douro

The Douro, also known as the Douro River, is a major river in the Iberian Peninsula. It rises in the interior of northern Spain and flows generally westward across northern Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean at Porto. With a length of roughly 900 kilometers, it is one of the longest rivers on the peninsula.

In Portugal, the Douro Valley forms a renowned wine region. The lower Douro valley is characterized by steep, terraced vineyards that produce Port wine as well as table wines marketed under the Douro DOC. The Douro Demarcated Region is the oldest defined and protected wine region in the world, established in 1756.

The landscape along the Douro Valley has been shaped by centuries of viticulture and river transport. In 2001, the Cultural Landscape of the Douro Valley was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its picturesque terraces and cultural significance. The river corridor is a popular destination for river cruises, hiking, and wine tourism, with the city of Porto serving as a gateway.

The Douro's upper courses descend through gorges and hills before reaching Portugal’s plains, and along its course there are multiple reservoirs and dams for hydroelectric power and irrigation. Its lower estuary near Porto provides habitat for various aquatic and bird species.