📷 Photo by Matheus Oliveira on UnsplashThe Douro Valley and the N222
From Porto to the terraced port vineyards of the upper Douro, with Baroque stairways, riverside roads and Stone Age art in the Côa valley.
- Distance
- 185 km (115 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 33 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Portugal
- Updated
- August 11, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 185 km (115 mi) with 9 stops, from Porto to Côa Valley rock art. About 2 h 33 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Portugal · More road trips from Porto
Route description
Leave Porto east on the A4 to Amarante, where a granite bridge and a convent church stand over the Tâmega; try the local egg-based pastries. Then cross the Marão hills to Lamego, where a Baroque stairway of tiles and fountains climbs to the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios sanctuary.
Drop to the river at Peso da Régua, the main town of the port wine region, and drive up to the São Leonardo de Galafura viewpoint for the first great view of the terraced valley. Then take the N222 east along the south bank to Pinhão, often called one of the most beautiful roads in the world, with vineyards falling to the river on both sides.
In Pinhão the railway station is decorated with blue-and-white tiles showing the harvest. Wine estates all around offer tastings, most by appointment. Drive up the narrow road to Casal de Loivos for the view over the bend of the river, which is best in the late afternoon.
Continue east into the drier upper Douro to Vila Nova de Foz Côa, where the Côa museum introduces thousands of Palaeolithic rock engravings; guided tours to the sites must be booked in advance. The harvest in September and early October is the most atmospheric time; summer is very hot. The river roads are narrow in places, but fine for motorhomes driven carefully.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Porto
Portugal - 260 km
Amarante
Portugal - 337 km
Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
HistoryLamego, PortugalA Baroque pilgrimage church at the top of a grand zigzag stairway of about 600 steps, lined with blue-and-white tiles. You can drive to the top and walk down instead.
- 410 km
Peso da Régua
Portugal - 57 km
Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura
ViewsPeso da Régua, PortugalA viewpoint over the terraced vineyards of the Douro valley.
- 622 km
Pinhão
Portugal - 72 km
Miradouro de Casal de Loivos
ViewsCasal de Loivos, PortugalA viewpoint high above Pinhão looking straight down on a great bend of the Douro and its terraced port vineyards. The narrow road up from Pinhão is fine for cars; long motorhomes should park below.
- 845 km
Vila Nova de Foz Côa
Portugal - 93 km
Côa Valley rock art
HistoryVila Nova de Foz Côa, PortugalThousands of Palaeolithic engravings of horses, aurochs and ibex along the Côa river, a World Heritage Site. Start at the museum above the valley; the open-air sites are visited on guided tours that must be booked.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Porto → Amarante · 60 km · 0 h 50 minOvernight nearby, for example: Amarante Camping (1 km); Parque de Campismo de Mondim de Basto (18 km).
- Day 2: Amarante → Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios · 37 km · 0 h 30 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Lamego (< 1 km); Parque de Campismo do Monte de São Domingos (7 km).
- Day 3: Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios → Miradouro de Casal de Loivos · 41 km · 0 h 34 minOn the way: Peso da Régua, Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura, Pinhão.Overnight nearby, for example: Quinta da Padrela (9 km); Parque de Campismo NaturWaterPark (12 km).
- Day 4: Miradouro de Casal de Loivos → Côa Valley rock art · 48 km · 0 h 39 minOn the way: Vila Nova de Foz Côa.Overnight nearby, for example: Área de Autocaravanas Jean Pierre Rossi e Alberto Brochado Texeira (9 km); Área de Serviço para Autocaravanas de Torre de Moncorvo (13 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–April and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Portugal: Electronic tolls by number plate. Some motorways only have electronic tolls; register your plate or rent a transponder. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is The Douro Valley and the N222?
4-day road trip of about 185 km (115 mi) with 9 stops, from Porto to Côa Valley rock art. About 2 h 33 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for The Douro Valley and the N222?
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 33 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does The Douro Valley and the N222 start and end?
It starts in Porto and ends in Côa Valley rock art.
Which countries does The Douro Valley and the N222 pass through?
Portugal.
Where can you camp along The Douro Valley and the N222?
OpenStreetMap lists 33 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Parque de Campismo de Salgueiros, Istas Garden and Amarante Camping.
When is the best time for The Douro Valley and the N222?
The most pleasant months are usually May–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–April and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
