Port Wine Tour from Porto: Douro Valley & Amarante

The Douro Valley spreads across two different elevations, and the wines taste different at each one.

A full-day wine tour from Porto through the Douro Valley and the town of Amarante, with a local guide driving an air-conditioned van and leading tastings of Port Wine and other regional varieties. You pick one of three options at checkout: the sightseeing version, a tasting of three Port varieties, or a premium option adding Moscatel and a one-hour river cruise through the valley slopes. Pickup and drop-off at Porto, Guimarães or Braga are included; the guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Douro Valley and Amarante

• Visit Amarante historic city center
• See bridge, church, and river surroundings
• View entrance of Douro's harvest region
• Stop at best sightseeing spots
• Taste 3 varieties of Port Wine with appetizers
• Discover gems near Pinhão village
• Enjoy unique views atop the valley
• Final tasting in Favaios liquor area

The Experience

The day starts with a drive from Porto into the foothills, heading toward Amarante. The town sits where the Tâmega River bends around a church and a stone bridge, and the guide gives you time to walk the historic center before the group moves deeper into wine country. From there, the route climbs into the mountain slopes of the Douro region itself—the landscape shifts as you gain elevation, and the guide points out how the vineyards and the terrain change between the lower Vinho Verde zone and the steeper Douro plateau above it.

The tastings happen in two stages. The first takes place already deep in the mountains, near the small village of Pinhão, where you taste three varieties of Port Wine with appetizers. If you booked the Premium option, you'll also taste Moscatel later in the day in the traditional wine areas around Favaios, home to the region's most established liquor production. The one-hour river cruise on the Premium itinerary runs through the valley itself, giving you a perspective of the banks and slopes from the water—a view most visitors miss from the road. Throughout the day, the guide explains the structure of the region from Régua inward, so you understand why the wines taste the way they do and how the harvest differs across elevations.

The van is air-conditioned and holds a small group; the guide is your driver as well, so there's no separate transportation to arrange. Pickup happens at your hotel in Porto, Guimarães or Braga, and you return to the same place by evening. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one. The tour runs nine hours total, and the pace is set so you're not rushed between stops.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned van with a local guide who drives.
• pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Porto, Guimarães or Braga.
• personal accident and liability insurance.
• wine tastings and appetizers (on Tasting and Premium options).
• a one-hour river cruise through the valley (Premium option only).
• all entry fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Portugal Autêntico

Is this one for you?Book Meet Douro if you want to see the landscape and Amarante without committing to tastings. Choose Tasting Douro to understand how the elevation changes the wine—three Port varieties in the mountains give you that comparison. Pick Premium if you want the full picture: the tastings, the Moscatel, and the river perspective of the slopes, so you've seen the region from every angle the day allows.

Top questions

What's the difference between the three options on this tour?

Meet Douro is sightseeing only—you walk Amarante and drive through the vineyards without tastings. Tasting Douro includes three varieties of Port Wine with appetizers in the mountains. Premium Douro adds a tasting of Moscatel in Favaios and a one-hour river cruise through the valley slopes, so you see the region from the water as well as the road.

How far is the Douro Valley from Porto, and how much of the day is spent driving?

The valley starts in the foothills about an hour from Porto and extends deep into the mountains. You drive through the region all day, stopping to walk Amarante, taste wine, and take in the views, so the driving is broken into segments rather than one long stretch.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included in any option, though tastings come with appetizers. You'll have time to eat in Amarante or at one of the stops, and the guide can suggest places.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French—you choose your language when you book.

Is there a river cruise on every option?

The one-hour cruise through the Douro Valley is included only on the Premium option. The other two options stay on the road and in the vineyards.

Can I bring a baby or small child on this tour?

Yes. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.