Pinhão

Encircled by terraced hillsides that produce some of the world’s best port – and some damn good table wines too, little Pinhão sits on a particularly lovely bend of the Rio Douro, about 25km upriver from Peso da Régua. Wineries and their competing signs dominate the scene. Even the delightful train station has azulejos depicting the grape harvest. The town itself, cute though it is, holds little of interest, but does makes a fine base for exploring the many surrounding vineyards. In addition to drinking your fill, this is a good setting for country walks, and there are some fine day-trip possibilities.