What's included in a river cruise?

Our river cruise holidays have a whole host of features as standard. Your flights, transfers, three meals with drinks per day, plus tips and your luggage allowance are all part of the package. And, you'll get £120 shore experience credit per person, per week, which you can use to pay for activities, like wine tasting sessions and sightseeing tours with a local expert.

How can I find the cheapest river cruise?

You can take a look at our river cruise deals page for the latest offers. And, to save even more, check out our TUI Discount Codes.

What time of year is best to go on a river cruise?

Our river cruises operate all year round. If you opt for a summer river cruise, you can catch some rays with a sunbathing session on the top deck, while our festive sailings will take you to some of Europe's best Christmas markets.

What is there to do on a river cruise?

You'll find two restaurants and two bars on each of our river cruise ships, along with sunbathing spaces, activity zones and a wellness area complete with a sauna and a whirlpool bath. And, if that's not enough, you'll have £120 shore experience credit per person, per week, which you can spend on a lengthy list of activities like beer tasting and city tours.

Portugal River Cruises

Sail down Portugal’s scenic Douro River, where rolling hills and terraced vineyards take pride of place along its banks.

Where we sail in Portugal

Our Portugal river cruises will run along the Douro, on our new build ship TUI Luzia. The Douro stretches across the entire north of the country and dips its toe into neighbouring Spain. The whole Douro Valley – which the river runs through – is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, and terraced vineyards, wineries and rolling green hills are the norm all the way along the river. Our Douro Discovery itinerary starts and finishes in the country’s second-biggest city, Porto, and makes its way past cosy, scenic villages and towns, like Entre-os-Rios, Barca d’Alva and pretty Pinhao.

Want to find out more? Check out TUI Luzia

Tasty tipples

It’s impossible to miss all the vineyards and whitewashed barrel warehouses along the Douro – the banks of the river are teeming with them. It’s no surprise really, as Portugal’s the only place in the world that can legally produce port wine – an EU protection order’s in place – and the Douro Valley’s at the heart of it. It’s the oldest recognised wine region in the world, and most of the grapes grown here are still harvested by hand.

Our ports of call on the Douro

Porto, Portugal:

Porto is sprawled over a hillside, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the winding Douro River. It’s a mass of pretty, terracotta-roofed buildings and winding streets. It has a big claim to fame, too – it’s the historical home of port. Tasting the drink is a must while you’re here, and you’ll find centuries-old wineries tucked among the area’s parks and beaches.

Entre-os-Rios, Portugal:

One of the smaller stops along the Douro, this cosy little village is no less attractive than its bigger neighbours. Old stone houses, cobbled streets and rolling hills filled with vineyards are all fixtures here, plus a handful of restaurants that specialise in Portuguese dishes.

Pesco de Regua, Portugal:

This small town, nestled in the rural area of Vila Real, is right at the centre of Portugal’s port wine district. Away from the corks and carafes, the Douro Museum in town is one of the main draws and the Miradouro de Sao Leonardo de Galafura is worth adding to your to-do list. It’s a high-up spot that gives you widescreen views over the surrounding valleys.

Vega de Terron, Portugal:

Vega de Terron’s a laidback and pretty town, right on the border of Spain and Portugal. Things are pretty traditional – the streets are awash with textured sandstone, and trees of all shapes and sizes line the riverbanks. It may be a small town, but there’s a market square, where you’ll find the Chafariz dos Pretos fountain, and a few locals hanging out

Barca d’Alva, Portugal:

Docking at Barca d’Alva puts you right on the cusp of the Spanish border. This nature-rich spot on the banks of Portugal’s Douro River is thick with groves of almond and olive trees, vineyards and plenty of orchards, too. During the Spring, there’s a festival here to celebrate the pink and white flowers produced by the almond tree in full bloom, with craft markets that draw in villagers from surrounding towns.

TUI River Cruise Packages

From flights to transfers, our river cruise packages take the hassle out of sorting your getaway…

Flights

Direct flights from UK airports are included.

Transfers

Airport transfers to and from your ship are covered.

Dining

Get three meals with drinks per day with Full Board Plus.