A picturesque 99-mile-long train journey has been named the best to travel in 2025. Portugal’s Douro Line winds along a beautiful river lined with dreamy vineyards and has been crowned by flight-free expert Byway as the best. 

The train line connects Porto to the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its stunning landscapes, terraced vineyards, and Port wine production.

The Linha do Douro ends at Pocinho, near the Spanish border. While this endpoint is not a major destination, the line’s charm lies in its journey rather than its destination. 

Travellers must return on the same route, making it more of a round-trip experience than a means of reaching a specific location.

This train journey is best approached as a leisurely day trip highlighting the Douro Valley’s stunning landscapes, including its rolling vineyards, rugged cliffs, and the Douro River. 

Along the way, the experience can be enhanced with stops for lunch and wine tasting, immersing visitors in the region’s rich culinary and viticultural traditions. 

The slower pace allows travellers to soak in the tranquil beauty of the Douro Valley while also encountering dramatic views at certain stretches, making it both a contemplative and visually striking adventure.

The line was inaugurated in 1875 to facilitate the transport of goods and people between Porto and the inland regions.

It was an engineering marvel of its time, with numerous tunnels and bridges, including the Maria Pia Bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel (no longer in use but an iconic structure in Porto).

Travellers who have been on the beautiful train ride have been saying the same thing on the TripAdvisor travel forum. 

One person commented: “I read before I visited Porto this train trip is amongst the top 10 train journeys in Europe, and it certainly an awesome experience.

“It departs from Regua, which is another one and three-quarter hours on a train from Porto, but don’t let that put you off! You are welcomed with a port and some goodies and serenaded by a traditional band. The scenery is spectacular as you would expect! We travelled in August, which wasn’t ideal, steam train, 31C and full sunshine made it a little sweaty but still great fun.”

A second person said: “We are not steam enthusiasts but thought it would be a nice way to see the Douro and it certainly delivers that. You can see the same view from a normal train obviously with air conditioning etc but this can’t be beaten for atmosphere.”

Anothe wrote: “This trip is well worth making. We went by train from Porto to Regua, then boarded the Historical Train for the return trip to Tula. This is a wonderful way to view the Douro Valley, and the terraces of vines. The vintage train is hauled by a steam locomotive built in 1925. En route, there is a sample of port and free water for all who want it.

“There is a long stop at the terminus in Tula, where local wines and produce are on sale. On the way back, there is a stop at Pilhao to view the extraordinary array of decorated tiles on the station walls. Accompanying the train is a band of Portuguese folk singers, who add value to the overall experience.

“After the trip, there are several wine bars and restaurants in the old station at Regua, but don’t miss the train back to Porto! Our only complaint was that there were sea reservations – this causes confusion amongst a multi-national clientele and is not really necessary.”