Resende is a fantastic base for exploring Portugal’s Norte Region, especially for those who love combining scenic landscapes with authentic tasting experiences. This small town offers access to some of the country’s top wine and olive oil tours, with the Douro River often playing a starring role. We particularly enjoy how these tours blend local heritage with delicious food, making them perfect for curious travelers. One of our favorites is the Douro Valley: Olive Oil & Wine Tour with Boat & Lunch, which offers a richly varied day of tasting, sightseeing, and relaxing on the river.
In this list, you’ll find two standout tours that showcase the best of what Resende and the Douro Valley have to offer. From intimate visits to family-run wineries to guided tastings of Vinho Verde, each experience is carefully chosen to highlight Portugal’s authentic flavors and landscapes. Whether you’re after a comprehensive wine adventure or a focus on olive oils and local produce, these tours provide a genuine taste of the region.
1. Douro Valley: Olive Oil & Wine Tour with Boat & Lunch
At number one, this full-day tour combines scenic river cruises, private tastings, and homemade regional food. It starts with a relaxing cruise down the Douro River, offering breathtaking views of terraced vineyards. Afterward, you visit small, family-owned wineries for wine tastings that emphasize the region’s artisanal approach. The highlight for many is the homemade lunch at a private quinta, prepared by a local host—an intimate experience that makes you feel like a guest in someone’s home.
What makes this tour stand out is its focus on local, organic products. You’ll visit an organic Vinho Verde estate where silence amplifies the flavors of aromatic wines, and explore a traditional olive mill to taste fresh olive oil. The itinerary includes visits to seven different locations, from vineyards to river Pinhão, with a mix of cultural insights and relaxed tastings. Reviews praise the knowledgeable guides and the authentic, homemade food, which adds to the personal feel. The tour lasts about 8 hours, making it perfect for travelers wanting a full day of immersive experiences.
Bottom Line: This tour is ideal if you want a comprehensive, balanced day of wine, olive oil, and scenic cruising, with a strong focus on local craftsmanship and family-owned estates.
2. Fresh Wine Tour: Discover Vinho Verde in Douro Valley
Coming in second, this experience zeroes in on Vinho Verde, Portugal’s famously fresh and slightly fizzy white wine. It’s a perfect choice if your main interest is exploring aromatic, minerally wines and pairing them with regional produce. The tour begins with an included local brunch, served at a private estate, where you can taste regional cheeses and bread alongside your wines.
Throughout the day, you’ll visit a boutique producer, Quinta da Ermida, for an exclusive tasting with panoramic river views. The itinerary also includes a traditional lunch, carefully paired with aromatic Vinho Verde, and additional tastings at local wineries in Resende. With an average rating of 4.7, reviews highlight the informative guides and the delicate flavors of the wines. The tour lasts around 8 hours, making it a manageable day for those interested mainly in Vinho Verde’s nuances.
Bottom Line: If you’re passionate about exploring Portugal’s crisp, minerally wines and want a more focused, wine-centric experience, this tour offers a well-rounded day with delicious local food.
How to Choose Between These Tours
When deciding between these two excellent options, consider your main interests and how deep you want your experience to be. If you’re after a full immersion in the Douro Valley’s wines, olive oils, and scenic river views, the Douro Valley: Olive Oil & Wine Tour with Boat & Lunch provides a broader, more varied day. It’s perfect for those who love combining cultural sights with tasting and relaxing on the river.
Conversely, if your goal is to focus on Vinho Verde and explore its unique flavor profile, the Fresh Wine Tour: Discover Vinho Verde in Douro Valley offers a more specialized, intimate experience centered on aromatic wines and regional cuisine. It’s ideal for wine enthusiasts wanting a deep dive into Portugal’s sparkling white wines.
Both tours are similarly priced and last about 8 hours, so your choice boils down to whether you prefer a broad tasting adventure with olive oils and river cruising or a concentrated exploration of Portugal’s famous Vinho Verde.
Final Thoughts
Resende offers a range of compelling wine and food tours suited to different tastes and interests. For a well-rounded experience that combines scenic river views, local food, and both wine and olive oil tastings, the Douro Valley: Olive Oil & Wine Tour with Boat & Lunch is hard to beat. It’s especially good for travelers who want a taste of everything—culture, scenery, and regional flavors.
If your main focus is exploring Portugal’s crisp, aromatic Vinho Verde, then the Fresh Wine Tour: Discover Vinho Verde in Douro Valley is a smart pick, delivering a streamlined experience with plenty of tastings and regional insight.
No matter your choice, these tours are popular and fill up quickly. Booking early is advisable, especially during peak season. Whichever tour you choose, you’re in for a memorable day of authentic Portuguese flavors and landscapes.
