120km (75 miles) E of Porto; 360km (225 miles) N of Lisbon

Peso da Régua, or simply Régua, is the main river port in the wine region, the place where raw wine used to be floated down stream in sailing boats to be turned into port. It is still a busy transport hub today, with bridges spanning the Douro. Despite a dramatic location and riverside promenades, it's not the prettiest town, but it is the center of the wine trade with a fine museum, some excellent restaurants, and wineries galore in the hills around.

ARRIVING

BY TRAIN—The trip along the Douro-hugging railroad from Porto is a treat. It lasts just less than two hours and costs 9.60€. Eight daily direct trains from Porto's Campanhã station. Four more are slightly longer and slightly cheaper, involving a change in Caide before the line dips down towards the river.

BY BOAT—Régua is major stop for river cruises, with many lines starting, ending or stopping off here.

BY BUS—Rodonorte (www.rodonorte.pt., tel. 259 340 710) has four daily buses from Porto, with a change in Vila Real. It costs 10€ and the trip lasts 2 1/2 hrs.


BY CAR—It's 3 1/2 hrs from Lisbon. Take the A1 north to Coimbra,  turn onto the IP3,  then the A24 in Viseu. From Porto it's 1hr 15mins along the  A4 east to Vila Real, then south on the A24.

VISITOR INFORMATION

The tourist office is at Rua da Ferreirinha, (tel. 254 312 846), open Mon–Sat: 9am–12:30pm, 2–8pm.