DominguesVisiting Peso da Régua is getting to know the international capital of wine and vineyards, as well as the capital of Douro Demarcated Region. The truth is that this city has acquired a prominent position in Douro Valley, being one of the most visited places along the river.
When visiting Douro Valley you will find a wide range of things to do in Peso da Régua and many tourist attractions to discover.
- How about taking a cruise on Douro River?
- How about visiting Douro Valley Wineries nearby? Or even participate in the grape harvest, if the time is right?
- How about a tourist train ride?
Be sure to visit Douro Museum and to go up to the fabulous viewpoints in the region, such as São Leonardo da Galafura, which is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Portugal. Don’t forget also the scenic roads around Peso da Régua.
In this article I have several suggestions of things to do in Peso da Régua. I’m Portuguese and I’ve been there several times, so I know very well which are the main places to visit.
Let’s go travel?
Where is Peso da Régua located in Portugal?
Peso da Régua is located in Douro demarcated region in northern Portugal. To the north it is bordered by Santa Marta de Penaguião and Vila Real, and to the south by Lamego and Armamar. To the left and right are Mesão Frio, Baião and Sabrosa.
MORE ARTICLES FROM THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL: - Porto Itinerary - Things to do in Porto - Best Museums in Porto - Best Churches and Cathedrals in Porto - Best Parks and Gardens in Porto - Best Port Wine Cellars in Porto - Best Beaches in Porto - Best Day Trips from Porto - Best Matosinhos Beaches - Things to do in Matosinhos - Things to do in Vila do Conde - Things to do in Póvoa de Varzim - Things to do in Vila Nova de Gaia - Things to do in Espinho - Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary - Things to do in Viana do Castelo - Things to do in Ponte de Lima - Things to do in Monção - Things to do in Valença - Things to do in Caminha - Things to do in Braga - Things to do in Guimarães - Things to do in Barcelos - Things to do in Esposende - Things to do in Arcos de Valdevez - Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary - Best Hikes and Trails in Peneda Gerês National Park - Best Peneda Gerês National Park Waterfalls and Lagoons - Douro Valley Itinerary - Douro Valley Wineries - Best Douro Viewpoints - Things to do in Lamego - Things to do in Pinhão - Best beaches in Northern Portugal - Trás-os-Montes Itinerary - Things to do in Bragança - Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary - Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
Travel Tips to visit Peso da Régua
1. Rent a car to visit Peso da Régua
You have easy access by train from Porto to Peso da Régua. However, Peso da Régua’s city center is far from many of the fantastic places I’ll be writing about in this article, so I highly recommend having a car if you want to do an in-depth tour of the area. Do your car research with Discover Cars before renting one. It allows very nice comparisons between the most common car rental companies.
2. How to get to Peso da Régua?
f you want to visit Douro Valley but haven’t bought tickets to Portugal yet, I recommend that you use Skyscanner or Google Flights to do a search before buying them, comparing prices and flight conditions. You have many connections with Porto from abroad.
As for public transport, there are trains from Porto to Peso da Régua, as I mentioned, but in any case, you can always check on Rome2Rio website to find out all the possible ways to reach a certain destination. Check also the trains website: CP – Comboios de Portugal.
3. Guided Tours to visit Peso da Régua
I always use Get Your Guide, Viator and Civitatis on my own trips, so this is what I recommend you do. They have a rating and review system that lets you see how other travelers have classified each tour, so you can always choose with some idea if they’re really worth it.
In the case of guided tours to visit Peso da Régua, these are usually based on boat trips on Douro River with wine tastings. See the ones below, for example:
Guided Tours with Get Your Guide, Viator and Civitatis 1 - Douro Valley Tour from Porto 2 - From Porto: Régua and Douro Valley Scenic Cruise 3 - Régua Day Cruise from Porto 4 - From Peso da Régua: Wine Tasting, River Cruise and Lunch 5 - Peso da Régua Cruise 6 - Authentic Douro Wine Tour including lunch 7 - Wine Venture and Boat Trip in Douro Valley
4. Take out Travel Insurance when visiting Portugal
To be protected against several types of travel hazards, I also recommend that you take out travel insurance for your stay in Portugal, and I recommend to do it with World Nomads.
5. When to visit Peso da Régua?
Being the “capital” of the region, obviously a visit to Peso da Régua will focus a lot on the river that gave it that title. Douro Valley is fabulous at any time of the year, but obviously in September and October you will have access to a greater number of activities, and the landscape transforms with the maturation of the grapes, and with the harvest season.
But in Peso da Régua, there are several festivities to attend every year, especially in the summer:
- São João do Rio, in June.
- The Medieval Douro Festivities, in July.
- The Festivities in Honor of Nossa Senhora do Socorro, in the middle of August.
6. Gastronomy in Peso da Régua
As far as the best dishes in Peso da Régua are concerned, roast kid with oven rice is the main tip! This is also the dish to try when visiting other regions of Douro Valley.
As for desserts or typical sweets, I recommend the ferreirinhas (with port wine, raisins, pine nuts and almonds), the rabelos, the régulas, or even the most famous Rebuçados da Régua, often sold directly in the streets and main squares of the city.
7. Restaurants in Peso da Régua
- Tasca da Quinta
- Restaurante Tio Manel
- The River Restaurante
- Restaurante São Leonardo
8. Accommodation tips to visit Peso da Régua
| Alojamento | Pontuação | Destaque |
|---|---|---|
| Casa do Salgueiral | 9.4 | Peso da Régua |
| Casa de São Domingos | 9.5 | Peso da Régua |
| Douro d’Heart | 9.2 | Peso da Régua |
| Original Douro Hotel | 9.2 | Peso da Régua |
| The Pine House | 9.6 | Peso da Régua |
| Quinta da Portelada | 9.6 | Surroundings |
| Casa do Romezal | 9.7 | Surroundings |
| Quinta do Vallado | 9.6 | Surroundings |
| Casa Santa Cruz | 9.2 | Surroundings |
Best Things to do in Peso da Régua
My list of the best things to do in Peso da Régua starts in the city centre. Then I will suggest where to go in the surroundings and which roads to take, as there are some that are very scenic. 😉
Two days are enough to get to know Peso da Régua well. Of course, with more time, you will have other opportunities in the vicinity, such as visiting Lamego. 😉
Map | Things to do in Peso da Régua
1. Walk along Peso da Régua Riverside Eco-trail
I recommend that you start your tour of Peso da Régua somewhere near the Tourist Office or Douro Museum. This is also an excellent point to start a journey along the riverside Eco-Trail of Peso da Régua, which for me is one of the main attractions of the region. After all, you will walk right next to Douro River, and therefore, always with a magnificent view in sight.
2. Visit Douro Museum
Douro Museum would then emerge as the first detour on the riverside ecopath, for those walking towards Régua’s bridges. It is located in the former House of the General Company of Agriculture of Douro Valley Vineyards, institution responsible for demarcating Douro Valley as the first regulated and demarcated wine region in the world.
In front of the building is a replica of a Rabelo boat, typical of Douro River, which in the past was used to transport barrels of wine from the Douro Valley to the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia. You’ll cruise later on one of these boats.
Inside this museum you will learn more about the demarcated region. At the end you are entitled to a Port Wine tasting.
3. Cross Douro River through Peso da Régua Bridges
The riverside eco-trail then goes on to the bridges of Peso da Régua. There are three:
- The metallic pedestrian bridge
- The Railway Bridge of Peso da Régua
- And Miguel Torga Bridge
The 3 bridges together create the brand image of Peso da Régua, together with Douro river, and I clearly recommend a walk across the pedestrian bridge, built in 1872!
4. Admire Douro Tile Panel in Peso da Régua
After finishing the eco-trail, head towards Régua Railway Station. Just out of curiosity, and if you’re interested, you’ll almost always find ladies selling the famous sweets “Rebuçados da Régua” in the station square. 😉
The Panel of Tiles I mentioned is right after the station, on Rua José Vasques Osório. In addition to portraying people’s journey through Douro Valley, it also shows the work in the vineyards and wine production.
5. Discover the surroundings of Peso da Régua Town Hall and the Church of São Faustino
The Panel of Tiles is the last point that for me is mandatory to visit in the city. As you can see, Peso da Régua has a relatively small historic center, with the main tourist attractions next to the river. But if you have the time and curiosity, don’t forget:
- The Monument to Aviators Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral.
- The fountain next to the Town Hall.
- The Church of São Faustino and the square where it is located.
- The Chapel of the Seven Corners, of Nossa Senhora do Desterro.
- The Chapel of the Cross
- And the Municipal Library of Peso da Régua.
All these points have been marked on the map in this article.
6. Take the N108 road to Caldas do Moledo, and then go up to the Viewpoint of Santo António
On the outskirts of the city, there are other must-see places. The N108 is one of the scenic roads that I recommend taking when visiting Peso da Régua. If you have time, go to Mesão Frio, otherwise, at least go to Caldas do Moledo, where you will find a riverside park with plane trees next to the old thermal baths of that village: it is very pleasant!
From the Viewpoint of Santo António you will find the best view to Peso da Régua, to its 3 bridges and to the curve of Douro river which is in front of the city.
7. Take the N313-1 road to Covelinhas Viewpoint, passing by Régua Dam
On the opposite side of the municipality there is another scenic road to take: N313-1. Like the previous one, it follows Douro river right on the edge of it. Head towards Covelinhas, and along the way be sure to stop at Régua Dam!
Upon arriving at Covelinhas, be surprised by a brutal viewpoint over Douro river and Folgosa region, on the side of Armamar. It is a viewpoint next to the river, therefore of low altitude, but with enormous landscape value.
8. Visit São Leonardo de Galafura Viewpoint
The landscape from São Leonardo da Galafura viewpoint is an “excess of nature”, as Miguel Torga (a famous Portuguese writer) once said, and it is certainly also an “excess of beauty”. Oh “Sublimated Douro”! 🙂 I hope the view surprises you!
9. Walk to Alto da Fonte do Milho Archaeological Station (Roman ruins)
To reach the Archaeological Station, first head towards Canelas or Poiares. Then you will have to take the dirt roads between the vineyards, which are not always passable by car, and may even be closed because they are private property. There is no paved access to the ruins.
What I did was leave the car somewhere between Canelas and this tourist spot, then walk on foot for 3 or 4 km, round trip, guided by google maps.
Alto da Fonte do Milho Archaeological Station is more prepared for tourists than I thought, taking into account the difficult access. You will find metal platforms that will allow you to have a better view of the Roman ruins discovered in 1938, which date from the 1st to 5th century AD.
10. Visit Cunca Valley Viewpoint
Cunca Valley viewpoint is close to Peso da Régua, but there is no Douro River to admire from there. The panorama is entirely dedicated to Douro vineyards, with the A24 highway in a prominent position. For me it’s optional compared to the rest.
11. Take a boat trip on Douro River from Peso da Régua
When it comes to boat trips, there is something for every taste and budget. You have shorter or longer tours, and some of them may have lunch included, or even return by train, if you prefer.
The last boat trip I took in Douro Valley was from Pinhão on a Rabelo boat: less than 2 hours. The first one I took, by comparison, was from Peso da Régua, and it lasted almost the whole day, on the way to Barca d’Alva. It was really cool going up the river dams. 😉
There is also the possibility of taking a Régua – Porto – Régua tour, if you prefer!
Examples of Boat Tours in Peso da Régua: 1 - From Peso da Régua: Wine Tasting, River Cruise and Lunch 2 - Peso da Régua Cruise
12. Travel on Douro Historical Steam Train to Pinhão and Tua Valley
If riding the train is more your thing, or you want to have this experience in addition to the previous one, then I want you to know that you can plan traveling on Douro Historic Steam Train, leaving Peso da Régua for Tua station, and returning later with a stopover at Pinhão.
The entire program, prices, schedules and conditions can be consulted directly on CP website. I think it’s a phenomenal ride, although I haven’t done it yet. You can always opt do it on the regular train if you prefer, and that will be a cheaper alternative.
13. Take N222 road from Peso da Régua to Pinhão
As for N222, it is another scenic road in Douro Valley, and I actually recommend it for a complete Douro Valley Itinerary in another article on this site! The section from Peso da Régua to Pinhão has already been considered the “most beautiful road in the world” by the international media, so you can’t miss it!
14. Visit Douro Wineries in Peso da Régua
Finally, be sure to visit the best wineries in Peso da Régua! Remember that Douro Valley Wineries are not only visited for the wine tasting, they can also be visited to see the vineyards, and even to experience the wine production process from the harvesting of the grapes.
The winery I recommend is Quinta do Vallado. However, many others open their doors to the visitor, upon reservation and prior contact. In the surrounding area of Peso da Régua, Quinta do Tedo also promotes pleasant visits and wine tastings.
15. Visit Lamego
Lamego is clearly the main suggestion for anyone visiting Peso da Régua and wanting to discover what’s in the vicinity. They are sister municipalities divided by Douro River, but so different from each other. Lamego is much more monumental, but Douro has more brilliance in Peso da Régua!
In Lamego, the fabulous Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios stands out, at the top of Monte de Santo Estevão. In addition to the Sanctuary, a visit to the castle and to the Cathedral of Lamego is a must.
I also highlight the following main tourist attractions of Lamego:
- Desterro Church, the most beautiful of the city, inside. Its gilded carving is something extraordinary.
- And Lamego Museum, one of the most incredible in Portugal. Totally mandatory.
Other Itineraries and Travel Guides in Portugal
- N2 Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
- Madeira Itinerary and Travel Guide
- São Miguel Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Terceira Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Pico Itinerary in Azores
- Faial Itinerary in Azores
- Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary
- Porto Itinerary and Travel Guide
- Things to do In Braga (Minho)
- Things to do in Guimarães (Minho)
- Things to do in Viana do Castelo (Minho)
- Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary
- Douro Valley Itinerary
- Trás-os-Montes Itinerary
- Things to do in Bragança
- Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
- Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
- Things to do in Aveiro
- Things to do in Coimbra
- Things to do in Leiria
- Things to do in Fatima
- Things to do in Nazaré
- Things to do in Peniche
- Things to do in Évora (Alentejo)
- Things to do in Beja (Alentejo)
- Algarve Road Trip Itinerary
- Things to do in Lagos (Algarve)
- Things to do in Portimão (Algarve)
- Things to do in Faro (Algarve)
- Things to do in Tavira (Algarve)
Of course, I especially highlight my Douro Valley Itinerary. if you are visiting Peso da Régua and want to know more about the region, this is the right article to read. 😉 But on this site you will also find a fantastic Guide to Porto, and others related to the North of Portugal and even other parts of the country! 😉
I hope this list of things to do in Peso da Régua was useful for you! Please send me your feedback in the comment section below.
