Only 60 minutes from Tiny Escape, the Douro valley is the world’s largest mountain vineyard region and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s an easy excursion that gives you a bucket-list loop of vineyards, charming villages, a boat ride, a relaxed lunch on a river terrace and a jaw-dropping miradoura (scenic overlook).
We recommend that you make any reservations you need well in advance and that you depart Tiny Escape around 9 AM. Put a pin drop on your parking spot here to make the return trip a breeze. At a glance, your journey includes:
- Quinta do Vallado – One of the most scenic and guest-friendly vineyards in the valley.
- Pinhão – A gorgeous village along the river with several attractions.
- Boat ride – Jaw-dropping views of the terraced hillsides.
- Miradouro de Casal de Loivos – THE iconic view of the Douro Valley.
Stop 1 — Quinta do Vallado
Map to this historic vineyard and estate. From Tiny Escape, the drive starts with rolling green hills and pine forests that give way to vineyards and manicured terraced mountainsides. Our first visit was in the fall and we were treated to a kaleidoscope of green, orange and red foliage. As you near the vineyard, you will see it from across the valley. There are turnout points that are perfect for pics like the one on the left.
It’s hard for me to fathom that Quinta do Vallado was established in 1716 by Adelaide Ferreira and remains in the hands of her descendants… over 300 years! It’s an excellent stop for a vineyard tour, a wine tasting and a terrific virtual tour of grape harvesting, processing and fermentation. We strongly recommend booking in advance. There are tours in English at 11:00, 14.30 and 16:30 (+351 254 323 147). https://www.quintadovallado.com/en/vallado/our-mission/
Stop 2 – N222 Sightseeing
Mapping to Pinhão takes you along the famous N222. This 25 km road is renowned: terraced vineyards, river bends, and sweeping mountainsides dotted with quintas. There are several lookout stops along this road. Honestly, we recommend them all. Each view is its own miracle.
Stop 2 – Pinhão
Once you arrive in Pinhão, you can park at the public lot next to the Galp gas station; perfect because it is in the center of town. For its size, Pinhão packs a punch. We recommend several activities.
Quinta do BomfimIf you left Tiny Escape around 9 AM, you are probably hungry. This is a working vineyard that has tours, museum-style exhibits and an outstanding dining terrace right on the river. They serve light plates, sandwiches and great wine by the glass. You can also reserve wine tastings. Phone: +351 254 730 370 https://www.symington.com/visitar/quinta-do-bomfim/ Tour times (English): 10:30, 11:00, 12:00, 14:30, 15:00, 16:00.
Pinhão Train Station
Stroll by the train station and admire the detailed blue and white tiles reminiscent of the São Bento station in Porto. Cross to the other side of the tracks for nice views of the river.
Waterfront Path & Boat RideThis brief path packs a punch. It’s often bustling with the Douro river cruise ships. There are also kiosks for snacks and to schedule last-minute water activities, although we recommend booking in advance during high season. We like Companhia Turistica do Douro because of their wide variety of options. https://ctdouro.com +351 254 732 702
Stop 3 — Miradouro de Casal de Loivos
Map to this miradouro. It’s a short, steep drive up from Pinhão that delivers the most famous view of the river and valley. There’s a small parking nook and a pop-up bar.
Map back to Tiny Escape
Total round-trip time lands comfortably at 7.5–8 hours depending on your appetite to linger. You are likely to have a beautiful sunset along the highway to guide you home. We believe this day-trip is a must for Tiny Escape guests. We’ve visited famous wine regions; from California to Italy to France. This may be our favorite of all. One of the things that you might not be prepared for is how expansive the views are of the terraced mountains. And the great thing? It’s an easy, leisurely day that takes you on a beautiful adventure and then brings you back to your own tiny home on an ancient grape quinta!
