CP invites you to go to the Douro grape harvest festival by train

In September, CP - Comboios de Portugal proposes a special journey to discover the unique traditions, flavours and aromas of the Douro Wine Region, with a special programme dedicated to celebrating the grape harvest season.

On Sundays 8 and 22 September, you can go to the ‘Douro Harvest Festival’ by train, take part in the harvest and enjoy a typical lunch on an estate in the region.

This activity brings together socialising and partying on a stunning train journey between Porto and Pinhão in Schindler carriages, manufactured in the 1940s in Switzerland, with panoramic windows that allow you to enjoy the natural beauty of the Alto Douro region, a landscape classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Those who want to have a unique experience around the grape harvest can embark on this special train journey for a one day programme, departing from Porto - Campanhã towards Pinhão at 8am and returning at 8.29 p.m. from Régua to Porto - Campanhã.

On arrival at Pinhão train station and after a bus trip to Quinta da Avessada, visitors will be welcomed with popular music and a tasting of some of the region's delicacies, such as traditional bread and meatballs. The harvest will then begin, where buckets, scissors and straw hats will be provided, and the grape varieties, the history of the region and some traditions related to the harvest will be explained.

Participants will then be able to enjoy a regional lunch, consisting of starters (codfish fritters, various sausages and Favaios bread), main courses (farmer's soup and veal steak stewed in red wine) and desserts (regional sweets and fruit), as well as drinks (water, wine and coffee).

In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the presses and the start of the wine treading, followed by a documented tasting of Moscatel wine at the Enoteca. At the end of the day, you will be taken by bus back to Régua Station from where the special train to Porto - Campanhã will depart.

This special Harvest Festival train has a bar service in its own carriage and stops to let passengers get on and off at Rio Tinto, Ermesinde, Paredes, Penafiel, Caíde and Mosteirô stations.

Tickets for this experience can be bought at CP ticket offices or online. Adult tickets cost €83.50 and group tickets (more than 10 people) are available for €80. Children's tickets cost €45.