Douro Valley and the N222

What should you know before visiting Douro Valley and the N222?

Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €7 (Portugal).

• The celebrated stretch is Peso da Régua to Pinhão: about 27 km and 93 bends. A 2015 study commissioned by Avis ranked it first among 25 roads, so treat the title as one study's result.
• The main roads on the loop are paved and wide enough for two cars, with many tight turns and switchbacks. The M633 down to the Valeira dam narrows, so check it before taking a large motorhome.
• In Portugal, outdoor furniture or an awning counts as camping and is illegal outside campsites. Municipalities and protected areas can add bans. Use campsites or service areas, and never dump wastewater outside them.
• Harvest is usually from mid-September to early October. May and June also suit touring. July and August are hot, and winter is quiet, with reduced hours at some quintas.

The drive

A suggested loop starts and ends in Peso da Régua. Take the N222 to Pinhão, continue on the N322 north through Alijó to Vale de Mendiz, then via the Tua area and the Valeira dam back along the N222. The full loop is over 120 km and takes about seven hours with stops. Viewpoints include São Leonardo de Galafura, São Salvador do Mundo and Miradouro Ilha do Tua.

Planning

Because the day is long, share the driving or split it over two days. Municipal service areas in Portugal often offer water and waste disposal; check the current list and local rules. Under a 2021 law, approved motorhomes may stay overnight for up to 48 hours in one municipality where no local rule applies, but not in protected areas, Natura 2000 sites or coastal zones unless signed. Local signs take precedence.

FAQs