Luxury villas in Douro Valley and the North

Things to do in the Douro Valley

WONDERFUL WINE

The Douro region has been making wine for over 2000 years – so any visit should definitely include a trip to at least one of its gorgeous vineyards. This quinta-studded region has hundreds of different wineries and estates for you to explore – the world-famous port (unsurprisingly) used to be its main focus, but there are plenty of different table reds and whites that you can try on tours and tastings, too. Pick dry or rich, or go ruby or tawnie – whatever your preference, there’s an impressive range of flavours to try here. Visit old family estates that day way back to the 18th Century, or explore the newer offerings with wine cellars that use more modern technologies. The 135-hectare estate of Quinta do Crasto is just thirty minutes from the pretty town of Pinhão. This classic quinta offers guided tours with wine tastings, and is well-loved for its premium ports and panoramic vineyard views. Take snaps of the ‘floating’ infinity pool that hovers over the Douro River while here. If you’re more into your old tawny port, the Quinta do Noval estate is just as enticing as its historic house setting. It’s one of the smaller ones, but with its boutique size also comes some of the most gorgeous terraced vineyards in the area. If you’re road tripping into Porto, definitely add in a port tasting stop. This namesake city has plenty of bars and wineries all over town, but it’s the Vila Nova de Gaia district where the best wineries are located. Cross the iconic Dom Luis I bridge to find the best of the city’s old port lodges. This is where guided tours or cellar tastings are at their best – look out for some of the country’s best vintage ports, and explore the barrel-lined cellars that have been making wine for centuries.

VALLEY VIEWS

Once you’ve had your fill of the vineyards, it’s time to try something a bit different. The Douro Valley is a region made for outdoor adventures, and its cinematic hillsides are the perfect backdrop to a romantic river ride. Swap your villa for a jaunt into the towns of Régua or Pinhão and hop into one of their old rabello boats. This transport traditionally carried the old port barrels from the valley into Porto – but today, these flat wooden barcos are not only lovely to laze in, but are an idyllic way of soaking up the views along this famous wine route. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, swap the boat for a few hours canoeing or kayaking along the Douro River instead. Back on land, one of the best ways to see the valley is riding the vintage rail route that criss-crosses the landscape. The journey between Régua and Pocinho is one of the most gorgeous spots on the route; winding alongside the river, you’ll head straight into the heart of the Alto Douro’s wine country. This train ride can also be started from the centre of Porto, too. If you’ve headed here for a day trip, why not join the train here and sit back and relax as you head back to your villa. Where vineyards contour this epic valley landscape, this two to three-hour train route really is one of the world’s great rail rides.

Eating and drinking in the Douro Valley

Not only is the Douro a seriously good wine spot, but it’s a region with a food scene that’s just as delicious. It's a region rich in restaurants, so there’s plenty of choice when eating out here. Simple village tascas are all about the hearty home-style cooking, or there’s plenty of haute cuisine experiences at the higher-end eateries. Some of the best fine dining can be found in a traditional quinta along the Douro River. After a wine tour and tasting, head for lunch (and a view) at the DOC Restaurant in Folgosa. Not only one of the Douro Valley’s stand outs, it’s one of the finest dining spots in Northern Portugal – dining right by the river, both the views and seafood here are mouth-wateringly good. If you’re heading into Régua, Castas e Pratos is a wonderfully old wooden warehouse to look out. It serves delicious local classics reinvented with a modern twist, and is accompanied by a huge wine bar and cellar so you can pair the best local tipples with your food. If you’re day tripping into Porto, this is a city ripe with restaurants – some of the best are riverside right by the Dom Luis I bridge. If you’re looking for ingredients for a villa-cooked meal, head to the city’s lively Mercado do Bolhão. Ringing with the sounds of local fishwives hawking to sell the catch of the day, this market has plenty of fresh fruit to try, and lots of tasty goods to bring back with you to the villa. Back in the valley, all of our villas are just a short drive from food shops and wine spots. There’s a butchers and local market in nearby pretty Pinhão, or there are larger supermarkets in the bigger towns of Alijó and Régua.​