TravelAge West
Intel and Insights for Today's Travel Advisor

Explore TravelAge West

Destinations

Back
  • Africa & Middle East
  • Asia & South Pacific
  • Caribbean
  • Central & South America
  • Europe
  • Hawaii
  • Mexico
  • USA & Canada

Travel Types

Back
  • Family
  • Adventure
  • Cruise
  • River Cruise
  • Tour Operators
  • Luxury
  • Hotels
  • Culinary
  • Romance
  • Wellness
  • Sustainability

Directories

Back
  • Hotels
  • Cruise

Interactive

Back
  • Click & Win
  • Geo Quiz
  • Slideshows & Video

Professional Development

Back

Industry Insight

  • Business Features
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Opinion
  • Tech
  • Podcasts
  • Coronavirus and Travel
  • Need to Know Research

Education

  • Certifications
  • Digital Guides
  • Fams
  • Thought Leadership
  • Advertiser Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Quick Q's

Events

  • Global Travel Marketplace
  • GTM West
  • WAVE Awards
  • Future Leaders in Travel Retreat

Sign Up for Our Monthly Europe Newsletter

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Search TravelAge West

Clear Field
Dorey PoderContributing Writer

Share

  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Europe

Why the Douro Valley Should Be on Every Portugal Itinerary

Jun 27, 2022
Culinary  Hotels and Resorts  Western Europe  
dourovalleytravel
The Douro Valley is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world, located less than two hours from Porto, Portugal.
Credit: 2022 Dorey Poder

Wine lovers often head to Bordeaux, France, or Tuscany, Italy, for their wine-tasting vacations, but those in the know (and river cruisers, too) have been sneaking off to Northern Portugal’s Douro Valley — the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.

How Far is the Douro Valley From Porto, Portugal?

Here, sweeping terraced hills frame either side of the Douro River as it flows from Spain in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in the west. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and “cultural candscape,” the Douro Valley is conveniently located less than two hours by car from Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, and is also accessible by train or boat.

RELATED: Hotel Review: Pestana Palacio do Freixo in Porto, Portugal

Where to Stay in the Douro Valley: Quinta Da Corte

For a classic Portuguese experience, visitors should check into a refurbished “quinta” (rural estate). These properties are typically located on large plots of farmland that serve as a canvas for the countless vineyards that contribute to this region’s allure. 

If seeking an alternative to the popular Six Senses Douro Valley, consider Quinta Da Corte, which is located near the small town of Pinhao in the heart of the Douro Valley. Quinta Da Corte is a wine estate that dates back to the 19th century, but is a relative newcomer to the hospitality scene.

Douro Valley Guide_PHOTO1
Quinta DaCorte, located near Pinhao, is a wine estate that dates back to the 19th century.
Credit: 2022 Dorey Poder

Completed in 2018, the once-dilapidated estate underwent extensive renovations by Pierre Yovanovitch, a French architect and interior designer who infused the quinta with simple, but bespoke furnishings and artwork that blend harmoniously with the restful environment.

The quinta’s designer details are on display throughout the intimate retreat, which includes eight well-appointed guestrooms spread across “La Casa” (the main house) and two adjacent living quarters, a terraced vineyard with walking trails and an infinity pool and lounge area that overlooks the rolling hills of the valley. 

The communal kitchen, with decorative tilework adorning the walls, is the heartbeat of the main house. Here, guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast, as well as homecooked dinners (for an additional cost) prepared by the quinta’s chef. 

dourovalleywheretostay
A suite living room at Quinta Da Corte
Credit: 2022 Dorey Poder

A short walk from the guesthouse is a newly built tasting room and wine cellar featuring large scenic windows and delicately arched white-washed walls where hotel guests can join a guided tour and tasting (included in their booking).

What to Do in the Douro Valley

As hard as it may be for guests to leave Quinta Da Corte’s welcoming embrace, the Douro Valley is filled with activities that demand equal attention and admiration. 

Not to be missed are the numerous miradouros — or viewpoints — that offer expansive perspectives of the Douro River and its surrounding areas. Miradouro de Casal de Loivos is the most easily reachable viewpoint from Pinhao and delivers the quintessential postcard (or Instagram) shot, while Miradouro do Ujo requires a moderate drive to reach, but rewards visitors with an architecturally impressive observation deck and rugged views of the forested hills surrounding this portion of the river.

Sailing the Douro River

For those eager to sail the Douro but not via a river cruise, tour boat operator Anima Durius — a recipient of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence in 2021 — offers a variety of sailing options with a fleet of three boats and private tours that range from an hour to full-day excursions. Paulo, the hospitable captain and owner, is always nearby to share his knowledge about the region — or refill an empty glass of wine with a bottle from his family-owned vineyard, Quinta dos Pocos.

Douro Valley Guide_PHOTO2
The writer sailed along the Douro River with tour boat operator Anima Durius.
Credit: 2022 Dorey Poder

What to Eat and Drink in the Douro Valley

Whether your clients are  venturing to the Douro Valley for a quick visit or a leisurely stay, they will undoubtedly be on the lookout for top-notch cuisine and libations that are representative of the region. 

dourovalleywhattoeat
The designer kitchen at Quinta Da Corte
Credit: 2022 Dorey Poder

Fortunately, there is no shortage of wineries for oenophiles to indulge in. At Quinta do Seixo, guests can opt for a laidback picnic amid the vines, or a brief tour of the grounds followed by a tasting and explanation of the valley’s most ubiquitous product, port wine.

Sign Up for Our Monthly Europe Newsletter

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Typically available in three styles — ruby, tawny and white — port is a fortified wine produced exclusively in the Douro Valley and characterized by a sweeter flavor and a higher alcohol content, which is a result of adding spirits during the fermentation process. (Drinkers, be warned: Port goes down easily, but can sneak up on even the most seasoned connoisseurs.)

RELATED: Tauck’s New Douro River Ship, Andorinha, Sets Sail in Portugal

If visiting during harvest season, between September and October, travelers should head to Quinta Da Roeda to participate in the old tradition of grape treading, which requires guests to stomp grapes with their feet in  “lagares” (granite tanks). 

And for memorable dining, check out Cozinha da Clara (Clara’s Kitchen) in Quinta de la Rosa, which has emerged as a hotspot for local cuisine in modern digs along the river. The menu, from chef Pedro Cardoso, often changes based on the day’s freshest ingredients, but visitors can expect classic Portuguese dishes such as bacalhau (salted cod) served with La Rosa’s own olive oil, as well as Iberian black pork and 24-hour confit suckling pig belly. 

Tell Us What You Think! forum

Related Content

madeiraislandportugalvisit

An Insider Travel Guide to Madeira Island, Portugal

  • Most Read
  • Most Shared
  1. 3 Bangkok Day Trips You Don’t Want to Miss
  2. These Are the Top Summer Travel Trends for 2024
  3. Everything We Know About Universal Epic Universe, Universal's Newest Theme Park
  4. What Is the New Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass? Here’s How it Will Affect Disney Vacations
  5. Review: Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Firenze

From Our Partners

More Stories Like This

Review: What It’s Like to Go on a Mallorca Cycling Tour — by E-Bike

Review: What It’s Like to Go on a Mallorca Cycling Tour — by E-Bike

How the Olympics Have Affected Travel Bookings in France

How the Olympics Have Affected Travel Bookings in France

anantaradublinthemarkerhotelreview

Hotel Review: Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel

Hotel Review: JW Marriott Hotel Madrid

Hotel Review: JW Marriott Hotel Madrid

5 Excellent Lakes to Visit in Italy, Beyond Lake Como

5 Excellent Lakes to Visit in Italy, Beyond Lake Como

Palazzo Manfredi

6 Romantic Hotels in Rome

7 Attractions in Edinburgh, Scotland, That Kids Will Love

7 Attractions in Edinburgh, Scotland, That Kids Will Love

Railbookers Unveils Italy Itineraries Featuring La Dolce Vita Orient Express Train

Railbookers Unveils Italy Itineraries Featuring La Dolce Vita Orient Express Train

Reykjavik Edition Room

Review: The Reykjavik Edition

New Taylor Swift-Themed Tours Arrive in London

New Taylor Swift-Themed Tours Arrive in London

TravelAge West

About TravelAge West

  • About Us
  • Contributors
  • Sales Team
  • Contact Us
  • My Profile

Advertise

  • Advertise With Us
  • Write For US
  • Media Kit
  • Upload Ad Material
  • Digital Ad Specifications
  • Reprints
  • Subscribe to Print

Stay Connected to TravelAge West

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.


Northstar Travel Group

Northstar Travel Group

  • Travel Weekly
  • Travel Weekly Asia
  • TravelPulse
  • TravelPulse Canada
  • TravelPulse Quebec
  • Meetings & Incentives
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • AGENTatHOME

Copyright © 2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000

Load Carousel Here
Load Video Here