Riding on a train is arguably the best, the easiest and the most beautiful way to travel. You get to see everything, it’s relaxing and the views are incredible. So what’s a better way to explore the beauty of Portugal than by rail?
And, there is one journey in the country loved by British tourists that has been dubbed as the most scenic in the country, and possibly in all of Europe. The Linha do Douro, also known as the Douro Line, runs for 99 miles (160km) between Porto and Pocinho. The railway hugs the Douro River, weaving through valleys, terraced vineyards and small villages, with sections where the train runs just feet from the water.
According to porto-north-portugal.com, the first part of the journey from Porto is relatively unremarkable, but the scenery changes dramatically after the town of Pala.
From there, the train closely follows the river and offers incredible views of the Douro Valley.
The entire trip takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes each way.
That means it’s possible to do as a day trip from Porto, but many passengers choose to stop at one of the towns along the way to explore.
One of the most popular stops is Pinhão, a charming riverside town famous for wine.
The journey from Porto to Pinhão takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
There, visitors can enjoy a boat ride on the Douro, hike to viewpoints, and visit nearby wineries like Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta das Carvalhas.
Another recommended stop is Peso da Régua, roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes from Porto.
It’s the largest town in the region and known for its wine production and river cruises.
According to Byway Travel, this part of the journey is “one of Europe’s most scenic” and has uninterrupted views of the Douro River and surrounding hills.
While the final destination, Pocinho, doesn’t have many tourist attractions, the full train ride remains a popular choice simply for the experience of the route itself.
Travellers often choose to go all the way and then return the same day just to enjoy the views.
What makes the Linha do Douro so special is how close it gets to the river. At some points, the train is just a few feet from the water.
Combined with the cliffs and vineyards, it’s no surprise the route has become a favourite among visitors to northern Portugal.