Discover the hillside vineyards and breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley and explore the historic city of Porto.
A river cruise is the perfect way to explore Portugal, meandering along the glorious Douro River. Onboard, enjoy the company of like-minded travellers, dine to delicious expertly chosen menus, take a splash in the pool or simply relax on the sundeck as the River of Gold’s stunning views pass you by. In port wine territory, home of the famous port producers – Sandeman, Ferreira and Calem – you’ll pass under the Porto’s bridges and moor in this magnificent city. Porto, Portugal's second largest city after Lisbon, is populated with iconic landmarks that unveil a fascinating and varied history, all of which makes it an essential stop on our Portugal river cruises.
Whether it’s history or beautiful scenery you desire, a river cruise is the perfect way to uncover forgotten towns and villages along the Douro Valley. Your next holiday to Portugal is just a boat ride away.
Highlights of our Portugal river cruises include:
- The ancient Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Churches
- The historic 12th-century walled village of Castelo Rodrigo
- Tour the pretty Mateus Palace Gardens (famous for its rosé wine)
- Visit Salamanca, one of Spain’s most beautiful cities and enjoy a Flamenco show
- Explore the beautiful architecture of Porto’s Old Town
- Visit Braga, Portugal’s religious capital, and Guimarães, its first capital
- Sample delicious regional food in a local restaurant in Lamego
- Taste some of Portugal’s most famous product, port, at a port wine cellar.
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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.
Popular FAQs
UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Portugal or Spain however must have a valid passport.
For the most up-to-date passport and visa information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements and https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements.
We are unable to accept responsibility if you are unable to travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements.
Portugal uses the Euro, having adopted the currency in 1999, making them one of the first countries to adopt the Euro. While tipping is not mandatory in Portugal, the customary amount for good service in restaurants, hotels, taxis, and tours is 10%. However, you should only do so if you feel comfortable.
Some of the most popular places to visit in Portugal include Lisbon, the Douro Valley, and Porto. Lisbon's unique architecture and tasty, modern local food make it a highlight of anyone's trip. The Douro Valley offers stunning scenery with medieval villages and beautiful groves of almonds, olives, and grapes. Porto is at the endpoint of the Douro Valley and is known for its vibrant nightlife and experimental contemporary cuisine.
Some of the most popular activities in Portugal include visiting historic sites, wine tasting, and eating traditional Portuguese food. Cultural sites you could visit on one of our Portugal river cruises include the ancient Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Churches, the walled village of Castelo Rodrigo, and the gardens of Mateus Palace.
Portugal's climate is generally characterised by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The best months to take a river cruise in Portugal depend on your preferences and budget. Spring and fall have pleasant weather but can be less popular than Summer due to that season being the peak travel season with lots of sun and warm weather. Winters are typically mild, with temperatures averaging around 10°C to 15°C, while summers are warm to hot, with temperatures often reaching 25°C to 30°C - temperatures in inland regions can exceed 40°C.
In terms of food and drink, Portugal’s most famous exports are port and Piri Piri chicken, but the country has plenty more amazing cuisine to try. Portugal is known for its sheep’s cheese, Queijo Serra da Estrela, and the hugely popular Pastel de Nata – a crispy custard tart.
Visitors to Porto should try the city’s signature sandwich – the Francesinha – a delectable combination of sausage, chorizo, ham and steak inside white bread, encased in cheese, and doused in rich tomato sauce.
Tipping is not mandatory in Portugal but for good service in restaurants, hotels, taxis and on tours, the customary amount is 10% however, you should only do so if you feel comfortable.
The vast majority of the Portuguese population identify as Roman Catholic (81%), interestingly, most consider themselves non-practising. The remaining population, over 6% identify with no-religion, over 3% with another Christian denomination, and 0.6% with another religion, such as those who identify ad Jewish or Muslim.
There are several differences between a river cruise and a ship cruise. River cruises are smaller than ocean cruises – river cruises usually have a capacity of between 120 to 170 people, whilst ocean cruises can have a capacity of thousands. River cruises also tend to have fewer onboard activities as they provide you with more opportunities to explore ports. This is because river cruises tend to travel along inland waterways and ports, taking you directly to cities and towns. This is primarily why we offer river cruises in Portugal – to provide you with a relaxing, immersive experience that lets you explore amazing cities like Porto and Lisbon.
