Douro Valley Highlights

Voted the best drive in the world, the stretch of river between Pinhao and Peso da Regua should certainly not be missed. Add in the university town of Lamego and the stunning Casa Mateus and you’re in for a real treat! Distance 110km - Driving time 2hrs 15mins Driving notes

From Provesende head down the hill to Pinhao and then follow the river on the N323 / N222 until it crosses under the motorway then take the N226-1 to Lamego. After Lamego retrace your footsteps back to, and across, the river to visit Peso da Regua.

From Peso da Regua you can take either the A24 motorway toward Vila Real (or you could choose the parallel N313). From the A24 take exit 13 and take the N322 toward Vila Real. Keep on this road crossing under the A4 motorway and follow signs for Casa de Mateus.

From Casa de Mateus retrace the route back along the N322 to the A24 but don’t join the motorway – go straight over and keep on the N322 all the way to Sabrosa. Then from Sabrosa take the N323 south to Provesende Highlights

Pinhao – humble yet in a superb setting Pinhao acts as the nerve centre for visitors to the upper Douro region The drive along the Douro valley – breath-taking vertiginous scenery, steep terraced vineyards and whitewashed quintas, the valley itself is the star of this trip. Avis voted this the World’s Best Drive in 2015 Peso de Regua – like Pinhao not very special at first sight. Don’t miss the Museo de Douro for some insight into the world’s oldest wine region. Lamego - handsome, university town of Lamego with its astonishingly dramatic baroque stairway up to the C18th church of Senhora de Remedios Casa de Mateus – perhaps you recognise the photo above from romantic dinners in the seventies? Or a candle lamp maybe? The stunning Casa de Mateus, made famous in part diue to its presence on rose wine- bottles is a prime example baroque 18th century Portuguese architecture and well worth a visit Where to eat

Perhaps try Casa Felipe in Lamego for tasty and unpretentious home-cooked regional food. Or Castas y Pratos – Wine Bar and Restaurant in Peso da Regua, with views over the Douro.

Otherwise there are some fantastic picnic spots above the valley (See Miradouro de Sao Leonardo da Galafura & Miradouro de Sao Salvador do Mundo in your regional guide to the area) Douro Valley Highlights