Widely regarded as the oldest officially demarcated wine region in the world, the Douro Valley was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001 for its breathtaking landscapes and historical significance in wine production.
In recent years the region has gained popularity, in part thanks to its stunning hotels, delicious restaurants and unique experiences. Located just a 1.5-hour drive from Porto (you can also take the Linha do Douro, a scenic train journey from Porto), or a 3.5-hour drive from Lisbon, renting a car is the most convenient way to explore the region.
STAY
Six Senses Douro Valley
Six Senses Douro Valley – the brand’s first European outpost – opened in 2015. It’s home? A 19th-century manor house once described by a Portuguese writer as “more of a Palace than a house, with the sky as the ceiling and the River Douro that flows at its feet as a companion.” This sentiment still rings true. The property boasts 71 bedrooms and suites (Quinta, Valley and Vineyard) each thoughtfully designed with authentic materials sourced from the Valley.
Bathrooms feature dove-grey Portuguese limestone, while beds and mattresses make use of natural materials like organic lamb’s wool from local sheep. For a secluded retreat, opt for a room in the Vineyard wing, home to three rooms and seven suites, some of which offer generous outdoor areas with hot tubs. Those in the Valley rooms sit within an old wine lodge and include access to a lounge. Select suites have outdoor space, a private pool and an infra-red sauna.
Start your day at Vale de Abraão, where a farmhouse-style breakfast features seasonal fruit, Portuguese pastries, salads alongside made-to-order dishes like the creamy herb omelette with regional cheese and a rice waffle topped with fermented plum and lavender from their garden. Don’t miss the kombucha and juice stations or their signature adaptogenic longevity brew. Cozinha do Douro is the place for cosy traditional Portuguese food come lunch; return to Vale do Abraão for dinner and be sure to try the lobster rice. During sunnier months, the Pool Bar is wonderful any time of day, or ask the team to organise a picnic of Portuguese food paired with Douro wines and ports – best enjoyed beside the river, in the vineyards or deep in the forest.
You won’t get bored here – join creative activities like Portuguese tile painting, craft a body scrub at the Alchemy Bar with herbs and essential oils grown on-site, or go for a walk to explore the stunning surroundings. At the spa, ten treatment rooms meet indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling garden-view windows, while the vitality suite includes saunas, a steam room, a laconium, a fitness room with TechnoGym and LifeFitness equipment, and a wellness studio offering regular classes like yoga, meditation, HIIT and more. For a truly revitalising experience, try a biohacking session that will leave you feeling both energised and zen.
Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora Carmo
With a 250-year history, Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is set on over 120 hectares of land. With just 11 rooms, this intimate retreat, a Relais & Châteaux member, is warm, welcoming and run by attentive staff who make you feel like part of the family. Rooms are within a bougainvillea-covered manor house, surrounded by vineyard terraces and gardens featuring cypresses and native plants; decorated with different styles of Portuguese furniture, interior design is curated to represent the soul of life on a Douro estate.
Making the most of the great outdoor, Terraçu’s Restaurant overlooks the vineyards serving breakfast lunch and dinner. Chef André Carvalho, a Douro native, infuses his knowledge of the region’s produce into his creations, allowing him to create Douro-inspired dishes with a fine-dining touch. Terraçu’s restaurant joined the Slow Food movement in 2019, championing local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients: choose from a three- or four-course menu, or go all out with the Origins menu – a seven-course culinary narrative of Chef André Carvalho’s life and paired with the estate’s award-winning wines, should you wish.
The on-site Wine Museum Centre is a must-visit, showcasing the winery’s rich history while preserving its original design from 1764 – end your visit wine tasting at the Patamar Wine Shop & Bar, with stunning panoramic views of the vineyards and Douro River. Other wine-related activities include a cruise along the Douro River aboard the hotel’s wine boat, and the opportunity to craft your own wine blend – bottling, corking and design your own label. Or simply sip a port tonic paired with local cheeses; wander the grounds; or take a dip in the pool.
Quinta São José do Barrilário
In a building dating back to 1747, Quinta São José do Barrilário has been thoughtfully renovated, and reopened as a luxurious, 31-bedroom hillside retreat. Situated between the charming towns of Pinhão and Régua, the décor draws inspiration from wine barrels: natural materials like granite, wood, linen and cotton lead the way in the bedrooms. Expansive windows seamlessly connect the interiors to the lush surrounding landscape, offering uninterrupted views of the verdant Douro Valley, and the outdoor infinity pool is a highlight, offering the perfect vantage point to take in the spectacular view.
Start your day with an impressive breakfast spread (cheese, yoghurt, fruit, pastries, breads and the like) coupled with an à la carte menu of omelettes and fluffy pancakes. Panoramic Restaurant, under the guidance of chef Luís Filipe Guedes, features dishes crafted from fresh and local ingredients – and the sommelier’s expert wine recommendations are not to be missed.
The Terroir Vineyard Spa is a stylish space with two treatment rooms, a sauna, a Turkish bath, sensory showers, and a water circuit including a heated indoor pool, a waterfall and a hydro-massage bench. Treatments range from Japanese facial massages and lymphatic drainage to Tibetan singing bowl therapy, all utilising premium Cinq Mondes products. Elsewhere on the property, spend time picnicking in the vineyards, taking a cooking class, enjoying wine tasting, or exploring local trails on electric bikes.
EAT + DRINK
DOC By Chef Rui Paula
Glass-walled and waterside, DOC is one of the most polished restaurants in the region. Helmed by chef Rui Paula, the menu showcases modern Portuguese cooking; start with delicate plates like prawn and corn soup or goats’ cheese with quince, followed up with something richer, like slow-cooked lamb or seafood rice. You can order à la carte, or opt for one of their tasting menus – available in six-, eleven-, or fourteen-courses – each thoughtfully paced and beautifully plated. The wine pairings are some of the best in the region too, with bottles that showcase heritage producers and undiscovered labels. Try to book a river-facing table and make an occasion of it.
Toca da Raposa
Hidden away in the hillside village of Ervedosa do Douro, Toca da Raposa has a slow, rustic kind of charm. The interior is cosy with wooden beams, low lighting and tiled floors, while the terrace – when open – offers sweeping vineyard views. The menu is resolutely traditional, featuring dishes like wild boar stew, bacalhau (dried and salted cod) baked with cornbread and olives, and grilled sausage with a punchy mustard. Staff are warm, and the dishes come generously portioned.
Castas e Pratos
Set in a converted railway warehouse next to Régua station, Castas e Pratos combines industrial architecture with modern elegance. Think stone walls, soft lighting, and a sleek open-plan dining room. The menu leans modern Portuguese, with dishes like truffled mushroom risotto, black pork tenderloin and seared scallops. There’s a comprehensive Douro-focused wine list and the staff are warm and knowledgeable. Ask to sit outside in warmer months – the terrace is a great spot for a quiet dinner after a day of tasting your way through the valley.
The To-Do List
This five-kilometre trail links two postcard-pretty villages (São Cristóvão do Douro and Pinhão), and is one of the best short walks in the region. You’ll pass olive groves, old stone terraces, and the odd tractor as you descend toward the river. The path is mostly downhill (starting in São Cristóvão is the easier direction), and the views open up the entire way. At the end, Pinhão has plenty of spots for a snack or a glass of white port. Bring proper shoes, especially after rain, and go late afternoon for the best light.
Tour the Douro in a Classic Car
If you’d rather not drive, book a full-day experience with Douro Vintage Tours. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and travel through the valley in a classic car, stopping at viewpoints, wine villages like Provesende and Favaios, and the Baroque Casa de Mateus in Vila Real. Lunch is a tasting menu at a quinta, followed by a private tour and tasting at one of the oldest wine estates in the region. It’s relaxed, well-paced, and everything’s taken care of.
Kayak on the Douro River
For something more active, rent kayaks directly from the riverfront in Pinhão and explore at your own pace. It’s calm, quiet, and the views are spectacular. Most rental companies offer hourly or half-day options, and the water’s usually smooth enough for beginners. Go early in summer to avoid the midday heat, and bring water, sunscreen and a dry bag if you want to take your phone onboard for photos.
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