2
introductory to moderate
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 3 nights in a traditional Quinta
  • 1 night in a 5 star hotel
  • 2 nights 4 star hotel
Meals
  • 3 Dinners
  • 6 Breakfasts

7 Days£1200GBP

Overview

Trip Code: JPO

Walking and wine in the Douro Valley Trip highlights


  • Relax in a traditional Douro Valley Quinta surrounded by vines and olives
  • Explore vineyard trails, hilltop villages, and terraced landscapes on foot
  • Visit the riverside port of Pinhão for wine tasting and a Douro River cruise
  • Take one of Europe's most scenic train journeys to coastal Porto
  • Stay in a 5* riverside hotel in Pinhao and a 4* hotel in Porto
  • Ramble the cobbled streets of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage city

The Douro Valley is one of the oldest and most scenic wine regions in the world. Demarcated in 1756 under the Marquis of Pombal, it remains the world’s oldest regulated wine region and is famed for its port and increasingly celebrated table wines. This self-guided walking and sightseeing holiday offers a relaxed yet enriching way to explore the heart of this UNESCO-listed landscape. Spend three nights at a traditional Douro Quinta—a peaceful wine estate nestled among terraced vineyards and olive groves—where you can enjoy walks straight from the door, sample local wines, and take in panoramic valley views. From here, descend on foot to the riverside town of Pinhão, where you stay in a 5-star hotel overlooking the Douro River, with the option of a scenic boat ride or a visit to nearby vineyards for wine tastings. A memorable train journey along the river carries you west to Porto, where you’ll spend your final night in a 4-star hotel in the city’s historic centre. This flexible itinerary blends walking, wine, and relaxation—with all activities optional. With three dinners included and a mix of charming wine estate and premium hotels, this trip offers outstanding quality and comfort. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit: either for vibrant wildflowers or to witness the harvest and colourful turning of the vines.

Countries:

Portugal

Starting Point:

Vilarinho de Sao Romeo

Finishing Point:

Porto


Make your own way to Vilarinho de Sao Romeo Accommodation: Stay for the first 3 nights in a beautifully restored manorial house in the hills high above the Douro Valley, dating back to the 1600s. All the rooms have their own character and are ensuite. There is a pleasant lounge and a beautiful shady wisteria engulfed verandah. The pretty gardens have a small outdoor pool (maybe closed early and late in the season).

Meals:  D

Walks described can be done in any order, on any day. This circular walk takes you deep into the working wine estates of golden terraces laced with vines. The walk passes through the village of Celerios before dropping steeply into the valley of Pinhão where there are some amazing Escher type perspective views of the vine terraces from across the hills in certain lights. You will walk through many small estates, crossing the river twice before winding back up through forest and vineyard to Vilarinho.

Meals:  B,D

This is a straight forward walk which takes you through the pine and eucalyptus hillsides above Vilarinho. A lovely tour for walking through peaceful countryside and a couple of villages before returning to the 'Quinta'. You will get to see vineyards of various sizes. There are a couple of very sleepy villages on the way including Vilela and the appropriately named Fermentoes. There are opportunities for cafe stops on the way where a simple lunch could be obtained. There are some steep tracks with gravelly surfaces through forests and vineyards.

Meals:  B,D

Today you can either walk down to Pinhão, or if you want more time in the town, you can transfer with your luggage to the hotel. The walk is a beauty, taking you back down to the Douro and spends some time above the course of the Pinhão River which meets the Douro at Pinhão. The first half of the walk is through the woods, pine, heather, eucalyptus, broom and thyme of the hills of the ‘Serra de Alem,’ dropping steeply into the attractive village of Provesende. Next you head off through vine country, with yet more steep descents until you are right down by the Pinhão River, walking beside it until the River Douro. This afternoon you may have time to do a boat tour on the Douro or visit one of the famous wine estates for a tour. Accommodation: Overnight at a very special hotel in a wonderful location by the Eiffel Bridge and the river. The old house and the lands around it are part of an 18th century estate, exquisitely renovated into a magnificent 5 star hotel with all comforts, facilities and high standard service whilst maintaining the charm of the old days in the traditional architecture that has been carefully preserved. There is an outdoor swimming pool with lovely views to the river. There is also a tennis court, beautiful gardens, games rooms and library Bar. The restaurant specialising in Portuguese cuisine.

Meals:  B

You will have time for optional activities such as a boat ride up the Douro under some of the famous 'Quintas' - wine estates, or for an estate visit before you take the train with your baggage to Porto. Check into your Hotel and enjoy the afternoon and evening in the vibrant Ribeira district, down by the quays. There are lots of traditional 'tascas' (taverns) with marine cuisine. Accommodation: Our hotel is central to the old part of the city and the Riberia district. It is a fusion of 5 listed buildings, fully renovated and totally modernised into a 4 star hotel.

Meals:  B

Full day in Porto. We suggest a walking itinerary taking in the famous sites such as the Cathedral, churches such as 'Igreja de sto Ildefonso' and the 'Igreja Clerigos' with its monumental tower. Maybe walking along the upper and lower spans of the famous Luis I road bridge, admiring the riverside districts of the old towns on both river banks. We would also recommend a trip across the river to the other town, 'Vila Nova de Gaia' where you can take your choice and visit one or more of the famous port lodges. Prices and tour times will vary, Taylors do a good one with tastings for approx. 6E. Not all require bookings.

Meals:  B

After breakfast make your way to the airport either via the Metro or Taxi service.

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.


Inclusions

  • 6 breakfasts, 3 dinners
  • 3 nights accommodation twin share ensuite in a traditional Quinta
  • 1 night accommodation twin share ensuite in a 5*hotel
  • 2 nights accommodation twin share ensuite in a 4* hotel
  • 1 luggage transfer from Vilarinho to Pinhão
  • Digital information pack including navigational app
  • Emergency contact
  • GPX files on request

  • 3 dinners, all lunches & beverages
  • Transport to and from the start/finish points
  • Travel Insurance
  • Entrance fees
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Guide - this is a self guided holiday

Accommodation


Trail Surface


Suitability

introductory to moderate

2

This is a relaxed, flexible walking holiday, graded as Introductory to Moderate. Walks range from 4 to 5 hours per day on vineyard tracks, village paths, and quiet country lanes. For the first three nights, you’ll be based at a Douro Valley Quinta, so all walks are optional and can be tailored to suit your energy levels and interests.


Departure dates

Daily from 1 Apr to 30 Jun and 1 Sep to 15 Oct

Notes

H
High Season
Note:
The Vintage Hotel in Pinhao has variable and seasonal pricing. The closer to departure you book the more likely that a supplement will apply. Early booking is recommended.
DN2
High Season is 1 May - 31 Oct, a supplement applies for travel during this period.

Priceper person from

£1200GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementGBP£510
  • Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£530
  • High Season Single SupplementGBP£560
  • High Season Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£570
*Prices listed are per person

Walking and wine in the Douro Valley Trip reviews


Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

Self-Guided Specialists

We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.

Walking and wine in the Douro Valley Videos

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