# The Douro Valley and the N222

> 4-day road trip of about 185 km (115 mi) with 9 stops, from Porto to Côa Valley rock art. About 2 h 33 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b3-douro-n222/

**At a glance:** 4-day road trip of about 185 km (115 mi) with 9 stops, from Porto to Côa Valley rock art. About 2 h 33 min of driving in total. From Porto to the terraced port vineyards of the upper Douro, with Baroque stairways, riverside roads and Stone Age art in the Côa valley.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 185 km (115 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 33 min |
| Suggested days | 4 |
| Stops | 9 |
| Route | Porto → Côa Valley rock art |
| Countries | Portugal |
| Updated | August 11, 2026 |

## 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.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Porto** (Portugal)
2. **Amarante** (Portugal)
3. **Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios** (Lamego, Portugal): A Baroque pilgrimage church at the top of a grand zigzag stairway of about 600 steps, lined with blue-and-white tiles. You can drive to the top and walk down instead.
4. **Peso da Régua** (Portugal)
5. **Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura** (Peso da Régua, Portugal): A viewpoint over the terraced vineyards of the Douro valley.
6. **Pinhão** (Portugal)
7. **Miradouro de Casal de Loivos** (Casal de Loivos, Portugal): A viewpoint high above Pinhão looking straight down on a great bend of the Douro and its terraced port vineyards. The narrow road up from Pinhão is fine for cars; long motorhomes should park below.
8. **Vila Nova de Foz Côa** (Portugal)
9. **Côa Valley rock art** (Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Portugal): Thousands of Palaeolithic engravings of horses, aurochs and ibex along the Côa river, a World Heritage Site. Start at the museum above the valley; the open-air sites are visited on guided tours that must be booked.

## FAQs

**How long is The Douro Valley and the N222?**
4-day road trip of about 185 km (115 mi) with 9 stops, from Porto to Côa Valley rock art. About 2 h 33 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for The Douro Valley and the N222?**
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 33 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does The Douro Valley and the N222 start and end?**
It starts in Porto and ends in Côa Valley rock art.

**Which countries does The Douro Valley and the N222 pass through?**
Portugal.