Passenger numbers have risen in 2026, with cruises around Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia and Pinhão accounting for 80 percent of river traffic.
In the year that the Alto Douro Wine Region (ADV) celebrates 25 years since its classification by UNESCO, on December 14, 2001, river tourism in this important gateway to the region continues on a growth trajectory.
Today also marks the 36th anniversary of the inauguration of the VND (Vila Real do Douro) along its entire length, from the mouth of the river in Porto to Barca d'Alva, near the Spanish border, and, incidentally, on Sunday, Douro Day is celebrated in Peso da Régua, Vila Real district.
Raquel Maia, from the Douro, Leixões and Viana do Castelo Ports Administration (APDL), told the Lusa news agency that the UNESCO distinction is a banner for the Douro region, which has boosted the international projection of this territory.
In his opinion, the river is a privileged way to discover the region and, as he emphasised, in recent decades, tourism "has been constantly growing" in the Douro, both in terms of the number of passengers and the range of offerings, from cruises on the reservoir itself, day cruises, hotel boats or recreational boats.
"It is growing in number and growing in diversification," he stated, pointing to a new passenger record in 2026.
Continued growth
This year, up to September, 1,142,540 passengers were recorded on the VND (Viação Nacional de Transportes Navais), a number that represents, so far, an increase of 0.60% (6,831 more passengers) than in 2025, but 14.13% more than in 2023.
This shows that, despite a slight slowdown, demand for river tourism in the Douro region "remains high".
Of the total number of passengers registered this year, 913,582 travelled on cruises in the same reservoir, with particular emphasis on the routes between the bridges in the Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia area, but also in Pinhão (Alijó), this segment representing about 80% of all passenger traffic and an increase of 0.95% compared to last year.
Meanwhile, river cruise ships recorded 96,153 passengers, 0.34% more than in 2025 and 19.77% more than in 2023.
The number of passengers on day cruises was 125,482, down 1.21% compared to 2025, with APDL (Port Authority of Douro and Leixões) noting that this activity shows a structural trend of declining demand, contrasting with the growth of cruises on the same reservoir and hotel ships.
Recreational travel is the category with the worst performance, registering 7,323 passengers this year, 6.94% less than in 2025. Since 2023, the accumulated decrease is 21.99%, making this the segment with the largest percentage reduction in this period.
Sustainable tourism
Raquel Maia argued that growth in river tourism should be done sustainably, with quality, reasonableness, and with the "due balance" between those who live in the territory and the municipalities.
APDL took over the management of VND in 2015 and, according to the official, the focus has been on "navigation safety" for those who operate there and for passengers.
The VND is approximately 200 kilometres long, has been navigable along its entire length since 1990, and since then, the river has become one of the main tourist attractions in this region.
The river has five locks and a 125-meter drop from the estuary in Porto to the border in Barca d'Alva.