Portugal's River of Gold

Viking Cruises has been around since 1997 and since then has often come out on top as the most preferred cruise line by travelers. Known for their culturally immersive travel experiences and world-renowned food, you cannot go wrong sailing with Viking.

The view from the river

We started our journey in the capital city of Lisbon with a stay at the Corinthia Hotel. Lisbon is a vibrant city full of art, culture, food, and wine. We took a personal tour of the Museu Nacional do Azulejo, the National Tile Museum, which is something I would highly recommend but that can often only be toured with a tour guide. Portugal is known for its tilework found all throughout the country and the museum allows you to learn its history. Another great way to see the city is on a tuk-tuk tour. Our driver was a local who showed us all Lisbon has to offer. After a quick stay in Lisbon, we were ready to hop on our ship and set sail!

Lisbon Tile Museum

Before reaching Porto, we stopped for a tour and lunch in one of Portugal’s oldest cities, Coimbra. The historic University of Coimbra was formed in the 1200s and is still educating students today. After a delicious lunch in town, we were chauffeured to our ship, the Viking Gyda, and welcomed with a classic port cocktail to say cheers as we began our journey.

Coimbra University

Over the first few days, we sailed down the river, stopping in ports like Regua, Pinhao, and Barca d’Alva. Each morning, we eagerly joined in on excursions to historic landmarks like the Mateus Palace and Castelo Rodrigo. Afternoons were spent sailing down the breathtaking Douro River and sipping a glass of port wine while we experienced the beauty the country has to offer. The Douro River is also known for its locks that allow boats to navigate the river, and this is just something that you have to experience for yourself, as the ship is lifted up or down with water level changes ranging from 14 to 35 kilometers.

Mateus Palace and Gardens

The second half of the trip back up river brought stops in Favaios—for the famous four corners bread—and Lamego, with 686 steps from the historic chapel down to the city. We ended our journey by docking in Porto, a city that I truly fell in love with and cannot wait to visit again. A walking tour of Porto allows you to really take in all the city has to offer while giving you stunning views of the river below. We ended our time here with a tour of Calem Wine House, learning the history of port wine and toasting to an amazing adventure.

Favaios Bakery, home to the famous Four Corners Bread

Lamego from above

Calem port wine

This Viking itinerary is aptly named the "River of Gold" because we truly felt like we found gold on our journey. From the kindest ship staff, to the welcoming locals, to the divine food and beverages, Portugal has so much to offer.

Quinta da Avessada

If you want to see all Portugal has to offer but only want to unpack once, a river cruise is absolutely the way to go. While many cruises sail the river, I cannot say enough good things about Viking. The staff worked hard to learn our names, make us feel at home, and be ready for every need. The chefs on board are top-notch and create dishes from local sources while the bar manager pairs each meal with local wines and beers. The director ends each night with local entertainment, whether it be a local band, flamenco dancers, or a history lesson on the region. Kick back, relax, and learn something new every day.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Portugal page.