Portugal is well known for its wine tradition and the excellent quality of its wines, which have won numerous awards and distinctions in international competitions. To fully appreciate and understand the wines, visiting the regions where they are produced is a must.

The Douro and Alentejo regions are the most popular destinations for wine tourism, but there are wine production units open to visitors all over the country, including the Algarve. Staying overnight in the regions allows visitors to explore the vineyards, wineries and taste the wines while also discovering the surrounding area.

The Alto Douro Wine Region, established in 1756, is famous for producing Port wine that is intended for export. The region has a centuries-old tradition of welcoming visitors and sharing the best it has to offer, including the stunning scenery of the Douro valley, where terraces were built to plant vines on the region’s rugged slopes.

The landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to many traditional wine farms. Visitors can reach the region from Porto, where the Port Wine Lodges are located and discover the region by cruising on a ship visiting the most iconic sites related to the production of fine wines from the Douro and Porto.

The north of Portugal is the birthplace of vinho verde and is home to many palaces and manor houses displaying their coats of arms. This region boasts a rich aristocratic tradition of hospitality and visitors can stay in many of these houses and farms for wine tastings and other experiences such as visiting heritage sites. The region also has several historical cities such as Braga, Guimarães, Viana do Castelo, and many others on the coast and inland, some of which are located on the banks of rivers adding to the freshness and beauty of the area.
The central region of Portugal is home to historic cities like Viseu, Coimbra – recently included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and Aveiro on the coast, as well as charming places like Buçaco with its century-old spa. The region also boasts excellent wine tourism units, some of which are owned by old Portuguese wineries but have kept up with current trends in wine production and use modern methods. These establishments are well-equipped and take advantage of their ancient historical legacy, sometimes even including small museums.

The Alentejo region is a fertile area for wine tourism, home to several leading national producers and considered the best wine region in the world to visit in 2014 by readers of the prestigious American newspaper USA Today. The wine producing quintas (farms) and herdades (estates) are located in a landscape of vast horizons, renowned for their hospitality and cuisine.

The city of Évora, another UNESCO World Heritage city, is located in the heart of the region, and visitors can participate in the grape harvest and observe the different stages of wine-making. Another highlight in the region is Reguengos de Monsaraz, which in 2015 was the European city of the wine and offers many initiatives including astronomical observations with wine tasting, grape harvesting to create a commemorative wine, themed events, and food and wine dinners.

On the other side of the Atlantic, the Madeira wine has gained fame and prestige worldwide, a real “treasure” that was already appreciated by kings, princes, generals, and explorers in the 18th century. The grape varieties used for Madeira wine include Sercial, Boal, Verdelho, and Malvasia, among others. The island of Madeira is a unique destination to visit and taste the wine, with its subtropical climate, the volcanic landscapes and the Atlantic Ocean.