Hostel Douro Backpackers — Hotel in Alijó

Pedro's hostel/home is by far the best hostel I have ever stayed in. I've been hostelling for almost 20 years! Stayed here for 3 days/nights and from start to finish Pedro and Sara have been brilliant hosts. This hostel is fit for purpose, very practical, has everything a backpacker/hiker requires plus more so exceeded my expectations without doubt. The entry system is simple (once informed), effective and secure and you get a personal room locker (with key lock on your building entry key). We stayed in a 4-person room, ample space, 2x bunk bed with an electrical socket and 2x USB sockets, added touch was a USB LED light that we used as a nightlight with a small basket beside so that you can use it as a phone holder, I aimed the LED light in to this dim our night light. We also had a room/cork divider between bunks for privacy. Every room has a modern air conditioning unit. This building also has bathrooms where everything works as it should, it's very clean/new and was always cleaned between our hikes. This hostel is Pedro's home and it is very welcoming and homely. Downstairs main reception/social/dining area 16-20 people) has a roomed off kitchen and bathroom. There is a roof terrace with BBQ grill (shame the rain cancelled our planned BBQ) area and has further upper levels, just respect the neighbours and keep the noise down after dark. It's a maximum 10 minute walk from the train station, has two small supermarkets close by (just check opening times) and various restaurants and wine/Port testing places in town. Both hosts are probably the nicest hostel owners I have ever met. Well done Pedro and Sara and thank you so much for making our stay an extremely nice...

The gem of the Douro Valley!

I simply cannot say enough great things about this spot and our host Pedro & Sarah.

Typing this review doesn’t even feel like it will do it justice because I truly cannot express how much My wife and I absolutely loved our time here during our 2 week trip in Portugal.

I worked in the high end hotel industry for close to 10yrs and the effort Pedro put into making this a complete experience from start to finish was simply amazing. The place is spotless, very well thought out and you can feel the love for travel coming from every inch of this place. He truly made a little masterpiece in the heart of Pinhao.

Not only will you get an warm welcome with a complimentary drink when you arrive, but Pedro will make sure you know the town like the back of your hand before you even head out, and makes beach person a custom map with all of his recommendations for every type of guest / interest.

We had wonderful evenings drinking cold beers and wine on his incredible terrace, and coffee in the mornings gazing at the hills and olive trees. And shared a final meal with Pedro & Sarah at the little cafe down the street on the morning we left (so hard to leave!)

Having never visited Pinhao before we came in with zero expectations and left with not only the highlight of our trip but with several true friends from Pedro’s wonderful home he has built. I truly hope our paths will cross again and I commend those two for creating such a magical little place that the world could always use more of :)

To Pedro & Sarah - thank you for the hospitality & memories, until next time…...

Our stay at Hostel Douro Backpackers was absolutely wonderful and a highlight of our trip.

We stayed in a private room with its own bathroom and it was the best of both worlds — the comfort of a nice hotel while still having the community and atmosphere of a hostel. The room was spotless, the bed super comfortable, and we loved that towels were included. Having AC was a huge bonus and made the stay extra comfortable. The gardens around the property were beautiful and such a peaceful place to relax. And the coffee — absolutely excellent, a perfect start to each day.

What truly made the stay unforgettable, though, were the hosts, Pedro and Sara. They were so warm and welcoming from the start — greeting us with a welcome drink while Pedro gave us a great overview of the area. It’s clear that they genuinely care about their guests’ comfort and go above and beyond to make everyone feel at home. We were also lucky enough to be there during the hostel’s 6th anniversary, and Pedro and Sara cooked dinner and served drinks on the balcony for everyone. It turned into a magical night of good food, laughter, and connection with fellow travelers.

We’ve stayed in many hostels and it’s rare to find hosts who put so much heart into what they do. Thank you so much Sarah and Pedro! Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a...