Should You Stay in Pinhão, Douro Valley?
Pinhão is a good base for travellers who arrive in the Douro Valley by train and want to be in close proximity to services and restaurants. Staying in Pinhão provides an ideal opportunity to explore some of the finest wineries in the Douro Valley on foot.
With only 622 inhabitants, Pinhão is a small village located on the bank of the Douro River and is surrounded by terraced vineyards.
The village and the surroundings is a popular destination in the Douro Valley. Approximately 400,000 people visit Pinhão every year. I would not call the village itself particularly charming, but the landscapes that surround Pinhão make it a “must-do” area of the Douro Valley.
In my opinion, you should stay in Pinhão if you are looking to be close to transportation and restaurants and some of the best wineries in the Douro Valley.
Pinhão is well connected to Porto by train
If you travel to Douro Valley by train from Porto, Pinhão is definitely a convenient spot to stay overnight.
Pinhão has a small train station right next to the Vintage House Hotel.
Famous Douro Valley wineries are accessible from Pinhão
Pinhao is also a very convenient base for those who want to explore some of the best vineyards of the Douro without renting a car.
There are several wineries that can be reached on foot from Pinhao. See my articles 5 Best Wineries to Visit in Pinhao and How to Visit Wineries in the Douro Valley Without Car.
There are tours and things to do in Pinhão
Boat tours that depart from Pinhãodocks are easy to access.
There is a possiblitiy to hop on a wine tour in Pinhão. Although most organized wine tours originate from Porto, there a some that depart from Pinhão as well.
Douro Valley Wine Tours from Pinhão and Regua
Besides, if you are in Pinhão you can go hiking through the vineyards and kayaking in the calm Douro river waters.
Pinhão and surroundings offer accommodation options at any budget
There is a luxury hotel in Pinhão, several budget hotels and private accommodation options in the village itself and around it.
The village is very quaint off season, but some may find Pinhão a little too busy during the summer months, with cars, boats and wine lovers flocking the little village.
If you have a car, I recommend considering some beautiful places to stay around Pinhão, where you can completely disconnect, enjoy some of the best views on Earth, listen to birds and watch the stars away from crowds. See my favourite options below.
Best options for stay in Pinhao
These hotels are located within a walking distance from the riverbank and the Pinhão train station.
First, check out this unique and romantic experience. This is a new project by the Homeboat Company. In Pinhão, you can stay right on the waters of the Douro River in a cozy and comfortable houseboat.
The front terrace and solarium on top of the boat provide perfect spots to relax and enjoy the stunning views of the river and its surroundings. Guests wake up to a delicious breakfast on the terrace while being surrounded by the beauty of the river.
They offer free bicycles to explore the area to discover vineyards, and scenic landscapes that the Douro River region is renowned for.
The Homeboat is a pet-friendly accommodation.
Located right on the banks of the Douro River, The Vintage House Douro is a luxury hotel in Pinhão known for its excellent service, stunning views of the calm river, and elegant decor.
It offers comfortable rooms overlooking the Douro River, an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, and a good bar with excellent selection of Port wine.
The Vintage House is in the heart of Pinhão, a few steps from the train station and in a walking distance from Quinta do Bomfim.
LBV stands for “Late Bottled Vintage” in the theme of port wine production in Pinhão.
The hotel has a modern ambiance in very quiet surroundings. The infinity swimming pool is very nice. Most rooms have views of the river. Avoid the ones without the view.
There is quite a steep climb from the train station to the hotel. I walked up and downhill, but if you have luggage, I recommend hiring a taxi at the Pinhão station for a few euros.
Dois Lagares House is a part of the wine project that two brothers, Bruno Oliveira and João Oliveira launched in 2010 restoring of a warehouse of their great-great-grandfather and turning it into a winery and a boutique hotel.
Dois Lagares House is located just 500 meters away from the village across the river Pinhão. This boutique hotel features minimalist design and offers simple and clean modern rooms.
Where to stay around Pinhão?
These would be my top choices if you choose to stay around Pinhao. You will need to catch a taxi in the village to go to these hotels. Luckily, the cost of a taxi is very affordable.
Quinta de la Rosa is a boutique family-owned wine estate producing excellent port wine and very high-quality dry table wines. The winery is only 2 km from the center of Pinhão, which can be an easy walk without luggage as it does not require that much climbing as Quinta de La Rosa is quite close to the river.
I found the rooms quite spacious. The estate has an on-site restaurant Cosinha da Clara that serves delicious meals paired with Quinta de la Rosa wines. The restaurant is very popular.
Tip: Make sure to make lunch and dinner reservations if you plan to have meals there as the restaurant is very popular with Douro Valley visitors.
Casa de Casal de Loivos is a historic estate located in the village of Casal de Loivos 7 km uphill from Pinhão.
The estate offers breathtaking views of the Douro River, terraced vineyards, and the surrounding hillsides. The house was built in the 1658 and has remained in the Pereira de Sampayo family since 1733.
You would need a car to reach Casa de Casal Loivos from Pinhão.
The hotel is near the famous Casal de Loivos viewpoint. When staying at the hotel, you can visit a family winery Quinta do Jalloto which is a few minutes on foot away, and taste the local olive oil at the old olive mill museum D’Origem.
Located on the Left Bank of the Douro River near the village of Ervedosa do Douro Quinta de Ventozelo features some of the most stunning views in the entire region. It takes about 20 minutes by car from Pinhão to Quinta de Ventozelo. The road is easy to drive.
Quinta de Ventozelo is a working wine estate with 200 hectares planted with over a million vines produces table wines, port wine, gin and olive oil.
I love the decor style of the hotel which is a mixture of sleek modern and traditional.
The quinta also has a restaurant, wine bar and a farm shop where you can buy products for a picnic with a view. Highly recommended.
Quinta Nova owned by the Amorim family leading the cork-industry of Portugal is the luxurious hotel within a short drive from Pinhão.
You will find yourself in a traditional setting of the old Portuguese manor house. Rooms feature wonderful views and antique furniture items.
I found the luxury twin room with restored antique wooden beds to be quite an experience.
If you are arriving by train from Porto or Pinhão, the hotel will arrange pick up from the Ferrão train station.
