Cruises

Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley (2025)

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Porto to Lisbon | 11 Days

Date Range: Apr 2025 - Nov 2025

Ships : S.S. São Gabriel

Countries: Portugal & Spain

Following the Douro River through Portugal and into Spain, you’ll cruise past steeply terraced hillsides, quaint villages and acres of ripe vineyards. There’s no better way to discover Europe’s best-kept secret than this scenic and all-inclusive river cruise!

Following the Douro River through Portugal and into Spain, you’ll cruise past steeply terraced hillsides, quaint villages and acres of ripe vineyards. There’s no better way to discover Europe’s best-kept secret than this scenic and all-inclusive river cruise!

Following the Douro River through Portugal and into Spain, you’ll cruise past steeply terraced hillsides, quaint villages and acres of ripe vineyards. Enjoy private tastings of Port and explore Porto’s historic Ribeira district, home to iconic rabelo boats, cutting-edge cuisine and a thriving art scene. Wind your way through the dramatic landscapes of the UNESCO-designated Douro Valley, heading ashore to visit charming quintas and meet the winemakers who operate them. See the famous university of Salamanca, Spain, and visit the mountaintop village of Castelo Rodrigo.


Your journey ends in Lisbon, the city that launched some of the world’s most renowned explorers. There’s no better way to discover Europe’s best-kept secret than this scenic and all-inclusive river cruise!


Uniworld also offers an 8-day cruise-only version of this itinerary. Click here for more information.

Porto to Lisbon | 11 Days
Note: The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.

DAY 1 Porto (Embark)
Arrive in Porto, the port city at the mouth of the Douro.
DAY 2 Régua, Pinhão
Today is all about wine, which has been cultivated in the Douro River Valley since ancient Roman times. Get a crash course on the history of Port during your visit to the Douro Museum. Later, partake in a choice of excursions, including a tasting at a prestigious Port wine estate or a vineyard hike with a wine tasting at a local quinta.

Featured Excursion:

Other Excursions:

As you journey through the hills to a local quinta, a prestigious Port wine estate and the oldest in the Douro River Valley, you will see a unique landscape that has been shaped by wine growers for two millennia. The stone terraces curving around the steep slopes hold soil that is largely the creation of human intervention: People have laboriously broken up the native silver schist stone over the centuries and turned it into usable sandy earth; it’s called “anthroposoil.” The process of producing Port wine is a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity; the steepness of the slopes requires that grape vines be tended almost entirely by hand, but the wine itself is made using the most modern techniques. You’ll tour the estate to see its stainless steel and oak vats, Boutique Winery, and the historic wine presses, before proceeding to the terrace for a Port tasting with a view over the river.

Local Quinta Guided Tour with Tasting
or

Although many Port wine estates are owned by international corporations nowadays, the tradition of the family-owned estate remains strong. Start this expedition in pretty Pinhão, heading up into the hills to a family-owned quinta, where you can get a firsthand look at how the vineyards are tended and grapes harvested. Although some 80 varieties of grapes are approved for the creation of Port, six grape varieties dominate. Discover which ones are grown here and learn why.

Let's Go: Vineyard Hike and Wine Tasting at a Local Quinta

In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
DAY 3 Pinhão, Pocinho, Vega de Terrón
Go medieval today at Castelo Rodrigo, both the name of a hilltop castle as well as the village that surrounds it. The view from the top is incredible and the village is a charming place to ramble, relax and replenish. Alternatively, lace up your hiking boots and unleash your inner Indiana Jones with an up-close gander at some prehistoric carvings at an archaeological park.

Other Excursions:

Ride through wonderfully scenic countryside—the region is noted for its honey, which derives its flavor from the fields of wild lavender and the almond groves you’ll pass—to Castelo Rodrigo, the name of both a castle and the village it shelters. The castle ruins stand high atop Marofa Mountain, telling the tale of border strife and Portugal’s struggle for independence in a single structure. Construction on the citadel began in 1209 under the auspices of the king of Leon, but it became part of Portugal within a century—though its local lords sided with Spanish rulers from time to time over the next four centuries. That’s why the palace adjoining the castle lies in ruins: Outraged citizens destroyed it after its lord sided with Castile. Take in the amazing view from the ancient stone walls, then step down through the tiny cobbled lanes of the village, passing the old pillory, the Manueline church, and the town’s market square. It’s not all history, of course. You’ll also get to sample delicious local treats, such as honey, almonds, olive oil and cheeses, and a newly restored tea-house invites you to relax over a cup of tea or a cool drink.

Castelo Rodrigo
or

Ready for an expedition worthy of Indiana Jones? Today’s your chance. In the 1990s, scouting for a proposed dam project on the Côa River revealed an astonishing collection of prehistoric carvings, among them horses, deer and aurochs that span eons. The oldest images etched into the schist walls around the river date to approximately 22,000 to 20,000 BC, with younger carvings ranging from the Epipaleolithic, Neolithic and Bronze ages to the 17th century—images that represent human interaction with the natural world for more than 30,000 years. Learn about this amazing area and see the original rock art for yourself when you visit the Côa Valley with your knowledgeable guide. It will be an illuminating adventure. Note: Exploring these sites will require sturdy hiking footwear and considerable physical fitness: You’ll take a four-wheel drive down dirt roads and hike into rocky and hard-to-access locations.

Archaeological Park of the Côa Valley
DAY 4 Vega de Terrón (Salamanca), Barca d’Alva
Today, you can visit the historic university town of Salamanca—the “Golden City”—famous for its sand-colored buildings and abundance of churches. Feel the centuries fall away as your ship winds its way through the pristine, dramatic UNESCO-protected landscapes of the Douro River Valley.

Featured Excursion:
DAY 5 Barca d’Alva, Régua
Discover the wonders of a special town right in the gateway of the Douro Valley, Lamego. Later, enjoy a Night Out with dinner at a local quinta.

Featured Excursions:
DAY 6 Régua, Porto (Braga)
Explore Braga, Portugal's oldest city.

Featured Excursion:
DAY 7 Porto
Portugal’s second city (after Lisbon), Porto gave its name to the nation’s most famous export, Port wine, and to the nation itself. Today, choose to explore Portugal on foot or by panoramic drive.

Other Excursions:

Of course it is the longtime hub of the Port wine trade, but Porto is also much more. Take in the UNESCO-designated, 19th-century Stock Exchange Palace, seeing its famous Moorish Revival-style Arab Room, during your panoramic tour. Get a feel for this vibrant town, which is simultaneously profoundly urban and moodily romantic. Colorful multistory townhouses sheathe the hills that climb precipitously from the Douro estuary, medieval alleys snake through UNESCO-designated neighborhoods enclosed by 14th-century walls—which were erected on Roman foundations—and baroque church towers crown the hilltops. The river itself cuts through the city on its way to the ocean, marked by a series of iconic bridges along the way. It meets its final destination at Foz do Douro, a district whose name translates to "Mouth of the Douro." Our tour will take us all the way here, where you can admire the passeio alegre with its promenade inspired by French architecture, see the Castelo do Queijo that juts out over the Atlantic, and drive down Boavista Avenue.

Porto Panoramic Tour
or Do as the Locals Do: Porto Walking Tour

In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
DAY 8 Porto (Disembark), Transfer to Lisbon
Disembark the ship and board a motorcoach, heading south through Portugal’s picturesque countryside to Lisbon where you will check in to your hotel.
DAY 9 Lisbon
Everything old is new again in the Portuguese capital. Get to know this hilly metropolis with a city tour that shows you all the top sights and treats you to an iconic, locally made pastry.

Featured Excursion:
DAY 10 Lisbon
Experience your own “Age of Discovery” with a full day to explore Lisbon however you wish. The city hosts remarkable museums and excellent shopping, and natives of Lisbon boast that they have the best food in the world.
DAY 11 Lisbon (Depart)
If your cruise/tour package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Lisbon Portela Airport for your flight home.
Cruise Departure Double Occupancy Pricing Ship
Sun, 06 Apr 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,039.00
$5,599.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 13 Apr 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,039.00
$5,599.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 20 Apr 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 27 Apr 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 04 May 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 11 May 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 18 May 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 25 May 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$0.00 S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 01 Jun 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 08 Jun 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$0.00 S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 15 Jun 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 22 Jun 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 29 Jun 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 06 Jul 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,039.00
$5,599.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 13 Jul 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,039.00
$5,599.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 20 Jul 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,039.00
$5,599.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 27 Jul 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,039.00
$5,599.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 03 Aug 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,039.00
$5,599.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 10 Aug 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$0.00 S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 17 Aug 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,039.00
$5,599.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 24 Aug 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,039.00
$5,599.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 31 Aug 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 07 Sep 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 14 Sep 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 21 Sep 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 28 Sep 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 05 Oct 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 12 Oct 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,669.00
$6,299.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 26 Oct 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,489.00
$6,099.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 02 Nov 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,489.00
$6,099.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 09 Nov 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,039.00
$5,599.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 16 Nov 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,039.00
$5,599.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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Sun, 23 Nov 2025
(Porto to Lisbon)
$5,039.00
$5,599.00
S.S. São Gabriel
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  • All fares are per guest in US Dollars based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted.
  • Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice.
  • Availability of all stateroom categories cannot be guaranteed.
  • Single Supplement applies for single accommodation.
  • Itineraries, hotels, and vessels may change, and substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to water level fluctuations and other uncontrollable factors.
  • The order of sightseeing and docking ports are subject to change according to port authority assignments.
  • Prices exclude additional port charges of $230 per person

Dining

  • All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
  • 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Welcome and Farewell Dinners
  • Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water

Dining

Excursions

  • 7 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
  • Guided “Do as the Locals Do” program
  • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions

Excursions

Accommodations

  • 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the chic S.S. São Gabriel
  • 3 nights in Lisbon at the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade (or similar) with breakfast
  • Beautifully appointed riverview staterooms and suites with hotel-style beds, draped in fine linens with a choice of pillows
  • Free Wi-Fi

Accommodations

Experiences

  • 2 countries: Spain and Portugal
  • 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
  • Group Transfers are included on arrival and departure days (please see terms and conditions for transfer guidelines)
  • Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
  • Cultural enrichment, including captivating onboard local entertainment

Experiences