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Aerial skyline shot of the colourful buildings in Porto Old Town in sunset light, Portugal.

Douro River Cruises

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The age-old banks of the Douro remain as enchanting as ever, covered as they are with peaceful terraces where olives, almonds and grapes are cultivated much as they always have been.

How can such a picturesque river valley - with its dramatic cliffs, lush hillsides, medieval walled villages and fine vineyards - remain so relatively undiscovered? You’ll feel that your Douro River cruise is a true revelation, taking you deep into one of the most unspoilt corners of Europe. 

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Douro river at sunset

"We had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed our cruise."

"The ship was modern and comfortable and the crew were wonderful, nothing was too much trouble. The food was also excellent with a wide range of menu options. We also enjoyed the majority of the excursions which were interesting and well led by informative guides. We can highly recommend Riviera Travel and will book with them again."

-Feefo review & photo by guest David on our Highlights of the Douro Valley & Salamanca River Cruise - November 2024 

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We've found you 6 Douro River Cruises

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Douro River Cruises
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Porto cityscape on the Douro River with traditional Rabelo boats in Portugal
River Douro region at sunrise
View of bridge across river in Spain with Salamanca cathedral in the background
Medieval clock tower amidst a street of Castelo Rodrigo's historical village, Portugal

River Cruise

Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise

  • Portugal, Spain
  • 5* ships
  • Flights included
  • Full board dining
  • 8 visits & tours
  • 7 nights on board a five-star ship

Cruise Director Lale on cruising with Riviera Travel

Lale is a Cruise Director on Riviera Travel European river cruises on the Douro river. Her passion and love for the Douro and river cruising is clear to see.

 

Don't just take our word for it...

"A very relaxing holiday watching beautiful scenery as the boat gently passes by."

"Salamanca and Porto were very interesting cities . The service on board the boat was first class and the food delicious. The overall organisation of each shore excursion was excellent."

-Feefo review & photo by guest Wendy on our Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise - September 2024

"We booked the Douro River Cruise to celebrate 2 milestone occasions- our 10th Wedding Anniversary and my 50th birthday"

Review and photo by guest Janette on our Douro, Porto and Salamanca Cruise - September 2024

"You get to see so much and have different experiences. I particularly enjoyed the little touches included in the itinerary the Flamenco dancing in Salamanca, the Portuguese folk group who joined the boat and the dinner in the Quinta."

Check out our Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise

"The quality of the food was outstanding and every need was catered for."

Review & photo by guest Sue on our Highlights of the Douro Valley & Salamanca cruise - October 2024

"Everyone on board, the crew, waiters, Tour Manager, guides and coach driver were excellent."

Check out our Highlights of the Douro & Salamanca River Cruise

"Very well organised."

Review & photo by a guest on our Douro, Porto and Salamanca cruise

"Excellent food, and beautiful scenery. Interesting & informative excursions, excellent value for money. Would thoroughly recommend."

Check out our Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise

Explore our Douro ships

MS Rivera Rose

Cruise the rivers of Europe on the brand-new, beautifully crafted MS Riviera Rose, a luxurious 80-metre-long boutique hotel. It’s the perfect place to unwind between onshore adventures.

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Exterior side shot of the Douro Elegance ship

MS Douro Elegance

MS Douro Elegance features all the facilities you would expect in a top-class hotel, for a truly relaxing cruise.

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Find out more about the Douro River

For 70 miles of the Douro’s 557-mile length, the river forms part of the national border between Spain and Portugal. Its narrow canyons made it a historical barrier for invasions, and an enduring cultural and linguistic divide. After the construction of five dams, today only 130 miles of the Douro from Porto to the Spanish border are navigable. On your Douro River cruise you’ll see the very best that both sides of this fascinating river have to offer. There are plenty of wonderful sights to satisfy your eyes, and many fantastic tastes to satisfy our taste buds - in fact, the vineyards of the Douro Valley were classified as a World Heritage site in 2001!

Wine is never far away from the Douro River, and there are plenty of opportunities to try out the authentic local favourites during your cruise. You’ll be spoilt for choice – whether it’s the sparkling Raposeira of historic Lamego, the familiar Rosé of Mateus Palace, or the Port wine (still trodden by foot) that’s so completely entwined with the history of Porto. The delicious food of the region such as tapas, sardines, and custard tarts can be found in abundance along the riverbank and in the stunning port towns you will visit along the way.

Discover even more on the Riviera Travel blog

Douro River Cruise Guide

Find out when to book a Douro River cruise, what to pack and typical Douro River cruise itineraries.

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Mature couples looking around old town Italy as evening draws in.  Little lights can be seen outside of the buildings.

What to Wear on a River Cruise

Banish the ballgown and tuxedos – enjoy a more informal holiday with our helpful guide to what to wear on a river cruise in Europe.

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View of Heidelberg town and University with riverside in Germany

Useful Tips for Life on Board a River Cruise Ship

If you’re seriously contemplating a river cruise – and even if you’re just browsing our website or brochures for ideas, we’d like to think our varied and wonderful itineraries and glossy images of our elegant fleet of vessels provide plenty of inspiration

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An image of two ships crossing the Seine River, during the day

Request a Riviera Brochure

With a wide range of holidays to choose from, it might be hard to pick just one. Start planning your next holiday with our latest brochures. Simply click the brochure you'd like to receive and fill in your details. You'll receive your selection in 3-5 working days, free of charge.

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