Whatever country you happen to be holidaying in, you can bet the rivers running through it have played a vital part in the nation’s development, history and character. Rivers irrigate the land and enable farming, bring and take goods and produce, and sometimes act as borders between districts and countries. Now and again they literally cut a city in half.
Portugal, bordering Spain and the Atlantic Ocean, offers excitingly diverse landscapes, everything from towering mountains to endless flat plains, stunning beaches, deep forests and, of course, numerous rivers flowing through the countryside and onwards to the ocean. Several of the country’s biggest rivers originate in Spain, next door, and there are countless other smaller waterways making their way through the landscapes.
In this article we take a look at some of the biggest and best-known rivers in Portugal, each with its own personality. Why? Because basing your Portugal adventure holiday around rivers is as good a way as any to give your experience a laser focus, suggest exciting routes to follow and thrilling sights to see.
The river Tagus
The Tagus is the longest river in the entire Iberian Peninsula. It kicks off in Spain where the Fuente de Garcia tributary flows in, then makes its way through Portugal before ending up near Lisbon and decanting into the Atlantic Ocean. The Tagus has several dams along its route, each worth a visit for the sheer drama, which explains how the river supplies drinking water to so much of central Spain and Portugal. You’ll also see numerous hydroelectric power stations en route, powered by the mighty force of the moving water. At 645 miles long, the Tagus is nothing if not dramatic.
Things to do on the River Tagus
- Book a luxury catamaran sunset and wine cruise, sunset sailing tour, Lisbon sailing tour, group cruise or traditional boats experience
- Relax in the sunshine at the riverside Parque de Tejo
- Walk the boardwalk from the Oceanarium to Vasco da Gama Tower
- Take in the views from the scenic Cais das Colunas
- Stroll the promenade between Comércio Square and Cais do Sodré
- Walk from the Santo Amaro docks to the Belem Tower
- Enjoy the lovely river views from Jardim Anna Sommer
- Follow the rover through the Portuguese districts of Beira Baixa, Alto Alentejo, Ribatejo, and Estremadura, Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Santarém, Lisbon and Abrantes
The River Douro
The Douro River flows from its source in Soria Province to the coast at Porto, the peninsula’s third longest river and forming the border between Portugal and Spain. It features a total of 15 dams along its length, again each one worth a visit for the sheer spectacle and engineering prowess. The entire Douro river valley in Porto is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site and there’s a total of 557 miles of it to explore.
Things to do on the River Douro
- Book a river cruise for spectacular views
- Hire a kayak
- Grab a ticket and ride the scenic train line from Porto to the Douro Valley. There’s an historic old train available on Saturday afternoons through summer, and the beautiful ride, especially nice between Régua and Porcino, follows the river, clinging to the steep sides of the dramatic Douro gorge
- Do a Port Wine day tour
- Explore the national park’s many wonders
- Take a vineyard tour
- Help bring in the olive harvest – a winter holiday treat
- Drive the awesome N222 between Peso de Régua and Pinhão, voted the best driving road in the world by Avis in 2015
- Follow the river through the Portuguese towns and cities of Lamego, Bitetos, Favaios, Mateus, Pinhao, Castelo Rodrigo and Porto itself
The Guadiana River
The Guadiana River is the fourth longest river in the Iberian Peninsula, flowing east to west through Spain then south through Portugal along the border. Most of the river is navigable except the area around North Mértola, where you’ll find the tallest waterfall in south Portugal. The 508 mile long Guadiana eventually reaches the Gulf of Cadiz after circumnavigating around 30 dams in the river basin.
Things to do on the River Guadiana
- Hike along the beautiful banks of the river
- Hire a bike
- Explore the gorgeous National Park, Las Tablas de Daimiel
- Sail the river near its mouth between Ayamonte in Spain and Vila Real de Santo Antonio in Portugal
- Go fishing
- Follow the river through Alentejo and Algarve, Portalegre, Évora, Beja, and Faro districts, and the Portuguese towns of Vila Real de Santo António, Castro Marim, Alcoutim and Mértola
The Minho River
The Minho River is the longest river in Spain’s Galicia region, another feast for the eyes dotted with vineyards, farms and hydro-electricity facilities. The source is at Pedegral of Irimia, in the Sierra de Meira, around 695m above sea level, and it eventually pours into the Atlantic after winding its way 217 miles through the countryside. Passing through the ancient medieval towns of Melgaço and Monção, the Minho divides Spain and Portugal. It finally reaches the Atlantic between the Spanish A Guarda and the Portuguese Caminha.
Things to do on the River Minho
- The entire Minho region is very pretty and ancient
- This is where they make the famous Vinho Verde
- Visit Guimarães Castle where the first king of Portugal was born
- Visit Viana do Castelo
- Relax on Cabedelo beach
- Tour the Gil Eannes hospital ship museum
- Follow the river through the Portuguese towns of Braga and Guimarães, Regua and Quinta do Seixo
The River Mondego
This is the longest river in Portugal. The Mondego’s source lies at Serra da Estrela and it empties into the Atlantic close to the city of Figueira da Foz. At 161 miles long, it features two dramatic dams. The Passadiços do Mondego, AKA the Mondego Walkways, take you through some of Portugal’s most picturesque landscapes. You’ll find them in the Serra da Estrela, following the source of the Mondego River to immerse you in nature.
Things to do on the River Mondego
- Enjoy countless beautiful hikes and walking trails
- Grab a guide to explore hidden valleys and secluded waterfalls off the beaten tourist track
- Enjoy a traditional bread making or cheese making workshop in Videmonte
- Have lunch at the medieval village of Folgosinho
- Book a private wine tasting and tour at Casa da Passarella, a 130-year-old luxury wine estate
- Explore historic Coimbra
- Do canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding
More stunning major Portuguese rivers
Every river in Portugal has its own collection of unique and interesting sights, sounds, flavours, activities and destinations to sample. Together the routes of the lovely 133 mile long Zêzere river and the 109 mile long Sado river, the Vouga at 92 miles and the Tâmega at 90 miles, and the 90 mile long Mira river deliver everything you could want for a Portugal holiday to remember, a break with a different focus that delivers adventures at every turn.
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