Luxury and boutique hotel destinations

Why book with Smith?

  • Best rates guaranteed, member or not.
  • No booking fees
  • All hotels reviewed anonymously
  • Members get more
Become a member

Boutique hotels in Douro Valley

Holidays in the Douro Valley, Portugal

Douro Valley Overview

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.

Definitively Douro Valley

Immerse yourself in the local industry and take a tour of a wine estate – culminating in a tasting of course. The Rota do Vinho do Porto is an official route organised by local tourist and wine authorities who'll tailor you a tour of the vineyards. Go to www.rvp.pt for more information.

Local 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 (€).

Dialling 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.

Don't go home without

A bottle of 20-year-old Tawny Port stashed in your suitcase.