Vila Real

The inland mountains of northern Portugal, one of the core areas of the Douro Valley's terraced vineyard landscape.

Vila Real District lies in the Trás-os-Montes region of northern Portugal, bounded to the south by the Douro River. Places such as Peso da Régua and Pinhão are at the heart of the Alto Douro wine region, whose terraced vineyard landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can visit wine estates or take a river cruise. Near the capital, Vila Real, Mateus Palace is known for its Baroque architecture and gardens, and Alvão Natural Park has waterfalls and mountain trails. Autumn, during the grape harvest, is the most beautiful time. The gateway is Porto Airport, and you can take the Douro Line train or drive.

Destinations

• Douro Valley (Peso da Régua)
• Peneda-Gerês National Park

Itineraries

• Lisbon, Porto & Algarve Classic – A first-time route connecting Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, the Douro Valley, and the Algarve.
• Porto Port Wine and Food – Bolhão Market, francesinha sandwiches, Gaia port cellars and Matosinhos seafood, plus a Douro Valley wine-tasting train…
• North Portugal Douro & Minho – A road trip from Porto covering the Douro wine region, Guimarães, the Gerês mountains, and Viana do Castelo.
• Porto and Northern Portugal by Train – Based in Porto, take trains to Aveiro, Braga and Guimarães, and spend a night in the Pinhão wine village in the Douro V…