Porto Trip Overview
Discover the beauty of the Portuguese countryside during this full-day trip through the enchanted Douro Valley from Porto.
When the coastal area ends, Amarante appears divided by the Tâmega River, but connected by the bridge, which bears the same name as the temple located next to it, on one of the riverbanks, «St. Gonçalo». Protected from the humid winds of the Atlantic by the Marão and Montemuro Mountains we arrive to the Douro Valley and tribute is paid to the combined work of men and nature, depicting the universal value of the active role of a landscape of excellence.
The Douro Wine Region is a place where the magic of the landscape highlights the terraces that grow the famous and cherished Port Wine, in the most ancient and beautiful demarcated wine region of the world.
Departure from Porto to… Amarante, Visit to the Church of São Gonçalo, the historical centre, Departure to Régua; Visit to a Port Wine Estate, Free time for lunch; Visit Pinhão, Arrival in Porto.
Additional Info
* Duration: 9 to 10 hours
* Starts: Porto, Portugal
* Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Porto, Northern Portugal, Portugal
Discover the beauty of the Portuguese countryside during this full-day trip through the enchanted Douro Valley from Porto.
When the coastal area ends, Amarante appears divided by the Tâmega River, but connected by the bridge, which bears the same name as the temple located next to it, on one of the riverbanks, «St. Gonçalo». Protected from the humid winds of the Atlantic by the Marão and Montemuro Mountains we arrive to the Douro Valley and tribute is paid to the combined work of men and nature, depicting the universal value of the active role of a landscape of excellence.
The Douro Wine Region is a place where the magic of the landscape highlights the terraces that grow the famous and cherished Port Wine, in the most ancient and beautiful demarcated wine region of the world.
Departure from Porto to… Amarante, Visit to the Church of São Gonçalo, the historical centre, Departure to Régua; Visit to a Port Wine Estate, Free time for lunch; Visit Pinhão, Arrival in Porto.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Amarante, Amarante, Porto District, Northern Portugal
Visit Amarante and discover the dreamy town in upland countryside in the North of Portugal. This town has given Portugal many important artists and writers. In the neighbourhood are Romanesque churches, picturesque mountain villages and cycling. To the east of the city looms the vast mass of the Serra do Marão, while the Tâmega Valley is lined with high hills with a mantle of woodland.
Duration: 4 hours
Pass By: Ponte de Sao Goncalo, Rua do Tamega 124 Em574, Amarante 4600-123 Portugal
The postcard image in Amarante is the São Gonçalo bridge on the Tâmega beside the Renaissance Church São Gonçalo.
Each side of the bridge there are two stone obelisks marking the entrance, and on the left bank is a plaque commemorating the centenary of the Defesa da Ponte de Amarante, when in 1809 the bridge held firm against French troops. The design is from a Baroque and Neoclassical rebuild at the end of the 18th century.
Pass By: Sao Goncalo Church, Praca da Republica, Amarante 4600-038 Portugal
The Renaissance monastery and bridge are a perfect couple, and you can make the church your next stop.
Linger by the side portal for a few minutes to observe every detail on the facade.
The doorway is 16th-century Renaissance, with three tiers of columns that are Corinthian further down and Solomonic on the top level.
These border niches with images of various saints, and a statue of Mary. Above this to the left is the Varanda dos Reis, where each of the four kings alive during the church’s construction are represented on the arcade’s columns.
Stop At: Peso Da Regua, Peso Da Regua, Vila Real District, Northern Portugal
It is thought that the town´s name originated from the name of a Roman house that once stood here – the “Villa Reguela”.
Situated on the banks of the River Douro, Peso da Régua played a fundamental role in the production and sale of Port wine, for it was from here that the barrels were transported in the special boats known as barcos rabelos to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the wine was left to age in the local wine lodges.
In this region, the vines are grown on terraced slopes leading down to the river, providing visitors with a series of spectacular views, which are best admired from the area’s many viewpoints, such as those of São Leonardo at Galafura and Santo António do Loureiro.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Pinhao Railway Station, Largo da Estacao, 5085, Pinhao 5085-037 Portugal
Visit to one of the most beautiful Railway stations in Portugal, located in the heart of the Douro region. It was built in the 19th century and is a must visit for anyone visiting the Douro region.
In 1937 the station received the panels of tiles that gave it notoriety and turned it into the most beautiful Railway Station of the Douro.
These, in a total of about 3047 tiles, were produced in Aleluia Cerâmicas (Fábrica Aleluia) by J. Oliveira, an artist who also decorated other Portuguese stations.
Duration: 30 minutes
