It is a toponym of Latin origin, in the past «Villa Régula», name coming from a Roman house. Currently, the city is considered the commercial centre of the Douro Region always connected to the Portuguese ambassador par excellence, in other words, Port wine.

With the Reform of the Marquis of Pombal and the establishment in 1756 of the «Companhia Geral da Agricultura e Vinhas do Alto Douro» (General Company for Agriculture and Vineyards of the Upper Douro), Peso da Régua, where it is located the magnificent «Casa do Douro» (House of the Douro) gained in quality.

The spa village of Caldas de Modelo, Covelinhas e Águas Santas have made it famous, but no one can deny that it is the Douro together with the mountain that creates this amazing landscape, with the vineyards standing out. Ancient manor houses are nowadays the centre of famous «Quintas» (Wine Estates), where visitors are always welcomed.
The urban positioning in the dazzling natural scenery, where S. Leonardo de Galafura is a reference, the city is targeted at the tourism sector always with the wine business as decisive factor for its development.

Also worth mentioning are the popular festivities, the handicraft and the gastronomy based on sausages, smoked ham, duck rice, without forgetting the sweets: the home made Régua candies.