Best Douro Valley Wine Tour From Porto You Can’t Miss
January 21, 2025
© Food & Travel Pursuit 2025
Best Douro Valley Wine Tour From Porto You Can’t Miss
Table of Contents
Best Douro Valley Wine Tour
Are you planning a vacation to Portugal and wondering if visiting Douro Valley is worth it? You are in the right place! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about exploring Portugal’s world-renowned wine region. From choosing the best Douro Valley wine tour to discussing our thoughts on a self-guided tour. You will discover the most scenic vineyards, top wine tastings, and even river cruises. We share the best Douro Valley wine tour from Porto that we experienced. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to plan the perfect wine experience. Let’s dive in!
For more general trip planning info on Porto Portugal, check out our full guide below.
Is Visiting Douro Valley worth it?
History of the Douro Valley wine region
Douro Valley has a rich history of over 2,000 years of winemaking. The Romans first planted vineyards along the Douro River. Duoro Valley has ideal conditions for cultivating vines essential for winemaking. This region continued to produce wine throughout its history, especially after the establishment of Portugal in the 12th century.
The Treaty of Windsor in 1386 between Portugal and England provided the foundation for this success through trade ties. By the 18th century, English and Scottish merchants transformed the Douro region into a major Port wine exporter.
In 1756, the Douro became the world’s first regulated wine region. It set standards for Port production globally. This regulation ensured the quality of the wine and the region’s reputation was preserved.
The terraced vineyards were built over many centuries. It’s a testament to years of hard work and innovation of the locals.
Douro Valley - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Self-guided Douro Valley wine tour Or Guided Tour?
How To Visit Douro Valley Wineries?
Best Douro Valley Wine Tour From Porto
The Douro valley wine tasting package (Lunch & River Cruise)
In this section we share not only the best Douro Valley wine tour but everything to expect on the tour. This tour will include Douro Valley wine tasting, a lunch, and river cruise.
It’s one of the most popular tours departing from Porto. You can pre-book your tickets in advance to secure your spot to this tour.
This tour brings you to two of the most famous wineries in the Douro Valley. A unique highlight of this tour is a visit to a charming Portuguese town en route to the Douro Valley. It’s the first stop, let’s get right into it!
This tour is available in multiple languages; Portuguese, English, Spanish or French.
7:30 AM Departure
The best Douro Valley wine tour from Porto begins in the city center. Using the address below, you will bring your pre-booked tickets to check-in before boarding the bus. Tip, we recommend finding a seat on the right side of the bus for more consistent views!
Meeting Point: R. de Mouzinho da Silveira 352, Porto, Portugal
1st Stop - The Charming Town of Amarante
The best Douro Valley wine tour begins with a visit to the charming town of Amarante. When you arrive, you’ll have about 1 hour of free time to explore its historic streets. You can admire the Church of São Gonçalo, and take in the picturesque views along the Tâmega River. It’s known for its traditional houses, cobblestone streets, peaceful riverside views, and one iconic pastry with one-naughty shape.
We started by crossing the bridge to the Church of São Gonçalo where you can visit inside! You will only need about 5-10 minutes to see everything inside. Now it’s time to make your way to the cobblestone streets for an iconic treat.
The best Douro valley wine tour doesn’t just have great wine but also pastries! We spotted a line outside a café known for serving Bolos de São Gonçalo pastries. We simply couldn’t pass up the chance to try them. Sweet and filled with custard, it was the perfect morning treat! The town had a calm, relaxing vibe, making it a great way to start the day.
Cafe Name & Location: Moinho Centro Histórico.
2nd Stop - Douro Valley Wine Tasting #1
Quinta de São Luiz was without a doubt one of the highlights of our trip! This historic Port Wine estate was our first Douro Valley wine tasting. It’s located on the southern bank of the Douro River, providing stunning views of the region’s terraced vineyards. This winey is well-known for its traditional winemaking methods and role in preserving the heritage of Port Wine production.
Before your first Douro Valley wine tasting, you will get a tour of the winery. We loved how informative and knowledgable the guide was about explaining the quality that have made Douro wines famous. The tour starts outside where you will explore the vines and ending inside its cellars.
Is it the best Douro Valley wine tour if you don’t have a tasting inside a cellar? Well, after you finish the tour you will be seated in one epic cellar for the tasting. You will sample three incredible wines. A white wine, a red port wine, and late harvest white. Once you’re finished it’s time to make your way to the next stop. This is of course, the Douro Valley Wine Tasting River Cruise.
3rd Stop - Douro Valley Wine Tasting River Cruise
The best Douro Valley wine tour includes a peaceful 45-minute river cruise along the Douro River. It’s a great way to take a break before the next wine tasting or keep it going if you wish! As you drift along the river, you will pass by terraced vineyards that stretch up the hillsides. If you prefer to sit inside the boat has a covered section in addition to the open-air seating.
We loved the outside of the boat as it provided so many great photo opportunities! You will be able to see all the wineries’ names designating their vineyards with large signs.
For an extra touch of fun, you can purchase a bottle of wine to enjoy during the cruise! While Mel and I couldn’t finish a bottle ourselves, we saw a group of six friends sharing one. We couldn’t help but notice how much fun it looked! It’s a great way to add more excitement to the relaxing cruise.
4th Stop - Best Douro Valley Wine Tour Viewpoint
So far you have already seen so much on the best Douro Valley Wine Tour! But now, it’s time to visit a breathtaking viewpoint before lunch, and the final winery tasting. The tour driver will make a quick 10 minutes stop to Miradouro Escritor Miguel Torga. The guides are fantastic in offering to take pictures of you and your group.
5th Stop - Douro Valley Wine Tasting #2 & Lunch
By the time lunch rolled around, we were more than ready to eat. The bus picked us up and whisked us away to the last stop on what was truly the best Douro Valley wine tour. Before we knew it, we were parked outside a quaint, family-owned winery.
This winery was the perfect spot for a relaxing Douro Valley wine tasting and lunch. The meal was a multi-course traditional Portuguese feast with unlimited house wine. Don’t be shy, if you run out of wine the server will happily restock the table with white or red. With vegetarian, meat, and fish options, there’s something for everyone. Mel and I shared the classic Cod à Brás and a tender pork dish served with creamy risotto. The food was outstanding, and paired with the wine, it was an unforgettable experience!
4th Stop - Douro Valley Wine Tasting #3 & Dessert
To cap off an amazing lunch, we had our final Douro Valley wine tasting, a port wine! To pair the wine, you will enjoy a slice of chocolate cake. The wine beautifully complemented the richness of the chocolate cake.
Best Douro Valley Wine Tour Tickets & Prices
Pre-book The Best Douro Valley Wine Tour
You can pre-book this exact tour in advance as its one of the longest standing tours with an impeccable reputation. You can save up to 25% off each ticket when you pre-book discounted tickets in advance below.
The Best Douro Valley Wine Tour Price
The original price for this tour is €99 ($103 USD) on the original website. However, if you pre-book above you can get discounted tickets.
Douro Valley Wine Tasting Experiences
Overall, in our opinion this was the best Douro Valley wine tour from Porto. We were able to see so much and it was the perfect balance of sights, attractions, and wine tastings!
What to expect during a wine tasting session
During a wine tasting session in the Douro Valley, you’ll get to sample a variety of wines. It’s common to try either a red or white wine or both in addition to port wines. A winery guide or sommelier will walk you through the tasting process. This includes teaching you how to observe the color, aroma, and flavors of each wine. Most tours will include a visit to the vineyards or wine cellars while learning about the winemaking process. This was exactly the case on the best Douro Valley wine tour. The guide will also tell you in advance what order to drink the wines, normally from dry to sweet.
The role of Port wine in Douro Valley culture
Port wine is deeply rooted with the history and culture of the Douro Valley. This fortified wine has been produced in the region for many centuries. It’s one of Portugal’s most iconic exports. Historically, Port wine was transported down the Douro River in rabelo boats. This is a tradition still celebrated today. It’s often enjoyed as a dessert wine. Tourists often enjoy tasting its different varieties, from ruby to tawny.
Best Wineries and Vineyards in the Douro Valley
During the best Douro Valley wine tour we visited some of the best wineries and vineyards. The two we visited are documented below. In addition, we will share the largest producer of port wine where we did tastings in Porto.
Kopke Port House (Oldest)
Kopke was established in 1638. Kopke is the oldest Port wine house, and is known for its exceptional aged tawny Ports. This is the first tasting on the best Douro Valley wine tour.
Taylor’s Port (Largest)
Taylor’s was founded in 1692, and is the largest producer of Port wine. It’s known for its vintage Ports. Although we did not visit here on the best Douro Valley wine tour, you can visit in Porto. Its cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia offer guided tours, tastings, and breathtaking views of Porto. You can check out our detailed guide coming soon below.
Casa Dos Barros VintageTheory – Boutique Porto Winery (Most Unique Boutique)
Casa Dos Barros provides boutique wine experience with small-batch wines, intimate wine tastings, and beautiful accommodations. While we visited here on the best Douro Valley wine tour, it’s perfect to visit in a more intimate setting.
Map Of Douro Valley Wineries
Planning your own wine itinerary in the Douro Valley? Having a detailed map to the region’s wineries is essential! While we don’t have a specifc map to share, I highly recommend checking out the guide below. Their comprehensive guide to 5 different maps will help you pinpoint the best wineries, and plan your route.
Map of Douro Valley Wineries
FAQ- Best Douro Valley Wine Tours
How many days do you need in the Douro Valley?
In order to go on this best Douro Valley wine tour you will need a full day. 1 day is enough for wine tasting and sightseeing. However, staying 2-3 days lets you explore more wineries.
If you’re spending time in Porto and want a taste of Douro Valley set aside 1 extra full day for here.
Can you do Douro Valley without a tour?
Yes, you can visit Douro Valley without a tour. Although a tour is most recommended for several reasons. The guides know exactly the best wineries to visit and have tailored the best itinerary for 1 day. Renting a car does provide most flexibility however, from experience on a tour, the roads can be difficult to navigate. In comparison, while public transportation is possible but less convenient due to limited schedules.
What’s the cost of wine tasting in Douro Valley?
Individual wine tastings can typically range between €10–€30 per person. This depending on the winery and number of wines included.
The best Dourro Valley wine tour offers two winery visits, 6+ tastings, full-course lunch, and river cruise for 99 euros.
Are kids allowed on wine tours in Douro Valley?
Yes, most wineries allow kids, however, activities are marketed towards adults. We would recommending checking with specific wineries for family-friendly options.
Visit Other Attractions In Porto Portugal
If you’re staying in Porto, check out our detailed guides below for the best things to do. This includes individual attractions, itineraries, and other day trips!
The 3 Best Day Trips From Porto
The Ultimate 1 Day Porto Itinerary
Andrew & Melissa
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