Douro River Cruises
Travel in style and comfort through the Douro Valley’s most beautiful places. Soak up the sun on deck while enjoying food, and explore villages and monasteries. While Lisbon charms with its famous pastries and colorful streets, Porto delights with its Old Town, port wine, and fresh seafood. Your once-in-a-lifetime Douro Valley adventure awaits.
Excellent
- Choose from 100+ Douro tours
- 250+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
- M
Mark • traveled in September
Very comfortable boat. Helpful and friendly staff. Great food and drink. Beautiful scenery. Perfect.
Douro Experience 2026 - P
Prodip • traveled in June, 2025
৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯৯
Douro Luxury Cruise - Spirit of Chartwell (4 Days) - F
Fay • traveled in October
Very well organized. We felt well looked after onboard and on all the excursions. They moved at a good pace. Accommodating the many needs of 90+ people is not easy!
Enticing Douro 2025
Table of contents
- The best Douro cruises
- Travel Douro your way
- Best tour companies
- Popular Douro Cruise Ships
- Best places to start your adventure
- Discover Douro tours for every budget
- Douro tours for every type of group
- Top Douro travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit
- Contact our Douro travel experts
- What our customers ask about Douro River Cruises
The best Douro cruises
Compiled by
MelissaDouro travel expert at TourRadar
Douro Experience 2026
25 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had a lovely cruise on the Douro river.”
Derek, traveled in August
The UNESCO-listed Douro Valley unfolds aboard luxury A-ROSA ALVA, with elegant 29m² balcony suites and 4.8-rated cuisine. The route winds from Porto through picturesque Pinhão and Régua, with stops at historic quintas for wine tastings. Salamanca's 13th-century university and dramatic riverside landscapes await over 8 memorable days.
Duration 8 days Destinations Porto, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Barca de Alva, Pocinho Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA ALVA River Douro Operator A-ROSA From
- NZ$2,625
Gems of the Douro (Porto to Porto Cruise)
27 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The stops are long enough to give you time to see the sites. But without buying the excursions it would be difficult.”
Christian, traveled in August
MS Douro Cruiser, with its panoramic-view cabins, glides through the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley. Port wine tastings in Pinhao, Barca d'Alva's Natural Park, and historic Peso da Regua highlight the journey. Full board dining includes 4-course dinners and nightly entertainment for approx. $200 per day, with guided English tours.
Duration 8 days Destinations Porto, Pinhao, Pocinho, Vega de Terron, Barca de Alva, Peso da Regua Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Ship MS Douro Cruiser River Douro Operator Crucemundo From $3,134
20% Off- NZ$2,508You save $627
Douro Luxury Cruise - Spirit of Chartwell (4 Days)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The ship is beautiful and elegant, the staff is warm and attentive, and the scenery along the Douro River is simply stunning.”
Cristiano, traveled in July
Luxury Douro cruise aboard Queen Elizabeth II's former vessel, sailing from Vila Nova da Gaia to Porto. Visit Régua's Douro Museum, enjoy winery dinners in Pinhão, and explore historic Lamego while experiencing gourmet regional cuisine and cultural performances.
Duration 4 days Destinations Vila Nova da Gaia, Entre-os-Rios, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Lamego, Porto Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Portuguese Ship MV Spirit of Chartwell River Douro Operator Portugal Travel Center From $1,860
5% Off- NZ$1,767You save $93
Sail Queen Elizabeth II's former yacht through dramatic Douro Valley landscapes. Visit historic Mateus Palace, medieval Castelo Rodrigo, and enjoy exclusive wine tastings at Pinhão farms. Features elegant Pullman-style cabins, gourmet regional cuisine, and cultural shows.
Duration 5 days Destinations Vila Nova da Gaia, Peso da Regua, Barca de Alva, Lamego Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Portuguese Ship MV Spirit of Chartwell River Douro Operator Portugal Travel Center From $2,487
5% Off- NZ$2,363You save $124
Duration 6 days Destinations Porto, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Pocinho, Vega de Terron Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Ship MS Douro Cruiser River Douro Operator Crucemundo From $2,063
30% Off- NZ$1,444You save $619
A grand 11-day voyage combines Lisbon's highlights with Douro River cruising aboard Avalon Alegria. UNESCO sites including Sintra Palace and Porto's historic quarter dazzle visitors. Wine tastings at traditional quintas, Fado performances, and stays in 200-square-foot Panorama Suites create lasting memories.
Duration 11 days Destinations Lisbon, Sintra, Cape Roca, Coimbra, Porto, Matosinhos, Braga, Lamego, Mateus, Douro International Natural ParkSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Ship Avalon Alegria River Douro Operator Avalon Waterways From
30% Off- NZ$9,249+$398 upfront costs
The Douro Valley reveals its finest aboard Scenic Azure. The UNESCO-listed Vinhateiro wine region, Porto's historic cellars, and Mateus Palace await exploration. Exclusive access to quintas, port tastings at Cockburn's cellar, and classical concerts at São Francisco Church highlight 10 days of luxury river cruising.
Duration 18 days Destinations Bordeaux, Libourne, Blaye, Pomerol, Bourg, Cadillac, Sauternes, Porto, Entre-os-Rios, AroucaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Ships Scenic Diamond Scenic Azure River Douro Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $19,705
28% Off- NZ$14,205You save $5,500
MS Estrela showcases Portugal's highlights, from flamenco shows in Salamanca to traditional quinta dining in Pinhão. The itinerary includes Porto's historic UNESCO center, Guimarães Castle, and local winery tastings. Comfortable berth cabins host guests during the 20-meal Douro Valley journey.
Duration 8 days Destinations Porto, Vila Nova da Gaia, Peso da Regua, Lamego, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Barca de Alva, Mateus, Entre-os-Rios Age Range Ages 12+ River Douro Operator Travel Marvel From
28% Off- NZ$6,195+$700 upfront costs
Duration 8 days Destinations Lisbon, Coimbra, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Porto Antigo, Guimaraes, Porto Age Range All Ages Welcome Ships MS Vasco da GamaMS Amalia Rodrigues River Douro Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
28% Off- NZ$2,700
The S.S. São Gabriel glides along the Douro River, stopping at historic quintas and terraced vineyards. Private wine tastings, UNESCO sites like Porto's historic center, and traditional Portuguese cuisine await. Luxury accommodations feature butler service and three distinct dining venues.
Duration 18 days Destinations France, Portugal, Spain Age Range Ages 16+ Ships S.S. Bon VoyageS.S. Sao Gabriel River Douro Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
28% Off- NZ$17,299
Travel Douro your way
Best tour companies
Looking at Douro River cruise reviews, TourRadar offers quite a few options but actual traveler feedback is limited at the moment. That said, we've got some good insights from people who've sailed with specific cruise lines. One of our travelers who took Avalon Waterways' "Vida Portugal" route was really pleased with the whole experience, especially mentioning how comfortable everything was and the high quality of the food served onboard.CroisiEurope gets a nice mention from another guest who particularly liked how they mixed up the daily activities - you're not just cruising but also getting out for some hiking along the way. They also noted how well the kitchen handled different dietary requirements, which can be tricky on river cruises.A-ROSA seems to hit the mark too, with the same traveler highlighting two key things: really attentive service throughout the trip and consistently good meals. These firsthand accounts give you a better picture of what to expect, though it's worth noting this is based on individual experiences and different sailings can vary.
Popular Douro Cruise Ships
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Scenic Sapphire
384 cruises
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Scenic Diamond
320 cruises
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Scenic Azure
284 cruises
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Scenic Gem
241 cruises
Evergreen Tours
Emerald Liberté
239 cruises
Evergreen Tours
Emerald Radiance
177 cruises
Best places to start your adventure
Most people kick off their Douro adventure from Porto - 45 of our recent travelers started there, right by the river in this characterful city. Another 15 chose to begin from Lisbon, often spending extra time exploring the capital first. Looking at our booking patterns, most guests lock in their cruise about 41 days ahead, which makes sense given how quickly these smaller river boats fill up, particularly during summer and harvest time. The sweet spot for sailing runs May through October, with September and October drawing lots of visitors who want to catch the grape harvest celebrations. Spring and late autumn can be bit tricky weather-wise and might affect the schedule, so summer tends to be more reliable for sailing. The river's lock system adds something special to the journey - you'll pass through five different locks, which our travelers love photographing and watching in action.
Discover Douro tours for every budget
Douro tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Douro travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
Solo Travelers54 tours- Couples67 tours
- Seniors (50+)45 tours
Best time to visit
- Spring 2026
Spring's mild weather makes the Douro really shine, and our travelers tell us they love seeing the riverside towns wake up after winter. The most popular spring cruises mix Porto's rich culture with quality wine experiences - you'll explore historic cellars, visit family quintas and learn from local vintners who really know their craft. Some routes add interesting stops at the Douro Museum where you can dig into the valley's 2,000-year wine story, then try your hand at traditional tile painting or cooking with Portuguese chefs. Our clients particularly enjoy spring trips that include Salamanca's UNESCO heritage and also private dinners at countryside estates serving regional dishes.
- April 2026 popular 19 tours
- Summer 2026
Summer gives you long days perfect for extended deck time and evening activities in the ports. The best-selling summer routes blend morning outings - like walks through medieval villages and vineyard trails - with afternoon cruising when the deck becomes your perfect cooling-off spot. Many of our guests choose summer routes with swim breaks, optional cycling tours and also kayaking on the Pinhao River. The highest-rated tours include nice touches like onboard Fado music, visits to ancient rock art in the Côa Valley and dinner at local quintas. August can get quite hot, but the river keeps things cool and well-planned activities help you work around the warmth.
- June 2026 27 tours
- popular 34 tours
- 29 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Fall transforms the Douro Valley into a tapestry of gold and red as harvest season rolls in. The top autumn cruises center on wine experiences - you'll watch the grape harvest happening, join traditional grape-stomping at local quintas and sample new wines with knowledgeable guides. Many itineraries time their stops to catch harvest festivals in riverside communities, adding local flavor to the wine focus. Our travelers give high marks to autumn routes that mix Porto's historic quarters with rural wine estates, medieval castles and also harvest celebrations. Pleasant temperatures make this ideal for active outings like vineyard hikes or riverside bike rides.
- September 2026 popular 18 tours
Contact our Douro travel experts
Sulu
Expert in Douro at TourRadar
Sulu is one of our seasoned Douro Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Douro tours answered!
- Choose from 102+ Douro tours
- 286 verified reviews by TourRadar customers
- 24/7 customer support
Call us
+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Douro River Cruises
How Will I Know if a Douro River Cruise is Right for My Wine Interest?
If you love wine you're going to have an amazing time! The Douro Valley is really the heart of Port wine making and you'll get to visit these beautiful historic quintas (that's what they call wine estates here). You'll taste different wines paired with local cheeses and learn all about how they've been making wine for generations. Take the "Portugal's River of Gold" tour and you'll visit places like Quinta da Aveleda where you can see how they've perfected their craft over hundreds of years. The terraced vineyards are just stunning they're actually a signature feature of the region.
What UNESCO Sites Can I Visit While I'm There?
You're in for a treat because the UNESCO sites are incredible! Porto where most cruises start and the entire Douro Valley are both UNESCO listed. If your cruise goes to Salamanca in Spain (lots do) you'll get to see its famous historic university and the gorgeous Plaza Mayor. I really love the "Vida Portugal" tour that includes Sintra's National Palace another UNESCO gem you won't want to miss it's planned for 2025 if you're thinking ahead.
How Different is a Douro Cruise from Other European River Trips?
The Douro experience is actually quite unique! For one thing Portuguese law says the crew has to be Portuguese which means you get real local knowledge. Unlike other European rivers the Douro ships only sail during daylight hours so you won't miss any of the scenery. What's really cool is going through the five locks especially the Carrapatello Lock it's got the biggest water-level difference in Europe! You'll see this firsthand on tours like the "Family Club" cruise that goes from Porto through the valley and up to Salamanca.
What Local Food Should I Try in the Douro Valley?
Oh you're going to love the food here! Everyone raves about the "Bola de Lamego" it's this amazing bread filled with smoked ham. Try it with some "presunto" (that's their dry-cured ham) and wash it down with "Espumante" which is Portuguese sparkling wine. When you're in Porto make sure to try the grilled sardines at one of the riverside restaurants they're fantastic. The "Delightful Douro with Lisbon & Madrid" tour takes you to this lovely village called Provesende where you can taste authentic bola.
When's the Best Time to Take My Douro Cruise?
The cruise season runs March through November but let me tell you about the sweet spots. September and October are peak season that's when you get perfect weather and might catch the grape harvest which is really special. Spring is beautiful too with all the flowers blooming and nice comfortable temperatures. Fall gives you these incredible autumn colors in the vineyards. If you're thinking about spring the "Vida Portugal" tour in May 2025 is perfect timing to see the valley in full bloom.