UNESCO Tour Valley of the Douro***: Resende - Pinhão via Peso da Régua and Sabrosa along the N222

The Douro Valley is a UNESCO heritage site and is The Michelin Guide also gave it the maximum score of *** and the N222 from Peso da Régua to Pinhão has even been declared the best road in the world by car rental company Avis: a beautiful 27 km road that follows the winding Douro River for a long time in the valley.

But because the Michelin Guide also gives the valley between Pinhão and Sabrosa a high score with two stars , we add this loop.

The idea is to drive the 50 km (over water) between Resende and Pinhão in one (long) day by car, taking in the valley to Sabrosa . In Pinhão there is time for a boat trip on a Rabelo (1 hour) and after that a stopover in Quinta do Seixo of Sandeman is more than worth the detour. Those who have time left can visit Peso da Régua on the second passage.

Start from the holiday home Villa Barro towards Resende . A first stop at the Parque Fluvial de Porto de Rei: a well-equipped leisure area that opened in 2004. The facilities include a swimming pool, river beach, picnic area, bar and restaurant where you can taste local specialties such as escabeche of river bass and grilled eel ...

We continue and cross the Douro . Up to Peso da Régua the river is winding and the valleys beautiful . We stop at Miradouro de Barqueiros.

Peso da Régua is known as the starting point for its steam train between Régua and Tua and the river trips to Pinhão. There is also a wine museum . But since we are by car, we drive further, about 30 km to Sabrosa , away from the Douro. From Sabrosa (the birthplace of explorer Ferdinand Magellan - 655m high ) we follow the valley to the banks of the Douro in Pinhão.

The area between Sabrosa and Pinhão is characterised by steep, terraced vineyards , specially planted for Port and Douro wine production .

We stop at Miradouro Aldeia Vinhateira de Provesende, one of the six “Aldeias Vinhateiras do Douro” (Wine-growing villages of the Douro) recognised for their traditional architecture and contribution to wine culture.

A little further on is Miradouro Vale do Pinhão where the Trilho Vinhateiro de Provesende is a walking trail that takes you through the vineyards and past other viewpoints.

Finally, Miradouro de São Cristóvão do Douro is one of the most scenic viewpoints in the Douro Valley.

This brings us to Pinhão , where the station is the most famous building, known mainly for its blue and white tile panels that tell the story of the region.

A one-hour cruise on a Rabelo on the Douro is a must here, passing under Gustave Eiffel's iron bridge .

We cross the Douro and drive downstream. A stop at Quinta do Seixo offers not only an opportunity to taste wine at the Don of Sandeman , but above all a stunning view of the Douro wine terraces.

We now drive all the way back to the start and still pass Peso da Régu on the other side of the Douro. If there is still time, a stopover can still be provided here.

Be sure to also consult the information about the sights once you are there . They will explain what you will see!

This tour/city walk is part of a series of city walks and tours starting from Resende and Arcos near Ponte de Lima and described in "Day trips Douro and northern Portugal".

09/2024