Regua (Portugal, Lamego)

Peso da Regua (aka Regua) is a Douro River cruise port and town in northern Portugal, with population around 10,000. Regua is also the cruise port to Lamego.

Cruise ships and tour boats carry passengers and day-trip tourists through the river locks of Regua Dam. The city is directly connected to Oporto via the Douro railway, running along the river's banks.

Day-cruises from Regua to Porto City are operated by tour boats navigating downstream the river from Regua. Most departures are from Oporto (train travel to Regua for embarkation). Departure from Oporto is at 8:30 am (train), with the riverboat arriving back in Porto at around 6 pm. Smaller tour boats also operate short cruises from Regua to Pinhao (via Bagauste Dam) with return to Regua by coach or train. All boats berth at Regua Quay.

Lamego

Lamego is on the Balsemao River and has population around 30,000. The town is best known for being the place where Portugal's first king Afonso Henriques (1109-1185) was declared in 1139. The settlement itself was built by him in the 16th century.

Cruisetours to Lamego are operated with departures from Regua and bus travel (roundtrip land transfer) to the picturesque town for a guided tour (duration ~4 hours). Among Lamego's most popular tourist attractions are Nossa Senhora dos Remedios Sanctuary (Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies). This 18th-century church features a white facade and a baroque staircase with 686 steps ending in the shrine. The massive temple overlooks the town and provides an amazing view over the surrounding landscape. Optionally are offered a food-and-wine tasting event, walking tour (through the main street), a visit to Lamego Cathedral (Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral/early-12th-century).

After Lamego, cruise tourists travel back to Regua to re-embark their riverboats.