The Alvão Nature Reserve is 8 km/5 miles away and is unmissable. Its uniqueness derives from the stunning landscape and also because locals still survive mainly with organic subsistence farming, rearing maronesa cows and mountain goats. It is a perfect place in the heat of summer to enjoy a picnic by the crystal-clear water babbling in granite pools. For our picnic suggestions, take a look at our menu.

We recommend that you follow Ford’s advice and discover the N.304, one of Europe’s best driving roads.

For more information about the nature reserve, please click here.

The Douro Valley, a Unesco World Heritage site, is the heart of the Douro Demarcated Wine Region. Its 250,000 hectares/617,000 acres produce 16 million litres of wine every year, half of which is Port.

Vila Real is located within the UNESCO protected area, 20 km/12 miles from Régua (15 min by car) and 35 km/22 miles from Pinhão (40 min by car). We recommend a rabelo boat ride, going up the Douro river from Pinhão to the Tua river estuary. In our Must Do Douro guide, you’ll find several options to
explore this area and a loop tour to explore the Douro.

The road from Pinhão to Régua runs alongside the Douro river and was considered the world’s best driving road by AVIS in 2015 (Dangerous Roads, Daily Mail)

More information in the Douro Valley website.