Day Trip to Regua or Pinhão

If leaving for a day trip to Regua or Pinhão from Quinta da Ventuzela, rather than a taxi you can try the scenic train along the Douro River.

Download the CP app to book your train tickets online. 

Choose your outbound and your return trip adding passengers as needed. 

Plan to leave about 25 minutes early from the Quinta to drive to the train station called Mosteiro. Although only 5 1/2 miles away (8.8 km) it takes about 15-20 minutes to get there because of the winding roads. 

Once at the station you can pick up a drink or snack at one of the 2 snack bars across from the station. 

Cross the tracks to the river side for your departure to Regua or Pinhão. Linha 2 (line 2)

The ride is just over an hour and you will hug the river Douro the entire way making the trip both a spectacular and relaxing journey. If possible, grab a seat on the right side of the train. 

Once in Regua or Pinhão you can walk to many wine bars or organize a tour in advance at one of the local Port Houses.

Get your Guide App is great for pre-booking tours, including Wineries as well as Boat tours that will cruise you up and down the Douro for 1-2 hours depending on your booking preference.  Be careful not to book your train arrival at your destination too close to your planned activities as the train if often late to arrive in Mosteiro. 

If you need to get down to the main port for a boat ride you can access it from either side of the train station. Each way is a few blocks and if you walk towards the main bridge you need to go to the left of the bridge to get down to the river level. Follow the signs and it’s quite easy. 

Recommended Port Wineries:

Quinta da BomFim  hike to the Symmington family of wines such as Grahms, Cockburns and Dow (can be accessed without a reservation with nice terrace area for informal tastings but reservations are encouraged and can be booked on their website)

Quinta da Foz (pre-book on Get your Guide)

Go over the bridge from the main port area and go up the stairs to the gift shop to check in. 

Recommended day:

Take the mid morning train to Pinhão

Arrive and head out on the Douro for a one hour boat tour (grab a drink and water as some boats don’t offer amenities. 

Have lunch at Cardanho dos Presuntos (typical meats, cheese, and wine) don’t forget to order the flaming chorizo!

Head over to Quinta da Foz for a wine tasting and tour which is about 1.5 hours. See prices below. If booked on Get Your Guide only one tasting is available. If you have time to email you may do a variety of tastings including special reserve wines or ports. 

Walk back across town to Quinta da Bomfim for a self guided tour and port and/or wine sampling. Wind your way back to the rear of the buildings where the “Loja (shop) sign is. Open the door and there should be a receptionist waiting to talk to you.  If not, turn right and go through the door (looks like a wall) and enter the bar area. They can help from there. 

Pick up some local oils, cheese meats and wine back at Cardanho dos Presuntos and hop the train back to Mosteiro. 

Grab a last minute port and tonic a full open bottle or a gelato at the train station restaurant and make your way over to track 2 (oddly enough the same track you came on) and head back to Mosteiro. 

Typical schedule:

10:38am depart Mosteiro Train Station for Regua or Pinhão

11:37am Arrive in Pinhão

12:30pm Take a hour long boat ride on the Douro. 

1:45pm Have lunch and wine at Cardanho dos Presuntos 

3:00pm Wine Tasting at Quinta da Foz

5:00pm Port and cheese at Quinta da BomFim

6:14pm Train back to Mosteiro 

7:30pm back at Quinta de Ventuzela 

otal cost of day (based on average lunch and a moderate level tasting session at wineries) 

Approximately €120 per person including transportation, lunch, boat tour and wine tasting). If you do advanced “reserve“ tastings the price will increase (potentially dramatically when vintage ports are included) 

Total average step count for the day:

10,000

Total duration of day:

9 hours 

*allow extra time for train delays and always make sure train is not striking before embarking on your journey. 

**remember that you still need to drive back from Mosteiro to the Quinta after a very full day. Make sure there is at least one person capable of making a safe return for your group possible. There typically are not taxis waiting at Moistero but if you plan on taxi-ing back definitely have a number or WhatsApp that you can reach out to for transportation. 

Another great way to get to the Douro Wine Vallet is with a custom tour booked by a tour company such as Living Tours. They can pick you and your guests up directly at Quinta de Ventuzela and whisk you away on a full day excursion, including wine tasting, a typical Portuguese meal and a visit to a Port Winery. Just ask us for our favorite selections in the area and we will be happy to suggest 3 places to visit.