Portugal River Cruises
4.5 stars on(8,456 reviews)- Choose from 50+ Portugal tours
- 300+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
10 best river cruises through Portugal
Compiled by

MelissaPortugal travel expert at TourRadar
- Delightful Douro with Lisbon
- Delightful Douro
- Porto and the Douro Valley - MIGUEL TORGA
- Porto and the Douro Valley - AMALIA RODRIGUES
- Cruising the Douro Valley
- Douro River Valley (2025) (Porto to Porto, 2025)
- Secrets of the Douro
- Lisbon with Douro Discovery Lisbon to Porto (2025)
- Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro 2025
- Porto and the Douro Valley (port-to-port cruise) - INFANTE D.HENRIQUE
The Scenic Azure sails Portugal's waterways from Porto, showcasing Douro Valley vineyards and ancient ports. The itinerary includes Quinta Aveleda's gardens, terraced vineyard views near Pinhão, and special access to riverside palaces and monasteries.
Duration 11 days Destinations Lisbon, Sintra, Coimbra, Porto, Provesende, Pocinho, Lamego, Pinhao, Mateus Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $9,570
10% Off- NZ$8,570You save $1,000
Luxury awaits on the Scenic Azure through Portugal's historic waterways, featuring UNESCO sites and traditional villages. Butler service, premium beverages, and an exclusive classical concert at São Francisco Church complement your journey through Douro Valley's wine heritage.
Duration 8 days Destinations Porto, Pinhao, Barca de Alva, Pocinho, Peso da Regua Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $8,265
16% Off- NZ$6,965You save $1,300
Duration 6 days Destinations Porto, Peso da Regua, Porto Antigo, Guimaraes Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
16% Off- NZ$3,321
MS Amalia Rodrigues takes you through Portugal's Douro Valley with premium accommodations and entertainment. The route includes São Francisco Church in Porto, Lamego's cultural traditions, and wine tastings at authentic quintas, plus evening folk performances.
Duration 6 days Destinations Porto, Peso da Regua, Lamego, Porto Antigo, Guimaraes Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
16% Off- NZ$3,321
The Douro Queen carries passengers through Portugal's wine region with modern comfort and panoramic views. Highlights include Porto's Gothic cathedral, Lamego's baroque sanctuary, and medieval Castelo Rodrigo. All-inclusive package offers unlimited drinks, 20 meals, and guided excursions.
Duration 8 days Destinations Porto, Caldas de Aregos, Pinhao, Mateus, Barca de Alva, Pocinho, Lamego Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Just You From $8,161
5% Off- NZ$7,713You save $448
S.S. São Gabriel showcases Portugal's finest wine regions, stopping at prestigious Port estates in Régua and Pinhão. The voyage includes historic quintas visits, Douro Museum tours, and UNESCO-protected valley views, paired with traditional Portuguese cuisine.
Duration 8 days Destinations Porto, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Pocinho, Vega de Terron, Barca de Alva Age Range 16 to 100 year olds Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $9,899
30% Off- NZ$6,929You save $2,970
Duration 8 days Destinations Porto, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Pocinho, Peso da Regua Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator Emerald Cruises From $13,655
66% Off- NZ$4,604You save $9,051
The MS Estrela takes you through Portugal's Douro Valley, featuring historic ports and vineyards. Admire sunset sailing from Vila Nova de Gaia, savor traditional Portuguese barbecue dinners, and take guided tours of Lamego's cathedral and Porto's wine cellars.
Duration 11 days Destinations Lisbon, Vila Nova da Gaia, Peso da Regua, Lamego, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Barca de Alva, Mateus, Entre-os-RiosSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator APT From
66% Off- NZ$7,730+$765 upfront costs
The new Avalon Alegria, featuring 37 luxury Panorama Suites, charts a course on Portugal's Douro River. This eight-day route showcases UNESCO sites, traditional quintas, and historic ports, while serving chef-prepared regional cuisine.
Duration 8 days Destinations Porto, Porto Antigo, Braga, Guimaraes, Peso da Regua, Pocinho, Barca de Alva, Salamanca, Quinta da Ferradosa Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Operator Avalon Waterways From
66% Off- NZ$7,246+$346 upfront costs
MS Infante don Henrique takes guests along Portugal's Douro River, with visits to Porto's UNESCO center and Regua's wine region. Porto Antigo's quintas, river vistas, and traditional entertainment highlight this 6-day adventure.
Duration 6 days Destinations Porto, Peso da Regua, Porto Antigo, Guimaraes Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
66% Off- NZ$1,669
River Cruises in Portugal Reviews
- Douro Experience 2026
Everything about the cruise was amazing. We loved the boat, food, itinerary and most of all the staff. Everyone was so friendly and did their best to speak English and answer any questions we had. We've been on 3 river cruises now nd this one was the best for us so far. We will definately check out other A-Rosa riverr cruises.
What our customers ask about Portugal River Cruises
What are the best months to take a Portugal River Cruise?
The Douro River cruise season peaks from April through October. Late spring and early fall (May and September) bring temperatures between 20-25°C (68-77°F) and fewer tourists. Porto and the Douro Valley can get hot in July and August with temperatures up to 35°C (95°F). Spring visitors will see almond trees blooming along the banks. One TourRadar traveler shared about their September cruise: "The weather was perfect for exploring the vineyards and historic towns not too hot but still sunny enough to enjoy the pool deck."
Which are the main ports and stops along Portugal's river cruise routes?
Douro River cruises typically depart from Porto then travel to Peso da Régua where port wine production thrives. Ships continue to Pinhão known for its decorated railway station then on to the Spanish border town of Barca d'Alva and into Salamanca Spain. Many routes stop at Lamego to visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies and Pocinho's rock art sites. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The stop in Pinhão was particularly memorable - the tile-adorned train station and surrounding vineyards were absolutely stunning while the local port wine tasting at Quinta do Tedo was exceptional."
What is typically included in Portugal river cruise fares?
Standard Douro River cruise packages cover your room meals with wine and beer at lunch and dinner guided tours and port fees. Higher-end operators like Uniworld and Scenic add extras such as tips unlimited drinks butler service and airport pickup. According to a TourRadar guest: "The all-inclusive nature of our Scenic cruise was excellent value - from premium drinks to specialized excursions like kayaking on the Douro and exclusive winery visits everything was covered."
How long are typical Portugal river cruise itineraries?
Douro River voyages usually last 7 to 11 days with 8-day round trips from Porto being the most common choice. Longer trips often add stays in Lisbon Madrid or both. Uniworld's 11-day "Portugal Spain & the Douro River Valley" tour spends 7 nights on the river and 3 nights in Lisbon. One TourRadar traveler noted: "Our 8-day cruise felt like the perfect length to explore the region without feeling rushed."
What is the dining experience like on Portugal river cruises?
The food served combines Portuguese and international dishes focusing on local favorites like bacalhau fresh seafood and regional wines. Vessels such as the S.S. São Gabriel offer several dining options from main restaurants to outdoor seating and wine-focused meals. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The food exceeded our expectations - fresh local ingredients excellent Portuguese wines and the special dinner at Quinta da Pacheca was a highlight."
How does the size of ships on the Douro River compare to other European rivers?
Douro River vessels run smaller than their Rhine or Danube counterparts. While major European rivers host ships with 150-200 guests Douro ships usually carry 100-120 passengers. The Scenic Azure takes just 96 travelers and the S.S. São Gabriel holds 100. A TourRadar traveler commented: "The intimate size of our ship with only 96 passengers made for a more personal experience - we got to know both crew and fellow travelers making the journey even more special."
More about Portugal
River Cruise10 Best River Cruise Companies (with Reviews)Portugal Travel Guide | All You Need to KnowBest 10 Day Portugal Itineraries 2025/2026 (With Reviews)Discover the Best Portugal Vacation Packages 2025/2026Weather in Portugal in 2025/2026What is the best time to visit Portugal in 2025/2026?