It is located in the municipalities of Miranda do Douro, Mogadouro, Freixo de Espada à Cinta and Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, spanning a lengthy area along the Douro River where it functions as the border between Portugal and Spain (hence "International Douro"). The park also goes includes the border area of the Águeda River. The park was created to protect the scenic landscape of the region, as well as its flora and fauna.