Douro River Cruises
Join one of our superb cruises on the Douro River and visit spectacular locations spread across the sun-baked Iberian Peninsula. From the fascinating city of Porto to the medieval stronghold of Salamanca, and Vila Real with its iconic baroque Mateus Palace, you’ll be mesmerised by the wonders you discover onboard luxury Douro river cruises.
En route, you’ll moor in picturesque Portuguese towns such as Pinhao and see its extraordinary tiled station, or take a guided tour to Lamego, famous for its Sanctuary. River Douro cruise itineraries beautifully blend enriching cultural experiences with memorable sightseeing opportunities, so you can have an immersive, authentic, and unforgettable getaway.
Relax on board your luxurious Douro River cruise vessel and enjoy sailing through the unspoiled Douro landscape filled with vibrant terraced vineyards and steep gorges. The region is renowned for its world-famous Port wine, and your cruise will give you plenty of opportunity to sample this along the way. From indulgent getaways to relaxed excursions, cruises on the Douro River offer an exploration packed with remarkable memories and stunning scenery.
With Blue Water Cruising Holidays, you can make your Douro River cruise dreams a reality as you discover the breathtaking beauty of the Douro Valley. Sail through lush vineyards, historic riverfront towns, and picturesque villages all while indulging in luxurious accommodations with impeccable service. Browse our collection of Douro River cruises today to begin your next adventure on the water.
Douro River Cruises 2025/2026
Enticing Douro
Special OfferSave up to £1000 Per Couple PLUS Free Flights on 2025 Cruises!
Discover the terraced vineyards and sleepy fishing villages along the Douro on this round-trip from Porto with included shore excursions and drinks with meals
Porto and back
Lisbon and the Douro
Special OfferSave up to 30% with flights included and Free Premium Drinks, plus save an additional £200 per person on selected 2025 Europe river cruises!
Discover the amazing scenery of the Douro on this 10-night holiday, past sleepy villages and vineyards to the Spanish town of Salamanca and beautiful Porto. Includes 3-night hotel stay in Lisbon, shore excursions and complimentary drinks with lunch and dinner
Lisbon to Porto
Secrets of the Douro
Special OfferSave up to 30% with flights included and Free Premium Drinks, plus save an additional £200 per person on selected 2025 Europe river cruises!
Discover the charming towns and historic landmarks along the Douro on this captivating 7-night roundtrip cruise from Porto. Includes shore excursions and complimentary drinks with lunch and dinner
Porto and back
The Douro to Salamanca
Special OfferExclusive special early booking discounts on 2025 cruises - call us for details!
A 7-night river cruise through the picturesque Douro Valley exploring Portugal's famous port wine region on a stylish ship, with return flights from the UK
Porto and back
Douro Discovery
Sail through the famous port wine regions of the picuresque Douro Valley on this superb value Essential river cruise. Includes return flights from the UK, excursions and unique Insider Experiences
Porto and back
Delightful Douro
Special OfferSave up to 30% plus Free Business Class Flights!
Porto, Porto > Regua, Regua > Vega de Terron, Pocinho > Pinhão, Pinhão > Porto
Flavours of Portugal and Spain
Special OfferSave up to £1000 Per Couple PLUS Free Flights on 2025 Cruises!
Porto (Portugal), Entre-os-Rios, Regua, Regua – Pinhao, Barca d'Alva (Spain), Vega Terron
Unforgettable Douro
Special OfferSave up to 30% plus Free Business Class Flights!
Porto, Porto > Entre-os-Rios, Regua, Regua > Vega de Terron, Pocinho > Pinhão, Pinhão > Porto
Unforgettable Douro with Lisbon
Special OfferSave up to 30% plus Free Business Class Flights!
Lisbon, Lisbon > Porto, Porto > Entre-os-Rios, Regua, Regua > Vega de Terron, Pocinho > Pinhão, Pinhão > Porto
Delightful Douro with Lisbon
Special OfferSave up to 30% plus Free Business Class Flights!
Lisbon, Lisbon > Porto, Porto > Regua, Regua > Vega de Terron, Pocinho > Pinhão, Pinhão > Porto
Delightful Douro with Lisbon & Madrid
Special OfferSave up to 30% plus Free Business Class Flights!
Lisbon, Lisbon > Porto, Porto > Regua, Regua > Vega de Terron, Pocinho > Pinhão, Pinhão > Porto, Porto > Madrid
Delightful Douro with Madrid
Special OfferSave up to 30% plus Free Business Class Flights!
Porto, Porto > Regua, Regua > Vega de Terron, Pocinho > Pinhão, Pinhão > Porto, Porto > Madrid
About Douro River Cruises
Cruises on the Douro River offer a culturally rewarding and scenic insight into Portuguese and Spanish cultures, as you cruise through the heart of spectacular wine country.
The Douro River winds through The Douro Valley, which is globally recognised and celebrated for its famed wine history as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Producing delectable port and other wines in its thriving vineyards, oenophiles are in for a treat onboard luxury Douro River cruises.
Beyond the renowned wine regions that lie on the river, as you cruise along its waters you’ll be surrounded by the picture-perfect rural regions of Portugal and Spain. This offers a unique perspective of these regions’ rich history and verdant landscapes, where you can dip in and out of charming settlements en route.
From sleepy villages with beautifully preserved heritage to thriving cities with exceptional gastronomic scenes, there’s not one corner of the Douro River that doesn’t offer something new and exciting to uncover. During Douro Valley holidays onboard river cruises, you can rest assured you’ll experience the best of the river’s history, culture, cuisine, and natural beauty, as you make the most of luxurious amenities onboard.
Geography and Route
On the Iberian Peninsula, the Douro River stretches across the regions of Spain and Portugal. It begins in the Soria Province of northern Spain and flows to the Atlantic Ocean near Porto, Portugal. The river itself stretches a total of 897 kilometres, with Douro River cruises exploring its navigable portion.
Winding through five provinces of Castile and León in Spain, before reaching the heart of the Douro River Valley, travellers will get an insight into the vast and varied landscapes of rural Spain and Portugal as they embark on a Douro River Cruise.
For much of a Douro Valley river cruise, travellers will be surrounded by the region’s twisting valleys and steep hillsides filled with terraced vineyards. On a sunkissed day, these fertile valleys erupt into a vibrant display of greens and yellows as far as the eye can see. En route though, Douro River cruises stop at iconic destinations including Porto, Pinhão - famous for its wine estates - and Salamanca, a UNESCO-listed medieval stronghold with a rich heritage, offering a glimpse into the vibrant settlements that thrive along its borders.
NEW: Read our diary of a Blue Water Holidays River Douro cruise
Highlights of the Douro River
Cruises on the Douro River offer an enchanting journey through a landscape oozing fascinating history and striking natural beauty. As you travel along the river, you’ll find plenty of highlights that reflect the region's rich culture. From charming towns to world-famous landmarks, each stop offers something special to discover. Here are some of the must-see highlights you can expect on your Douro River cruise:
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies in the beautiful town of Lamego
- Portuguese capital of Lisbon, home to the famous Belem Tower
- Tranquil town of Pinhao, renowned for its tiled railway station
- Port wine tasting in the colourful city of Porto
- Peso da Regua, overlooked by the breathtaking Serra do Marao mountains
- Incredible architecture in the World Heritage-listed city of Salamanca
- Mateus Palace and stunning gardens in the town of Vila Real
- Pretty village of Barca d’Alva, close to the Quinta do Seixo
- Vega de Terron, gateway to World Heritage-listed Salamanca
- 11th-century Benedictine Monastery in the village of Bitetos
Types of Cruises on the Douro River
What makes cruises on the Douro River so fantastic - other than the exceptional natural beauty, history, and culture they open the doorway to - is their range of itineraries to suit different tastes and schedules.
You can find short Douro River cruises, which can last less than a week, offering a whistlestop tour of and glimpse into the highlights of the Douro Valley. This is perfect for those who want to indulge in the beauty of the region with little time to spare.
Or, you’ll find Douro River cruises lasting a week or longer, offering a more granular travel experience filled with even more immersive excursions, activities, and destinations for an increasingly authentic and detailed insight into the region.
For those searching for something special, or different, you’ll find themed Douro River cruises, offering a more focused and tailored experience along this waterway. For example, our Flavours of Portugal and Spain 7-night fly cruise explores the culinary delights along the River Douro, with local winery visits and gourmet meals in exceptional settings.
You’ll find a variety of cruise lines offering Douro River cruise itineraries, given the popularity of the route. From AMA Waterways to Emerald Cruises, each offers a different level of luxury and unique itineraries, giving you ample choice to choose from.
What to Expect Onboard Douro River Cruises
On board Douro River cruises, guests can expect an exceptional level of luxury and service with comfortable amenities that create the perfect environment to simply relax and soak in the scenery of the Douro Valley as you cruise through its landscapes.
Cruises on the Douro River often offer spacious and elegant accommodations, many with balconies that offer your own private space to indulge in the Douro landscapes. Shared facilities and amenities are to a high standard, with many vessels offering wellness areas with gyms or pools, and bars and dining rooms to simply relax in with a glass of wine in hand.
Speaking of dining rooms, the meals served onboard Douro River cruises are to the highest standard of European cruises, offering gourmet dishes showcasing the best local ingredients and regional delicacies.
And when you’re not relaxing or dining on the gourmet dishes on offer, entertainment onboard Douro River cruises is memorable, with a range of exciting and fascinating experiences on the calendar including live music, performances, and even lectures about the region’s history and culture.
River Douro Ports
Lamego
Overlooked by two hills, Lamego is an impressive and picturesque town lying in the fertile Upper Douro region. At the top of one hill and reached via sweeping steps is the magnificent baroque Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios, and on the other, the remains of a 12th-century castle. The town has a pretty square laid out as a garden, and many fine 17th-century buildings.
Lisbon
Lisbon has three ports, all with taxi services and within 3 kilometers of the city centre. Lisbon is a sprawling city which has been occupied by Visigoths, Moors, Romans and Celts. Alfama and Barrio Alto are historic districts of cobbled streets, wrought-iron balconies and Moorish buildings. Its most famous landmarks are the World Heritage Sites of Belem Tower and the impressive 16th-century Jeronimos Monastery.
Pinhao
Pinhao has a spectacular position at the confluence of the Douro and Pinhao rivers, surrounded by steep, rocky vineyards. It is famed for its old station, wonderfully decorated with blue painted tiles depicting the history of this port-producing region.
Porto
Porto's sea port is located in Leixoes at the mouth of the River Douro and five miles north of the city, whilst river cruise vessels can access Oporto directly. Oporto is the hub of the port wine trade, and vineyards line the shores of the river upstream. Old Oporto is a World Heritage Site with houses dating back to the 15th-century, a grand cathedral, a train station decorated with fine examples of Portugal's blue and white tiles and the remains of Roman city walls.
Regua
Regua is backed by the Serra do Marao mountains and is at the heart of the Port wine region. It is a pretty town to stroll and is home to the Solar de Vinho do Porto which offers tastings and port-related exhibitions.
Salamanca
The old city of Salamanca is a World Heritage Site with many Renaissance buildings of golden sandstone. The central square of Plaza Mayor is bordered by graceful arcades, and other highlights include the Romanesque Cathedral, the Augustinian Monastery and the Art Nouveau and Art Deco Museum of Casa Lis.
Customer Reviews
Croisieurope Douro
by S.StanhopeFrom the moment we landed at Porto Airport our trip was one of the most relaxing we have ever had. We arrived early at the ship but the Pursar made us very welcome, she arranged for our luggage to be stored until our cabins were ready and a taxi was ready and waiting to take us into Porto to do some early sightseeing. My husband and I were travelling with my 87 year old Mum and nothing was too much trouble at all. The crew were all very friendly and spoke excellent English. The food and wine were exemplary. We only went one one trip but it was excellent. The tour guide was very knowledgable. I would highly recommend cruising on the Douro with Croisi.
Unforgettable Douro
by DouglasrWe had a brilliant holiday cruising the Douro, in September 2016 on the Scenic Azure. This was our first river cruise, and I would thoroughly recommend Scenic and the Douro, as well as our agents, Blue Water Holidays. Timing in mid September was ideal, just at the start of the grape harvest, with temperatures in the mid twenties. The Douro is beautiful, and the excursions from the ship were very interesting and informative. The ship carried 94 passengers, and had a very friendly and homely atmosphere. It was very well staffed, and the service was superb. All crew members were Portuguese, all making it their job to ensure everyone had an unforgettable holiday. The cruise director and guides were very knowledgable, providing some great insights into life in the Douro region. A brilliant holiday!
Port Wine Country
by P.FurmedgeWe booked our River Douro cruise through Blue Water Holidays without any trouble.
The cruise was wonderful, we stayed for two nights in Lisbon which we enjoyed very much , visiting The Castelo S. Jorge and touring the City.
We were then taken to Porto where we picked up our cruise. We had seven nights on board the Viking Torgil in a french balcony cabin. The cabin was compact but very well fitted out. We toured the River Douro as far as we could sail on the river and were taken to Salamanca by tour coach. Salamanca was a good fun day with a Spanish Flamenco show during lunch.
En route we visited many of the vinyards, tasting the wonderful port wines of the region. We were taken on tours either during the morning after breakfast or in the afternoon after a good lunch. The food on board was of a very good standard with excellent wines of the region we were touring on that day.
We found all of the staff on board really friendly and helpful, you only had to ask and help was at hand.
FAQ
You can find a full breakdown of visiting the Douro Valley during different seasons in our dedicated blog: ‘The Best Time to Cruise the Douro River’.