Hiking & Biking Tours in Portugal's Douro Valley

Macs offers active self-guided tours in the Douro Valley 10 months out of the year:

Fall in the Douro Valley
September and October hit the sweet spot—cooler temps, golden vineyards and of course - wine harvest 'Crush' season. A perfect time for hikes or cycles brimming with autumn hues and chances to explore the area's rich wine history and heritage. September and October are very popular in the Douro, so book early! November starts to slow down and becomes more peaceful.

Winter in the Douro Valley
This is the quietest season in the Douro, a brilliant escape from the crowds of late Spring and harvest season.  You'll enjoy peaceful hikes or cycles, and have plenty of time to enjoy the warm hospitality of local hosts and vintners. We can book Douro tours all winter long, from late November through March- making it a perfect off season or holiday adventure.

Spring in the Douro Valley
Mild weather, verdant hillsides, and fewer crowds make spring ideal.  In early March the trees in the almond groves start to blossom with delicate white flowers, and the first of the valley's wildflowers and cherry blossoms start to bloom. May is a very popular travel month for Portugal so make sure to book ahead!

Summer in the Douro Valley
June is the best summer month to enjoy the Douro Valley, as otherwise the temperatures are too high and the hot weather makes walking and biking uncomfortable.  For this reason, July and August are not possible for travel in the Douro with Macs.

It’s easy to fall in love with Portugal's UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Douro Valley:

At Macs Adventure, we’ve been creating unforgettable self-guided hiking vacations in the Douro Valley since 2008. Here’s why thousands of travelers choose us for Douro Valley hiking and biking tours:

• The Biggest Choice – We offer 3 self-guided adventures in the Douro Valley, from an indulgent In Style Douro Valley luxury tour, to an authentic hiking tour that takes you from Porto to the Douro, and the chance to see the Douro Valley by bike.
• Authentic Experiences – Discover the quieter side of Portugal in the Douro Valley at your own pace, engaging with friendly locals and avoiding the crowds.
• Hassle-Free Travel – We handle all route planning, accommodations, luggage transfers, and provide a GPS-powered app with turn-by-turn directions.

Get in touch with our specialists to ask questions and be connected with your perfect adventure!

Home to some of Europe's best wines, port, cinnamon-topped custard tarts (pastel de nata), and a passion for pork and seafood the Portuguese are certainly passionate about their cuisine. Portugal has it all, from Michelin Star restaurants to casual rooftop tapas bars, so make sure to seek recommendations from your hosts on the best local options.  

Wine

In the Douro, you'll find several varietals being produced- including of course the Port which gives Porto its name.  However the Douro also produces Portugal's unique vinho verde (green wine) is a young, fresh and incredibly quaff-able variety of wine with a low alcohol content, making it the perfect lunchtime drink. Its cold, fresh nature helps cut through the heat at this time of day - so there's no excuse not to indulge!
Additionally, there are several outstanding wine-producing regions in Portugal, and while it is always good to drink local, it's well worth investigating big reds from Douro (Europe's oldest demarcated wine-producing region) and Portugal's central Alentejo region. 

Port 

It would be remiss to talk about wine and not mention port - Portugal’s most famous export. Port is a fortified wine, grown mainly in the Douro Valley and comes in a range of expressions, far more than appear on shop shelves outside of Portugal. Take recommendations from your local bartender as to which ports to sample, it can lead to a wonderful night!

Pastéis de Nata

These delightful little pastry cups filled with creamy custard and topped with cinnamon are said to have been created by monks and nuns. The story goes that they had leftover egg yolks from starching their habits so whipped them up with sugar to create something very like the custard tarts that you'll find across the country today. The Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém, the most well-known pastry shop in Portugal is reputed to have bought the original recipe from the inhabitants of the nearby Mosteiro dos Jerónimos monastery who sold it for income to delay the monastery's closure after the liberal revolution of 1820. Most days you will this Lisbon pastry shop queued out but many others sell the same delicious pastries. 

Francesinha

This is a sandwich like no other. It’s layered with ham, sausage, and steak, covered in melted cheese, and drowned in a rich, spiced tomato and beer sauce. 

Click here to learn more about food & wine in Portugal.