Explore at your own pace
This journey starts and ends in Porto , the city where the Douro River flows into the ocean and where the best wines and port gather in the many wine cellars and port houses. Experience and taste the ultimate Portugal and explore the Douro valley where it all begins. At your own pace you can explore the countless vineyards and picturesque villages of this UNESCO World Heritage Site; this region is also ideal for relaxing and enjoying walking or from the water.
Tips & Tops Selfdrive Porto & Douro Valley:
- The train station in Porto, São Bento, is one of the most beautiful stations in the world with at least 20,000 painted tiles, also called azulejos, and well worth a visit
- Enjoy the delicious dishes that the Portuguese cuisine offers. Can't make a choice? Then order 'petiscos', these are small dishes with products from the region. Because of this you will get different "petiscos" on the coast than inland
- During the private architecture tour you will visit the beautiful buildings of the Serralvas Museum, the Vodafone building and Casa de Música designed by Rem Koolhaas.
- A 7 km hike through the Alto Douro wine region takes you past extensive vineyards and the Douro River. Stop at the quintas along the way and taste the best wines of the region. The hike ends with a delicious picnic.
- Experience the magical Douro valley from the water while enjoying a delicious wine and lunch
- In the Douro Valley, you have the opportunity to discover the region by car via one of the most beautiful driving routes in the world: Follow the N222 from Peso de Régau to Pinhão, stopping at beautiful viewpoints and old wine villages along the way
- For a magical view of the Douro Valley, drive to one of the many viewpoints in the area, such as Miradouro de São Leonardo da Galafura, near the village of Poiares, or to Castelo de Numão, 50 km from Pinhão. Here you will find the remains of a castle, where you can look out over the breathtaking surroundings after a short climb and walk
- On the way back to Porto, take a detour through the historic city of Guimarães, Portugal's first capital and considered the cradle and birth of the country. Wander through the narrow streets, along the old city walls and historic buildings and for a moment you will feel as if you are walking around in the Middle Ages
- Do you have time left? Then visit Braga, about a 30-minute drive from Guimarães. Also known as the Rome of Portugal, this ancient Roman city is home to the oldest cathedral in Portugal
