Going to Douro Valley is one of the best things you can do if you’re staying in Porto for some days.
Most people go on a day trip to take a Douro river cruise and to visit a couple of vineyards. However, if you want to enjoy the region for longer, these are my suggestions to stay in Douro Valley, from the best hotels (some are considered the best hotels in Portugal!), to lovely wine estates and countryside houses. If you are looking specifically for a hotel with a spa, check my article about the Best Spa Hotels in Douro.

As it is a very detailed article, if you want you can use the Index to navigate it:

How to choose where to stay in Douro Valley?

When it comes to deciding where to stay in Douro Valley, there are several options that includes staying at one of the major cities in the region (Régua, Pinhão or Lamego), staying in tiny wine villages (such as Tabuaço) or staying at vineyards. Here is a map of the region:

The Douro Valley is divided in three subregions: Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior, moving from West (the Atlantic coast) to East (Spain).

• The three main cities to stay in the first subregion, Baixo Corgo, are Régua, Lamego and Vila Real.
  
  Régua is not a particularly beautiful city, but it has great restaurants and easy access from the highway, and it is just 1h30 driving distance from Porto. Lamego is adorable, with its cute little cathedral and its sanctuary on the top of the hill, but not as close as Régua.
  
• The main city in Cima Corgo is Pinhão, a tiny village with nothing to see except for the train station.
  
  The main advantage of staying in Pinhão is that you will be close to several important Port wine vineyards such as Quintas das Carvalhas, Quinta da Roêda and Quinta do Bomfim.

Moreover, the Douro river cruises departure from Pinhão. These are very good panoramic rides that are great for relaxing and taking photographs. If you would like to try one of these, get your ticket for a h Douro river cruise.

Around Pinhão there also some tiny villages such as Armamar and Provesende.
This is my favourite option when it comes to stay in Douro Valley as you are close enough to the vineyards but still far enough to fully appreciate the “normal” life of the region.

In this list, I included some of the best hotels in Douro Valley close to Régua (in green), Pinhão (yellow), Mesão Frio (purple) and Lamego (blue), as well as in the wine villages I mentioned before (dark brown).

If you don’t have a car, I suggest you to stay either in Régua or in Pinhão, as both have train stations. If you want to stay further away, I suggest you to rent a car – check the best car rental prices with AutoEurope. It is a great price aggregator that will show you the best rates in the region.

Where to Stay in Douro Valley: Régua

Quinta da Pacheca

With a great outdoor area, a stunning interior, a high-quality restaurant and a perfect location, the The Wine House Hotel at Quinta da Pacheca has earned its place as one of the best hotels in Douro Valley.

When you go to the The Wine House Hotel make sure to hit its restaurant to try out some delicious traditional Portuguese meals paired with Quinta da Pacheca’s wines.
Some activities on this perfect hotel in Douro Valley include wine tasting, wine courses, walking or biking tours, cooking classes and boat rides.
How to get there: take the train to Régua, then take a 9 minutes taxi ride to the Wine House Hotel in Quinta da Pacheca.

Original Douro Hotel

In my opinion, if you are traveling to Douro Valley without a car and without booking a private tour then you DEFINITELY need to book a hotel with a very central location. And one of the best hotels in Régua, the most central city in the region, is definitely the Original Douro Hotel.

It is a big hotel but with a very friendly atmosphere, and efficient staff – in fact, the fact that it has over 800 reviews on Booking alone and a rating above 9 tells you a lot about the quality of the Original Douro Hotel. In fact, it is where I chose to stay in Douro Valley when I get premium, longer tours 🙂

How to get there: take the train to Régua, then walk for 4 minutes. As simple as that!

Six Senses Douro Valley

The Six Senses Douro Valley is a castle-like 5-star hotel that prides itself on being one of the best luxury hotels in Portugal.
The bedrooms are contemporary with neutral colours, each more stunning than the other. But if one room is not enough, the Six Senses Douro Valley provides 2-3 bedroom apartments, perfect for families or large groups.

After a long day of travel, you can head out to the Six Senses Douro Valley lavish spa, the heated indoor pool with water jets or the outdoor pool and refreshment bar. You can also hit the gym for a quick workout session.
There are many activities organized by the hotel, such as river cruises, yoga, helicopter rides, etc. If you’re more into sports activities, try out canoeing, mountain biking or tree climbing.

Don’t forget to visit the Wine Library at the Six Senses Douro Valley for some good wine and refreshments.
And the answer to your question is: yes, it is very expensive to stay at the Six Senses, but you shouldn’t miss an opportunity to stay at the best hotel in Douro Valley!

How to get there: take the train to Régua, then take an 10 minutes taxi ride to Six Senses Douro Valley.

Quinta do Vallado

Near Régua train station, you’ll find Quinta do Vallado, a 4-star wine hotel surrounded by beautiful vineyards. Quinta do Vallado has two wings, a traditional 1733 renovated manor house and a 2012 modern building.

The bedrooms in the manor house are large, cozy with light or neutral colors. The bedrooms in the new modern wings are romantic, designed with dark wood and concrete ceiling. I know choosing where to stay is not easy because both living quarters are awesome, but you can have a great experience in both.

It is an expensive hotel but the price includes a visit to the cellar, a wine tasting, breakfast, bicycles, fishing gear, fruit and wine in the room so make sure you take advantage of everything offered. And if that’s not convincing, Quinta do Vallado provides more activities such as river cruises, jeep tours, picnics, snooker, spa and canoeing. I recommend the wine tour, as it is very well structured and informative.

How to get there: take the train to Régua, then take a 7 minutes taxi ride to Quinta do Vallado.

Casa de São Domingos

I don’t normally gravitate towards places with traditional decor because they feel outdated and unwelcoming. However, I fell in love with Casa de São Domingos because it’s where a traditional decor is done right. (Not to mention, the bathrooms have blue tiles that are nothing short of interesting!)

Thanks to the beautiful decor, great location, gardens and magnificent scenery, São Domingos is definitely one of the best hotels in Douro Valley!

It also has a swimming pool, making it very convenient for families with kids.

How to get there: take the train to Régua, then take a 5 minutes taxi ride to Casa de São Domingos.

MW Douro Wine & Spa

A luxury hotel in the Douro was recently renovated – and, of course, I had to take a look and tell you about my experience 🙂

And I’ll tell you right now that I was delighted with what I saw at MW Douro Wine & Spa: the rooms, in subtle tones, have a beautiful view of the region; the bathrooms are luxurious and discreet, with CastelBel products (for those who don’t know it is the best Portuguese body products company).

It also has a spa (with indoor pool, Turkish bath and sauna), which is quite unusual in the best hotels in Douro. And best of all, the massage rooms have a delightful view of the region’s landscapes.

If you don’t feel like leaving the hotel… well, you don’t need to: MW Douro Wine & Spa has a fantastic restaurant that serves typical dishes from the region 🙂

Quinta da Salada

It is impossible not to fall in love with Quinta da Salada because it is one of the hotels in Douro Valley with the loveliest outdoors areas. My favourite area is definitely the gardens, where you will find several hidden corners perfect for “dating” or simply relaxing, including a hammock and a giant puff by the pool.

Breakfast is superb and the common areas are fantastic, too. The only thing I didn’t like about Quinta da Salada, one of the best hotels in Régua, is that the WC is an “open space” area in the bedroom (by bye privacy :P).

How to get there: take the train to Régua, then take a 10 minutes taxi ride to Quinta da Salada.

Delfim Douro Hotel

Delfim Douro Hotel is exactly what you would expect from a corporate hotel (aseptic environment, impeccable staff) with the advantage of having a huge terrace overlooking the Douro river, where you can sunbath or enjoy the pool. Breakfast is very good as well. So, to sum it up: it is impersonal, it is efficient, and it delivers.

How to get there: take the train to Régua, then take a 10 minutes taxi ride to Quinta da Salada.

Where to stay in Douro Valley: Pinhão

Quinta de La Rosa

Quinta de La Rosa is a small scale producer just 5 minutes driving distance from Pinhão, which makes it great in terms of accessibility.
The bedrooms are very comfortable, but this property lacks the existence of common living rooms, where I usually spend most of my time.
Therefore, unlike Quinta Nova, is not the kind of vineyard where you go to stay a long time – on the other hand, and given its privileged location, it’s the perfect hotel in Douro Valley if you’re planning to visit several vineyards around.

Moreover, give it a try at the restaurant at Quinta de La Rosa, called Cozinha da Clara – for me, it is definitely one of the best restaurants in Douro Valley! The chef, Pedro Cardoso, is surprisingly wise given his age, and has a deep respect for the Portuguese flavours.

How to get there: the easiest way is to take the train to Pinhão, and then a taxi to Quinta de La Rosa.

The Vintage House Hotel

When you’re looking for an upscale experience you have to experience The Vintage House Hotel, one of the best luxury hotels in Douro Valley.
The bedrooms combine traditional elements with all the amenities of a romantic luxury hotel. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed with a bottle of a Fonseca’s Port wine, accompanied by dried nuts – how delicious!

This is a spacious hotel where you can enjoy beautiful common areas. It has a bar with an English style decor and comfortable leather sofas. On the shelves of the largest living room, there are antique books and objects that are an invitation to your imagination. Plus, the Vintage House Hotel has a pool with its own bar. There are also several gardened spaces with terraces overlooking the Douro river.

Located at the heart of the Douro Valley in Pinhão, the Vintage House Hotel is perfect for those who want to go for a boat ride or visit several vineyards in the Douro Valley without the need to drive much.

How to get there: take the train to Pinhão. The Vintage House Hotel is a 3 minutes walking distance.

Casa do Arco

If you want to truly disconnect from your daily life then I highly recommend Casa do Arco, the newest luxury guest house in Douro Valley. Located just 7 minutes driving distance from Pinhão, it is a modern building with comfortable bedrooms with the most stunning view of the region. You almost feel that you are living inside a painting!

Moreover, it has a restaurant where you can try organic, local ingredients and a wine tasting room. But if you want to remember your stay forever, ask them to set a picnic on the garden. It will be unforgettable <3

How to get there: the easiest way is to take the train to Pinhão, and then a 5 minutes taxi ride to Casa do Arco.

LBV House Hotel

LBV House Hotel is a modern hotel with an accessible location, incredible views and a cozy interior.
All the bedrooms have a spectacular view and a featured wall covered with a large picture reminiscent of the Douro Valley.

When you arrive at the LBV House Hotel, don’t miss out on their breakfast buffet. You can also have breakfast served to your room while you’re getting lost in the Douro view on the balcony.

In this hotel, there are fun activities you can participate in, like a wine tasting, or have a chill day enjoying the outdoor pool and hitting the Vintage Bar afterward.

How to get there: take the train to Pinhão then take a 4 minutes taxi ride to the LBV House Hotel.

Where to stay in Douro Valley: Lamego

Lamego Hotel & Life

ILamego Hotel & Life, one of the best hotels in Douro Valley in terms of design, location and activities.
However, some guests complained about bedroom walls not being soundproof, so that’s something to be aware of.
Take a dip in the heated outdoor pool, but if that’s not cutting it, you can swim in their indoor pool, sit in a jacuzzi, a Turkish bath or a sauna. Also, they have an outdoor playground, perfect if you’re traveling with your kids.
Lamego Hotel & Life has an onsite restaurant which offers many typical Portuguese dishes accompanied by the best wines from the region.
Besides wine tasting, this hotel organizes river cruises, canyoning, kayaking and riding a 4 x 4 around the Douro Valley.

How to get there: take the train to Régua, then take an 18 minutes taxi ride to Lamego Hotel.

Casa dos Viscondes da Varzea

Casa dos Viscondes de Várzea is a pearl among the best hotels in Douro Valley because, you see… it is a magnificent manor house with the most beautiful gardens in the region. Yes, it also has a swimming pool and great views but honestly who cares about that when you can sit by the the beautiful lake, surrounded by fruit trees. Oh, they also serve a delicious homemade cake for breakfast (that part is important too!).

How to get there: take the train to Régua, then take an 20 minutes taxi ride to Casa dos Viscondes de Várzea.

Cantinho do Colégio

I’ve been writing about the best hotels in Douro Valley but when I travel I usually stay in apartments – and Cantinho do Colégio are THE BEST apartments in Douro Valley. The apartments can accommodate from 1 to 4 people, so it is perfect for both solo travellers, couple or small groups of friends / family.

The location is superb, literally around the corner from the cathedral of Lamego. The kitchens are fully equipped and they even provided all the basics for you to cook with (olive oil, salt, etc). The bedrooms are super comfortable. It has air conditioner (I know it’s a thing for foreigners).

You can conveniently do a self check in at Cantinho do Colégio, but I truly recommend you to meet Cristina, the owner – she is a wonderful person and will patiently answer all your questions about the region.

How to get there: take the train to Régua, then take an 15 minutes taxi ride to the apartment.

Where to stay in Douro Valley: Mesão Frio

Quinta de São Bernardo

When it comes to making your stay in the region even more special, nothing quite compares to Quinta de São Bernardo. It is a lovely boutique hotel  in Douro Valley that belongs to a wine producer (superb wines, by the way) where you can see the love and care of its owners, from the impeccable decoration to the organic fruits and vegetables that are grown in the farm and served for breakfast.

Moreover, at Quinta de São Bernardo you will not only find a luxurious lodging but also a great restaurant (only for guests) and, equally important, some of the best wine tours in Douro Valley.
Although expensive, this boutique hotel in Douro Valley gets booked very quickly so I recommend you to book it with months in advance.

How to get there: take the train from Campanhã to Marco de Canavezes and from there take another train to Barqueiros. The property is within 5 minutes walking distance.

Imaginário D’El Rei Guest House

Imaginário D’El Rei is an absolute gem, and one of the best hotels in Douro Valley close to Porto – just 1h10 driving distance. The rooms are very humble (but sparkling clean), but honestly who cares about that when you have a terrace with a breathtaking view of the Douro river.

I absolutely adored the outdoor hot tub and also the breakfast, which is served in two shifts in the morning (so, less people in the room – perfect for pandemic times!).

How to get there: take the train to Rede and then call a taxi.

Where to Stay in Douro Valley: wine villages

Quinta da Côrte

I have only been to Quinta da Côrte this year and I regret my delay, as it is one of the most stunning places to stay in Douro Valley.

The old buildings have been recently renovated by the famous French architect Pierre Yovanovitch, and I just love the decor, in light wood and white tones.

It has the most loving swimming pool, overlooking the Douro Valley, where you can sip wine at the end of the day. Quinta da Côrte also has a restaurant with delicious food that changes daily (how rare is this?) and the cherry on top is that the meals can all be taken in a few outdoor areas, with tables overlooking the region – it is the perfect setting for a meal at sunrise, or sunset. It is, in my opinion, one of the most romantic hotels in Douro Valley!

How to get there: take the train to Pinhão and then a 12 minutes taxi ride to Quinta da Côrte.

Quinta da Marka

Quinta da Marka is an old fashioned manor house in Douro Valley, so it might be particularly interesting for those of you who prefer to have an authentic experience. It is a bit hard to get there (because of the narrow roads), but definitely worth it!

How to get there: take the train to Pinhão and then a 30 minutes taxi ride to Quinta da Marka. Yes, it is a pain to get there.

Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa

If you want to have a luxurious experience, eat amazing food and gaze at an unforgettable view, Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa got you covered, as it is definitely one of the best hotels in Douro Valley.

The bedrooms at Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa are decorated with neutral colors and luxury-like furniture (they are not particularly interesting, to be honest), and you can choose a garden view or a river view.
Upon arrival, you can enjoy the hotel’s restaurant which serves regional cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And if you’re up for a drink, you can choose one of Douro Palace’s 3 bars.
After you spend a day out and about in the Douro Valley, head out to the hotel’s spa for a relaxing massage. Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa also has indoors and outdoors swimming pools.

How to get there: take the train to Aregos, then take a 4 minutes taxi ride to Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa.

Morgadio da Calçada

In a little village called Provesende, you can take a trip back in time by visiting this 17th century manor house. The bedrooms are all in different buildings, giving Morgadio da Calçada a village-like atmosphere.
Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed with a bottle of Port wine. Soon after, you should get to know the property, the gardens, the chapel and the cool outdoor swimming pool.

If you’re not sure what to do around the area, the staff will be happy to help you find what you’re looking for. And don’t forget to buy a wine bottle before leaving your hotel in Douro Valley.

How to get there: take the train to Pinhão and then a 20 minutes taxi ride to Morgadio da Calçada.

Quinta Nova – Luxury Winery House

Quinta Nova (de Nossa Senhora do Carmo) is simply stunning, there is no other way to put it, and hence a great hotel in Douro Valley.
Among the vineyards from which some of the best wines in Douro Valley come from, you’ll find a boutique hotel covered in schist and cork, two traditional Portuguese materials. You’ll be welcomed by some of the nicest staff I’ve met in my life, and taken to your traditional Portuguese room.
It’s time for you to relax; you’re at home.

Quinta Nova – Luxury Winery House is the ideal place if you are looking for slow tourism in Douro Valley. As it is far away from everything else, it is fantastic to enjoy some days completely away from the rest of the world.
Once there, you can enjoy a glass of wine at the swimming pool facing the mountains, or read a book at its delicate winter garden. You’ll also be able to find some very interesting books about the Douro Valley and the production of Port wines, which I found fascinating.
If the weather allows it, venture into the property, on the vineyards, on the woods and inside the small chapel. Just make sure to ask for a map at the reception.

How to get there: I have to be honest – it’s not that easy to get there. From Pinhão it’s around 20 minutes drive, from Porto around 1h45.

Quinta do Portal

Inside the wine estate of Quinta do Portal, you’ll find one of the most superb hotels in Douro Valley, with a beautiful living room facing the vineyards, and a cozy, smaller room with a fireplace that is perfect for colder days. A pity I couldn’t take a decent picture when I got there, I arrived super late!
Besides that, Quinta do Portal has a restaurant where you’ll be able to taste some beautiful traditional Portuguese dishes (guests from the hotel have discount on the restaurant).

Once there, visit the wine cellars – Quinta do Portal is unique as its warehouse was designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira, the famous architect from Porto. Moreover, this vineyard in Douro Valley produces both wines, Port wines and muscats, and hence it’s perfect for a more comprehensive tasting of the wines from this region.

How to get there: it’s very easy by car. Simply take A4 highway (direction Vila Real), then take A24 by leaving on the exit 13. From there, you’ll be following the national roads N322 and N323. Quinta do Portal will appear on your left hand side.

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