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Douro Delights with Lisbon and Madrid

Sail this stunningly scenic Iberian waterway on a Douro cruise, which offers two days based in the iconic Mediterranean capitals of Madrid and Lisbon at either end of the journey.

A blend of free time to explore plus insightful shore excursions include cultural and historic highlights, wine-tastings, and the chance to savour the different, delicious regional cuisines along the way.

Enjoy all the comfort of the luxury river vessel, MS Estrela, newly built for 2024 and designed to navigate the unique contours of this beautiful river. There is a range of suites and staterooms, two award-winning restaurants, and al fresco dining.

  • Cruise Line: APT Touring
  • Ship: MS Estrela
  • Duration: 13 Nights
  • Departure: May - Sep 2025
£6,595pp
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Douro Delights with Lisbon and Madrid Cruise Itinerary

Enjoy the perfect combination of six nights on land and seven nights sailing the iconic River Douro with plenty of time to explore the Iberian capitals of Lisbon and Madrid. This luxury 13-night cruise is the ideal way to savour the flavours and beauty of this tranquil river valley. Insightful port excursions include historic and cultural landmarks, stunning architecture, and immersive culture. An elegant river cruiser is your home on the water with a choice of stylish cabins and luxury amenities.

Day 1

Lisbon

Fly from the UK to Lisbon. There is a welcome reception in the evening to meet your fellow travellers.

Day 2

Lisbon

Ride Lisbon’s iconic tramcars and see the sights of this charismatic city, Portugal’s capital. Visit the Jerónimos Monastery, built in 1502 and a UNESCO World-Heritage site. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers.

Day 3

Lisbon, Sintra

The breathtaking Serra de Sintra mountains are home to Sintra, a fairytale Portuguese town. Visit King Ferdinand II’s Park and the National Palace of Pena with free time to explore Sintra before taking the spectacular coastal route back to Lisbon.

Day 4

Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, Embark Ship

Travel through the pretty countryside to the medieval city of Coimbra, Portugal’s ancient capital and home to the country’s oldest University. Later, board your luxury river ship and enjoy a welcome dinner before a cruise around the illuminations of Porto.

Day 5

Porto

Explore Porto’s 16th-century Old Town, visit a classic Portuguese restaurant for a cooking display, or take a walking tour of the old harbour quarter of Riberia. Later, there is a guided tour of the Palacio da Bolsa with a traditional Fado performance.

Day 6

Porto, Entre-Os-Rios

Guests can choose to explore Guimaraes or visit Quinta da Aveleda, a family of wine-growers since the 1870s, with the chance to sample wine and delicious cheese. Later, sail the spectacular scenery of the Douro Valley heading to Entre-Os-Rios.

Day 7

Regua

Enjoy a relaxing cruise to Regua and spend time in the Douro Museum, dedicated to the culture of this wine region. Visit Quinta da Pacheca for a traditional lunch and wine tasting with spectacular views over the river and the town.

Day 8

Regua, Pinhao

Choose a tour of Lamego with a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies or enjoy a trip to Palacio de Mateus near the city of Vila Real, famous for its picture on the labels of Mateus Rose wine. Later, relax on board the ship as you sail to Pinhao.

Day 9

Pinhao

Pinhao is famous for its 19th-century railway station, one of the most beautiful in Portugal. Its spectacular tiled walls tell the story of how port is made. Later, visit a local Quinta with a tasting before the Captain’s Farewell Dinner in the evening.

Day 10

Barca D’Alva, Vega De Terron

A tour of the Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal, includes a visit to the spectacular castle ruins with panoramic views of the town and surrounding area. Enjoy a final night on board ship.

Day 11

Vega De Terron, Disembark Ship, Salamanca, Madrid

Say goodbye to the river and travel by road to the ancient city of Salamanca with its world-famous University and the intriguing House of Shells. Guests then transfer to Madrid and their hotel with a free evening to spend in Spain’s vibrant capital city.

Day 12

Madrid

Enjoy a day touring Madrid, Spain’s capital and the second-largest city in the EU. See the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor and explore the different eclectic neighbourhoods of this vibrant city. Later, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local eatery.

Day 13

Madrid

Choose how you explore the charms of Madrid. See Spanish art at the Prado Museum, or sports fans might want to visit the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home to the Real Madrid Football Team. There are also traditional culinary tours.

Day 14

Madrid

Depart Madrid and transfer to the airport for your return flight back to the UK.

Day 1

Madrid

Fly from the UK to Madrid. There is a welcome reception in the evening to meet your fellow travellers.

Day 2

Madrid

Choose how you explore the charms of Madrid. See Spanish art at the Prado Museum, or sports fans might want to visit the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home to the Real Madrid Football Team. There are also traditional culinary tours.

Day 3

Madrid

Enjoy a day touring Madrid, Spain’s capital and the second-largest city in the EU. See the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor and explore the different eclectic neighbourhoods of this vibrant city. Later, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local eatery.

Day 4

Vega De Terron, Salamanca, Madrid

Say goodbye to the river and travel by road to the ancient city of Salamanca with its world-famous University and the intriguing House of Shells. Guests then transfer to Madrid and their hotel with a free evening to spend in Spain’s vibrant capital city.

Day 5

Barca D’Alva, Vega De Terron

A tour of the Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal, includes a visit to the spectacular castle ruins with panoramic views of the town and surrounding area. Enjoy a final night on board ship.

Day 6

Pinhao

Pinhao is famous for its 19th-century railway station, one of the most beautiful in Portugal. Its spectacular tiled walls tell the story of how port is made. Later, visit a local Quinta with a tasting before the Captain’s Farewell Dinner in the evening.

Day 7

Regua, Pinhao

Choose a tour of Lamego with a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies or enjoy a trip to Palacio de Mateus near the city of Vila Real, famous for its picture on the labels of Mateus Rose wine. Later, relax on board the ship as you sail to Pinhao.

Day 8

Regua

Enjoy a relaxing cruise to Regua and spend time in the Douro Museum, dedicated to the culture of this wine region. Visit Quinta da Pacheca for a traditional lunch and wine tasting with spectacular views over the river and the town.

Day 9

Porto, Entre-Os-Rios

Guests can choose to explore Guimaraes or visit Quinta da Aveleda, a family of wine-growers since the 1870s, with the chance to sample wine and delicious cheese. Later, sail the spectacular scenery of the Douro Valley heading to Entre-Os-Rios.

Day 10

Porto

Explore Porto’s 16th-century Old Town, visit a classic Portuguese restaurant for a cooking display, or take a walking tour of the old harbour quarter of Riberia. Later, there is a guided tour of the Palacio da Bolsa with a traditional Fado performance.

Day 11

Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto

Travel through the pretty countryside to the medieval city of Coimbra, Portugal’s ancient capital and home to the country’s oldest University. Later, board your luxury river ship and enjoy a welcome dinner before a cruise around the illuminations of Porto.

Day 12

Lisbon, Sintra

The breathtaking Serra de Sintra mountains are home to Sintra, a fairytale Portuguese town. Visit King Ferdinand II’s Park and the National Palace of Pena with free time to explore Sintra before taking the spectacular coastal route back to Lisbon.

Day 13

Lisbon

Ride Lisbon’s iconic tramcars and see the sights of this charismatic city, Portugal’s capital. Visit the Jerónimos Monastery, built in 1502 and a UNESCO World-Heritage site. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers.

Day 14

Lisbon

Depart Lisbon and transfer to the airport for your return flight back to the UK.

Douro Delights with Lisbon and Madrid Cruise Ships

Travelmarvel MS Estrela

Designed to showcase the delights of the Douro River Valley, enjoy luxurious interiors with a distinctively Southern European ambience. Dine formally or al fresco with a choice of elegant cabins and suites for rest and relaxation.

Putting Green
Electronic Balcony Windows
Custom-built

Trustpilot Reviews

Douro Delights with Lisbon and Madrid Deals

Adventuring down the Douro has never been more pleasant

13 Nights
May – Sep 2025

Douro Delights with Lisbon and Madrid

  • Lisbon
  • Lisbon, Sintra
  • Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, Embark Ship
  • Porto
  • Porto, Entre-Os-Rios
  • Régua
  • Régua, Pinhão
  • Pinhão
  • Barca D’Alva, Vega De Terron
  • Vega De Terron, Disembark Ship, Salamanca, Madrid
  • Madrid
£6,595pp Est. Price per person
  • MS Estrela  

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Douro Delights with Lisbon and Madrid FAQ

Find answers to some of the most common questions about river cruising here.

I’m on a restricted diet for medical reasons. Will this be a problem on board the ship?

Our team of gourmet chefs creates all the dishes fresh every day. We pride ourselves on producing a wide range of vegan and vegetarian options, and because food is prepared daily, we can alter menus to suit individual guest requirements. Our dishes highlight regional cuisine and local flavours to reflect the areas you are sailing through. Freshness, quality ingredients, and taste are always priorities.

When am I sent my travel documents?

Travel documents are sent by email on average two to three weeks before your sailing date. Please read them carefully, as we may want you to provide more information before you cruise. You can call or email with these details.

I am taking a more extended holiday and arriving a few days before the cruise leaves. Where should I meet the travel representative?

If you have already arrived in the departure city, we will email a location and time to meet up with your tour group.

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