Is a Douro Valley Tour from Porto Worth It? My Honest Review
If you’re visiting Porto for the first time, you’ve probably seen people recommending a day trip to the Douro Valley.
And now you’re wondering, is it really worth it?
YES. Absolutely.
We spent five days in Porto, and our Douro Valley tour ended up being one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip.
Between the incredible views, Port wine tasting, vineyard tour, boat ride, lunch overlooking the valley and having all of our transportation handled, I thought it was well worth the money.
Here’s what our tour was actually like and what you should know before booking one.
How Much Did Our Douro Valley Tour Cost?
We paid around $120 per person for our full-day tour. From 8am to 6pm
That definitely felt a little pricey at first, but look at what was included:
- Transportation from Porto
- Stop at small village to see a church and grab a coffee
- Vineyard and winery tour
- Three Port wine tastings
- Douro River boat ride
- Three-course lunch with wine included
- Several scenic stops throughout the valley
Once I added everything together, I thought $120 was pretty reasonable.
The transportation alone was a huge benefit. We didn’t have to worry about driving, directions, parking or having someone skip the wine because they had to drive back to Porto.
Link to the exact Douro River Valley Tour we did
What Was the Tour Like?
Our day started at 8 AM at a meeting point near a church in Porto. Clérigos Church
It was only about a five-minute walk from our Airbnb, and there were plenty of tour buses and guides around, so it was pretty easy to find.
Our group had around 25-30 people, and then we started the roughly two-hour drive toward the Douro Valley.
Two hours sounds long, but it honestly didn’t feel that bad.
Our guide talked throughout the drive, the scenery got better as we got closer to the valley, and we even stopped along the way for coffee and pastries.
Once we finally reached the Douro Valley, the views were incredible.
Vineyards covered the hillsides with the Douro River running through the valley below us.
It was completely different from anything we had seen in Porto.
I mean just look at that view
The Douro River Boat Ride
Our tour also included a roughly 30-minute boat ride along the Douro River.
There wasn’t commentary or a tour guide explaining what we were looking at.
It was basically just a relaxing ride down the river and back.
And honestly, I enjoyed that.
We had already been doing a lot, so it was nice to sit down for a little while and just take in the views.
The boat also had a refreshment bar and bathroom onboard.
It wasn’t my favorite part of the day, but it was a nice addition to the overall tour.
Touring the Vineyard and Trying Port Wine
This was probably my favorite part of the entire day.
We visited Croft, where our guide showed us around the vineyard and explained how the grapes eventually become Port wine.
Then came what everyone was looking forward to. The tasting.
We tried three different Port wines ranging from sweet to VERY dry and strong.
Port wine is 20% alcohol, so a lot stronger than most of the cheaper wine we have here in the states.
Naturally, I liked the sweetest one.
Meanwhile, this sweet older English lady we had been talking to throughout the tour loved the strongest and driest one.
Afterward, we had the option to buy whichever bottle we liked most.
Even if you’re not a huge wine person, I thought the entire experience was really interesting and fun.
Lunch Overlooking the Douro Valley
Lunch was included in the price as well.
We sat outside overlooking the valley and had a three-course meal.
We started with soup and salad, had a choice between fish or chicken, and finished with cheesecake. And they even included two more bottles of wine for the table which was a nice surprise.
Our table had two bottles included with lunch.
Sitting outside drinking wine and eating lunch overlooking the Douro Valley was easily another highlight of the day. It’s one of those moments where you need to slow down and take it in exactly where you are and what you’re doing at that present moment.
Scenic Stops Along the Way
After everything, the boat ride, lunch and the wine tastings, on our way back, our guide made sure to stop at some of the best overlooks in the Douro River Valley.
We were able to get out of the bus for 10-15 minutes, walk around, get amazing pictures and just take it all in.
I didn’t want to head back without getting my money’s worth of views and pictures
The Biggest Downside
It’s a long day
Our tour lasted around 10 hours, and there’s a decent amount of driving involved.
So don’t book this expecting a quick half-day excursion.
I also wouldn’t book this particular type of tour if your ONLY goal is drinking wine.
We visited one winery, sampled three Ports and had wine with lunch.
This wasn’t an all-day winery crawl where you’re trying 10 different wines.
It was a Douro Valley experience that included wine tasting, which is exactly what I wanted.
If wine is your main priority, I’d look specifically for a more wine-focused Douro Valley tour.
Link to wine-focused Douro Valley tours for readers who want more tastings.
Who Should Take a Douro Valley Tour?
I’d recommend it for:
- Couples
- First-time Porto visitors
- Wine lovers
- People who enjoy scenic day trips
- Travelers who don’t want to rent a car
Even if you don’t drink, I still think you could enjoy the trip.
The valley itself is beautiful, and you’ll still get the scenery, boat ride, lunch, vineyard and viewpoints.
Just don’t go into it expecting to get hammered off wine all day.
That’s not what this tour is.
When Should You Take the Tour?
I recommend doing the Douro Valley early in your Porto trip.
We spent five days in Porto, and I would absolutely sacrifice one of those days for this.
I’d probably make it my first or second full day.
You’ll be well-rested and ready for a long day. However be smart about it
Don’t stay out partying until 3 AM the night before your 8 AM tour. A few of the people that were going to the wedding I was going to did that, and I truly don’t understand how you can wake up on time and be ready for a full day tour.
Porto nightlife can wait.
Do the tour, come back, grab dinner and then go have some drinks.
—> Check out my article on “9 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Porto for the First Time”
Final Thoughts: Is a Douro Valley Tour From Porto Worth It?
YES.
If you’re spending four or five days in Porto, I absolutely think you should dedicate one of them to the Douro Valley.
Yes, $120 per person isn’t cheap.
And yes, it’s a long day.
But we got transportation, a vineyard tour, Port wine tasting, boat ride, three-course lunch, wine, incredible scenery and an entire day planned for us.
I thought it was worth every penny. Trust me, those pictures don’t do it justice either.
I wouldn’t visit Porto without spending at least one day experiencing the Douro Valley.