Douro Valley is considered the Oldest Wine Region in the World, and today one of the most popular places to be visited in Europe. Located in northern Portugal, many people are still now discovering and learning about this fascinating place, where the famous Port Wine is produced and sold all over the world.
Douro is the name of the River, starting in Spain and crossing the whole country of Portugal. The Latinized name Durius, likely originated from the Celtic tribes that occupied the territory before Roman circumstances: the Celtic root is dubro. In Roman circumstances, the river was embodied as a divine being, Durius.
The Douro vineyards (winegrowing), a territory of the Douro Valley in Portugal since quite a while ago dedicated to vineyards, has been assigned by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Customarily, the wine was brought down river in level base water crafts called rabelos, to be put away in barrels in basements in Vila Nova de Gaia, directly over the river from Porto. In the 1960s, dams were built along the river, which finished this river movement from the upper areas in Spain and along the outskirt. Presently Port wine is transported in tanker trucks.
In 1998, Portugal and Spain marked the Albufeira Convention, a concurrence on the sharing of trans-limit rivers to incorporate the Douro, Tagus and Guadiana. The tradition superseded a unique concession to the Douro, marked in 1927, that was extended in 1964 and 1968 to incorporate tributaries.
These spans of the Douro have a very specific microclimate taking into account development of olives, almonds, and particularly grapes, which are imperative for making the popular Port wine. The area around Pinhão, Regua and São João da Pesqueira is thought to be the main point of Port wine, with its “Quintas” (or homesteads/bequests) that reach out along the practically vertical slants of the lofty river valleys. In the 21st century, a considerable lot of these “Quintas” are claimed by multinational wine organizations.
Close to Douro Valley, you have also the city of Foz Côa, which is near Côa Valley Paleolithic Art site. This is viewed as vital to the archeological pre-memorable patrimony, and it has been assigned as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fifteen dams have been based on the Douro to direct the water stream, create hydroelectric power, and permit route through locks.
To reach Douro from Lisbon, the best and most comfortable way is to use a private transfer service, including optional touring around Douro Valley and Sightseeing. You can see more information here, starting at 490EUR per vehicle:
1) Private Transfer Services – Concierge Portugal
Web Address for online booking: https://lisbonguide.org/private-transfers-portugal/
2) Private Luxury Transfer Service from Lisbon to Douro Valley with 2h sightseeing included
Web Address for online booking: https://portugal-magik.com/tour/private-transfer-from-lisbon-to-douro-valley-with-stops/
3) Portugal Magik Multi-Day Tours & Transfers
Web Address for online booking: https://portugal-magik.com/destination/douro-valley/
4) 3 Days Trip from Lisbon to Porto and Douro Valley, including all transportation and transfers from Lisbon.
Web Address for online booking: https://portugal-magik.com/tour/3-day-tour-porto-douro-valley/
For our own private car transfer service from Lisbon to Douro Valley, starting at 550EUR, please check below:Link: https://portugal-magik.com/tour/private-transfer-from-lisbon-to-douro-valley/

Gonzalo
Founder/Owner of The Lisbon Guide, one of the major blog references in Portugal, established in 2014 and receiving every year 250.000 visitors from all over the world, looking to provide the best experiences in Portugal. In partnership with Portugal Magik for all private tours and transfers across Portugal, Gonzalo loves a good seafood meal at Monte Mar Cascais, and all from Michelin Chef Avillez. Favorite Hotel in Lisbon/Portugal, Penha Longa Resort by Ritz Carlton.
For over 15 years, Gonzalo have been helping thousands of travelers yearly to plan a perfect trip to Portugal. Based in Lisbon/Cascais and working in this field for over 20 years, with multiple ongoing projects. Also an avid TripAdvisor user level 6 with more than 300.000 readers worldwide.
Many years working also as a Private Guide of Lisbon, Sintra, Fatima, Porto, Douro Valley, Evora, and other locations in Portugal.
