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.

Douro River Cruises

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River Cruise
Douro Experience 2026
4.6 (17 traveler reviews)
"The Douro river cruise was extremely pleasant and positive. All staff, food and sailing were enjoyable."
Judith, traveled in May
Destinations
Porto, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron,Barca de Alva,Pocinho+2 more
Age Range
2 to 99 year olds
Ship
A-ROSA ALVA
River
Douro
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$2,476
$1,448 now + easy payments of $310
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 12 Nov 2025
Pay today$1,448
7 easy payments$310
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 12 Nov 2025
Pay today$1,448
7 easy payments$310
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River Cruise
Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley (2025) (Porto to Lisbon, 2025)
4.8 (3 traveler reviews)
Destinations
Porto, Entre-os-Rios, Peso da Regua, Pocinho,Vega de Terron,Barca de Alva,Lisbon+3 more
Age Range
16 to 100 year olds
Ship
S.S. Sao Gabriel
River
Douro
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
20% Off
Duration
11 days
From $10,799
NZ$8,639
$455 now + easy payments of $4,292
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 23 Nov 2025
Pay today$455
2 easy payments$4,292
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 23 Nov 2025
Pay today$455
2 easy payments$4,292
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River Cruise
Douro Luxury Cruise - Spirit of Chartwell (4 Days)
Destinations
Vila Nova da Gaia, Entre-os-Rios, Peso da Regua, Pinhao,Lamego,Porto+2 more
Age Range
1 to 99 year olds
Ship
MV Spirit of Chartwell
Regions
DouroNorthern Portugal+1 more
Operated in
English, Portuguese
Operator
Portugal Travel Center
3% Off
Duration
4 days
From $1,488
NZ$1,443
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River Cruise
Porto, the Douro valley (Portugal) and Salamanca (Spain) (port-to-port cruise)
4.5 (21 traveler reviews)
"Throughly enjoyed it, staff were superb."
Peter, traveled in May
Destinations
Porto, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron,Barca de Alva,Salamanca,Senhora da Ribeira,Quinta da Ferradosa,Folgosa,Leverinho+6 more
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Ships
MS Gil Eanes Miguel Torga MS Amalia Rodrigues+2 ships
River
Douro
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
3% Off
Duration
6 days
From
NZ$2,249
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River Cruise
Douro Luxury Cruise - Spirit of Chartwell (5 Days)
Destinations
Vila Nova da Gaia, Peso da Regua, Barca de Alva, Lamego
Age Range
1 to 99 year olds
Ship
MV Spirit of Chartwell
River
Douro
Operated in
English, Portuguese
Operator
Portugal Travel Center
3% Off
Duration
5 days
From $1,984
NZ$1,924
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River Cruise
Gems of the Douro (Porto to Porto Cruise)
4.4 (25 traveler reviews)
"The cruise experience was very friendly and enjoyable."
Charles, traveled in August
Destinations
Porto, Pinhao, Pocinho, Vega de Terron, Barca de Alva,Peso da Regua+1 more
Age Range
up to 100 year olds
Ship
MS Douro Cruiser
River
Douro
Operated in
English,German,Spanish+2 more
Operator
Crucemundo
50% Off
Duration
8 days
From $3,338
NZ$1,669
+$124 upfront costs
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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$Portugal\'s River of Gold Tour$
$Portugal\'s River of Gold - 8 destinations$
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River Cruise
Portugal's River of Gold
Destinations
Lisbon, Porto, Peso da Regua, Barca de Alva, Salamanca,Pinhao+1 more
Age Range
18 to 90 year olds
Ships
Viking Osfrid Viking Torgil Viking Hemming Viking Helgrim+3 ships
River
Douro
Operated in
English
Operator
Viking Cruises
46% Off
Duration
10 days
From $13,020
NZ$6,992
$2,500 now + easy payments of $3,337
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 08 Dec 2025
Pay today$2,500
3 easy payments$3,337
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 08 Dec 2025
Pay today$2,500
3 easy payments$3,337
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Douro River Valley (2025) (Porto to Porto, 2025)
Destinations
Porto, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Pocinho, Vega de Terron,Barca de Alva+1 more
Age Range
16 to 100 year olds
Ship
S.S. Sao Gabriel
River
Douro
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
30% Off
Duration
8 days
From $9,899
NZ$6,929
$455 now + easy payments of $3,932
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 23 Nov 2025
Pay today$455
2 easy payments$3,932
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 23 Nov 2025
Pay today$455
2 easy payments$3,932
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River Cruise
Secrets of the Douro
Destinations
Porto, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Pocinho,Peso da Regua+1 more
Age Range
up to 90 year olds
River
Douro
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
66% Off
Duration
8 days
From $13,655
NZ$4,604
$1,000 now + easy payments of $729
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 06 Dec 2025
Pay today$1,000
5 easy payments$729
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 06 Dec 2025
Pay today$1,000
5 easy payments$729
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River Cruise
Lisbon with Douro Discovery Lisbon to Porto (2025)
Destinations
Lisbon, Vila Nova da Gaia, Peso da Regua, Lamego, Pinhao,Vega de Terron,Salamanca,Barca de Alva,Mateus,Entre-os-Rios,Porto+6 more
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
River
Douro
Operated in
English
Operator
APT
66% Off
Duration
11 days
From
NZ$7,730
+$765 upfront costs
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