The treasure of Portugal that travelers from all over the world are discovering.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 50 – September 2019
The CEO of a major river cruise company confided in us that many of his captains are eager to be transferred to ships on the Douro (the Duero River for the Spanish), because its breathtaking scenery captivates even the most seasoned sailors. The landscapes range from the city center of Porto to the stunning terraced vineyards on the steep riverbanks, which change color with the seasons. From the verdant green of spring to the golden, orange, or red hues that herald the end of summer and the arrival of autumn.
The route from Porto to the Spanish border, the Via Navegável do Douro, is inextricably linked to wine production, especially the sweet Port wine, a delight for any palate. Add to that the delicious Portuguese cuisine, and success is guaranteed. This 210-kilometer navigable waterway, inaugurated in 1990, opened the door to river tourism and received its definitive boost with its declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Porto's growing popularity as an international tourist destination has been evident in both ocean cruises, which have seen a significant increase from 25,000 passengers in 2008 to 117,000 in 2018, and river cruises, which have reached an impressive 85,402 passengers. This is quite an achievement considering that the 23 hotel boats currently operating on the Douro River have an average capacity of only 120 passengers.
The local company Douro Azul currently operates two classic-style ships, having chartered its more modern vessels to other operators. Its subsidiary, Nicko Cruises, operates another two. Croisieurope and Viking have invested most heavily in this destination, with six and four ships respectively, followed by AmaWaterways, Riviera, and Uniworld, with two each. Scenic, Emerald, and A-Rosa each have only one ship based in Porto. The American company Tauck will debut next season with the MS Andorinha, and both Viking and Uniworld will add another ship to their fleets in this destination.
The Douro region
of Porto is well worth a couple of days of exploration to enjoy all its monumental, scenic, and gastronomic charms. The Cais de Ribeira area is the heart of tourist activity and boasts an urban landscape of impeccable beauty and a distinct character. In this neighborhood, buildings face the river, creating narrow streets and passageways that connect them, housing countless restaurants, hotels, and small shops selling local crafts.
The Dom Luís I Bridge, with its two pedestrian walkways and a metal arch shaping the structure, is one of Porto's most recognizable symbols. It marks the eastern boundary of the city's tourist "ground zero," while on the south bank of the Douro lies Vila Nova de Gaia, with its own Ribeira de Gaia. Here, many of the famous Port wine cellars are concentrated along the waterfront, and today it's a beautiful area of terraces, restaurants, and even a cable car that takes you to the top of the Dom Luís I Bridge and the Morro Gardens. Completing the photogenic scene are the rabelo boats scattered along the river with their distinctive silhouettes. These boats were originally designed to transport barrels of wine from the Upper Douro to the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Once we've explored the beautiful corners of Porto, our cruise will begin towards Peso da Régua, usually the first stop after sailing through beautiful meanders and evocative landscapes. Régua is a town of about 10,000 inhabitants and has some points of interest such as the Douro Museum, but the real tourist attraction here is in Lamego, a nearby town where you can visit the famous Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies.
The village of Barca d'Alva in Portugal, or the dock at Vega de Terron, less than 1 km upstream but already on Spanish soil, are the furthest stops on the route. After passing through five locks and overcoming a 125-meter drop in elevation, further navigation is impossible due to the Saucelle Dam. From here, excursions depart for Salamanca, an ancient Spanish city whose old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Numerous monumental buildings abound, beginning with the Baroque Plaza Mayor, the heart of the city, and continuing with the Romanesque Old Cathedral and the Gothic New Cathedral, as well as the University buildings and various palaces and stately homes.
Upon entering Spanish territory, we enter the territory of the Ribera del Duero Designation of Origin, one of the most prestigious Spanish wines both nationally and internationally, thus expanding the wine experience on this route.
Pinhão is another common stop on the cruise, and is often used as a base from which to visit the Mateus Palace in Vila Real. This beautiful Baroque-style palace was designed by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, who also designed the Clérigos Tower in Porto. Its extensive gardens, considered among the most beautiful in Portugal, with their geometric patterns of boxwood, camellias, cedars, and ponds, create a truly unique scene.
Of course there are alternative excursions focusing on wineries, monasteries, country estates, gastronomy and olive oil; and also to more distant towns like Braga.
Challenges:
The maximum dimensions of the locks allow for ships up to 83 meters long and 11.4 meters wide, and the waterway is marked with regulation-colored buoys. However, the waterway is not navigable at night along its entire length because it lacks lighting signals outside the urban area, a project that, if undertaken, would undoubtedly increase the potential for tourism growth in the region.
