Get pleasantly lost on the tiled hills
1 / 6 · Matheus De Moraes Gugelmim
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Douro Wine Terraces · Douro Valley
Wine terraces from the water
1 / 6 · Matheus De Moraes Gugelmim
Wine terraces from the water
Douro Wine Terraces · Douro Valley
Food Calm Luxe
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Browse sailings, or let a GoSmart specialist plan this one with you.
Browse cruises Talk to a specialistWhy you’ll love it
Port lodges, terraced hills, and lazy afternoons on deck. A GoSmart cruise specialist matches you to the right ship, cabin, and sailing.
Why it works
The Douro is the world's oldest demarcated wine region. The terraced hillsides you sail past were carved by hand centuries ago, a UNESCO site for good reason.
Worth knowing
Spring and early fall are the sweet spot. September puts you in the harvest, when the quintas are alive with picking, while high summer bakes and there is almost no shade on the terraces.
Most sailings start or end in Porto. Give yourself an extra day for the port lodges across the river in Gaia, because that is where the wine you drink all week is aged.
The ships are smaller than Rhine or Danube boats because of the locks and low bridges. The sun-deck views are the whole show, so grab a lounger early on the scenic afternoons.
River cruise itineraries often include visits to private wine estates that can be difficult to arrange on your own.