AlmaDouro was born from a love for the river and the city. We are a small local team, not a big company, and we welcome every guest as if we were inviting friends on board.
Your cruise starts at Douro Marina, near the traditional fishing village of Afurada. As soon as you step onto our classic boat (max. 7 guests), you feel the difference: cosy, relaxed and personal. No crowds, no microphones – just real people, real stories and time to breathe. The cruise lasts around 2 hours and the Port wine tasting is always included, whether you choose a daytime or sunset departure.
We slowly leave the marina and head towards the heart of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. The river opens and the 6 bridges appear one by one: Arrábida, Luís I, Infante, Dona Maria, S. João and Freixo. On the way, you see the Ribeira quarter with its colourful houses, the Port wine cellars, the Serra do Pilar monastery and the light that leads towards the Atlantic.
During the cruise we serve an informal tasting of 4 Port wines, carefully chosen together with Blend.pt, who work with small Douro producers. Each wine is paired with a small local bite that helps you understand the flavours. This is not a technical tasting – it is about enjoying, asking questions, sharing stories and discovering the Douro in a simple, human way.
By day, the city feels alive: fishermen in Afurada, boats crossing the river, clothes drying on the balconies, people waving from the quayside. At sunset, the atmosphere changes completely: the light turns golden, the reflections on the water become warmer and the city slowly lights up. Many guests tell us this is the moment they fall in love with Porto.
Throughout the experience, we are close at hand but never intrusive. We are there to steer the boat safely, to serve the wines, to explain what you are seeing, or simply to give you a quiet moment to take it all in. For us, true luxury is not about having the biggest yacht – it is about care, attention to detail and making you feel genuinely welcome.
On board you will find cosy seating, background music, Wi-Fi, a bathroom and warm blankets for cooler days. You are very welcome to take photos and videos; if you wish, we are happy to help you capture a special memory.
In the end, our goal is simple: that you step off the boat feeling lighter, with a smile on your face and a little piece of the Douro in your heart.
