Northern Portugal Round Trip - Porto & Douro Valley

When people think of Portugal, the first things to mind are the busy Algarve beaches, Lisbon’s narrow streets, or the famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. However, as soon as you approach the Porto Airport, you’ll see that the country has a lot more to offer. The northern part of the country has an enchanting natural landscape and the Douro River.

When you arrive at the airport, you can pick up your rental car or enjoy a private transfer to your first hotel. The city at the mouth of the mighty Douro is home to the popular port wine and one of the most famous bridges in the country, the Ponte Dom Luis 1. The second oldest of the still existing bridges over the Douro River is part of Porto’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Your hotel nestles on the edge of the old town and is an ideal starting point for strolls along Porto’s river banks and narrow city streets. Amongst other things, the city is known for its hearty cuisine: the francesinha, a kind of sandwich with lots of meat, cheese, and a spicy sauce, is something like the national dish of the city.

Travel time from Porto Airport to Hotel Porto: approx. 20 minutes / approx. 20 kilometers

Overnight stay with breakfast in Porto, Portugal

Porto is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, even if the competition is with cities like Lisbon. Nevertheless, the old town’s narrow streets and the slightly hilly river landscapes exude a stunning atmosphere. Explore the city on your own or take advantage of one of our excursion packages.

Optional excursions:

Six bridges tour on the Douro River in Porto

Ride the ancient river routes the Portuguese wine merchants used to transport wine from the valley to Porto wine cellars.

Porto has six well-known and iconic bridges that connect the two opposite banks of the Douro River.

Enjoy a 50-minute boat ride and get to know these six bridges — from the oldest bridge, Ponte de Dom Luis I from the 19th century to the Infante Bridge, the Dona Maria Bridge, past the Ponte de São João and Ponte da Arrábida to the modern Freixo Bridge. When you reach the last bridge, Foz do Douro, and you can see the mouth of the Douro and the vast Atlantic.

From the water, enjoy stunning views of the historic Ribeira district, the church of São Francisco, the famous Palácio da Bolsa, the Port Wine Museum, the Afurada fishing port, numerous wine cellars, and the Serrado Pilar Monastery.

• Duration: 50 minutes
• Departure: daily, between 10:00 and 18:00 (or 16:00 between November and March), every 30 minutes
• Language: audio commentary in English and Portuguese
• Price: 15€ per person

Guided city walk through Porto

The best way to discover Porto is on foot. Small alleyways lead you to the city’s best-kept secrets, classic tourist sites, and beautiful architectural surroundings.

Walk past the colorful houses that make the city so charming, the Palácio da Bolsa, through the baroque cathedral quarter, and more that we don’t want to reveal just yet. During this tour, you’ll immerse yourself in the city’s art, architecture, and history.

Make a short stop at the Majestic Café for a relaxing break with a cup of coffee or tea and a piece of cake.

• Duration: 4 hours
• Participants: at least two people
• Price: 95€ per person

Overnight stay with breakfast in Porto, Portugal

After breakfast, set off upriver, either with your rental car or a private transfer. The river’s course takes you east into the hilly landscape of the Douro Valley. On both riverbanks, there are vineyards as far as the eye can see. A lot is going on here, especially in autumn during the grape harvest season. In each of the numerous villages, they celebrate wine festivals! The small town of Peso da Régua is the center of port wine production and the first protected wine-growing region in the world. Only grapes from this region may be used for output to be later called port wine. Alto Porto has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001with its several monuments and archaeological excavation sites.

Your hotel is right on the banks of the river, not far from the small town of Lamego. Round off the evening with a nice glass of wine and a fantastic view of the river.

Travel time Hotel Porto - Hotel Douro Valley: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes / approx. 125 kilometers

Overnight stay with breakfast in the Douro Valley, Portugal

With a rental car, you can explore the region and surrounding vineyards on your own with flexibility and opportunity. For those who want to do without a rental car, there are many things to discover near the hotel and nearby city.

Optional excursions:

Visit a wine cellar

The beautiful Douro Valley is an ideal destination for gourmets, nature lovers, and connoisseurs — you shouldn’t miss a visit to the wine cellar! The tour will take you to the Quinta de Marrocos near Lamego, one of the oldest wineries. The Quinta is a house from the 17th century, which was formerly a monastery of the Franciscan order. It is located on a 13-hectare vineyard with a unique view over the Douro River. In addition to port wine and typical wine, the estate also produces olive oil, honey, and jams. During your visit, you can also discover the historical granite presses and wine cellars with wooden barrels. The wines of Quinta de Marrocos take part in international competitions.

• Visit including Port Wine Tasting: 22€ per person
• Visit including Douro Wine Tasting: 29€ per person
• Visit including lunch: 46€ per person

Overnight stay with breakfast in the Douro Valley, Portugal

Your short trip to northern Portugal is coming to an end. Did you experience some lasting impressions from the Douro Valley? Make your way back to Porto, where you will begin your journey home.

There are many options for those who would like to stay a few days longer. Northern Portugal is still underdeveloped for tourism, which is why many travelers consider it the real Portugal. We can recommend a combination trip with Lisbon and Algarve, especially if you already travel in a rental car. Talk to one of our travel consultants today, and we will gladly help you put together your customized offer.

Hotel Neya Porto****, Porto, Portugal

The hotel is on the western edge of Porto’s old town, directly on the Douro river promenade. The Port Wine Museum, numerous cafés, delicious restaurants, and the old town center are all nearby. In each of the modern rooms, you can enjoy high-quality amenities and free WiFi. A continental breakfast buffet and free parking are also available.

Hotel Vila Gale Collection Douro**** , Lamego, Portugal

The design hotel is not far from Peso da Régua and sits directly on the banks of the Douro. The large spa area and indoor pool make the hotel an ideal retreat for wellness fans and those seeking a couple of days of tranquility. In the modern rooms, enjoy high-quality designer furniture, and at the restaurant, order delicious local cuisine and selected regional wines. The hotel is an ideal starting base to explore the Alto Porto region and the Douro Valley.

Including

• 4 nights in the mentioned accommodations

• Catering according to the program

• Transfers from/to the airport and between the hotels; alternatively a rental car of category C (Opel Corsa or similar) for 5 days

Excluding

• International flights

• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the scope of services

• Excursions (visits, admissions, etc.)

• Tips and personal expenses

• Travel insurance

• Rental car deposit (to be paid on the spot)

• Visa, entry, and/or exit fees

Notes

• The optional excursions are not included in the total price.

• The advertised prices are on a group basis with a minimum of two participants.

• You can customize this trip accordingly; for example, you can book other hotels and excursions. Contact your travel advisor, and they will gladly arrange it for you.