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Lisbon & The Douro Valley Cruise

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You are viewing the 2025 itinerary. Select your departure year
20252026
11 days From £3,499 per person
4.4 stars(33 reviews)
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A 7-night cruise along the enchanting Douro River, revealing timeless beauty and stopping at wonderful ports, including Porto, Salamanca and Guimarães

Save £500

Save £500 on Upper Deck cabin upgrades on River Cruise 2025 holidays, when you book by 16th December 2024. Call only offer quoting code CABIN.

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2025 Tour code: DOR25

About the tour

Travel to sensational Lisbon and explore Sintra's palaces on a Portuguese voyage of discovery, before embarking on a fantastic 7-night cruise along the golden Douro. Drifting through golden valleys alongside enchanting towns and past regal wine estates, our cruise reveals the timeless beauty of this serene river, stopping at wonderful ports along the way.

After exploring Lisbon's colourful streets, we set sail from Porto tracing the Douro's meandering path through picturesque landscapes. Explore magnificent palaces in Sintra, discover Baroque architecture in Lamego, and indulge in wine tastings at local Quintas. Then, visit the golden city of Salamanca and the medieval town of Guimarães before we bid farewell to the Douro Valley. Join us on this captivating cruise through culture, history, and breathtaking scenery.

Unforgettable Experiences

Lisbon's colourful streets
Lisbon's colourful streets
Discover the fascinating history of Lisbon, Portugal's capital, on a guided tour of its colourful streets lined with azulejo-tiled buildings as well as a delightful journey on a vintage tram.
Savour scenic Porto
Savour scenic Porto
Explore the UNESCO-listed World Heritage city of Porto – renowned for its port wine and picturesquely located on the banks of the Douro with historic landmarks like the Clerigos Tower and Porto Cathedral dotting the skyline.
The cuisine and magnificence of Salamanca
The cuisine and magnificence of Salamanca
Experience the golden city of Salamanca with its ancient cathedrals - like the Catedral Nueva and Catedral Vieja - that stand as testaments to its rich heritage, and experience a traditional Spanish lunch in this beautiful setting.
Mateus Palace – a baroque masterpiece
Mateus Palace – a baroque masterpiece
Visit the impressive Mateus Palace, a stunning Baroque-style mansion near Vila Real that boasts beautiful gardens, a grand interior with opulent rooms, and stunning architecture adorned with intricate carvings.
Charming Lamego
Charming Lamego
Enjoy a guided tour of the picturesque village of Lamego seeing its impressive Baroque cathedral as well as its historic centre adorned with ornate churches and elegant squares.
The treasures of Guimarães
The treasures of Guimarães
Discover the medieval buildings of Guimarães, a picturesque city known as the ‘birthplace of Portugal’ with a beautifully preserved medieval old town, historic churches, and charming squares.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To picturesque Lisbon

We meet our Tour Manager at the airport today. From here, we board our flight to Lisbon where we head to our hotel by coach. On arrival, we're greeted with a welcome drink and for dinner this evening, we head to our hotel's excellent restaurant for our first meal of the holiday. We spend the next three nights in the capital of Portugal - a delightful stop before our cruise with its colourful houses which contrast the deep blue sea and white beaches.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Exploring Lisbon

Our excursion today whisks us away on a tour of Portugal's famous capital. As a special touch, our tour includes a segment in a specially-chartered tram from the 1930s and 40s. Our tour reveals the brilliant colours of Lisbon, and the history of its streets, squares and boulevards. We finish in the waterfront district of Belem, famous for its pastries and grand villas. Here, we stop off at one of the pastry shops to sample the Belem pastries.

This evening, explore the city at your own pace. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of one of Europe's oldest cities, wander the cobblestone streets, and experience the soulful melodies of Fado music at a cosy tavern. You could end your evening by heading to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte - a unique spot with incredible panoramic views over the city.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 3 - Magnificent palaces of Sintra

Today, we travel to the beautiful town of Sintra, located up in the hills behind Lisbon. A tantalising selection of summer palaces of all colours and shapes await us here, at what is famously the summer retreat of Portuguese royalty. Enjoy time at leisure in this fairytale town, allowing you to discover its history and the people behind the magnificent buildings lining its streets. Marvel at colourful palaces like Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. Explore lush gardens at Monserrate Palace, savouring panoramic views, and visit the historic centre where you can sip Portuguese coffee at one of the many quaint cafes.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - To Porto where we board our cruise ship

Leaving Lisbon this morning, we set out on a rail journey through the Portuguese countryside to the historical city of Porto - famous for the explorers who set out from here to discover the New World.

Upon arrival, we're escorted by coach to our excellent ship. After settling into our comfortable cabins, we're greeted by our wonderful crew with a welcome cocktail. Later, we sit down to our first delicious meal on board, followed by a panoramic evening coach tour of the city of Porto by night. From our comfortable seats, we see the lovely old, preserved areas of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hopping off the coach for a brief stop at the Sao Bento railway station, we admire its magnificent azulejos, before heading back to our luxurious ship for a restful nights sleep.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 5 - Discovering Porto and Regua

This morning we explore Porto further on a guided walking tour. We wander its winding streets, steeped in centuries of history. Admire townhouses adorned with intricate azulejos, the ornate details of regal churches, and the iconic iron bridge - an emblem of the city's industrial prowess and architectural ingenuity. We also visit a wine cellar to sample the city's famous port wine hearing tales of the region's viticultural legacy and the meticulous craftsmanship behind every drop. Savour the velvety texture and lingering finish of these exquisite wines. From the luscious sweetness of Tawny to the robust complexity of Vintage, each sip unveils a distinct character.

We rejoin our ship for lunch on board and then later this afternoon, begin our cruise along the Douro river, enjoying its fabulous landscapes enroute to the town of Regua, a picturesque town that is rich in history and culture and surrounded by terraced slopes. After dinner this evening, we enjoy entertainment on board.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – The delights of Mateus Palace and Gardens

This morning, we visit the city of Vila Real and the magnificent Mateus Palace with its breathtaking gardens. We start with a panoramic tour of the city by coach, followed by a tasting of the local pastry, Cristas de Galo. Later, we visit the Mateus Palace, one of the most beautiful and astonishing houses in all of Northern Portugal. This 18th-century masterpiece is a delight with its classic Italianate exterior, beautifully adorned interiors, and lush gardens. Our tour takes us through the grand halls and rooms of the palace before time at leisure to explore the property's chapel and winery. Returning to our ship, we cruise in the afternoon through blissful scenery to Vega de Terron on the border with Spain. This evening, after dinner, we enjoy Flamenco entertainment on board.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – The golden city of Salamanca

Today, we venture into beautiful Spain and make our way through enchanting countryside to the golden city of Salamanca, in the Castille y Léon region. Known as the academic capital of Spain, this ancient city boasts an impressive array of sandstone university buildings and - founded in 1218 - is the oldest and most prestigious centre of learning in the country. Our guided tour showcases the highlights of Salamanca, including the ornate House of Shells, the vibrant Plaza Mayor, and other magnificent buildings. Afterwards, you have time to wander at leisure and discover the city's hidden gems before enjoying a traditional Spanish lunch.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Savouring the renowned Port wine route

This morning, we begin our cruise back downstream through scenic landscapes to Ferradosa. After lunch, we join our fabulous excursion along the Porto wine route where we visit São Salvador do Mundo and São João da Pesqueira, two small towns set amongst the vineyards on the Rio Torto valley. We also visit a local Quinta where we indulge in some of the region's finest Ports. Later, we rejoin our ship in Pinhao before enjoying our Gala dinner on board.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Baroque splendour in Lamego

This morning we journey to the picturesque village of Lamego. We enjoy a guided tour of this charming town, renowned for its stunning cathedral. Standing at the heart of the village, this is a breathtaking example of Baroque architecture. But the real highlight of this masterpiece is the 700 steps leading up to its doors, beautifully decorated with cheerful white and blue tiles. This afternoon we continue our cruise back to Porto where tonight, we enjoy an evening of Fado-themed entertainment.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Exploring Porto and Guimarães

This morning, we enjoy time at leisure in Porto before lunch on board. This afternoon, we visit the charming medieval city of Guimarães, known for its well-preserved 10th-century buildings, vibrant squares, and picturesque castle gardens. We return to Porto and rejoin our ship before our 4-course farewell dinner and traditional folk entertainment on board.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – Homeward bound

Today marks the final day of our adventure on the Douro. We disembark and transfer to the airport. On our return flight to the UK enjoy memories of Lisbon's vibrant hues, Sintra's enchanting palaces, and explorations of Porto and Regua where we savoured port wine. Mateus Palace impressed before venturing to Spain's Salamanca. Our luxurious cruise ended with Pinhao, Lamego's steps, and Guimarães' medieval charm, leaving us with a holiday experience we will treasure for a long time.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Ship

MS Gil Eanes

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Upgrades

Flight upgrades
London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 33 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (14)
  2. 4 stars
    (17)
  3. 3 stars
    (2)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

MW Salisbury

4 stars

Submitted 14/Oct

A holiday of Two Halves. I rated Lisbon only satisfactory. Lisbon is a pleasant but not outstanding tourist venue. Unfortunately our stay in Lisbon was chopped and changed too much. Currently, the Douro River cruises are relatively undeveloped and have minimal commercial river traffic compared to other major European rivers so it has sophistacted and more casual ambiance. The crew provided excellent service and the delicious food was well above. standard. Our GRJ Douro guide went out of his way to ensure that everyone enjoyed our river-cruise as well as giving us some fascinating and subtle insights into Portuguese customs and heritage from his longstanding career working there in various roles.

Collected by Trustpilot

David Scott

5 stars

Submitted 13/Oct

We’ve already played a review with you.

Collected by Trustpilot

customer

4 stars

Submitted 10/Oct

Excellent tour. Would prefer a flexible buffet lunch and inclusive gratuities for staff

Collected by Trustpilot

Isobel

4 stars

Submitted 9/Oct

It was a very action packed holiday with lots of lovely places to see and great guides. The staff and tour managers were excellent and the rest of the passengers were good company. the food was yummy too. A little more preparation for the trip to Sintra would have made as big improvement to the day there. And a better layout in the restaurant would have made this rating a 5.

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Ian Thoms

4 stars

Submitted 8/Oct

LISBON : Porto Bay Marques was a very nice hotel situated in a great location for exploring the city. They had excellent staff and were very accommodating. We managed to take in a broad overview of the city; the vintage tram trip was wonderful (a definite highlight) and the visit to Belem was also stunning and memorable. Sintra was very interesting and the port warehouse/production godown was excellent [as was the port]. TRAIN TRIP - The journey from Lisbon to Porto on the 'high speed' train was uneventful and not too exciting, as the scenery was fairly bland. CRUISE - The Amalia Rodrigues is a very modern cruise ship with a highly friendly and helpful staff and crew ensuring that all on-board activities are well organised. The food and events on board were of a high standard. Our particular accommodation Cabin 301 - one of the two top suites) was excellent. We met a lot of friendly fellow cruisers. The cruise itinerary was slow to start and initially disappointing as we did not sail until the second day on board. Also, initially the weather was unkind ; the last 4 days were greatly improved with lots of sunshine. Once the rhythm picked up on the tours and cruising upriver. the itinerary became busy with the varied interesting tours. Generally the entertainment was excellent, offering a good flavour of Portuguese culture. ALL In ALL - an excellent trip!

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Arnold

5 stars

Submitted 8/Oct

Extremely enjoyable.

Collected by Trustpilot

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River Cruise Holidays 2025

River Cruise Holidays 2025

Experience the magic of cruising along some of Europe’s most picturesque waterways. Glide serenely along the romantic Rhine, explore the blue Danube or meander through the enchanting Douro Valley. With our river cruises, you’ll drift through beautiful landscapes and historic towns.

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