Imagine yourself on a historic wooden train with five rustic carriages - reminiscent of the Harry Potter films - that transports you to a world full of magic. You seize the opportunity and embark on the journey. The historic Douro train has this effect: it takes us to a magical world, where time stops, where the fields and nature envelop us in boundless beauty and where the splendour of Portugal is felt to the max.
The famous steam locomotive 0186, the illustrious historic Douro train, is back in operation and you can experience an unforgettable journey along the Douro River, from Régua to Tua, from July to November 2023. Every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday the train whistles its way along the Douro riverside, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Alto Douro Wine Region: World Heritage Site
The Alto Douro Vinhateiro region caught the attention of UNESCO and in 2001, 24,600 hectares of the region were classified as a World Heritage Site. Among the 13 municipalities included in the area is Peso da Régua- exactly the point where the historic Douro train begins its journey.
The Douro region has fabulous landscapes that will be engraved on your memory. Peso da Régua, also known as Régua, is a city in Trás-os-Montes and the birthplace of the famous and much-loved Port wine. After the creation of the Real Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro it became the first demarcated region to distribute wine worldwide.
In Peso da Régua there are several spectacular viewpoints from where you can enjoy the magnificent Serra do Marão, churches and chapels that embrace many believers and the famous Casa do Douro, known for its stained glass windows that tell the story of the wine region.
A journey in fine Douro fashion
When you get on the train you automatically feel the thrill and excitement of an unprecedented journey about to begin. The train starts, the charm of Régua is left behind (but never forgotten) and we continue the journey to the next stop. This journey along the banks of the river marks a mixture of emotions and intensity, in the beautiful fashion of Porto.
Inevitably a land of wines, Pinhão is a parish in the municipality of Alijó in the heart of the Douro Vinhateiro, the oldest Demarcated wine Region of the Douro (of Portugal and the world!) and is famous for the terraced landscape of the Douro vineyards and the farms with many stories to tell.
Pinhão: the first stop
The locomotive refuels at Pinhão station and there you will have the opportunity to admire the tiles that decorate the walls of the station, installed in 1937, and which tell the interesting story of the stages of wine production. Let yourself be absorbed by the power of the green hills that surround you and inhale the pure northern air.
The journey continues on the century old train and the panorama only improves: mountains, plateaus, valleys, small hills... the landscape divides and multiplies in beauty and grandeur when we reach the Tua region. The unique landscapes are due to the particular geography of the area, with quartzite ridges and low-relief plateau areas. It is a naturally beautiful place with little human intervention and great impact.
Discover the flora and fauna of the Tua
Tua is honoured with the Vale do Tua Regional Natural Park which is approximately 25,000 hectares in size and stretches between Vila Real and Bragança. An area with a rich flora and fauna, raw nature that forces the vineyards to take a break and makes the banks of the Douro river wilder.
At Tua station, the historic train -built in 1925 by the German company Henschel & Son- prepares to turn round and begin its return journey at its own pace, and until 29 October this year it promises to continue to make hearts beat with happiness.
Historic Douro train: how much does a journey cost?
Tickets for a trip on the historic Douro train are €49 for adults (€46 if you're in a group) and €25 for children aged 4 to 12. On board this train you not only enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Douro line, a traditional music group will also entertain you, you can taste the sweets of Régua and savour the famous Porto Ferreira, which has been doing justice to good Port wine since 1751.
If travelling by train already had a special taste, the historic Douro train takes the experience to the next level.
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