quinta da Pacheca, but since we got sick, we couldn’t make it.
Vineyard Accommodations and Planning
There are many vineyards in the Douro Valley, and some also offer accommodations. If you stay outside town, keep in mind that some are not close to the train station, so you’ll need a taxi. Prices range from around 150 euros to 900 euros per night, depending on the level of luxury. There are also plenty of hostels for budget travelers.
Booking accommodations in the Douro Valley can be tricky, especially during the summer, as places get booked quickly. Make sure to book in advance. The same goes for river cruises and vineyard tours.
If you’re not driving, choose a place that offers a restaurant or kitchen and bring groceries with you. This will save you from taking taxis constantly for meals.
Final Tips for Visiting the Douro Valley
When visiting the Douro Valley, many people like to visit multiple vineyards. How many days you need depends on what you want to do. Plan one day trip to Lamego, another to Pinhão, and spend a day exploring Régua. I hope this blog helps you plan your Douro Valley trip. We’ll continue making informative travel blogs to help you get the most out of your vacation. Stay with us for more blogs, and as always, thank you so much! See you soon. Bye!
