Peso da Régua Guide Douro Valley

Régua Guide

Wine terraces on the Douro, Peso da Régua. — The wine terraces on the hillsides of the Douro, Peso da Régua

Peso da Régua: Douro Region

Peso da Régua, (more commonly just Régua) in the Douro region of north east Portugal, is located on the River Douro. The town has been a center of the port wine industry for centuries.

The pleasant town has a population of around 10,000 inhabitants. It is the main gateway to the wine-producing Alto Douro region.

Peso da Régua bridges over the River Douro. — Bridges over the River Douro, Peso da Régua

The Romans were present in the area and the steep hillsides of the Douro Valley have been tended for hundreds of years.

The Marquis de Pombal was responsible for the town's fortunes as a wine center. He designated the Douro Valley, its vineyards and wine, as a quality brand for export. This led to the formation of the Companhia Geral das Vinhas do Alto Douro which regulates the wine trade.

The town prospered further which the opening of the Linha do Douro railway in the late 19th century. The line connects Régua to Porto and the wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia.

Traditionally the wine barrels were taken downstream on the flat-bottomed cargo boats known as rabelo. These traditional craft can still be seen on the river in the center of town. They have become a tourist attraction though visitors are more likely to sail the Douro on a giant cruise ship or the smaller craft that offer short, 1-hour tours of the river.

Visitors interested in finding out more about the area's connection with wine should visit the interesting Museu do Douro. The museum is located in a spacious, former wine warehouse on the riverfront. It once belonged to the aforementioned Companhia Geral das Vinhas do Alto Douro.

Inside are exhibits on the local people, geography, climate and history of the Douro region. The museum shop stocks a large collection of local ports.

For wine enthusiasts, the Tourist Office (turismo) can also provide information on visits to local quintas (vineyards).

If the weather is fair, however, try to get out on the water on a cruise either up and down the river close to town or further upstream to the small villages of Pinhão and Tua.

Bottles of port wine produced in the area. — Bottles of port wine produced in the area on display at the Museu do Douro

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

On board a small cruiser on the River Douro, Peso da Régua, Portugal. — On board a small cruiser on the River Douro, Peso da Régua

A tourist train runs around town and is another fun way to take in the impressive countryside and tranquility of the place.

Another popular activity is to ride the steam train that goes further up the Linha do Douro to Pinhão. It is also possible to travel on the diesel locomotive to the terminus of the line at Pocinho.

The town has a couple of small churches. These are the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Peso da Régua and the Igreja Matriz de Peso da Régua.

Tourist Train, Peso da Régua, Portugal. — Tourist Train, Peso da Régua

Régua Station on the Douro Line. — Steam locomotive at Régua Station

Peso da Régua Tourist Office

Peso da Régua Tourist Office
Rua da Ferrerinha
Tel. 254 312 846
Hours: 9 am-12.30 pm; 2 pm-5.30 pm.

Train from Porto at Peso da Régua Railway Station

Getting to Peso da Régua

Train Travel in Portugal

Trains leave São Bento and Estação de Campanhã in Porto for Peso da Régua at various times during the day. Regional, InterRegional and Servico Urbano (local) trains run on the line.

There is a departure from São Bento to Régua and Pocinho at 9.10 am. The train arrives in Régua at 11.09 am and in Pocinho at 12.36 pm. Trains depart from Campanhã Station for Régua and Pocinho at 1.14 pm and 5.15 pm.

Many services from Porto only go as far as Régua. The most scenic part of the journey along the banks of the Douro from Régua via Pinhão to Pocinho runs five times a day.

Car Travel in Portugal

Vila Real is 30 km north of Régua on the A24. Amarante is 40 km north west on the N101.

Bus Travel in Portugal

Transdev's Citiexpress has limited (not daily) services from Vila Real to Régua (25 minutes), Lamego (45 minutes), Viseu (90 minutes), Guarda (2 hours, 30 minutes) and Covilhã (3 hours, 15 minutes).

The same company operates daily buses to Lisbon from Régua. The journey time is 5 hours and 20 minutes. The buses call at Lamego, Castro Daire, Viseu, Coimbra, Fatima and Lisbon.

See the timetables here.