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Porto, Douro Valley & Salamanca River Cruise: 9 Nights of Portugal & Spain
Experience the best of Porto, the Douro Valley and northern Portugal on this unforgettable 9-night escape, combining a relaxing city stay with a scenic All Inclusive river cruise. Explore Porto at your own pace before boarding your 5-star ship in Cais de Gaia and sailing through one of Europe’s most scenic wine regions.
With return flights from London, private airport and port transfers, 2 nights in 4★ Porto hotel with breakfast and a 7-night All Inclusive river cruise, this holiday brings together city sightseeing, scenic sailing, wine, culture and unforgettable experiences along the Douro.
Quick Summary
Package Overview
Begin your journey with two nights in Porto, giving you time to explore the city's historic streets, colourful riverside and famous port wine heritage. After your stay, transfer to Cais de Gaia and board your river cruise for a scenic voyage through the heart of the Douro Valley. Sail past dramatic terraced vineyards and visit charming destinations including Pinhão, Castelo Rodrigo, Salamanca, Mateus Palace and Lamego. Enjoy wine tasting at a historic quinta, a visit to a traditional port wine cellar and a special dinner at Quinta da Pacheca, before returning to Porto for the final stage of your cruise and your journey home.
Destinations & Highlights
Best Time to Travel
Spring through autumn is an excellent time to explore the Douro Valley, with pleasant temperatures, scenic countryside and ideal conditions for sightseeing and river cruising. The vineyard landscapes are beautiful during the warmer months, while autumn brings the colours and atmosphere of the wine harvest season.
Day 1: Arrive in Porto
Arrive in Porto and enjoy a private transfer from the airport to your centrally located Hotel. Check in to your Standard Room and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Take some time to settle in or begin discovering Porto's charming historic streets, colourful riverside and famous local cuisine.
Overnight in Porto
Day 2: Porto at Leisure
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before a full day at leisure in Porto. Explore the UNESCO-listed historic centre, stroll along the Douro waterfront or cross the Dom Luís I Bridge for views over Vila Nova de Gaia. You could also visit one of Porto's famous Port wine cellars or simply enjoy the city's relaxed atmosphere before your river cruise.
Overnight in Porto
Day 3: Porto – Embarkation & Sail to Pinhão
After breakfast, check out and enjoy your private transfer from the hotel to Cais de Gaia, where you will board your river cruise. Once settled on board, begin your journey along the beautiful Douro River. Watch the landscape change as terraced vineyards line the valley before arriving in Pinhão. This afternoon, visit a historic quinta for a wine tasting, experiencing one of the Douro Valley's most celebrated traditions.
Overnight aboard your river cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Cruise to Pinhão & Quinta Wine Tasting
Begin your day cruising through the spectacular Douro Valley, with terraced vineyards and picturesque landscapes unfolding along the riverbanks. Enjoy a relaxing morning on board as the ship makes its way towards Pinhão.
Later, visit a historic quinta to discover the traditional process of Douro wine production, from the cultivation and harvesting of grapes through to winemaking and bottling. Your visit includes a wine tasting before returning to the ship.
Overnight aboard your river cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Cruise to Vega de Terrón & Castelo Rodrigo
Enjoy a leisurely morning sailing towards the Spanish border, taking in the peaceful scenery of the upper Douro Valley. Later, disembark for an excursion to Castelo Rodrigo, a beautifully preserved 12th-century walled village set in the Portuguese highlands near Spain.
Explore its historic streets and enjoy panoramic views across the surrounding countryside before returning to the ship. In the evening, enjoy a traditional vintage Port presentation on board.
Overnight aboard your river cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Salamanca or Almeida
Today, choose between two included excursions.
Option one takes you to Salamanca in Spain, where you’ll discover its historic centre, famous university, cathedrals and elegant Plaza Mayor. The experience also includes a tapas lunch accompanied by a traditional flamenco show.
Alternatively, visit the fortified Portuguese town of Almeida, where you’ll explore its distinctive star-shaped fortress and enjoy lunch within the historic town.
Return to the ship in the afternoon and relax as your cruise continues.
Overnight aboard your river cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Mateus Palace or Douro Museum & Quinta da Pacheca
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising through the Douro Valley before choosing between two afternoon experiences.
Visit the magnificent Mateus Palace and its gardens, famous for its Baroque architecture and association with the iconic Mateus Rosé bottle. Alternatively, explore the Douro Museum in Régua and learn more about the region's long history of wine production and Port trading.
This evening, enjoy dinner at the renowned Quinta da Pacheca, accompanied by a selection of local wines, before returning to the ship.
Overnight aboard your river cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Lamego & Portuguese Folk Music
This morning, travel to the historic town of Lamego, known for its beautiful Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies and its long association with Portuguese wine.
Discover the town and its impressive staircase adorned with traditional azulejo tiles before returning to the ship. Spend the afternoon relaxing on board as you continue cruising along the Douro.
Tonight, enjoy a special Chef’s Dinner followed by a traditional Portuguese folk music performance.
Overnight aboard your river cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Porto City Tour & Port Wine Tasting
Return to Porto and discover this historic city on a guided tour. Choose between a panoramic coach tour or a more active walking tour taking in highlights including the Ribeira district, São Bento Station and Porto Cathedral.
Later, visit a famous Port wine cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia, where you’ll learn about the history and production of Port before enjoying a tasting.
Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure, giving you time to explore Porto independently before returning to the ship.
Overnight aboard your river cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Disembark & Return Home
After breakfast, say goodbye to your crew and disembark in Porto. Depending on your flight time, you may have some free time to explore the city before your private transfer to the airport for your return flight to London.
Meals: Breakfast
Departure Dates :
Inclusions:
ℹ️ Note: Any applicable local hotel or tourism taxes are payable locally where required.
The package includes return flights from London, private airport and port transfers, 2 nights at the 4-star Hotel Moon & Sun Porto with breakfast, and a 7-night All Inclusive river cruise.
You spend the first 2 nights in Porto before boarding your river cruise at Cais de Gaia. The following 7 nights are spent cruising through the Douro Valley and visiting destinations in Portugal and Spain.
The cruise is aboard either MS Douro Elegance or MS Douro Splendour, depending on the departure. The package includes an All Inclusive river cruise with meals, Wi-Fi and selected excursions.
Yes. You have a full day at leisure in Porto after your arrival. The itinerary also includes a guided Porto tour and Port wine cellar visit later in the cruise.
The itinerary includes Pinhão, Castelo Rodrigo, the Spanish city of Salamanca, Lamego and the Douro Valley. There are also visits to places such as Mateus Palace and Quinta da Pacheca.
Yes. One included excursion takes you to Salamanca for a guided visit, tapas lunch and traditional flamenco show. Alternatively, you can choose an excursion to the Portuguese town of Almeida.
Yes. The package includes the shore excursions detailed in the itinerary, along with wine tastings and Port wine experiences. These include a quinta visit in the Douro Valley and a Port wine cellar tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Breakfast is included during the 2-night Porto hotel stay. All meals are included during the 7-night river cruise, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The listed local accommodation tax is €3 per person per night during the Porto hotel stay, payable locally. Other personal expenses and any applicable local tourism taxes should also be budgeted for.
The package is advertised from £1,899 per person, based on two adults sharing, for the 16 March 2027 departure. Other 2026 and 2027 departures are available at different prices.
