Northern Portugal in general and the Douro Valley in particular are popular areas among international investors. Today the main investors in properties in northern Portugal are mainly Portuguese, English, French, Brazilian and American. In the area you can find charming farms and ancient or luxurious country houses, which compete with other wine destinations in Europe such as France and Italy. Whether you are looking for permanent or temporary residence, a yielding property or a hospitality property, investing in real estate in this area of Portugal is an interesting and promising option.

The magical Vale do Douro, located in northern Portugal and east of the city of Porto, was announced by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The area is known for its dizzying beauty and industry the wine, especially port.

Archaeological findings indicate that wine production in the valley already existed about 2000 years ago. The area is covered with terraces built of slate rocks. Thanks to the knowledge passed down from generation to generation, man planted the vines and tilted the terraces to expose them to the sun’s rays which improve the quality of the grapes for the production of wine. The meeting between man and nature, the terraces, the fruit of the land and the work of man created the unique landscapes.

Inside the valley flows the Douro River, which begins in Spain and ends in Portugal in the beautiful city of Porto, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, where it flows. Travelers across the charming Douro Valley encounter a wondrous and fascinating landscape; Mountains, hills, slopes, terraces, vineyards, vines and diverse vegetation. On the wonderful Douro River, the old Rabelo boats that used to transport the wine barrels are still floating.

Also, picturesque, ancient and special towns and villages where the road to them is sometimes narrow, winding and stunning. The residents are kind, welcoming, charming, their lifestyle is traditional and they represent the local folklore.

On the trip between the amazing observation points, you should cross the river from north to south and vice versa and admire the breathtaking views. On the way to visit the many vineyards and wineries scattered in the area. Also, in the many wine farms (quintas) where the vineyards are grown and the fine wine is produced. Most of them offer tours with explanations of the production process and also offer tastings. There are quintas where, as in the past, the grapes are stepped on during the harvest. Visitors are given the opportunity to watch the process and sometimes also join the treading craft and “jump” to the past.

Thanks to the wonderful weather, spring and autumn are the right times for trips in the Douro Valley. In the spring the vines blossom and the valley wears green. In autumn, during the harvest season, the landscape pictures change to flame colors and the beauty is wonderful.

In the Douro Valley there is a selection of places to stay at different levels such as: authentic and ancient quintessences, historic wine estates, boutique and spa hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses. You can choose different ways to get to know the cultural landscape of the Douro Valley, on foot and by bike, by car and train, by boat on the river and even by helicopter.

In addition to the spectacular views, the Douro Valley is famous, as mentioned, thanks to the wine industry of various types. The best known of all is the Port dessert wine which tastes sweet and strong. It was named after the city of Porto. There is a historical story behind the production of port. At the time, the French would supply wine to the English. Because of the wars between them, the English began importing wine from Portugal as a substitute. In order for it to last on the journey to England, brandy was added to it and thus the sweet, fortified and popular port wine was born.

The history, the architecture, the local residents, the exciting views, the uniqueness of the region, the reputation of the wines in general and the port in particular attract tourists to the Douro Valley. Therefore, those engaged in real estate investments in Portugal find interest in the area to purchase there Properties such as farms, vacation homes and B&Bs for personal use and hospitality , luxury villas and mansions, vineyards that produce wine for export or olive oil, hotels, hostels, various types of rural accommodation and more.