The Douro
Terraced vineyards, river bends and wine estates draw travelers here, with train and boat days along the water.
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The Douro is a river valley in northern Portugal, east of Porto, where the Douro River runs between hillsides cut into terraces for grapevines. Port wine is made from grapes grown here, and the valley also produces table wines. Since 2001 the valley has been a UNESCO World Heritage site as the Alto Douro Wine Region. Its wine estates, called quintas, sit on the terraces and along the water.
Travelers come for wine tastings, river views and trips along the water. The Douro Line train runs from Porto up the valley, and boats cover the same stretch, so you can see the vineyards without driving the narrow roads. Many people base themselves in Pinhão or Peso da Régua to stay close to the quintas. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, and the grape harvest runs in September. Plan at least two nights, and more if you want to hike or visit several estates.
The Douro in five
- Choose your way along the river: train, boat or carThe river is the point, and each mode shows it differently. Rail gives views without driving, a boat gives a slow ride, and a car gives freedom but means choosing a driver after tastings.Trains and cars in Portugal
- Base in the upper valley for more time on the riverPeso da Régua and Pinhão are the two main valley bases, and a night there saves a long round trip from Porto. A single day from Porto leaves little time for the views.Peso da Régua
- Time the harvest if you want activityThe grape harvest runs from late summer into October, and estates are busier and rooms scarcer. Visit in spring or early autumn for easier bookings and mild weather.
- Book winery visits aheadMany quintas take visits by reservation, and tastings may need a driver. Confirm times and what the visit includes before you plan a day around one estate.
- Avoid midsummer afternoons on the terracesThe valley is very hot in July and August, with highs near 33 degrees. Plan estate visits for morning and late afternoon, and carry water on any walk.
Things to do in The Douro
See all attractions in The Douro
Need to know
- Airport
- Porto (OPO), the usual gateway to the valley
- Getting there
- Train or road from Porto; check CP for the Douro line Read more
- Getting around
- Train, boat or car; estates need a car or a transfer
- Best base
- Peso da Régua or Pinhão for the upper valley
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days; 1 day from Porto is rushed
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Cool, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cool, showersFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, showers
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Mild, greenMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°Mild, springAprilRain
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- MayPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Warm, blossomMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, blossom
- JunePartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Hot afternoonsJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot afternoons
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low16°Very hotJulyClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°Very hotAugustClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Warm, harvestSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, harvest
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Mild, harvestOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 142 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, harvest
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Cool, wetNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 148 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Cool, short daysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, short days
Average daily high and low in Peso da Régua, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in The Douro
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 42%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
The Douro
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°2°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue13°3°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed12°0°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 12°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu14°-1°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri8°0°58%Friday: Rain. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Sat11°6°66%Saturday: Rain. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 66%.
- Sun15°10°93%Sunday: Rain. High 15°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 93%.
Updated 06:18 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
Before you go to The Douro
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Rules for The Douro, checked
- Check entry rules for your passport on the official Portuguese government portal before you book, since Portugal is in the Schengen area.Source
- Carry your passport or national identity card. Police can ask to see it at any time.
- Portugal's drink-driving limit is 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood. Plan a sober driver or a taxi for wine-tasting days.
- Service is often included in restaurant bills, so tipping is optional. Rounding up or leaving a few euros is common.
Plan around The Douro
The usual start for a valley trip
Read the guidePeso da Régua travel guideRail hub and the Museu do Douro
Read the guidePinhão travel guideTiled station and estates in the valley heart
Read the guideTrás-os-Montes travel guideThe far north-east beyond the valley
Read the guideViseu travel guideA Dão wine city south of the river
Read the guideTrains in PortugalThe Douro line and Alfa Pendular
Read the guideAll of PortugalThe country at a glance
Read the guideThe Douro FAQ
How many days do you need in the Douro Valley?
Two or three days give time for the river, an estate visit and a base in the upper valley. A day trip from Porto is possible but rushed, with little time for views.
Is the Douro Valley worth visiting?
Yes, for wine, terraced scenery and slow river travel. It is less suited to travelers who want a long list of monuments.
Can you visit the Douro Valley by train?
Yes. CP runs a line along the river from Porto, and it is a scenic way to travel without driving. Check the timetable for your date and where trains stop.
When is the best time to visit the Douro Valley?
April to June and September to October are mild, with harvest from late summer into October. July and August are very hot, so many visitors avoid midday on the terraces.
Do you need a car in the Douro Valley?
Not for towns on the rail line, but estates are spread along the hills and many need a car or a transfer. A tour can solve this if you plan to taste wine.