What route do river cruises take after leaving Lisbon?

Your journey starts in Lisbon and heads north to Porto, with a stop in the university town of Coimbra. Once you reach Porto, your ship will cruise up the Douro River, visiting charming towns like Régua, Pinhão, and Vega de Terrón near the Spanish border. You'll get to explore Lamego's beautiful cathedral, taste wines at local vineyards, and take a day trip to Salamanca in Spain. One traveler who took a Viking cruise told us, "The journey from Lisbon to Porto gave us a perfect mix of coastal and river scenery, with each stop more beautiful than the last."

How long do river cruises from Lisbon usually last?

Most trips run between 11 and 14 days. You'll spend about 3 nights in Lisbon before cruising the Douro River for 7-10 nights. Scenic and Emerald offer longer 14-day trips, while Travel Marvel has an 11-day option. In Lisbon, you'll likely stay at either the Hotel Mundial or InterContinental before boarding your ship.

What's the weather like on Lisbon river cruises?

Lisbon stays pretty mild all year, with temperatures from 50°F to 85°F (10°C to 29°C). Once you get to the Douro Valley, it gets warmer, especially in summer when it can hit 95°F (35°C). Many travelers find spring (April-May) or fall (September-October) ideal, with nice temperatures and little rain. As one traveler on an APT cruise told us: "We went in September and had perfect weather - warm enough for the deck but cool enough for excursions."

What will I see during my time in Lisbon?

Your time in Lisbon includes visits to the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, São Jorge Castle, and the Monument to the Discoveries. You'll take guided walks through the city's oldest neighborhoods, Baixa and Chiado. Many travelers really enjoy the side trip to Sintra to see the colorful Pena Palace. The walking tours through Lisbon's historic areas are often mentioned as trip highlights.

When should I book my Lisbon river cruise?

Try to book 8-12 months before you want to travel, especially if you're planning to go during busy season (April-October). September and October are particularly popular because of the grape harvest in the Douro Valley. One traveler who went with Emerald Cruises shared this advice: "We booked 10 months ahead and were glad we did, as our preferred cabin category and dates were already filling up quickly."

Which stops along the Douro River are most interesting?

After Porto, you'll visit Régua, famous for its port wine, and Pinhão with its hillside vineyards. The cruise continues to Vega de Terrón on the Spanish border and Barca d'Alva, the last Portuguese village along the river. Travelers especially love visiting the fancy Mateus Palace, exploring the old village of Castelo Rodrigo, and spending time in Salamanca, Spain, known for its golden-colored buildings.

10 Best River Cruises from Lisbon

10 best River Cruise tour packages from Lisbon

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River Cruise
Unforgettable Douro with Lisbon & Madrid
Duration
17 days
Destinations
Lisbon, Porto, Entre-os-Rios, Peso da Regua,Vega de Terron,Pocinho,Pinhao,Madrid+4 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Scenic Azure
Regions
DouroNorthern Portugal+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
20% Off
From $9,713
US$7,768per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Unforgettable Douro with Lisbon & Porto
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Lisbon, Porto, Entre-os-Rios, Peso da Regua,Vega de Terron,Salamanca,Pocinho,Pinhao,Amarante+5 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Scenic Azure
River
Douro
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
45% Off
From $18,110
US$10,015per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Delightful Douro with Lisbon & Madrid
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, Provesende, Pocinho, Salamanca,Lamego,Mateus,Madrid,Museo del Prado+4 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Scenic Azure
River
Douro
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
41% Off
From $14,955
US$8,760per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Lisbon & Secrets of the Douro (including Peso da Regua)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Lisbon, Porto, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Pocinho,Peso da Regua+1 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
River
Douro
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
18% Off
From $6,186
US$5,095per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Lisbon & Discover the Rivers of France & Portugal
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Portugal Spain France
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
8% Off
From $11,681
US$10,725per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Lisbon to Nice & Discover the Rivers of France & Portugal 2026|2027 - 21 Days
Duration
21 days
Destinations
Portugal Spain France
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
7% Off
From $11,430
US$10,574per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Gems of the Seine & Unforgettable Douro with Lisbon
Duration
24 days
Destinations
Portugal Spain France
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Gem Scenic Azure+1 ship
River
Seine Douro
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
28% Off
From $15,428
US$11,068per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Lisbon to Nice & Discover the Rivers of France & Portugal 2026|2027 - 21 Days
Duration
21 days
Destinations
Portugal Spain France
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
8% Off
From $12,598
US$11,642per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Beautiful Bordeaux & Unforgettable Douro With Lisbon
Duration
24 days
Destinations
Portugal Spain France
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Diamond Scenic Azure+1 ship
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
28% Off
From $15,784
US$11,424per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Unforgettable Douro & Spectacular South of France with Lisbon 2027 - 24 Days (16 destinations)
Duration
24 days
Destinations
Portugal Spain France
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Sapphire Scenic Azure+1 ship
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
29% Off
From $14,838
US$10,478per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Lisbon & Secrets of the Douro
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Salamanca,Pocinho+1 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
6% Off
From $4,993
US$4,702per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro with 3 Nights in Lisbon 2026
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Lisbon, Sintra, Cape Roca, Coimbra, Porto, Matosinhos, Braga,Lamego,Mateus,Douro International Natural Park,Salamanca+4 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Alegria
River
Douro
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
6% Off
From
US$5,667per person
+$231 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Discover Lisbon, Porto and the Douro Valley (port-to-port cruise) (7 destinations)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Lisbon, Coimbra, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Porto Antigo,Guimaraes,Porto+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ships
MS Vasco da Gama MS Amalia Rodrigues+1 ship
Regions
DouroNorthern Portugal+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
6% Off
From
US$2,444per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Pearls of Southern Spain & Portugal 2026 - 11 Days
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Portugal Spain Morocco
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Emerald Sakara
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
50% Off
From $23,190
US$11,595per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Unforgettable Douro with Lisbon
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Lisbon, Porto, Entre-os-Rios, Peso da Regua,Vega de Terron,Pocinho,Pinhao+3 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Scenic Azure
Regions
DouroNorthern Portugal+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
21% Off
From $8,060
US$6,383per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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