Porto, Portugal
Tiny alleyways run up and down the hills of Porto, a medieval city boasting so many 16th- century merchant houses, elegant bridges and baroque churches that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. To get a good look at Porto’s jumbled red brick roofs you can head up to the Sé Catedral terrace or the beautiful gardens at Jardim do Morro, while the Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia are the perfect place to learn about the winemaking process - and enjoy a few glasses, too!
Pinhao, Portugal
Set in the heart of Douro’s vineyards, Pinhao is a peaceful wine-producing town which boasts a unique bridge designed by the architect Gustave Eiffel. Pinhao is also famed for its train station covered in blue and white Azulejo tiles depicting various scenes of daily Portuguese life.
Vega de Terron, Portugal
The small town of Vega de Terron, close to the border with Spain, is most well- known for its beautiful Chafariz dos Pretos fountain set in a laid back market square - a perfect spot to relax with a glass of port during your Douro River cruise.
Pocinho, Portugal
The northern village of Pocinho is the end point of a stunning Linha do Douro train ride through the Douro Valley, which runs five times a day from Porto. Nearby is the Vale de Coa archaeological park, famed for prehistoric rock art and open-air Paleolithic archaeological sites.
Regua, Portugal
Peso de Régua is a picturesque riverside town which monopolised the Port wine industry in the 1800s. Nowadays its quaint old town is worth a wander, while the waterside promenade has some lovely local restaurants.
