Douro River Cruise 2023

There is no better way to spend your vacation time in 2023 than on a boat down the stunning Douro River. A sail along the Douro seems like a peaceful way to view some of Europe's most historic cities. The River Douro is one of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula, flowing from its source near Duruelo de la Sierra in Soria Province across northern-central Spain and Portugal to its outlet at Porto. Most cruises will stop off at Regua and Pinhao, in the heart of port wine country and Vega de Terron, in Spain for a full day excursion to the Spanish city of Salamanca.

Douro River

Douro river cruise, at first glance, seems like a wonderfully tranquil way to see some of the most historic towns and cities in this part of Europe. The third-longest river on the Iberian Peninsula, 897 kilometers long, the Douro flows westward from its source in Spain, forms part of the national border between Spain and Portugal, then curves across Portugal through the terraced vineyards of Douro Valley, all the way to the Atlantic coast, where it empties into the Atlantic at Porto. River cruise on the Douro is a true revelation, along the river are enchantingly beautiful medieval towns, quaint villages, and acres of sun-drenched vineyards. One of the highlights of Douro River cruises is the Douro River Valley, home of world-famous Port wine, region designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2001. The Douro has a long cruise season, the best time to visit the Douro are during harvest season, in fall months of September and October.

Departure port on Douro River

The most common starting points for the Douro River river itinerary are Lisbon, Madrid, Porto, and Vega de Terron. As you cruise along the Douro, you will have the opportunity to see some of the most picturesque landscapes and towns in Europe.

Stops on a Douro River cruise

The Douro passes through Portugal, and Spain. Passengers on a Douro River cruise will have the unique opportunity to learn about and participate in a wide variety of local customs, traditions, and pastimes. On a Douro River cruise, major ports like Barca dAlva, Bitetos, Coa Valley, Coimbra, Entre-os-Rios, Guimaraes, Leverinho, Lisbon, Madrid, Regua, Pinhao, Pocinho, Porto, Salamanca, Vega de Terron, are frequently visited, but there are also some lesser-known ports that are not any less intriguing than the more well-known ones.

Cruise Lines on Douro River

Embark on an unforgettable adventure on a luxury river cruise on the Danube in 2023. Danube river cruises are offered by a number of cruise lines, such as A-ROSA River Cruises, AmaWaterways, CroisiEurope River Cruises, Tauck River Cruises, Uniworld River Cruises, and Viking River Cruises. Every river cruise line has its own range of prices as well as its own level of included amenities.

Length of Douro cruises

In 2023, Douro river cruises range from 6 to 12 days. You can choose between 6-day, 7-day, 8-day, 10-day, 11-day, and 12-day, depending on the length of your holiday.

The best time of year for a Douro river cruises

The Douro season for river cruising generally runs from March through December. However, the months of late spring (April–May) and early fall (September–October) are considered to be the finest times to take a Douro river cruise. In the end, it all depends on the time of year you choose to explore the banks of the Douro. You will find a Douro river cruise in March 2023, April 2023, May 2023, June 2023, July 2023, August 2023, September 2023, October 2023, and November 2023. River cruising offers a unique and relaxing way to visit some of Europe’s most beautiful destinations, so any month you choose, you won't go wrong.