Douro River Cruises
Experience the best of Portugal and Spain….
Winding through scenic stretches of Portugal and Spain, the Douro River is a prime choice for anyone wishing to experience these countries in a single holiday. From big and exciting cities like Porto to beautiful little villages, a Douro River cruise will show you countless marvels in culture, cuisine, scenery and more.
Featured Cruises
Douro River Valley
- 14 Aug 2025 - 24 Aug 2025
- 7 Nights S.S. São Gabriel
- Flights included
10 nights including flights from £3,199 per person for outside cabin
Delightful Douro
- 24 Nov 2024 - 01 Dec 2024
- 7 Nights Scenic Azure
- Flights included
7 nights including flights from £1,999 per person for outside cabin
Villages and Vintages: Cruising the Douro River Valley
- 14 Nov 2025 - 21 Nov 2025
- 7 Nights MS Andorinha
7 nights from £4,690 per person for outside cabin
Douro Discovery
- 24 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025
- 7 Nights MS Estrela
- Flights included
7 nights including flights from £2,445 per person for outside cabin
Enticing Douro Modified
- 09 Dec 2025 - 16 Dec 2025
- 7 Nights AmaDouro
- Flights included
7 nights including flights from £2,978 per person for outside cabin
Helpful Tips to Know Before You Go
- The Douro cruise season is a long one, often running from March to November, so you’ll have plenty of choices for the ideal time to cruise. July through August can get extremely hot, while May and September tend to be most popular, so book well in advance.
- There’s so much to see, and you can expect to be enjoying plenty of walking tours and strolls along scenic promenades, so be sure to bring comfortable shoes and clothes, as well as a sunhat and sun cream.
- Douro river cruises enjoy calm and pastoral scenery, and stop at some quite small ports. You may need to take a coach to some attractions from your port, and you’ll have absolutely fantastic views to appreciate during the ride.
- It can be helpful to bring Spanish and Portuguese phrasebooks for the more rural stops, in case you wish to converse with locals. Currency is simpler: both countries are part of the Eurozone, and use the euro.
- When cruising the Douro, consider adding on a stay in Lisbon city. Your river cruise puts you in the perfect place to extend your holiday here, and it would be a great chance to explore this beautiful city for longer.
Things to Do
- Enjoy locally-produced artisan goods. The Douro passes through famous wine country, olive groves, and cities with traditional and exotic foods. Spend some time sampling local port wine, taking tours of vineyards, enjoying tapas, and more.
- Take scenic walks and hikes. From old but well-kept ruins to the breathtaking vistas of the river itself, the Douro makes port at some truly beautiful locations. Whether you head into nature or explore the loveliest sites in the cities and towns, you’re sure to love what you see.
- Visit historical sites and museums. Castles, forts and ruins that date back many hundreds of years are everywhere, statues and monuments punctuate every port, and well-curated museums will teach you of the history of the regions writ great or small. Perfect for any appreciator of historical significance.
- Discover arts and culture. From small live local music venues to grand orchestral performances, from the colourful faces of Lisbon’s buildings to the myriad works in the galleries, there’s artistry to enjoy in every corner.
- Enjoy a food tour of local cuisine. With popular ports in Portugal and Spain, there’s plenty of opportunity to savour classic dishes made in the local style, from fresh and delicious paella to piri-piri chicken done the traditional Portuguese way, and so much more.
Ports of Call & Places to Explore
Porto
Accessed via the commercial port of Leixões, Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city, with a vibrant art and music scene that all visitors must take the time to enjoy. Stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage site by the river, marvelling at the colourful facades and tiles, or visit the eateries and wineries to enjoy local gastronomy – as well as famous Port wine.
Vega de Terron
Located at the confluence of the Douro and Agueda rivers, this is a great spot to come ashore and join an excursion to Castelo Rodrigo. This tiny village sits atop a hill overlooking both Spain and Portugal, and features a number of well-preserved ruins, an impressive castle and a magnificent stone statue of Santiago Matamoros.
Salamanca
Arrive via coach connection to Salamanca, a beautiful Spanish city of golden sandstone. Home to an ancient university and built in stunning baroque architecture, this is one of Spain’s most beautiful cities. Visit the 18th Century Plaza Mayor, often called the heart of the city, take a walking tour of the many sights and landmarks of Salamanca, enjoy local ‘pinchos’ tapas, and pick up an iconic university stone frog as a memento.
Régua
A small but stunning town, Régua draws visitors from far and wide to appreciate its gorgeous scenery and rich cultural heritage. Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, here you can taste the riches of the region, sampling the delicious olives and the famous port wine. Visit the beautiful baroque church Igreja Matriz in the heart of town, hike around the scenic hillsides, or visit the 19th-century railway station – a museum dedicated to the history of the railway in this area.
Lisbon
As an extension to your cruise, add a stay in Lisbon, the absolutely stunning capital of Portugal. Marvel at the colourful facades looking out over the water, then see everything the city has to offer. From the main square Praça do Comércio to the imposing Saint George’s Castle, there’s plenty of gorgeous landmarks to explore. The local culinary scene is fantastic, with innumerable delightful restaurants to discover, with a particular focus on fresh seafood.
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