Douro Valley
Portugal
- Countryside
- Ancient vine-framed valleys
- Country life
- Traditional quintas, keen oenophiles
This north-western patch of Portugal is golden by name ('Duoro') and golden by nature, with sepia-tinged hills and amber-hued valleys.
A striking, sun-kissed mountainscape, neatly combed with vine-filled terraces, where the tranquil River Douro lazily winds its way from the Atlantic coast to Spain. On its gentle journey, it passes through the oldest wine-producing region in the world: little wonder these wild, earthy winelands have been awarded Unesco World Heritage status. Portugal’s second largest city, Porto stands proudly on Douro Valley’s oceanside edge; from here, you can follow the river into the fertile region once best known for Mateus rosé, but now celebrated as an epicurean paradise.
Pictured: Romaneira
Boutique hotels in Douro Valley
We signpost you to the most special stays and best boutique hotels in the Douro Valley
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Getting there
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
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Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best the Douro Valley has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
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Eating, drinking & dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Douro Valley. All you have to do is make sure you've packed your favourite threads…
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Smith Maps
Here is the map of Douro Valley; each Mr & Mrs Smith hotel is marked by a flag; click it for more details.
moreLocal knowledge
- Taxis
- Ask your hotel to arrange transportation in a 4x4.
- Tipping culture
- A service charge isn't usually included, so the usual European 10 per cent is a suitable thank you.
- Siesta and Fiesta
- Most of Portugal favours a siesta between 12pm and 3pm, when many shops close.
- Packing tips
- Lightweight walking shoes and sunblock are the obvious packables, but maybe take your wilder fantasies including plans for owning your own vineyard; they're a darned sight more affordable here than in Tuscany or Provence, say.
- Recommended reads
- Football fans might find they have an excuse here to take a Jose Mourinho biography - his name is inspired by the city of Porto, meaning harbour or port. To soak up more of this region’s headline act, the Wine and Food Lover's Guide to Portugal by Charles Metcalfe and Kathryn McWhirter will whet your wine-tasting appetite.
- Cuisine
- In case we haven’t hammered it home enough, the wine in these parts is the star of the show: Douro reds are an elegant to the local rib-sticking soup and stew specialities. Whites are less abundant, but crisp and delicious and an excellent counter to the hearty fare. For finer dining, gourmets should insist on making a pilgrimage to Redondo, the gastronomic restaurant at Quinta Romaneira.
- Regional specialities
- In Quinta Romaneira they produce red and white wine and red and white port wine. The grapes for the wine and port wine are all the same, the difference is the production. For port, 77 per cent alcohol brandy is added to stop the fermentation of the wine, the second day after the harvest, this stops sugar in the grapes becoming alcohol and it’s why the port wine is sweet but at the same time high in alcohol. Put that in your fact pipe and smoke it.
- Currency
- Euro (€).
- Dialing codes
- Country code for Portugal: +351.
- Do go/don't go
- This is a great place to go off-season, especially as winters here are mild. August can be scorchio but never unbearable; June until September have less rain, and the latter is harvest time and an especially lovely month to watch the grapes being collected.
