Porto Douro River Sailing Cruise: Small-Group Motor Sailor

The bridges and the old town look completely different from a boat.

A 2-hour sailing cruise on the Douro River in Porto aboard the Argonauta, a 31-foot motor sailor, with a local guide showing you Ribeira, Arrábida Bridge and Dom Luís I Bridge from the water. The boat holds a small group, includes Port Wine and bottled water, and ends at Douro Marina in the fishing village of St. Peter of Afurada, where you can explore on your own. Suitable for all fitness levels; infants can travel in a pram or specialized seat.

Step-by-step itinerary

2-hour Douro River sailing cruise

• Board the Argonauta motor sailor
• Sail along the Douro River
• View Ribeira old town and Porto houses
• See Port wine cellars from the water
• Enjoy views of Arrábida Bridge
• Enjoy views of Dom Luís I Bridge
• Conclude cruise at Douro Marina in St. Peter of Afurada
• Visit St. Peter of Afurada at leisure

The Experience

How do you actually see Porto? From the street, the Ribeira stacks vertically and the bridges tower overhead. From the water, they make sense. This 2-hour cruise runs the Douro aboard the Argonauta, a 31-foot motor sailor built by the Swedish boatyard Hallberg-Rassy — the kind of boat that handles the river's current and lets you sit low enough to watch the typical Porto houses and wine cellars as they face the water, not the street. A local guide narrates in English or Portuguese, and the boat stays small enough that you're not crammed in with fifty other people.

The route passes under both the Arrábida Bridge and the Dom Luís I Bridge, the two landmarks that define the skyline. You see them from angles the postcards don't show. Port Wine and bottled water come with you; you're welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks to have along the way. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen — you're on the water for the full two hours, and there's nowhere to hide from the sun.

The cruise ends at Douro Marina in St. Peter of Afurada, a fishing community on the south bank. From there, you can wander the parish at your own pace and on your own dime. It's a quieter side of the river than Ribeira, and worth an hour if you have it.

What’s included

• Port Wine and bottled water.
• captain and local guide services.
• fuel and insurance.
• the 2-hour cruise itself aboard the Argonauta.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Mar Douro

Is this one for you?Small groups work best here — you'll be with other travelers but never crowded on a 31-foot boat. Pick this if you want to see Porto's landmarks and old town from the water instead of from the street, and you have two hours to spare without needing a full-day commitment.

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Top questions

What's the boat actually like on a 2-hour cruise?

The Argonauta is a 31-foot motor sailor built by Hallberg-Rassy, a Swedish boatyard known for seaworthy design. It's built to handle the Douro's current and sits low enough that you see the riverbanks and architecture from water level, not from high above them. The boat holds a small group, so it never feels crowded.

Can I bring my own food and drinks on the cruise?

Yes. Port Wine and bottled water are included, but you're welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during the 2 hours on the water.

What exactly do I see from the boat?

The Ribeira, Porto's old town, appears from the water where the typical Porto houses and wine cellars face the river. You pass under the Arrábida Bridge and the Dom Luís I Bridge, the two major landmarks that define Porto's skyline, from angles you won't see from land.

Where does the cruise end, and what can I do there?

The cruise ends at Douro Marina in St. Peter of Afurada, a fishing village on the south bank of the Douro. From there, you can explore the parish at your leisure and at your own expense.

Is this cruise suitable for infants or very young children?

Yes. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available. The boat is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though you'll want to wear seasonal clothes and sport shoes — no high heels on the boat.