Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley
10 nights
S.S. São Gabriel
18 Oct '26Cruise overview
Following the Douro River through Portugal and into Spain, you’ll cruise past steeply terraced hillsides, quaint villages and acres of ripe vineyards. Enjoy private tastings of Port and explore Porto’s historic Ribeira district, home to iconic rabelo boats, cutting-edge cuisine and a thriving art scene. Wind your way through the dramatic landscapes of the UNESCO-designated Douro Valley, heading ashore to visit charming quintas and meet the winemakers who operate them. See the famous university of Salamanca, Spain, and visit the mountaintop village of Castelo Rodrigo.
Your journey ends in Lisbon, the city that launched some of the world’s most renowned explorers. There’s no better way to discover Europe’s best-kept secret than this scenic and all-inclusive river cruise!
Uniworld also offers an 8-day cruise-only version of this itinerary. Click here for more information.
Itinerary
Porto
Arrive in Porto, the port city at the mouth of the Douro.
Lively, commercial Oporto is the second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. Also called Porto for short, the word easily brings to mind the city’s most famous product – port wine. Oporto’s strategic location on the north bank of the Douro River has accounted for the town’s importance since ancient times. The Romans built a fort here where their trading route crossed the Douro, and the Moors brought their own culture to the area. Oporto profited from provisioning crusaders en route to the Holy Land and enjoyed the riches from Portuguese maritime discoveries during the 15th and 16th centuries. Later, port wine trade with Britain compensated for the loss of the spice trade and the end of gold and gem shipments from Brazil. In the 19th century, the city went through a period of new prosperity with the rise of industries. In its wake followed the building of workers’ quarters and opulent residences. Since the declaration of Oporto as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the city aims to build up a cultural reference that will provide it with a new image, based on deep historical roots. Among the attractions that make Oporto such an interesting place are its graceful bridges spanning the Douro River, a picturesque riverfront quarter and, most notable, its world-famous port wine lodges. Although Oporto is a bustling centre and home to many different businesses, the source of its greatest fame is the rich, sweet fortified red wine we know as port.
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Porto
Régua
Pocinho
Salamanca
Pinhão
Porto
Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon
Grand Suite
- Grand Suite (307 sq ft – 28.5 sq m).
- Note that amenities may differ from those of a Uniworld company-owned ship.
Amenities
- Double
- Shower
- TV
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
- Lounge Area
- Toiletries Provided
- Butler Service
- Coffee Machine
- Suite Benefits
- Free Mini Bar
- Media/Entertainment Station
- Air Conditioning
Ship features
S.S. São Gabriel blends Portuguese character with Uniworld’s all-inclusive luxury, creating a refined haven for Douro exploration.
- Purpose-built Super Ship for the Douro River
- Entire suite deck with butler service
- Three dining venues showcasing Portuguese flavours and Douro wines
- Elegant lounge and panoramic bar for relaxed evenings
- Sun deck with pool and shaded seating
- Compact gym and tranquil spa treatment room
- Curated excursions to historic towns and family-run quintas
- All-inclusive dining, premium drinks and gratuities
- Engaging enrichment: wine tastings, local music and culinary demos
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
