Portugal's Douro River Cruise Bike Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Teens & 20s Best for ages 16-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Kids & Teens Best for ages 7-17 (min. age 4)

8 days

7 nights

Activity Levels 2-4

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Small Luxury Ship

Premiere Hotels - Experience the world’s best, from lavish luxury to chic retreats with prestigious alliances.

Deluxe Hotels - Find modern comforts in extraordinary settings, with great ambience and ample amenities.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

Portugal's Douro River Cruise Bike Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Teens & 20s Best for ages 16-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Kids & Teens Best for ages 7-17 (min. age 4)

8 days

7 nights

Activity Levels 2-4

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Small Luxury Ship

Premiere Hotels - Experience the world’s best, from lavish luxury to chic retreats with prestigious alliances.

Deluxe Hotels - Find modern comforts in extraordinary settings, with great ambience and ample amenities.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

2025: Jun-Oct2026: Apr-Oct

From $6,430 - $11,530 /person

Includes port fees

Splendid Salamanca to Historic Porto

The Douro River Valley—an idyllic place to venture off the beaten track. From Spain to Portugal, discover old-world Europe along this enchanting river. Jumbled hillside villages and sun-soaked vineyards. Churches clad in gleaming azulejos. Port wine in Porto and homemade comfort food at local quintas. Be our guest through a landscape that unfolds like a garden-fresh meal where every day is a course.

... Read more

Highlights

  • Behold Porto's colorful history in its splendid plazas, churches and houses adorned with brilliantly tiled façades 
  • Bike amid terraced vineyards along some of the wildest parts of the Douro River valley, which are best accessed by boat
  • Savor the full-bodied reds, crisp whites and luscious aromatic Port of this world-renowned wine region 
  • Connect with the rich history of Portuguese music, including the mournful sounds of fado
  • Read More

See our Active Cruise Terms & Conditions.

Portugal Douro River Cruise Bike Tour map

Spain & Portugal

StartSalamanca, Spain

EndPorto or Lisbon, Portugal

Airports & Travel details*

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

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Itinerary

Shot of verdant hillside grapevines, river running through.

Days 1-2

Description

From Salamanca, a World Heritage site, venture to the sleepy village of Lumbrales • Savor sweeping views as you bike into the Douro Valley and arrive at our ship • Pedal amid a patchwork of pastures, almond orchards and olive groves • Cycle to a fortified hilltop village for epic vistas into Portugal and Spain. 

Accommodations

Nights 1-2

AmaVida
AmaWaterways Ship

This beautiful ship envelops you in timeless elegance, whether you’re soaking up views from the Sun Deck, relaxing with a massage or enjoying fine cuisine alfresco with new friends. (pool) 

View sample deck plans
People saying cheers with glasses of red wine.

Days 3-4

Description

Check out the dazzling tiles in Pinhão, a mecca for wine lovers • Ride through lush forests and the World Heritage Alto Douro region, with showstopping panoramas • A scenic ride brings you to hilltop villages before descending back to the river • Enjoy lunch at a family-run quinta (country estate) accompanied by beautiful views of the riverscape • Visit Lamego, known for its baroque architecture and fine wine. 

Accommodations

Nights 3-4

AmaVida
AmaWaterways Ship

This beautiful ship envelops you in timeless elegance, whether you’re soaking up views from the Sun Deck, relaxing with a massage or enjoying fine cuisine alfresco with new friends. (pool) 

View sample deck plans
Two bikers riding on a road along the Douro River.

Days 5-6

Description

Ride along the Douro with a lovely backdrop of wine estates, perhaps catching a glimpse of the ship from high above • Admire the countryside from the vantage point of our ship • Bike or cruise the final stretch of the Douro into Porto, where a private guided walking tour awaits • This alluring World Heritage city will charm you with its splendid architecture, winding alleyways and ever-changing views. 

Accommodations

Nights 5-6

AmaVida
AmaWaterways Ship

This beautiful ship envelops you in timeless elegance, whether you’re soaking up views from the Sun Deck, relaxing with a massage or enjoying fine cuisine alfresco with new friends. (pool) 

View sample deck plans
Guests relaxing on ship pool, hills behind them.

Days 7-8

Description

Breathe in fresh ocean air along a bike path that traces the Atlantic coast • Get a feel for local life in the Vila Nova da Gaia neighborhood • Back at our ship, take in superb vistas of Porto from the deck. 

Accommodations

Night 7

AmaVida
AmaWaterways Ship

This beautiful ship envelops you in timeless elegance, whether you’re soaking up views from the Sun Deck, relaxing with a massage or enjoying fine cuisine alfresco with new friends. (pool) 

View sample deck plans

Want to learn more about this trip?

Request a Detailed Itinerary! Complete with descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more, it’s the perfect tool to help you choose. You can easily share it with friends too!

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What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

From $6,430 /person

Includes port fees

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Accommodations

Small Ships, Big Adventures

Our small ships feel more like boutique retreats, offering an experience a world away from the typical large cruise.

Ship may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Nights 1-7

AmaVida
AmaWaterways Ship

This beautiful ship envelops you in timeless elegance, whether you’re soaking up views from the Sun Deck, relaxing with a massage or enjoying fine cuisine alfresco with new friends. (pool) 

View sample deck plans

From $6,430 /person

Includes port fees

View Dates
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Bikes

Choose Your Perfect Bike

Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.

Bike with drop handlebars and a "New" label on the top left
Backroads Next Generation Performance Road Bike

Included in your trip price

  • Ideal for avid cyclists
  • Redesigned for 2024
  • Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
  • Responsive, efficient and comfortable
  • Drop handlebars only
Backroads Touring Bike
Backroads Touring Bike

Included in your trip price

  • Suited for a wide range of cyclists
  • Comfortable ergonomic seat
  • Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
  • Upright handlebars only
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike

Included in your trip price

  • One of the lightest e-bikes available
  • Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
  • Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
  • Upright handlebars only
  • Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours;  learn more

Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

From $6,430 /person

Includes port fees

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Reviewed by 20 customers

Best trip of my life

Submitted June 2025

By Dia G

From San Jose

The countryside through the Douro valley was spectacular. The landscape got prettier and prettier every day. I learned about Portuguese history during the tours. Our leaders were organized, knowledgeable, friendly, and approachable. The staff is available for any questions or concerns you may have.

User submitted media 1 of 5
Eucalyptus soup at DOC. Best dessert I've ever eaten.
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Making fresh bread in Favaios.
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View from our ship.
User submitted media 4 of 5
Gorgeous Douro countryside.
User submitted media 5 of 5
Cafe and Bola de Berlin. Yummmmm.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Nice scenery, great guides! Awesome bike

Submitted May 2025

By Sam

From Douro valley

The food on the ship was good, not great. The meals at outside restaurants were great. I think it's tacky and cheesy to NOT include the hotel the night before when we start at 9am at a hotel. And, the transport to the local airport was NOT included, also super tacky. Portugal scenery was very nice, routes were chosen well for minimal traffic.

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the best guides i have ever had

Submitted September 2024

By john

From Scottsdale, AZ

excellent leaders and support. i felt that they went out of their way to personalize my trip. attended to the many needs with compassion and a smile.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Douro River Valley was dreamy

Submitted May 2024

By LB

From Canandaigua, NY

In true Backroads fashion every detail was perfect and well thought out. The river bought was a nice way to enjoy our week with not having to pack and unpack multiple times. The food was eclxcwllent, the staff were a pleasure and sincerely enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed them. The cycling was wonderful for cyclists and e-bikes I enjoyed learning a lot about Portugal's rich history and kind people, delicious food and wine.

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Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Wow, wow, wow!

Submitted May 2023

By janet

From Vancouver, Canada

We had a fabulous time on this trip which was our 3rd with Backroads. The combination of river cruising and cycling was perfect. We didn't know how spectacular the Douro River Valley was! Our guides were excellent - friendly, knowledgeable, always available and they kept coming up with unexpected surprises that made the trip extra special. We loved not having to pack up our bags and move hotels. The ship was beautiful and we have some great memories of sitting up on the top deck, watching the beautiful river valley go by. Would not hesitate to recommend Backroads and this trip.

User submitted media 1 of 5
Last ride in Porto. Great group!
User submitted media 2 of 5
Porto!
User submitted media 3 of 5
Stunning view of the Douro
User submitted media 4 of 5
Another gorgeous view!
User submitted media 5 of 5
Fun facts about Portugal - on a paper towel roll!🤣

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Beautiful Portugal

Submitted May 2022

By Biker Jean

From Chicago, IL

Our 3rd Backroads trip did not disappoint. We invited first-timers along and they are hooked. For the first part of the trip, you are truly on back roads. The views are spectacular and very little traffic. You bike through a few little towns with granite cobblestone. So picturesque. The second part is spent in Porto, which was a nice change. Highly recommend taking the Backroads bus to Lisbon at the end. Very cosmopolitan city. This is our 2nd Backroads river cruise on AMA. The ship is not stuffy or ornate. Just beautiful and relaxing. The best part is you unpack once! You eat off ship for quite a few lunches and dinners. The lunch spots were a highlight because you are up in the countryside having picnics or eating in village restaurants. This is very hilly until the last ride. Highly recommend e-bike for less serious riders. There is a lot of downhill, also. If you are looking to do more cruising than biking, you have that option, but the ship doesn't travel very far on this itinerary. Props to our amazing, cheerful and extremely knowledgable guides, Kerry, Eduardo, Ori and Manuel. True professionals. Everyone was so happy to be traveling again after covid restrictions. Viver a vida!

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Best yet!

Submitted September 2019

By Jeffrey

From Colorado

This was our 9th or 10th Backroads trip and 3rd on an AMA river cruise (previously on the Danube and Rhine). Really addicted to the concept of only unpacking once. Allows for more free time and less need to attend to personal logistics. This boat was smaller than the others and Backroads group bigger. However, VERY well supported with 3 leaders, 3 vans and 3 support staff (co-leaders). A few flat tires, mechanical bike issues and one more serious mishap all handled expertly. Smaller boat felt more intimate but just as luxurious. Terrific boat staff just as on others. Also compared to prior cruises, boat did not move at night and therefore we spent more dinners off boat which was great way to see more of Portugal. Historic tours and lunches at vineyards superb. Biking was spectacular and perfect in length , for the most part on well maintained roads with very little traffic. E-bikes allow for all guests to ride at their own preferred pace. For us, perfect combination of exercise, food, camaraderie, laughs, culture, history and luxury.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Outstanding.

Submitted September 2019

By david

From Toronto, Canada

The Douro, the ship, the cycling, the guiding, the choice of restaurants for lunches and dinners all combined for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This was not an inexpensive holiday, but I thought it was great value for money.

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Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Fantastic bike trip!

Submitted June 2019

By Rick

From WI

This was some of the most spectacular biking I have ever done! The accommodations on the boat were superb. The food everywhere was great!

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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Duoro - do it!

Submitted June 2019

By Tom Carter Dee

From Iowa

This is an amazing trip From the knowledgeable leaders to the accommodations and the food - and don't forget the incredible scenery, this is a trip NOT to be missed.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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From $6,430 /person

Includes port fees

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Note: Your stateroom will be assigned based on availability. Please contact us if you are interested in booking multiple Stateroom Categories for your party, selecting a specific stateroom, or Single Supplement pricing.

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Want to learn more about this trip?

Request a Detailed Itinerary! Complete with descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more, it’s the perfect tool to help you choose. You can easily share it with friends too!

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From $6,430 /person

Includes port fees

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