Douro Valley: Wine Tastings, River Cruise & Lunch Day Trip

Summary

From Porto to Amarante: wine, riverside towns and Douro flavors

You’ll taste Douro Valley wines right at their source, float past terraced vineyards on a river cruise (or wander riverside), enjoy lunch at a family winery, and finish your day in charming Amarante sampling Vinho Verde with local cheese. This tour is as much about people as places—you’ll feel welcomed into real Portuguese traditions.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to start my Douro Valley day trip from Porto with the smell of fresh coffee drifting out of a tiny café in Régua. Our group was barely awake but our guide, Marta, was already pointing out the old stone bridge and laughing about how her grandmother used to cross it every Sunday. The air felt cool and sharp—maybe because I hadn’t quite woken up yet. There was this moment where we all just stood there, mugs in hand, looking over the vineyards tumbling down to the river. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck on the metro back home.

The first wine tasting hit me faster than I thought it would (in a good way). We tried white, rosé, then red—each poured by João, who kept switching between Portuguese and English so we could follow his stories about harvests and stubborn grapevines. He handed us almonds and olive oil with bread that tasted like it had just come out of someone’s oven. There was a faint scent of honey everywhere, probably from the jars lined up on the counter. Someone asked if we’d ever seen so many shades of green in one place. I hadn’t.

After that came Pinhão’s train station—those blue-and-white tiles really do tell stories if you stare long enough—and then the Douro River cruise. You can skip it for a walk along the water but honestly? Floating past those steep terraces while an old boat engine chugged along is something I’d recommend. Lunch was at a family-run winery in Sabrosa; we ate slow-cooked pork with vegetables, drank DOC Douro wines (and Port that tasted like caramel), and Marta teased me for not finishing my glass. The dining room smelled like wood smoke and old books.

We ended in Amarante where cobbled streets curled around pastel houses and people sat outside eating cheese and charcuterie with glasses of Vinho Verde. It started to drizzle but nobody seemed bothered—just more reason to duck into another bakery for sweet pastries before heading back to Porto. Can’t say I remember every fact about winemaking now, but I do remember feeling oddly at home there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Douro Valley wine tastings and sights

• Stop in Régua for coffee and photos
• Cross 19th-century walking bridge
• Visit Museum and Familiar Cellar
• Taste white, rosé, and red wines
• Sample regional olive oil, almonds, bread
• Optional traditional Rabelo boat cruise
• Or walk along Pinhão riverside
• Lunch at family winery in Sabrosa
• Guided visit to wine cellar
• Drive for scenic landscape views
• Explore Amarante village streets
• See XVIII-century bridge and monastery
• Wine tasting with cheese and charcuterie

Top questions

How long does the Douro Valley day trip from Porto take?

The full tour lasts approximately one day including travel from Porto through Régua, Pinhão, Sabrosa, and Amarante before returning.

Is lunch included on this Douro Valley wine tour?

Yes, lunch is included at a family-run winery in Sabrosa with DOC Douro wines and Port tastings.

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

The reference doesn’t specify vegetarian options; check directly with the operator for dietary needs.

Do you visit Amarante on this tour?

Yes, Amarante is included as the final stop with a tasting of Vinho Verde and regional delicacies.

Is hotel pickup available for this day trip?

The tour includes comfortable transport but does not specify hotel pickup; confirm details when booking.

How many wine tastings are included?

You’ll have three wine experiences: regional tastings plus aged Ports at boutique wineries.

Is there WiFi on board during transport?

Yes, complimentary WiFi is available on board throughout the journey.

Can children join this Douro Valley wine tour?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; suitable for all fitness levels.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable minivan transport with onboard WiFi so you can share photos as you go; three guided wine tastings featuring red, white and rosé plus local almonds, honey and olive oil; an optional river cruise or riverside walk in Pinhão; traditional lunch with DOC wines at a family-run winery; Port tasting after lunch; time to explore Amarante’s historic streets with Vinho Verde tasting alongside cheese and charcuterie before heading back to Porto.