Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Peso da Régua, Portugal

If you possess a fondness for port wine, Peso da Régua in the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley is a destination you will appreciate. The town is situated along the river in a unique and picturesque amphitheater created by high shale slopes, featuring wine terraces meticulously carved from the rock.

Until the previous century, Peso da Régua served as the hub where barrels were loaded onto traditional wooden boats known as rabelos and transported downstream to Vila Nova de Gaia at the mouth of the Douro. This location also marks the center of the oldest demarcated wine region worldwide, the Douro DOC, which has been regulated since 1756. Wine tours, river excursions, and explorations of this breathtaking landscape should be integral to your itinerary.

Let us delve into the most noteworthy activities in Peso da Régua:

1. Port Wine

As the town that governed the world’s pioneering demarcated wine region, Régua’s economic prosperity has been closely linked to this distinguished beverage for over 250 years.

You are in an ideal location to comprehend the nuances of port, including its cultivation, fortification, and aging processes.

During tasting sessions, you will explore the various types of port and their characteristics: For instance, you will discover why vintage port pairs harmoniously with blue cheese, ruby with robust cheeses such as cheddar, and tawny with aged cheeses like parmesan.

2. Wine Tours

If you find yourself in the Douro Valley for port wine, it is wise to enlist the services of a company that can transport you to various wineries and caves.

A couple of local companies in Peso da Régua (CMTour and Wine Monets & Gourmet) will meticulously organize every aspect of your visit.

You can opt for half-day or full-day excursions, which often include lunch.

Depending on the duration of your tour, you will have the opportunity to visit one or two wineries daily, gaining firsthand insights into the history of this beverage and its production.

For those who prefer independence, there are six accessible wineries and caves within Peso da Régua and its surrounding areas.

The Quinta de Santa Eufemia and Quinta da Pacheca, located directly across the river, receive high recommendations.

3. Museu do Douro

This museum is housed in the historic Casa da Companhia Velha, which oversaw the Douro DOC. Appropriately, the building is situated on a terrace beside the Douro, allowing visitors to sit at the wine bar or restaurant and watch the river flow by.

The museum was inaugurated in 2008 following a modern renovation of the 18th-century mansion and features multimedia exhibits detailing the history of wine production in the Douro Valley.

Visitors will encounter extensive archival footage, photography, and detailed explanations of how climate, soil, and topography contribute to the thriving of vineyards in the valley.

4. Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura

The Douro and its shores possess a captivating beauty, and much of your visit will likely be spent admiring the scenery.

There are numerous vantage points within close proximity to Peso da Régua, yet this particular outlook will remain etched in your memory long after your departure.

From this elevation, you will gain an almost aerial perspective of the river and the lush, contoured hills of the valley.

This lookout stands at 640 meters, providing a view of a cluster of Upper Douro parishes, including Fontelo, Armamar, Sabrosa, and Tabuaço.

5. Douro Historical Train

A nostalgic way to traverse the Douro Valley is via the heritage steam train that operates alongside the river from June to October.

The vintage carriages are drawn by a Henschel & Son locomotive from 1925, and the line extends from Régua to Tua, approximately 50 kilometers to the east.

This round trip takes roughly three hours, with a brief stop at the village of Pinhão for a stretch.

During the journey, passengers will enjoy spectacular views of the river and its terraced slopes, accompanied by a Douro folk band featuring accordions as the steam engine chugs along.

Additionally, there is a toast with Ferreira port and an opportunity to sample artisanal candies from Régua.

6. Miradouro de São Domingos

Situated closer to Peso da Régua than the Galafura viewpoint, this “miradouro” is located directly across the river.

Take the road leading to the village of Fontela, and prior to reaching there, follow the signs directing up the hill.

As with Galafura, you can drive directly to this viewpoint, and it is worth mentioning that the vistas of the river from this gazebo, situated 758 meters above sea level, are breathtaking.

You may be tempted to share these views with friends immediately, but take a moment to appreciate the scenery.

In the distance to the north, you can see the dark silhouette of the Serra do Marão, approximately 20 kilometers away, while to the southwest lies the picturesque skyline of Lamego.

7. Capela de São Pedro de Balsemão

On the left bank of the river, a winding road through the hills will guide you to a chapel in the village of Sé.

From the exterior, this chapel may seem to be a charming yet unremarkable Baroque structure.

However, the 17th-century façade conceals an interior that is significantly older, leading to debate regarding its exact age.

It could potentially date from as early as the 6th century to the 10th century, and it is astonishing how many early medieval features have survived.

Among them are friezes featuring geometric patterns, Corinthian capitals, and semicircular arches.

Do not miss the sarcophagus of Afonso Pires, who was a Bishop of Porto in the 14th century.

His tomb is adorned with intricate reliefs depicting the last supper and the crucifixion.

8. Lamego

A short drive south brings you to Lamego, an elegant cathedral city adorned with vineyards.

Lamego is renowned for its sparkling wine, and if this interests you, there are numerous caves within the town to explore.

The cathedral exhibits a captivating blend of architectural styles, transitioning from Romanesque to Baroque, with notable frescoes painted by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni.

Nearby, the episcopal palace boasts an impressive collection of art belonging to the bishops of Lamego, including a series of 16th-century Brussels tapestries and works by the Portuguese Renaissance painter Grão Vasco.

9. Santuario de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios

In Lamego, you can deviate from the main thoroughfare, Avenida Dr. Alfredo de Sousa, and with determination and effort, ascend to this sanctuary.

You will encounter 686 steps leading up a steep gradient.

To motivate you during the ascent, there are statues, obelisks, blue and white tile panels, and fountains in a Baroque style.

Upon reaching your destination, you will be greeted by a magnificent Rococo church that took over 150 years to construct, spanning from 1750 to 1905. If possible, visit during late August or early September, when the steps are bustling with pilgrims for the annual religious gathering.

10. Vila Real

Situated just 20 minutes away through terraced valleys, planning a day in Vila Real is highly recommended.

Perched on a plateau, this city showcases distinguished mansions belonging to nobility, adorned with coats of arms dating back to the 1500s.

One notable figure in Vila Real’s development was Nicolau Nasoni, who designed the ornate Clérigos Church and the Mateus Palace, considered by many to be Portugal’s Baroque masterpiece.

The Santuário de Panóias represents a distinct type of monument: it is a Roman sanctuary once used for pagan rituals, featuring a sacrificial altar, stairway, and inscriptions carved into the granite.

11. Walks and Bike Rides

Several businesses in Alto Douro offer guided bike rides, where they will meet you at the train station or your accommodation and lead you through the terraced vineyards (GoOnBike and Naturimont). You will be provided with safety helmets and can customize your ride based on your schedule and fitness levels.

You could also explore on foot, as it is an environment that warrants personal exploration to truly appreciate how humans have shaped the landscape over centuries, carving steps into the dark shale to adapt the hills for vineyards.

12. River Activities

The gentle, meandering waters of the Douro are perfect for a variety of activities during the summer months.

You might want to contact companies such as Naturimont or DouroAventura if you are interested in renting a kayak or paddleboard for the day.

Additionally, organized trips are available that may cater to your preferences.

On one excursion, you can paddle five kilometers downstream from Régua to Caldas de Moledo.

This route takes you beneath the vineyards of the Vale de Abraão (Valley of Abraham). Alternatively, you could start near the dam upstream and float gently back to Régua, passing under the three bridges spanning the Douro on the eastern side of the town.

13. Douro Cruises

An enjoyable way to become acquainted with the Douro from the water is to board a yacht, RIB (Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat), or even a traditional rabelo cargo boat.

Numerous cruises depart from the pier in Régua or a few kilometers upriver at Folgosa.

If you’re interested in more than just a brief two-hour excursion, consider lunch or dinner cruises, or even an overnight journey.

There are intimate cruises tailored for couples or more social excursions organized by companies that also conduct vineyard tours by road (combined packages are commonly available). Most operators offer pickup and drop-off services at your hotel or accommodation for convenience.

14. Festa de Nossa Senhora do Socorro

Since the era when Peso da Régua’s sailors embarked on lengthy and perilous journeys down the Douro on Rabelos, this town has harbored a deep spiritual aspect.

There exists a compelling reason why the rabelo boats often bear religious names.

Throughout your travels along the Douro, you may notice chapels along the banks where river travelers would pause to pray for divine safeguarding.

This devotion is currently manifested through a festival held in mid-August commemorating Nossa Senhora do Socorro (Our Lady of Perpetual Help). Over several days, attendees can enjoy fado performances as well as evening concerts featuring pop, folk, and classical genres.

The celebration culminates on Sunday, beginning with a mass followed by a triumphal procession of the Marian icon in the afternoon.

15. Cuisine

In a rural area like the Upper Douro, there exists a distinct culinary divide: one for those laboring in the fields and another for merchants and estate owners.

The recipes that have endured reflect influences from both groups.

Less affluent residents would typically consume onion soup or broth featuring cabbage and red beans.

For the more affluent, dishes such as sardines with cornbread and various baked rice specialties were common.

If you seek a substantial meal on a chilly winter day, consider feijoada à transmontana, a hearty casserole made with pork belly, pig trotters, chouriço, and beans.