The Douro River

About the Douro
Douro River Ports
Douro River Cruise Portugal

UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the Douro River

Along the Douro River and nearby you can find these amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visits to some may be included in your river cruise itinerary, but some may require some creative travel planning by your River Cruise Artist in order to visit.  Learn more below about these UNESCO Sites and the history you can experience when you visit them. Let River Cruise Your Way take you away to the history around the Douro River.

Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge & Monastery of Serra do Pilar

The city of Oporto or Porto, built on the hills overlooking the mouth of the Douro river, is an outstanding urban landscape with more than 2,000 years of history to discover and explore. Its continuous growth, because of its sea port status, is evident in the many and varied historical monuments. The cathedral with its Romanesque choir, to the neoclassical Stock Exchange and the typically Portuguese Manueline-style Church of Santa Clara are examples of the rich history of Porto, Portugal. Porto is the perfect place to set off on your Douro River cruise through the winding river valley.

Historic Centre of Guimarães

The historic and vibrant city of Guimarães, located less than an hour driver from Porto, is associated with the emergence of the Portuguese national identity in the 12th century. Guimarães is an exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town. The unique and historical building facades illustrate the development of Portuguese architecture from the 15th into 19th century. Guimarães is a dynamic modern city that fully embraces and preserves its ancient historical roots.

Alto Douro Wine Region

Wine has been produced from the vineyards of the Douro River Valley by traditional landholders in the Alto Douro region for more than 2,000 years. Since the 18th century, the primary product of the region, port wine, has been recognized worldwide for its superior quality. This long tradition of wine-making has produced a cultural landscape of enchanting beauty that reflects the technological, social and economic evolution of central Portugal. Today, vineyards and wineries are operating and open for tours.

Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde

There are two Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley of Portugal and Siega Verde of Spain. They are located on the banks of the rivers Agueda and Côa, tributaries of the river Douro. These rock sites document the continuous human occupation since the end of the Paleolithic Age. Hundreds of rock panels with thousands of animal figures were carved over thousands of years, representing the most remarkable open-air ensemble of Paleolithic art of the region. Together the two rock art sites form a unique display of the prehistoric era, rich in evidence of the Upper Paleolithic occupation on the Iberian Peninsula. Although not on most river cruise itineraries, they may be worth the extra visit.

Old City of Salamanca

The ancient university town of Salamanca, north-west of Madrid, Spain, was first conquered by the Carthaginians in the 3rd century B.C. Then it became a Roman settlement prior to being ruled by the Moors until the 11th century. The historic university in Salamanca, one of the oldest in Europe, reached its prime during the regions golden age. Salamanca’s historic center has important Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque architecture relics and monuments. Don’t miss the Plaza Mayor, with its galleries and arcades, which are very impressive.

Your Douro River Cruise Awaits!

Are you ready to start planning your Douro River Cruise Vacation Your Way? A River Cruise Artist at River Cruise Your Way is ready to be your vacation concierge. Contact us today at 1-800-259-7612 or use the form below and let us know when it is most convenient to call you, we will confirm via e-mail, and then reach out at the agreed upon time and date.