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Douro Explorer

Our 7-night Douro Explorer Cruise provides the ultimate holiday experience complete with a sublime blend of history, architecture and wine. Taking you to some of Europe’s most iconic regions – including the wine capital of Oporto – the Douro Explorer Cruise is the perfect gateway to your getaway.

Enjoy 7 nights in the lap of luxury as the Douro River draws you to the marvels of Portugal and Spain, from Baroque historical sites to world-famous cities, to local restaurants serving exquisite cuisine.

Choose from a selection of excursions and itineraries masterfully crafted with you in mind, showcasing the paragons of each region in all their splendour. Prepare for the journey of a lifetime with the Douro Explorer Cruise!

4.5
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from 397 reviews
  • Cruise Line: Saga
  • Ship: Spirit of the Douro
  • Duration: 7 Nights
  • Departure: Mar - Nov
£1,559pp
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Douro Explorer Itinerary

For 7 nights, let the Douro River show you the crowning glories of Spain and Portugal with a luxurious cruise to opulent and revered destinations. Savour every sight, smell and taste with excursions tailored to give you the best possible experience, both on-board and off-board the ship. Let the Spirit of the Douro be your home as you traverse the glorious Douro River and experience everything it has to offer.

Day 1

UK to Oporto

Fly to Oporto before boarding the Spirit of the Douro at Vila Nova de Gaia. Your ship will remain moored here overnight until your departure to Régua the following morning.

Day 2

Régua / Pinhão

After a morning of scenic cruising, arrive in Régua and embark on a visit to the Mateus Palace and its extraordinary gardens. Enjoy an introduction to the palace from your guide.

Re-board the Spirit of the Douro and sail to Pinhão. After dinner, enjoy a traditional Portuguese folk music show.

Day 3

Vega de Térron

Upon arriving at Vega de Térron, partake in an excursion to the civil parish of Castelo Rodrigo in the mediaeval hilltop village of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo. Take time to explore the village and marvel at the Baroque church.

Back aboard the ship, anticipate a delicious, traditional Portuguese dinner.

Day 4

Barca d’Alva

Join an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Salamanca, a city renowned for its historic university buildings crafted with opulent gold-coloured stone. The journey to Salamanca typically takes two hours, which will be filled with a commentary from your guide about the sights passing by.

Following some leisure time, you can have lunch at a local restaurant followed by a flamenco show. Afterwards, join a walking tour of one of the most impressive town squares in Spain, the Plaza Mayor.

Re-board your ship in Barca d’Alva and remain moored overnight.

Day 5

Cais de Espinho / Pinhão

Enjoy the scenic views as you depart from Barca d’Alva and sail to Cais de Espinho.

Upon arrival, you can visit either Quinta do Seixo or Quinta Luiz, which both include a tour and wine tasting.

Continue cruising to Pinhão and visit a local quinta for dinner during the evening, complete with entertainment and wine. Your ship will remain moored in Pinhão overnight.

Day 6

Régua / Bitetos

Arrive in Régua and travel via coach to one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal – Lamego. You’ll get to see the intricate Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. You’ll have free time to explore this breathtakingly Baroque church, as well as venture into the city, accessible via the staircase which consists of nearly 700 steps.

Or, you can take a coach to the city, wherein you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Gothic cathedral. Afterwards, re-board the Spirit of the Douro and sail to Bitetos, where the ship will moor overnight.

Day 7

Oporto

In the morning, enjoy a scenic cruise back to Oporto, Portugal’s second-largest city, which you can explore with a tour. The coach tour will include visits to the historic Sé Cathedral and a port wine cellar, where you’ll learn about the production of the renowned wine and get to indulge in a tasting.

Your ship will moor in Vila Nova de Gaia overnight.

Day 8

Oporto to UK

After breakfast, disembark the Spirit of the Douro and travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

About The Spirit of the Douro

Cruise the Douro river on a ship built for the Douro River. It’s even called The Spirit of The Douro…All cabins are outside facing, meaning you can soak in the beautiful Portuguese countryside while sipping your morning coffee

Brand Shape
  • Dining
  • Accommodation
  • Health & Fitness
  • Deck Plan

Dining

Enjoy a dynamic array of meals with the Spirit of the Douro’s choice of mealtime options: watch the world pass by through panoramic windows as you take to your buffet-style breakfast, your delectable lunch, or your four-course dinner.

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Accommodation

Our 63 cabins provide excellent outside views of the scenery, as well as en suite bathrooms, twin or double beds, a television, tea and coffee-making facilities, a hairdryer, and a safe. Upper and main deck cabins possess floor-to-ceiling windows which open onto French balconies, while lower deck cabins have smaller windows that do not open.

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Health & Fitness

Go for a dip in the sun deck’s splash pool, or perhaps visit the spa after a long day of excitement and adventure. Or, if exercise is your go-to, try out the Spirit of the Douro’s fitness room facilities.

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Deck Plan

The Spirit of the Douro offers luxury aplenty on each of its 4 decks, including a sun deck complete with a splash pool, a restaurant, a spa, a fitness room, and a small gift shop: not to mention the vessel’s classic style and rich, welcoming atmosphere.

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Douro Explorer Deals

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Brand Shape

  • 7

    Locations visited

  • 1

    Luxury ship

  • 126

    Passengers

Douro Explorer

Delight in the rich blend of history and heritage both Portugal and Spain have to offer aboard your Douro Explorer Cruise by Saga. We’re taking bookings for 2024

  • Mar - Nov
  • 7 Nights
£1,559pp

Douro Explorer Cruise Review

“After hearing so many great things about Saga Cruises on television I decided to finally book a cruise with them and I am so glad I did. My expectations were already set high by the adverts I’d seen but actually being on one of Saga’s ships, the Spirit of the Douro, was an entirely different thing. The rooms were comfortable and well-decorated, the restaurant never left me disappointed with the meals I ordered and the spa was an especially nice feature and I made great use of it! Getting out to see the sights was another highlight of the cruise. I especially liked seeing the buildings in Salamanca as well as the Sé Cathedral in Oporto, not to mention the wine tasting that came after. I’ll absolutely be sailing with Saga again.”

Victor Turner, Ipswich, Suffolk

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Douro Explorer FAQ

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

How many passengers will there be on the Douro Explorer Cruise?

The maximum number of people the Spirit of the Douro can carry is 126 passengers.

What kind of activities can we expect to be available on the Douro Explorer Cruise?

Typical for countries as architecturally and culturally rich as Portugal and Spain, you will have the opportunity to embark on excursions to the finest regions of both countries, including Salamanca, Lamego, and smaller, more local wonders such as a wine cellar in Oporto. There’s something for everyone aboard the Douro Explorer Cruise.

What is the temperature of Portugal and Spain in summer?

On average, during the peak of summer, temperatures in Portugal fall within the 25 °C – 30 °C (77 °F – 86 °F) range. In Spain, the average temperature in summer typically falls between 25°C – 35 °C (77 °F – 95°F), though temperatures can exceed 35 °C in some instances.

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