There are a few ways to visit Douro Valley wineries without a car from Porto.
If you are looking for a self-guided tour, you can take a train from Porto to the Douro Valley and visit several wineries, stop for a lunch or a drink with a breathtaking view, or even stay a night.
Another option is taking a boat ride up the Douro river and returning to Porto by train or bus, or vice versa.
An organized wine tour from Porto would be the most efficient option to visit Douro Valley quintas without a car. If you are interested in a private tour take a look at my tours here.
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How to Visit Douro Valley Wineries by Train from Porto?
Douro Valley by Train
Head to the São Bento train station is in the center of Porto and jump on a small train to the Douro Valley. The picturesque train ride will take 2 hours 20 minutes from Porto to Pinhão, and 1 hour 50 minutes to Régua.
The Douro Valley train schedule can be found on the train system site.
When planning your Douro Valley winery visits keep in mind that the train line runs on the north side of the Douro River with only several bridges close to main towns.
To visit Douro Valley wineries within 2.5 hours from Porti, get off at Régua, Covelinhas, Ferrão, or Pinhão train stations. You can then take a taxi or walk to the wineries. Régua and Pinhão stations have taxi stands. A 5-minute ride to a nearby quinta may cost you about 5-10 euros.
See the list of Douro Valley wineries here.
Since there are no taxi stands at quintas, you have to arrange with the taxi to wait for you or to pick you up after your wine tour. Winery staff is often helpful and they will call a taxi for you.
If you are willing to walk a bit, there are several quintas that are reachable on foot from the train stations. However, most walks are along roads, some will require climbing uphill.
In my opinion, if you only have one day to discover Douro Valley without a car, it makes the most sense to arrive to Pinhaõ or to Régua. Firstly, there are some wineries in the walking distance. Additionally, Pinhão has several good restaurants. And lastly, there are river cruises and wine tours departing from Pinhão.
When arriving to the Ferrão station, you are limited to visiting a couple of nice wineries uphill – Maçanita Vinhos and Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo. However, without a car, you will not have access to other amenities near Ferrão.
RELATED:
5 Best Douro Valley Wineries to Visit Near Pinhão
Douro Valley Wineries Close to Train Stations
- Pinhão, 0.5 km, 0.3 mile
To get to Quinta do Bomfim and to taste some of the finest ports in Douro, get off at the Pinhão station and walk for approximately 5 mins.
This winery is the closest to the Pinhão train station.
Join guided tours and tastings or have a picnic on a terrace overlooking the Douro river.
- Pinhão, 1 km, 0.6 mile
Quinta da Foz is in the walking distance from the Pinhão train station and offers a very intimate tasting experience at a small family winery.
- Covelinhas, 50 meters, 0 mi
Quinta dos Murças is located on the right bank of the Douro River right by the Covelinhas train station.
The quinta offers tastings of DOC Douro wines and ports, walks, and picnics.
- Ferrão, 2.4 km, 1.5 mile
Quinta do Crasto is in the walking distance from the Ferrão train station if you are ready for a serious hike uphill.
Quinta do Crasto is one of the most prestigious wineries in the Douro Valley known for it excellent dry DOC wines.
- Ferrão, 2.4 km, 1.5 mile
Another beautiful winery not too far from the Ferrão train station is Quinta Nova. This winery with a wine museum, a small Relais & Chateaux hotel and a restaurant Terraçu is a treat.
Ask the winery staff to pick you up at the Ferrão station.
Quinta Nova focuses on production of high-quality dry wines.
- Pinhão, 1.4 km, 0.9 mile
If you are looking for a tasting of both dry wines and port wine, visit Quinta de la Rosa near Pinhão.
You can reach there within 15 minutes on foot from the Pinhão train station on a relatively flat road along the Douro river. You can also take a taxi from the Pinhão station.
Quinta de la Rosa has a beautiful winery hotel and an amazing restaurant Cozinha da Clara.
- Pinhão, 0.6 km, 0.4 mile
Quinta das Carvalhas offers unique views over the Douro Valley.
Take about 10 minute walk across the bridge in Pinhão to reach Quinta das Carvalhas store.
There, you can get on a tour which takes you up to the high point with amazing views.
Quinta das Carvalhas offers a wide choice of wines of its sister wineries belonging to Real Companhia Velha.
- Pinhao, 2.1 km, 1.3 mile
Quinta da Roêda is where famous Croft port wines are made.
Quinta da Roêda is located approximately 30 minutes away from Pinhão train station on foot.
The road is mostly flat near Pinhão and with a little bit of a climb closer to the estate, however, the views, the surroundings, and the Croft port tasting are well worth it.
Douro Valley by Boat from Porto
A great way to see the Douro River is to take a boat tour up the river to the Douro Valley.
Here are some options for you to consider.
Day Cruise from Porto to Pinhão
Day Trip from Porto to Régua by Bus and Return by Boat
Perhaps, an important thing to mention is that the boat tour can be quite long and you will likely have time to visit only one winery during your trip.
If you opt for a train tour, but still want to cruise the Douro River, it is easy to jump on a Douro River cruise in Pinhão. There are several cruise options there, however, I recommend buying your boat tickets in advance during busy times, especially in April, May, September, and October.
Douro Valley Wine Tours from Porto
An organized private or a small-group wine tour from Porto with a local guide is a good alternative to a self-guided tour.
Typically, a tour includes a pickup from Porto, visits to 2 or 3 wineries in the Douro Valley, a river cruise on a rabelo boat and lunch.
Take a look at one of these options for private and small-group tours or see the full list here.
Also, check out my private custom tours at Atlas Porto.
Douro Valley Hotels Near Train Stations
These are my hotel suggestions in Pinhão where you can stay without having a car or hiring a taxi.
Beautiful hotel at a winery 15 mins on foot from Pinhão. Very good restaurant on premises.
This hotel is right by the Pinhão train station, no climbing up. High quality, comfort and convenience.
See more options on the map below and in my article on Douro Valley Hotels without a Car.
Tip: Anything further away from the river means that some climbing will be necessary.
