There are six Douro Wine Villages: Favaios and Provesende on the north bank, Barcos, Salzedas, Ucanha and Trevões on the south bank. They share the knowledge and traditions of wine production, a very particular Douro identity and a heritage that reflects the old wine-making aristocracy, in which religious buildings combine harmoniously with popular architecture.


Favaios ©Câmara Municipal de Alijó

In these villages, with their heart in the river and a unique landscape, wine tourism and gastronomy experiences are unforgettable. The region's Farms and Wineries offer programmes in which visitors can have direct contact with the community's tasks, creating experiences that will certainly remain in their memory. It is also possible to enjoy outdoor activities such as walks, boating or canoeing.

Any of the villages is a good starting point to fully appreciate the Alto Douro Wine Region, a World Heritage Site.

The colour of the vines changes throughout the year and each season the Douro Valley has its unique charm. However, the harvest season, between the end of August and September, is the best time to get to know Douro culture and take part in the festivities in the wine villages.

Douro ©Filipe Rebelo

Favaios (Alijó)
Favaios, in the municipality of Alijó, is a land of bread, wine and good people. In Portugal, the name is synonymous with Moscatel wine, a liqueur that is appreciated as an aperitif, but the village is also known for its four-cornered bread, made from wheat flour and baked in a wood-fired oven. Among the various points of interest, the Favaios Museum Nucleus (Núcleo Museológico de Favaios) and the Cooperative Winery (Adega Cooperativa) should be mentioned, where you can have a wine tourism experience in a perfect combination of wine, nature, heritage and culture. To enjoy the vineyard landscape, climb up to the Santa Bárbara Viewpoint (Miradouro de Santa Bárbara).

Provesende (Sabrosa)
Provesende is a cosy village, a land of manor and stone houses, where wine is produced with passion. It is worth visiting the Main Church (Igreja Matriz), where you can see an interesting Baroque example of gilded woodwork in the altarpiece of the main altar and the side altars. Visit the farms and experience the traditions and customs of the Alto Douro Wine Region up close. To enjoy the scenery, take the São Cristovão do Douro Trail. Nearby, in São Martinho de Anta, don't miss the Miguel Torga Space (Espaço Miguel Torga) and the Miguel Torga House-Museum (Casa-Museu de Miguel Torga).

Barcos (Tabuaço)
The village of Barcos was organised around the Main Church, maintaining the medieval stone houses and the 17th and 18th century manor houses. The medieval origins can be seen in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sabroso (Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Sabroso), an important place of devotion and pilgrimage in the parish, 2 kilometres from the village. There is a picnic park on site. The grape harvest is an excellent time to experience the hospitality of this village, integrating visitors into a large family that is proud of its traditions and customs.

Salzedas (Tarouca)
Of ancient origin, the history of this village is closely linked to the Cistercian monastery of Santa Maria de Salzedas, founded in the 12th century and so important to the development of the region. It is worth entering the monastery and visiting the small museum of sacred art housed there.
A stroll through the village should include a visit to the old Jewish quarter, a neighbourhood of narrow streets next to the monastery, the old Romanesque bridge and a climb to the viewpoint of the Chapel of Our Lady of Piety (Capela da Nossa Senhora da Piedade), to enjoy the view over the valley.
Nearby, sparkling wine lovers shouldn't miss a visit to the curious Murganheira Cellars (Caves da Murganheira), carved out of the rock, and learn about the wine production of the Varosa Valley.

Torre de Ucanha ©Câmara Municipal Tarouca

Ucanha (Tarouca)
Located on the banks of the Varosa river, Ucanha is known to be the oldest village in the region, as it stood on one of the main Roman roads towards Lamego. Belonging to the Cistercian territory, during medieval times it became part of the monastic farm. It was such an important crossing point that they built the Ucanha tower bridge, where they charged a toll to enter the village of Santa Maria de Salzedas. In the village, the Main Church and the 17th-century pillory also stand out. Don't miss the opportunity to go for walks and enjoy nature. If you need some place to cool down, the Varosa waterfall will surprise you.

Trevões (São João da Pesqueira)
In the village of Trevões, of medieval origin, it is worth mentioning the manor houses that reflect the importance of the region. The curious existence of several chapels and hermitages, in addition to the Main Church, reveals that this is a village of great religiosity, which is most evident in the local traditions and festivities.