The Douro Valley’s open water swimming tour offers a unique way to explore Portugal’s renowned wine region. Participants can enjoy the serene waters of the Douro River, surrounded by the area’s iconic terraced vineyards and charming villages. With essential amenities like accident insurance and local guides, the tour provides a hassle-free experience. Beyond the swim, visitors can indulge in regional cuisine and sample the renowned local wines. This captivating tour not only allows you to soak in the stunning Douro Valley scenery but also provides a refreshing take on traditional wine tasting.
Key Points
- The open water swimming tour in the Douro Valley offers a unique experience of swimming through the region’s vineyards and enjoying local cuisine and wine.
- The tour includes personal accident insurance, an experienced local guide, and transportation from Porto to the starting point in Pinhão.
- Swimmers will have the opportunity to explore the Douro Valley’s stunning landscapes, including terraced vineyards, the Douro River, and picturesque villages, from a unique perspective.
- The water temperature is around 23°C, and the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers.
- The tour has a ‘reserve now & pay later’ option, free cancellation up to 24 hours before, and no upfront payment required, providing flexibility for travelers.
It's also worth checking out some other tours and experiences nearby.
Overview of the Tour
This open water swimming tour in the Douro Valley, Portugal, typically costs from £155.69 per person and lasts for 10 hours. The tour includes personal accident insurance, an experienced local guide, a swim buoy, photos and videos, a swim cap, and hotel pickup and drop-off. However, the tour isn’t suitable for non-swimmers.
The tour begins with a 1.5-hour journey from Porto to Pinhão, followed by a 50-minute train ride through the stunning Douro Valley.
The main activity is swimming through the vineyards to a wine farm, where participants can savor typical Portuguese cuisine and wines.
The return journey includes a boat ride and train trip back to Pinhão, followed by a drop-off at the hotel in Porto.
Included in the Package
The tour package includes personal accident insurance, providing participants with peace of mind during their swimming adventure. An experienced local guide leads the group, ensuring a safe and informative experience. A swim buoy is provided for each swimmer, aiding in visibility and safety during the open water segments. Photographers capture the stunning scenery and memorable moments, delivering digital photos and videos to participants as part of the package.
| Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Insurance | Personal accident insurance |
| Guide | Experienced local guide |
| Equipment | Swim buoy |
| Multimedia | Digital photos and videos |
The tour also includes hotel pickup and drop-off, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.
Itinerary Breakdown
The tour kicks off with a pickup from your hotel in Porto, followed by a 1.5-hour journey to Pinhão.
From there, you’ll embark on a 50-minute train ride through the breathtaking Douro Valley.
The main event begins as you swim through the vineyards to a local wine farm, where you’ll:
- Savor a regional lunch made in the ancestral way.
- Enjoy the farm’s selection of wines.
Take a boat and train back to Pinhão.
Get dropped off at your hotel in Porto.
This one-of-a-kind experience allows you to learn about the stunning Douro Valley landscape while indulging in the area’s renowned cuisine and wines.
Swimming Through Vineyards
As the centerpiece of the tour, swimmers glide through the cool, calm waters of the Douro Valley, surrounded by the lush, rolling vineyards that cover the landscape.
The water temperature hovers around a comfortable 23°C, making for a refreshing and rejuvenating experience.
Guided by experienced local experts, participants have the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the region, swimming past rows of grapevines and taking in the stunning views of the Douro Valley.
This unique activity offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the heart of Portugal’s wine country from a truly unique perspective, creating lasting memories for all who participate.
Typical Portuguese Cuisine
Visitors to the Douro Valley can savor the region’s typical Portuguese cuisine, which is prepared in the ancestral way using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
The regional lunch at the wine farm includes:
- Caldo verde, a traditional Portuguese kale and potato soup.
- Bacalhau à brás, a dish made with salted cod, eggs, and potatoes.
- Piri-piri chicken, a grilled chicken dish seasoned with a spicy piri-piri sauce.
- Pastel de nata, the iconic Portuguese custard tart, for dessert.
These dishes showcase the vibrant flavors and rich culinary heritage of the Douro Valley, complementing the stunning natural beauty and world-class wines that draw visitors to this picturesque region of Portugal.
Stunning Douro Valley Views
During the open water swimming tour, participants marvel at the stunning vistas of the Douro Valley’s iconic terraced vineyards, which cascade down the steep hillsides along the meandering river. As they glide through the calm waters, swimmers are treated to panoramic views of the lush, rolling landscape, with its picturesque villages, historic quintas, and ancient port wine cellars dotting the shoreline. The region’s unique microclimate and schist soil create the perfect conditions for the cultivation of world-renowned port and Douro wines, which swimmers can savor after their invigorating swim.
| View | Description |
|---|---|
| Vineyards | Terraced vineyards cascading down steep hillsides |
| River | Meandering Douro River cutting through the valley |
| Villages | Picturesque villages along the riverbank |
| Quintas | Historic wine estates and port wine cellars |
Booking and Cancellation Policy
Travelers can reserve their spot for the open water swimming tour in the Douro Valley through a ‘reserve now & pay later’ option.
Participants also benefit from a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the scheduled start of the tour.
This flexible booking process allows customers to secure their place without having to pay upfront, and provides the freedom to change plans if needed.
The key booking and cancellation details include:
- ‘Reserve now & pay later’ option to book the tour.
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours prior to the tour.
- No upfront payment required to confirm the reservation.
- Hassle-free flexibility to adjust travel plans if necessary.
Key Highlights
The alluring combination of swimming through lush vineyards and savoring regional cuisine and wines captivates visitors to the Douro Valley open water swimming tour.
The stunning views of the Douro Valley provide a breathtaking backdrop as swimmers glide through the cool, 23°C waters.
The highlight of the tour is the unique experience of swimming amidst the iconic vineyards that line the river banks.
Participants can also look forward to indulging in a regional lunch featuring traditional Portuguese dishes and sampling the renowned local wines at a charming wine farm along the way.
This immersive tour offers an unforgettable opportunity to take in the natural beauty and culinary delights of the Douro Valley.
Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we think you'll like.
- Lisbon: Private Half-Day Tuk Tuk Tour
- Fatima and Coimbra Private Tour With Private Guide and Driver
- Coimbra Christmas Magic: A Festive Family Exploration
- From Lisbon: Algarve, Benagil Sea Cave & Lagos Full-Day Tour
- Lisbon: Porto Transfer With Obidos, Nazare, and Aveiro
- 4h Sailing, Swimming and Sunbathing! Private Boat Tour!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Safety Precautions Are Taken During the Swim?
The tour provides swimmers with personal accident insurance, a swim buoy, and an experienced local guide to ensure their safety during the open water swim. Non-swimmers are not permitted to participate for their own protection.
Can the Tour Be Customized to Individual Fitness Levels?
The tour can be customized to accommodate a range of fitness levels. The experienced local guides assess swimmers’ abilities beforehand and tailor the route and pacing accordingly. Participants of diverse swimming skills can enjoy the scenic swim through the vineyards.
Are There Any Age or Physical Ability Restrictions?
The tour has no age or physical ability restrictions, though it’s not suitable for non-swimmers. The swimming portion can be tailored to individual fitness levels to accommodate a range of abilities.
Can Non-Swimmers Join the Tour in a Different Capacity?
No, the open water swimming tour is not suitable for non-swimmers. They cannot join the tour in a different capacity since the core activity is swimming through the vineyards, which requires swimming ability.
What Should Participants Bring or Wear for the Swim?
Participants should wear a swimsuit, bring a towel, and wear water shoes or sandals. The tour provider supplies a swim buoy, swim cap, and personal accident insurance for the open water swimming portion of the activity.
Not for you? Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby
- Private Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré and Óbidos Tour
- Sintra Private Tour
- Porto: Shared Douro River Sunset Cruise With Welcome Drink
- Walk & Picnic Peneda-Gerês National Park – Guided
- Porto: Grahams Port Lodge Tour & Vintage Room Wine Tasting
- Madeira by Night With Traditional Dinner
- Lisbon: Port Wine Tasting at Taylor’s Shop and Tasting Room
- Private Transfer to and From Lisbon City Hotels
- Porto: 18-Hole Indoor Mini Golf Ticket With UV Light Courses
- Cascais 3.5-Hour Rock Climbing Experience
- Sintra E-Car Self Guided Tour
- Pinhao: Douro River Solar Boat Tour – Wine Tasting Included
- Olhão: Beautiful Route 2H
- Funchal: Food and Wine Walking Tour
- From Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace, Regaleira, Guided Day Tour
Recap
The Douro Valley: Open Water Swimming Tour offers a unique and memorable way to explore the stunning wine region.
Participants can swim through the calm waters of the Douro River, surrounded by picturesque vineyards and villages.
The tour includes essential amenities, regional cuisine, and wine tasting, ensuring a hassle-free and immersive experience.
It’s an opportunity to discover the Douro Valley from a refreshing perspective.
