The Douro Valley and the N222

Route description

Leave Porto east on the A4 to Amarante, where a granite bridge and a convent church stand over the Tâmega; try the local egg-based pastries. Then cross the Marão hills to Lamego, where a Baroque stairway of tiles and fountains climbs to the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios sanctuary.

Drop to the river at Peso da Régua, the main town of the port wine region, and drive up to the São Leonardo de Galafura viewpoint for the first great view of the terraced valley. Then take the N222 east along the south bank to Pinhão, often called one of the most beautiful roads in the world, with vineyards falling to the river on both sides.

In Pinhão the railway station is decorated with blue-and-white tiles showing the harvest. Wine estates all around offer tastings, most by appointment. Drive up the narrow road to Casal de Loivos for the view over the bend of the river, which is best in the late afternoon.

Continue east into the drier upper Douro to Vila Nova de Foz Côa, where the Côa museum introduces thousands of Palaeolithic rock engravings; guided tours to the sites must be booked in advance. The harvest in September and early October is the most atmospheric time; summer is very hot. The river roads are narrow in places, but fine for motorhomes driven carefully.