Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & River Cruise, Porto

4.9 (48 reviews)
Experience the essence of Douro Valley with wine tasting, a traditional lunch, and a scenic river cruise.
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B
BOOTSIE W.
Oct 25, 2024
Loved the wineries we visited but ended up going to a second winery and skipping the boat.
Maja
Maja K.
Oct 22, 2024
This was an amazing tour. Our guide, Tania, was exceptional. Thanks!
brad
brad m.
Oct 17, 2024
Great weather and great views with nice lunch setting!
Diana
Diana
Sep 26, 2024
Joao knows exactly how to make this an incredible experience. We enjoyed every single minute of the day. The Quinta lunch and tour was authentic in... Read more
Jen
Jen S.
Sep 21, 2024
My driver was wonderful. He went out of his way to tailor my experience and ensure I experienced Port the right way. The lunch we had... Read more
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Overview

Embark on a remarkable journey through the picturesque Douro Valley, where you will explore traditional wineries, savor a delicious lunch at a renowned quinta (a country estate) and unwind on a scenic river cruise. This full-day excursion offers an unforgettable experience of the stunning landscapes and rich history of this famous wine region.

Your day begins with your private driver and expert guide whisking you away into the mountains and valleys of the Douro Valley wine region. Here, you will visit traditional wineries and learn about the intricate wine-making process and the history of the region. Indulge in a wine tasting as you soak in the breathtaking scenery of the rolling hills and vineyards.

Next up, you will enjoy a traditional lunch at one of the valley's famous quintas (not included). Savor the mouth-watering local cuisine and wines as you immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of this idyllic setting. Your expert guide will happily share stories and insights into the local culture and history throughout your meal. Please kindly note that the cost of the lunch is not included. 

After lunch, it's time to board a riverboat for an hour-long cruise down the tranquil Douro River. Relax as you admire the stunning views of the valley and the lush hills along the riverbanks. This unforgettable river cruise offers a unique perspective on the picturesque landscape and provides a perfect opportunity for some fantastic photos.

As your day comes to an end, your guide will bring you back to Porto, where you can spend the evening at leisure in the city's lively Ribeira Area. This Douro Valley excursion is truly a day to remember, offering an incredible blend of culture, history, scenery, and of course, fantastic wines.

Highlights

  • Included pick up and drop off from your hotel
  • Explore the stunning Douro Valley wine region with an expert guide
  • Taste a variety of local wines at a traditional winery
  • Cruise down the tranquil Douro River, admiring picturesque landscapes (small group)
  • Optional delicious homecooked meal at a local estate

Know before you go

Duration
7 hours
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Private

What's included

  • Transportation from and to Porto
  • Pick up and drop off at your accommodation
  • Wine tasting at local estate
  • Shares River cruise on Rabelo boat
OPTIONAL UPGRADES:
- Wine Tasting at two estates
- Local lunch
- Private riverboat

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Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Wine Tastings

The wine tastings were frequently mentioned as a highlight of the trip. Visitors enjoyed the quality of the wines, the knowledge shared about the wine-making process, and the opportunity to buy their favorites. (17 mentions)

Mark
“Wineries and tastings were terrific and we ended up buying a few bottles of our favourites.”  — Mark D.
Joanne
“The wine tasting and river cruise were both fantastic experiences.”  — Joanne R.
B
“The wine tasting at Quinta da Pacheca was a charming experience, which we thoroughly enjoyed.”  — Brigette B.
Lunch Experiences

The lunch experiences, particularly at vineyards, were highly praised. Visitors enjoyed home-cooked meals, traditional Portuguese food, and the opportunity to dine with vineyard owners. (15 mentions)

J
“really hooked us up with such a special, delicious lunch/wine tasting experience at a local quinta”  — Jessica S.
B
“One of the highlights of our tour was our lunch at Toca da Raposa, a quaint, family-owned restaurant that featured an excellent menu and wine selection.”  — Brigette B.
P
“Rui made the trip extra special with stops at Port tasting and lunch at locations off the tourist trail that were amazing”  — Patrick M.
Excellent Guides

Several reviews highlighted the quality and friendliness of the guides such as Joao, Nelson, Gustavo, Rui, and Mauricio. They were praised for their knowledge, personable nature, and efforts to make the day special. (13 mentions)

C
“Rui is super knowledgeable and definitely a recommended guide.”  — christy h.
Linda
“Our guide was very fun, engaging, and helpful.”  — Linda C.
B
“Our day started with meeting our incredible tour guide, Nelson, who guided us on our day excursion to Douro Valley.”  — Brigette B.
River Cruise

The river cruise received mixed reviews. Some found it peaceful and beautiful, while others felt it was underwhelming or too short, with some even opting to skip it in favor of more wine tastings. (10 mentions)

Joanne
“The wine tasting and river cruise were both fantastic experiences.”  — Joanne R.
Raj
“The river cruise was beautiful - very peaceful.”  — Raj K.
D
“The River tour was very interesting and felt very privileged to be able to see the wonders of the area.”  — Deanna H.

Traveler reviews

48 total ratings, 37 with reviews
4.9
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.9
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.9
Transport
4.9
B
BOOTSIE W.
North Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Oct 25, 2024
Loved the wineries we visited but ended up going to a second winery and skipping the boat. Read more

Loved the wineries we visited but ended up going to a second winery and skipping the boat.

Tips for future travelers

Use a private driver who will adjust to your interests

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maja
Maja K.
Canada | Reviewed on Oct 22, 2024
This was an amazing tour. Our guide, Tania, was exceptional. Thanks! Read more

This was an amazing tour. Our guide, Tania, was exceptional. Thanks!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tania was excellent!
brad
brad m.
Japan | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2024
Great weather and great views with nice lunch setting! Read more

Great weather and great views with nice lunch setting!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Diana
Diana
Canada | Reviewed on Sep 26, 2024
Joao knows exactly how to make this an incredible experience. We enjoyed every single minute of the day. The Quinta lunch and tour was authentic in every way. The river cruise was very peaceful and beautiful. The views were breathtaking. Joao kept us engaged in interesting conversation during transport. Read more

Joao knows exactly how to make this an incredible experience. We enjoyed every single minute of the day. The Quinta lunch and tour was authentic in every way. The river cruise was very peaceful and beautiful. The views were breathtaking. Joao kept us engaged in interesting conversation during transport.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Jen
Jen S.
Machesney Park, IL | Reviewed on Sep 21, 2024
My driver was wonderful. He went out of his way to tailor my experience and ensure I experienced Port the right way. The lunch we had with Rafael was very cool. I tried a lot of foods I never would have on my own and Rafael is an absolute jewel. The river cruise was wonderful but this is another experience I could have bought on my own via viator. I would have preferred something smaller. My driver, Rafael and the gorgeous scenery made up for it. Read more

My driver was wonderful. He went out of his way to tailor my experience and ensure I experienced Port the right way. The lunch we had with Rafael was very cool. I tried a lot of foods I never would have on my own and Rafael is an absolute jewel. The river cruise was wonderful but this is another experience I could have bought on my own via viator. I would have preferred something smaller. My driver, Rafael and the gorgeous scenery made up for it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A
Alyssa F.
Mundelein, IL | Reviewed on Jul 29, 2024
Our guide was great, the views are incredible. He even arranged a private vineyard tour for us. Read more

Our guide was great, the views are incredible. He even arranged a private vineyard tour for us.

Tips for future travelers

How far the drive was from the hotel

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
D
Dennis S.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2024
We expected we were going to vineyards for wine tastings not port tastings since we did this in Porto The cruise was a
little disappointing as well as i didn't realize we were doing a circle instead of going from one stop to another Read more

We expected we were going to vineyards for wine tastings not port tastings since we did this in Porto The cruise was a
little disappointing as well as i didn't realize we were doing a circle instead of going from one stop to another

Tips for future travelers

If we knew how many vineyards and the names of the vineyard we were visiting as well as how many tastings we were having we would not have gone but made arrangements for our own tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver and guide compensated for what was a poorly described tour
Transport
Mark
Mark D.
Canada | Reviewed on May 26, 2024
An incredible day. A smooth and enjoyable drive from Porto with a friendly and enjoyable guide. The boat ride was nice but not incredible as the hour length only allowed for a short trip around the bend. Wineries and tastings were terrific and we ended up buying a few bottles of our favourites. We had not booked a lunch in advance and guide Joao made us a reservation at Aneto which was the perfect stop and lunch spot for us. Read more

An incredible day. A smooth and enjoyable drive from Porto with a friendly and enjoyable guide. The boat ride was nice but not incredible as the hour length only allowed for a short trip around the bend. Wineries and tastings were terrific and we ended up buying a few bottles of our favourites. We had not booked a lunch in advance and guide Joao made us a reservation at Aneto which was the perfect stop and lunch spot for us.

Tips for future travelers

Boat ride would have been more enjoyable if longer timeframe to see more of the river and properties.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ran into traffic with 10 km left in drive but otherwise smooth and pleasurable ride.
Anthea
Anthea B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 16, 2024
This was one of my favorite days. Our guide modified the trip by excluding the river cruise and it was the right call. Read more

This was one of my favorite days. Our guide modified the trip by excluding the river cruise and it was the right call.

Quality of Experience
The visit to the winery and the wonderful meal
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A
Andy P.
Milton, GA | Reviewed on May 14, 2024
Because of the weather Nelson offered to take us to a Port winery vs doing the open River Cruise and we were glad we did. It was a lovely location and the port was excellent. The private tour of the family winery we went to was wonderful, really got to see and learned about how they produced their wines. Topped off with a private traditional lunch they made just for us. A lovely day Read more

Because of the weather Nelson offered to take us to a Port winery vs doing the open River Cruise and we were glad we did. It was a lovely location and the port was excellent. The private tour of the family winery we went to was wonderful, really got to see and learned about how they produced their wines. Topped off with a private traditional lunch they made just for us. A lovely day

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Nelson was great, really enjoyed talking with him
Transport
Nice relaxing ride

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Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

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