Beautiful, sun-soaked hills flank the lazy Douro River, in northern Portugal, making for one of the most romantic, breathtaking scenes around.

Aside from its natural beauty, the region is known for being one of the most well-known homes of Port wine, along with strong, dry red wines and numerous top-notch whites. Whether you’re a fan of fortified wines or non-fortified table wines, reds or whites, you’re bound to fall in love with something here.

Thanks to its wide variety of terroir and more than 80 grape varieties, there’s a lot to try, and going with an expert tour is the best way to experience them. I’ve gone ahead and detailed the 7 best wine tours in Douro Valley that are well worth your time and money!

Best Douro Valley Wine Tours From Porto

	Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour w/ Lunch, Wine Tastings & River Cruise	Private Douro Valley Wine Tour: 2 Wine Estates, Lunch and Cruise	Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, Cruise and Lunch from Porto
Meeting Location:	Hotel pickup and drop-off	Hotel pickup and drop-off	Hotel pickup and drop-off
Tour Length:	10 hours	10 hours	10.5 hours
Start Time(s):	8:10 AM	9:00 AM	8:15 AM
What’s Included:	Guided visit to 2 wine estates with tastings of wines and port, Lunch (Vegetarian & Gluten-free options available if informed in advance), 50-minute	Complete Traditional Portuguese Lunch pairing with Douro Wines (vegetarian and gluten-free preferences upon prior notice), Wine tasting, Professional guide	Visit 2 unique locations and samples of Port wine at each stop, River Cruise (1h), Lunch, WiFi free, Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected), Guide
	Check Tour Availability	Check Tour Availability	Check Tour Availability

Our 7 Top Picks For The Best Duoro Valley Wine Tour:

1. Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise
2. Private Douro Valley Wine Tour: 2 Wine Estates, Lunch and Cruise
3. Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, Cruise and Lunch from Porto
4. Douro Valley Wine Tour: 3 Vineyard Visits, Wine Tastings, Lunch
5. Private off the beaten Douro Valley Wine Tour
6. Douro Valley: Food and Wine Small Group Tour from Porto
7. Porto: Douro Valley Wine Tour, Small Group, Lunch & Cruise

Douro Valley Wine Tour Reviews

1. Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise

What to Expect on the Tour

I’ve been on wine tours that really don’t offer much insight into what makes the wine I’m tasting or the vineyard so special.

What I love about the Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise is that it’s a fully-fledged experience with immersive excursions that teach you in an interactive way.

I not only got to learn about Portuguese wine history and culture, I got to sit with the local winemakers and even go on an intro tour of Porto with our guide, which was beautiful!

Amante was a charming little town where we had plenty of free time to walk around and try some different types of wine.

We had time to walk around other towns as well, which was nice as many of us were not only wine aficionados, but history buffs, as well. It’s a nice balance of nature, amazing architecture, history, and actually learning in-depth about these fantastic ports/wines from the people who know best!

What Makes This Tour Great

First off, on this tour I not only learned what green wine or “vinho verde” is, but I got to try a glass myself! These Espaderio grape wines immediately became one of my favorites, with a refreshing, crisp profile with notes of red berries, and even a hint of tropical fruits!

We ventured through historical and commercial vineyards, offering a nice comparison and contrast between the different types of operations and histories they each have.

With a hotel pickup and comfortable transportation, everything is smooth and allows for wonderful views of the valley (as well as great photo ops). The full lunch with different Douro wines was fantastic, and it was clear that the food options were expertly paired with each wine.

The stunning views of the Douro Valley made it that much more wonderful, complete with fantastic vineyard landscapes.

Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time

2. Private Douro Valley Wine Tour: 2 Wine Estates, Lunch and Cruise

What to Expect on the Tour

For me, any kind of wine tour that’s worth it needs to include a hotel pickup and comfortable transportation to the Douro region.

That’s exactly what you can expect here, along with a guide that will regale you with interesting background on Portuguese history, culture, and of course, plenty of it relating back to the importance of the country’s wine production.

Learn about the oldest remarked wine region in the world, along with what makes it so unique (hint: it has to do with the area’s versatile microclimates and sunshine that result in immense depth and a special flavor profile).

Sabrosa is aptly named (meaning “flavorful” or “tasty” in English), and is where you’ll visit 2 different wineries, where the winemakers themselves will teach you about the way they produce their award-winning wines.

We tasted around 6 different wines before a fulfilling Portuguese lunch consisting of 3 courses nicely paired with our choice of either a red or white wine.

Aside from wine and wineries, we had plenty of opportunities to explore the region, taking photos and various important landmarks as well as a majestic sailing cruise down the river!

What Makes This Tour Great

I had an incredible time at the family-owned vineyard which was our first stop of the day. I’m personally more a fan of white wines, but the tastings I enjoyed of their reds, port, and even olive oil were of supreme quality.

Thanks to the fact that they only allow small group tours, it was a very intimate experience where we felt free to ask the winemakers various questions about their wines and estate history.

Adding on to that, these are not wineries where you’re going to see tour buses or massive crowds. The property is relatively compact, and if possible, made me fall even more in love with the art of winemaking.

The private boat ride from charming Pinhao was fabulous, and our guide served us delicious ports and tonics as they told us fascinating stories about the region as we sailed along.

We also got to see plenty of hidden gems that I don’t think I’d otherwise get to see by myself or in a larger tour group.

Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time

3. Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, Cruise and Lunch from Porto

What to Expect on the Tour

This is the perfect tour if it’s your first time exploring the Douro Valley and want to get a good “taste” of things.

You’ll get in-depth tastings and behind-the-scenes experiences at various wineries, a delicious Portuguese lunch, and a fabulous river cruise to really soak in the region’s raw beauty.

Expect gracious, friendly hosts who will almost predict your every want – this is clearly a meticulously organized tour!

This may sound odd, but it actually proves to be a great tour for small groups with kids, too! In our group, we did have a younger teenager tag along, and the wineries ended up having juice for them so they didn’t really miss out on anything!

It’s a cool way for them to learn about the culture and characteristics around the different wines (specifically, port), showing them a healthy outlook towards the beverage.

What Makes This Tour Great

From the safe and attentive bus driver to the entertaining, knowledgeable guides, everyone played a role in making sure this tour went off without a hitch.

The signature sweetness of the ports we tried was delightful, marked by the added brandy during fermentation to preserve its sugars. As we tasted the different types, we simultaneously learned about its history and importance in Portuguese culture, which was cool.

This was one of the most informative tours I’d been on, in a way that wasn’t boring or monotonous at all. The lunch was served a bit late, but I felt like it was a great way to enjoy different types of Portuguese fare that I likely wouldn’t have tried, otherwise.

For enjoying gorgeous scenery and carefully selected wines, it’s hard to beat this tour – especially wth a guide that felt like a longtime friend. Our guide even helped us ship some bottles of wine I really loved back to the US!

Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time

4. Douro Valley Wine Tour: 3 Vineyard Visits, Wine Tastings, Lunch

What to Expect on the Tour

Expect to take in phenomenal views of Portugal’s enchanting Douro Valley, gaining insight into the country’s rich culture, history, and of course, viticulture.

You’ll delve right into their renowned culinary offerings and the most exquisite wines – particularly their world-class port wines.

The scenic drive from Porto was very relaxing and allowed our guide to fill us in on some of the region’s background so we had a nice amount of knowledge by the time we arrived.

If you’re a history buff at all, you’ll love the visit to Amarante, which is very medieval with amazing architecture and the stunning Tamega River. We got to see amazing churches and plazas before visiting Pinhão, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch complete with various Portuguese dishes.

This tour is ideal if you’re more interested in the quaint, family-owned vineyards rather than the massive production lines that feel more “corporate”.

What Makes This Tour Great

This tour gave me a whole new appreciation for the small family-owned and operated vineyards, where it almost felt like we were welcomed as part of their family, too.

After exploring Lamego interesting Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, we got to taste crisp and refreshing sparkling and slightly sweet still wines.

They took us through a fun and friendly narrated wine tasting, and enjoying the rich, full-bodied port wine while overlooking the rolling hills of the valley was really something special.

However, I got to try perhaps my current favorite port in Folgosa, at a breathtaking, centuries-old estate complete with an incredible winemaker who was responsible for making these prestigious wines.

In Sabrosa, our 4-course lunch was delicious, and meticulously paired with their local reds and whites. We followed it up with a trip down into their cellar, where I tried even more amazing ports, making for a great day full of discovery and adventure.

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5. Private off the beaten Douro Valley Wine Tour

What to Expect on the Tour

How does having a friendly, expert guide take you out to the amazing UNESCO site of the Douro Valley while tasting some of the best wines in the world sound?

You’ll get all that and more with the Private Off The Beaten Douro Valley Wine Tour! This tour really captures the essence of the undulating vineyards and rolling hills, along with the rich history and culture of the dramatic region.

Learn all about how the warm Mediterranean climate, along with the unique soils make for these legendary grape varietals perfect for producing the world-renowned Port and Douro wines found here.

Rather than operating in a huge group or traveling around in a packed coach, this is a more intimate tour where you really get a hands-on experience with the experts there to lead the way. Indulging in rich, complex port wines has never tasted so good.

What Makes This Tour Great

If you’re a foodie and wine aficionado at ALL, you’re going to have a great time. While it may vary a bit, we got to try delicious Alheira sausage with puff pastry, veal steak maronesa, moist chocolate cake with pistachio ice cream, and so much more!

More than anything, though, I valued getting to see how smaller, family-run wineries operated. Tasting local DOC Douro wines was a wonderful opportunity – particularly sampling the wonderfully golden, clear Moscatel.

Perfectly balancing acidity with citrusy, orange peel and buttery notes, I could’ve drank it all day! At one of the wineries, we had a filling lunch (note that the price wasn’t included), where we chatted with our guide about life in the Douro Valley.

I saw and tried so many different things that I can’t possibly list them all here, but I know you’ll enjoy the surprise!

Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time

6. Douro Valley: Food and Wine Small Group Tour from Porto

What to Expect on the Tour

If you’re in the mood to explore terraced vineyards, soak up panoramic views, and enjoy some of the best wines in the world right from the source, look no further.

Here is where you’ll get to learn about the art of winemaking and sample incredible port and Douro wines. You’ll head to a more corporate kind of winery to try a magnificent, award-winning port, and then later visit a family-run, more compact winery to try some wines other than port.

While you’ll learn a ton about the history and culture of the region relating back to wine production, the river tour is a perfect break from taking in all that information.

It’s around an hour long and is not narrated at all, so you’ll just get to sit back, relax, and enjoy the incredible views. Actually, this is one of the best tours for photo ops and seeing breathtaking, panoramic views as the guides will make sure to stop at each one.

What Makes This Tour Great

This tour feels almost like you’re traveling with longtime friends – with one of them who just happens to be a local expert in all things Douro wine!

Seeing as the groups cap out at just 8 participants, you’ll get the utmost attention from your guide and get to know the other participants like they were family.

It was so much fun to tour around in our little group, learning all about the different types of vineyards, olive pressing, and of course, plenty of tasting incredible wines!

As for lunch, you’ll be served a full-on Portuguese feast consisting of regional dishes that are expertly paired with some of the best local wine offerings.

The river cruise after lunch was the perfect opportunity to digest and take photos before going to D’Origem for another tour of the property and excellent wine tasting.

Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time

7. Porto: Douro Valley Wine Tour, Small Group, Lunch & Cruise

What to Expect on the Tour

This tour is an adventure through the mythical Douro Valley, in a more private setting that offers exclusivity and unparalleled experience you wouldn’t get from more commercial tours.

If you’ve ever been curious about one of the world’s oldest wine regions, this is the perfect chance to experience luxury and craftsmanship like no other tour of its kind.

You’ll get to partake in 2 premium wine tastings at distinguished wineries, learning from the owners and winemakers themselves (when available) how they pull off their expertise.

Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply a traveler who enjoys natural beauty, you’ll find something to fall in love with. The transportation throughout is very smooth, with clear attention to detail and organization from the tour guide.

Much like some other tours on this guide, we got to see a nice balance of smaller and bigger wineries, learning about the difference in production strategies and output.

What Makes This Tour Great

This is the pinnacle of luxury and personalized service, with an exclusive excursion tailored specifically to your interests.

Of course, it’s going to involve visiting vineyards by default, but you get to plan your day along with your tour guide. We got to visit 2 different esteemed vineyards with premium tastings of world-famous ports and fine table wines at each.

The tranquil cruise down the Douro River felt like some kind of fairytale, with UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards surrounding us.

The gourmet lunch at a local restaurant was particularly charming, with savory traditional dishes paired with the region’s best wines. It’s a fantastic look into Portuguese culture and history, too!

Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time

FAQs About Douro Valley Wine Tours

What is included in a Douro Valley wine tour?
All the wine tours have transportation to the region, visits to several wineries, wine tastings and depending on the tour lunch or dinner may ne included. most of the tours have guided tours of the vineyards as well.

How long are the tours?
The tours vary but they run from a half-day (4-5 hours) to full day (8-10 hours).

How long does it take to get to the Douro Valley from Porto?
It is a large region but to get to it will take a least two hours to get there.

Can I customize my wine tour?
The private tours can be customized where you can choose the wineries you want to visit or add activities like a boat cruise.

What types of wines will I taste?
There will be a variety of wines, primarily Port wine which the region is famous for but expect to try a variety of other un-fortified table red and white wines.

Are tasting fees included in the tour price?
Tasting fees are included in the tours, but you should verify with the tour operator.

What should I wear or bring?
You should wear comfortable clothing and shoes as you may be walking through vineyards and be on your feet for hours at a time. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen as it can get hot in the summer here.

Is transportation included from Porto?
Yes, the tours have transportation from Porto so you don’t have to worry about renting a car to get to the region.

What Are Some of the Best Wineries to Visit in the Douro Valley

Quinta da Pacheca: This winery has beautiful vineyards and excellent wines. This winery has tours, tastings, and if you have too much wine, stay overnight in wine barrel-shaped rooms.

Quinta do Vallado: This is the oldest winery in the region. Here you can do a guided tour, do a tasting and stay the night in their on premises hotel.

Quinta do Bomfim: This winery is famous for its Dow’s Vintage Ports. Here you can to a guided tour of their vineyards, cellars and of course tastings.

Quinta de la Rosa: This winery is right on the Douro River and famous for its premium wines. Here you can do a tasting while enjoying views of the river, take a tour and have lunch or dinner in their restaurant.

Quinta do Seixo: Owned by the Sandeman family you can enjoy your tasting while enjoying stunning views of the Douro Valley. We recommend a guided tour of the grounds and the cellars.

Quinta do Tedo: This little boutique winery has private tours and tastings that focus on Ports and table wines.

Quinta das Carvalhas: With it’s panoramic views of the Douro Valley this winery is a must visit! Be sure to take a guided tour of its vineyards and do a tasting of it’s Port wines.

Quinta de Marrocos: This established family-run winery has private tours and wine tastings of it’s famous Port wine.

What else can I do in the Douro Valley?

• Douro River Cruises: Enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Douro River You will see terraced vineyards and picturesque landscapes.
• Hiking and Nature Trails: Hike the region’s natural beauty on foot. There are many hiking trail like the Port Wine Trail and the Aldeia dos Moinhos Trail.
• Historical Sites: There are many historical sites where you can learn about the history of the Douro Valley like the Cathedral of Lamego or the Côa Museum.
• Kayaking: If you are the adventurous person, take kayaking tour on the Douro River.
• Dining: The region is well known for many excellent restaurants with a unique food and flavors. Many wineries have restaurants with gourmet meals made with their wines.

Allison Sheardy

Allison Sheardy came to wine as a second career in 2016 and has truly found her calling. She has created a niche for herself working in unique wine regions around the United States (Texas Hill Country, historic Livermore, CA, & Minnesota), where she specializes in hospitality for boutique, family-owned wineries. Allison is equally passionate about wine education. As such, she has earned her WSET Diploma in Wines and completed the French Wine Scholar program. Allison is currently pursuing her Master of Wine and teaches WSET levels 1-3.