Row the Douro

The Douro River enters Portugal in Barca d’Alva and flows through one of the country’s most iconic valleys. The slopes along the river are covered with vineyards, olive trees, and almond groves, arranged in terraces that have been shaped by human hands for centuries.

On its way downstream, the river passes through several locks – including Pocinho, Valeira, Régua, Carrapatelo, and Crestuma-Lever – which make navigation possible despite significant differences in water level. These locks are key points along the journey, connecting the upper Douro with the lower part of the valley.

Along the route, visitors can see traditional wine estates (quintas), small riverside villages, and a landscape that shifts from narrow gorges to wide valleys. Approaching Porto, the river gains new energy, flowing beneath monumental bridges and dividing the city from Vila Nova de Gaia, where the Port wine cellars line the riverbank.

Finally, after its long journey from the mountains of Spain through the valleys of Portugal, the Douro reaches the Atlantic Ocean. Here, freshwater meets saltwater in a spectacular embrace, the river’s story flowing into the sea, leaving behind a landscape and a heritage unlike any other.