Hotels in Douro Valley

Though internationally celebrated for its wines, the Douro Valley is equally acclaimed for its dramatic views, regional gastronomy and generous locals who love nothing more than to share a conversation.

If you’re planning a trip to the Douro Valley Portugal, we’ve taken away some of the planning for you. Below, you’ll find our selection of the best Douro Valley hotels which have all been rated highly by both visitors and the Catavino team alike. We understand just how important it is to experience the very best of the region, not least Douro wine and port. 

Staying in the heart of the Douro Valley will enable you easy access to wine estates, villages, restaurants and views. Read on to learn about our top selection of hotels in the Douro Valley and the various amenities you can take advantage of during your stay. 

If you’re wanting us to plan your stay, our luxury wine tours are 100% customized and tailored to your tastes and needs. You will have a private driver; stay in elegant, historic and boutique hotels; enjoy intimate wine tastings at top wineries; dine in the most exclusive restaurants; and take in captivating scenery of lush vineyards, dramatic coastlines and charming villages.

Where to stay in the Douro Valley? 

Driving in the Douro is not for the fainthearted thanks to the number of hairpin curves and narrow winding roads. It also means that not only will someone need to refrain from wine tasting, but able to withstand car sickness, which is no easy task.

On the other hand, a car will increase your options for accommodation, especially if you want to stay in a wine hotel.

If you aren’t driving to the Douro and would like to explore beyond your accommodation, you’ll need to be a short taxi ride or walking distance to a town or village with a train station. As a result, we highly suggest basing yourself around one of the two wine towns: Peso da Régua and Pinhão.

Best Hotels in Pinhão 

Nestled on a gentle bend of the Douro river, Pinhão is arguably one of the best places to visit iconic port producers. It also happens to be convenient, merely 2.5 hours by train from Porto.

The village itself is rather non-descript, but what it lacks in style it thoroughly makes up in views. A short (1 or 2-hour) boat trip from the quay is a wonderful way to take in the terraced vineyards and dramatic scenery. 

Admittedly, nothing much happens in Pinhão; which is the attraction of coming here. A few restaurants line the shore and a few more along the steep hills that roll gently up from the river. 

You can stroll along the banks or up into the quiet hills, but other than its annual Harvest festival, the main draw is solitude

Each of the hotels in Pinhão have been selected by our expert tour guides based on customer service, price, amenities, sustainability and comfort. 

Vintage House

Recently renovated and a stone’s throw from the train station, the Vintage House is luxurious, quaint and incredibly inviting.

The heritage property was converted from an 18th-century wine lodge and features a collection of traditional wine-related items to intrigue any oenophile.

All 39 rooms and 11 suites face the river, providing outstanding views regardless of your location.

If love breakfast as much as we do, know that they take this meal seriously, providing a wide range of options that is fresh and accommodates any food restriction.

For lunch or dinner, the Rabelo Restaurant takes a modern twist on traditional Portuguese ingredients, including gourmet food and wine pairings.

Quinta de Ventozelo

Of all the Douro Valley hotels, Ventozelo encompasses everything you’d expect as a luxurious Portuguese hotel.

This hotel and Quinta is charming, cozy and focused on your comfort. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by its warm decor and hospitable staff who will ensure that you have everything you need throughout your stay.

Each of the rooms has been stylishly decorated while retaining its countryside appeal. There is a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Joy, olive oil presses, a modern winery, aromatic herb garden and a visitor center featuring information about the wine estate, the local flora and fauna and the wider Douro Valley.

Quinta da Gricha 

The Quinta da Gricha is a wonderfully situated guest house that offers panoramic views of the valley. With just four luxury bedrooms in a tastefully remodeled 19th-century farmhouse, Gricha Vineyard House offers guests access to an intimate and personal experience of life on a working Douro winery.

Guests who choose to stay here can take advantage of their infinity pool overlooking the vineyards.

Located in Ervedosa do Douro, a neighborhood in São João da Pesqueira, you can take visit the cultural highlights including the Bread and Wine Museum and the Vale do Tua Interpretive Center.

A continental breakfast is included to help prep you for an extensive wine tasting in the Douro. 

LBV

LBV is a quaint guesthouse located in the village of Alijo in Pinhão. Overlooking the valley, the house boasts contemporary amenities and a riverside pool.

The suites are exceptionally large, each with its own balcony to relish the surrounding views. Affordable and convenient, it’s a wonderful place to stay along the river.

Best Hotels in Peso da Régua 

Considered the gateway to the Alto Douro, the sun-bleached town of Régua flanks the Rio Douro at the western edge. As the region’s largest riverside town, it was a port-wine depot in the 18th-century and remains an important transport junction to date.  

Peso da Régua itself is rather plain, but it does afford you easy access to restaurants, wineries and wine museums such as the Museu do Douro. Additionally, if you are a hiking or biking enthusiast, you can take the Ecopista Ribeirinha pathway that abuts the river.

Original Douro

The charming Original Douro Hotel is set in a preserved and restored 19th-century house on the banks of the River Douro beside a colorfully tiled railway station.

Originally opened in 1880, the hotel has been revamped and eludes a sophisticated interior finished with all of the amenities imaginable. 

Delfim

Delfim is often listed as the best place in Douro Valley to stay. This four-star hotel is situated on the bank of the River Douro and boasts an enormous rooftop balcony overlooking the vineyards, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.

Based on the principles of refinement and luxury, you’ll enjoy every minute of your stay in one of its 42 rooms or suites overlooking the river while treating yourself to its spa services focused on wine-based treatments. 

Six Senses

There are few 5 star boutique hotels in the Douro Valley, but Six Senses is one of the best. Inside, Irish-American designer Clodagh created a contemporary minimalist feel with a new wing featuring private hot tubs in each room.

Understandably, there is a strong focus on Douro wines including: wine tastings in the wine library and an enomatic machine that is operated by room key-cards.

The extensive pool is surrounded by gardens abundant with ripe fruit that’s used in everything from grilled desserts to handmade massage oil. The spa and wellness center is renowned for its awarded services including sleep support, mindfulness, yoga and programs for children.

Vila Gale

Vila Gale comprises 38 apartments spanning five floors, each with its own incredible view of the Douro Valley.

As one of the best accommodation options in the area, you’ll have access to the Satsanga Spa with an indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi amid other attractions. Guests can also enjoy regionally inspired cuisine at the hotel restaurant, Inevitável.

If you’re seeking relaxation and tranquillity, this is the best hotel in Douro Valley.

Quintas to stay in Douro Valley (Wineries) 

For a truly memorable experience, there are many wine hotels in Douro Valley, known locally as Quintas. A Quinta stay is perfect for anybody looking to immerse themselves in the full wine-tasting experience.

You’ll stay on the grounds where the wine and port are produced whilst having access to the comforts of all the modern amenities you can think of. 

Quinta de la Rosa

Family-owned since 1906, Quinta de la Rosa now features 21 charming rooms over the steeply terraced hill, with winding stairs connecting the various rooms and suites to the original farmhouse.

Decorated in a mix of Portuguese and English antiques with wooden floors and white wooden shutters, the lower rooms have balconies overlooking the river. On the upper levels, the rooms are more contemporary in feel with brighter colors.

The objective at Quinta de la Rosa is to immerse yourself in the everyday feel of a working vineyard, so don’t expect heaps of modern technology.

The restaurant, called Cozinha da Clara, in homage to the owner’s grandmother, draws on the local elements of schist and wood. Chef Pedro Cardoso creates a farm-to-table experience by sourcing his ingredients directly from their own gardens or from local farms.

This is a cultural experience not to miss.

Quinta do Vallado

The ethos of Quinta do Vallado is to use only Portuguese materials, products and produce (if possible from Douro or Porto) – from the slate to the toiletries to the goats’ cheese.

The winery itself was redesigned and modernized in 2009, making bold use of local schist. The new winery’s success led to an additional 8 rooms, a library, a cozy living room and a dining room.

Large glass windows overlook the Corgo Valley with cut-slate walls and wooden floors. If a leisurely wine tasting and tour aren’t for you, splash in the pool soaring over the river, have a massage, borrow a bicycle or enjoy a leisurely walk along the river.

Quinta da Pacheca

Nestled away in the historical town of Lamego, you’ll find Quinta da Pacheca – a Quinta that encapsulates the very essence of the Douro Valley.

If you are seeking a bespoke full-day wine tour and tasting experience, this hotel is for you. Since 1738, Quinta da Pacheca has produced some of the most exceptional port and Portuguese wine in the region.

Today, the Quinta opens its doors to guests who want to bed down right in the center of a vineyard. There’s also the option to enjoy luxurious spa treatments on-site inclusive of those using grapes taken from the vines. 

Quinta de la Salada

Spanning 8 hectares of vineyards, Quinta de la Salada is not only charming but features a patio with garden views in each of the 6 units.

Having been in the family for 200 years, the staff takes this legacy seriously by providing exceptional customer service.

Amongst the top winery hotels in Douro Valley, Quinta de la Salada is quaint, quiet and prides itself on creating picnics, tastings and tours that are customized specifically to you.

Quinta Nova

The final Quinta that we recommend if you’re seeking options for wine estates with accommodations in Douro Valley, is Quinta Nova. A leading wine tourist spot in Portugal, being one of the first to offer wine tourism services in the Douro region, this hotel is certainly worth considering for anybody seeking more of a bespoke holiday experience in the area.

The stunning manor house overlooks spectacular scenery and provides a welcoming, comforting ambience. Choose from a range of rooms including superior terrace options. 

Is Douro Valley worth visiting? 

Among the hidden treasures of Europe, the Douro Valley is certainly worth visiting, especially if you’re a wine lover or someone who deeply appreciates gastronomy and nature. As Portugal’s famed wine region and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Douro Valley has been producing wine for over 2,000 years. 

Whether you decide to stay in a Quinta whilst visiting Douro from Lisbon or call one of the many boutique hotels in Douro Valley your home for a few days,  you will likely miss the breathtaking views, homemade cuisine, exceptional wine, and warm, loving locals who would like nothing more than for you to fall in love with their culture.