You might think Portugal’s Duoro valley is all about the wine. The region’s wines are indeed a delight. But the mighty Duoro river flows through the region, the life-blood of the landscape for millennia and a destination in itself. The river’s presence suggests a novel way to discover the area, following its course towards the Atlantic. So what will you see as you follow the Duoro river through its magical valley?   

The source of the Duoro river

The Douro springs up near Duruelo de la Sierra in the Spanish province of Soria, meandering south for a while before heading west through the Meseta Central in Castile and León, then onwards into Portugal’s north. It flows more or less through the centre of the Duoro region’s three sub-regions; the Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo, and Duoro Superior.

Exploring the Baixo Corgo

In verdant Baixo Corgo, cool forests and lush countryside give way to hillier landscapes the further you head west. The sandy brown, dome-like hills are studded with small white buildings which cling to the steep slopes amongst lush stands of greenery. The higher the hills get the more spectacular the views are, making an adventure away from the river an equally inspiring prospect.  Seen from the banks, the Duoro river is quite something. Seen from above, winding along its vast valley like a ribbon of summer sky, it’s literally awe-inspiring.

Because the Baixo Corgo is so close to the Atlantic Ocean and the Marão mountains, this is the dampest and coolest place in the Douro valley. If you’re there for the wine the unique micro-climate means the reliably good table wines made there are nice and light, lovely when they’re young.

Experiencing the stunning Cima Corgo

The central Cima Corgo has the best wine climate and produces some of the finest wines, which tend to get better as they age. This is where you’ll find the little village of Pinhao, the ancient home of Port. Because the region has branched out from Port to create a host of top class dry red and white wines, there’s plenty of variety to sample.   

The area’s typical well-drained yet moist soils and winding terraces are legendary, unfolding along the river’s banks and winding like enormous parallel snakes. You can tell the climate is drier here than in the Baixo Corgo. The greenery is dustier and you get a real feel of a place where temperatures can soar.  At some times the river’s banks are steep, rocky, dramatic and impossible to traverse.  At others the banks are lined with fresh greenery and fronted by beautiful buildings.

Discovering the delightful Duoro Superior 

High on drama and the biggest sub-region of the valley, Douro Superior falls further inland and gets hotter than the others. It isn’t unusual to see heat reaching 40°C in summer, occasionally as high as 45°C. This localised climate means it produces the richest, most intense and exciting wines in the Duoro valley, with grapes grown on sun-blasted terraces above the river and beyond into the steep, high, rounded hills.  

The sheer natural grandeur of this section of the Douro valley will blow your mind. This can be a harsh place thanks to the searing summer heat, reflected in the cool pure white buildings with thick walls and chunky red tiled roofs, but it’s unforgettably lovely. When the landscape is reflected in the mirror-like surface of the river, the effect is spectacular.

Take a leisurely journey on the Duoro railway

The Douro railway has to be one of the most relaxing ways to discover this wonderful place. The valley was almost inaccessible to visitors before the track was laid in the mid to late 1800s, now the railway station in the delightful town of Pinhão, in Cima Corgo, is famous for its dramatically patterned blue and white ceramic tile decor and traditional charm.    

The line’s vintage steam train runs alongside the river from early July to the end of October, providing a memorable taste of times gone by as the beautiful banks of the River Douro unfold between Régua and Tua. You can see exactly why this landscape is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage treasure.  

Take river cruises, river taxis and passenger boats from Porto  

A river cruise from Porto can be as simple as a romantic excursion on a small passenger boat or as luxurious as an all-singing, all-dancing luxury cruise from Porto to the coast. River cruises leave Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia daily. There’s also a small ferry connecting Afurada in Vila Nova da Gaia to the northern shore of the Douro, just below the Ponte da Arrábida, and everyday river taxis taking people to and fro across the water during working hours.

Explore the Duoro valley by bicycle

Start off at Porto to explore an area inhabited by humans for at least 30,000 years. The landscapes either side of the river, most dramatically at Foz Côa, are carved into vast parallel terraced vineyards called socalcos, giving the views a unique geometric edge you don’t find in nature, exciting to the eye and endlessly Instagrammable.  

You can make cycling as hard or easy as you like. The roads by the river are flat and easy and the famous N222, voted the world’s best road by Avis, is a real pleasure, winding along on the flat land paralleling the river.

Move away from the banks of the Duoro and it’s all uphill, not for the faint hearted but with areward of magnificent views. The roads are perfect, really well maintained, and you’ll find exceptional views from the roads between Porto and Freixo de Espada à Cinta, with the run between Peso da Régua and Foz Côa a highlight.

Sample tasty local treats along the way

The local coffee? Café Pingo, also called Pingado, comes highly recommended and tastes much the same as a really good macchiato. Apparently it’s called Cafe Garoto in Lisbon and south Portugal. Drink yours with a fragrant Pastel de Nata, a bit like a custard tart but about a million times better. Crisp and flaky pastry and a rich creamy, custard-like filling make it hard to resist.

Ready for holidays in the Douro valley?

Inspired by the idea of basing your Duoro holiday around the magnificent river Duoro? Take a look at our Duoro valley holidays and breaks, see which you fancy the most. It’s going to be the adventure of a lifetime!