North Portugal Tourism Guide - Peso de Regua

Peso de Regua, Douro

Peso de Regua was formerly known as the capital of the Upper Douro but this has now moved to Pinhao, half an hour to the east. However Regua, as it's more frequently called, is still a junction point through which all wine must pass on its way to Porto. All the River Douro cruises and trips stop at Regua and the barcos rabelos boats are often moored at the riverside.

There are a wide range of quintas around the town that offer wine tasting tours making the town a good stopping off point on the Port Wine Route (see below). The town is also a good base from which to explore the Serra do Marao Mountains that border the town to the north-west.

A good stopping off point in Regua is the Solar do Vinho do Porto housed in a converted warehouse on Rua da Ferreirinha. Like the Solar in Porto it is run by the Port and Douro Wines Institute and offers a choice of wines for tasting as well as information, exhibitions and artistic events about port and the Douro area. Open Mon-Sat 11am-7pm. Tel: 351 254 320 960. Next door at the Casa do Douro, the headquarters of the port growers organisation, is a series of stained-glass windows illustrating the history and production of Port wine.

There is also a Tourist Information office in Regua next door to the Solar Rua da Ferreirinha, 5050-261 Peso da Rgua. Tel: 351 254 312 846, Fax: 351 254 322 271.

Around Peso de Regua, Douro Portugal

Sights near to Regua include the Manueline church of Sao Nicolau in Vila de Mesao Frio 12 kilometres from Peso da Regua) which features late 16th century ceiling panels.

At Canelas near Covalinhas 8 kilometres to the east of Regua are excavations of a Roman settlement.

The Port Wine Route - Rota do Vinho do Porto

The Port Wine Route has been identified through the Douro region as a tourist trail that takes you through the Douro countryside where you can stop off points at quintas to find out about the various stages in the production of port wine. Needless to say there are many quintas offering wine tasting tours along the route.

The Port Wine Route Members' Association produce a helpful website that can help you plan a journey with maps indicating where the quintas are throughout the Douro region, they can even help you organise tours.

River Douro Cruises

Cruises along the Douro are popular and a different, leisurely way to see the countryside. These are one or two day trips, often with the emphasis on the wine production of the region. The two night trip incorporates overnight stays at country estates and manor houses alongside the River Douro; both trips give you a chance to visit the historic sights of the area and include themed dinners and wine tasting. The main routes are to and from Porto and ending/starting at either Peso de Regua or Pinhao. Cruises run from March through to November.

Journey routes are commonly: Porto-Barca de Alva-Porto; Porto-Pinhao-Porto; Porto-Regua-Porto; Regua-Pinhao-Regua; Regua-Porto. River cruise operators include Barcodouro, Rota do Douro, Via D'Ouro and Endouro Turismo - more details from their websites - links to the right.