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Things to do in Guimaraes

Our most recommended things to do in Guimaraes

From Porto: Braga and Guimarães Full-Day Trip

1. From Porto: Braga and Guimarães Full-Day Trip

Embark on a full-day guided tour of Guimarães and Braga from Porto. Pass through the scenic Minho region and explore the historical centers of these two cities. Optionally, you can also enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant. Minho is known for having some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Portugal, as well as being one of the richest regions in history. Explore the area and visit the cities of Guimarães and Braga on a full-day trip from Porto. Guimarães is the birthplace of Portugal and of the first Portuguese king. See the medieval castle of Guimarães and spend some time in the historical city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The streets and monuments of Guimarães are so well-preserved that it is easy to imagine the past. Go on to spend the afternoon in Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit the cathedral and the historical center. See an important sanctuary, Bom Jesus do Monte, before making your way back to Porto.

From Porto: Braga and Guimarães Full Day Tour with Lunch

2. From Porto: Braga and Guimarães Full Day Tour with Lunch

Travel in an air-conditioned van from Porto to the cities of Braga and Guimarães on this guided tour. Savor an authentic Portuguese lunch. Get exclusive access to part of Braga Cathedral and stay hydrated on your trip with the included bottled water.  Starts with pickup your hotel or accommodation and relax with your group on the drive in a climate controlled van. Arriving in Braga, we will start by visiting the Bom Jesus Sanctuary and contemplating its magnificent staircase to the top of the church. After a top view of the city, visit the oldest cathedral in the country where you will have exclusive access to the chapel's and high choir. Sit down to a delicious, traditional Portuguese lunch at a restaurant where you can taste the famed "Vinho Verde" that is produced in the region. During the afternoon visit Guimarães. Have time for a calm walk on foot through the medieval city before entering in the Guimarães Castle where the kingdom of Portugal was born.  Continue to the Palace of the Dukes to be dazzled by the luxuries of royalty from other times. A whole history of Portugal will be told by your local guides along the way. Return to your accommodation in Porto at the end of your tour. 

From Porto: Peneda-Gerês Park Tour with Lunch

3. From Porto: Peneda-Gerês Park Tour with Lunch

Explore one of the most unknown treasures in Portugal and discover the nature of Gerês-National Park during a small group tour. The itinerary can be altered to make the best of the weather conditions in winter and summer. Leave your accommodation in Porto in the morning and travel to the Gerês National Park in an air-conditioned Land Rover. After around 90 minutes, arrive to the heart of Gerês. Imagine fantastic green lagoons where you can swim and relax, hear the sound of the waterfalls and see amazing rainbows. Visit an old village, where you will meet the locals and enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch with local green wine (included). Explore remote areas of the park and enjoy the breathtaking valley. During your exploration, if you're lucky, you might even see the wild horses (Garranos). End your visit to Gerês at one of the most impressive viewpoints in the region.  After a full day enjoying the best spots of Gerês National Park, relax on the trip back to your Porto accommodation, arriving in the early evening.

Porto: Guimarães & Braga Tour with Entry Tickets and Lunch

4. Porto: Guimarães & Braga Tour with Entry Tickets and Lunch

The tour starts with a visit to the birthplace of the Portuguese nation – the city of Guimarães. This was the first city of Portugal chosen by the first king, Afonso Henriques. Known as the cradle of Portugal, Guimarães has preserved a medieval atmosphere at its core and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your first stop takes place in the northern part of the city with a visit to the imposing 10th century castle and the majestic Dukes of Bragança Palace. Afterward the historical Santa Maria Road leads you to the charming square in the heart of the old town, Largo da Oliveira. After a relaxing lunch break in Guimarães that will certainly allow you to enjoy the pleasures of the cuisine of the north of Portugal, it will be time to continue towards Braga, the oldest religious capital of Portugal. Known to the Romans as Bracara Augusta, for centuries Braga has been and archiepiscopal seat and pilgrimage site. Your first stop is Sé, the 12th century cathedral built by Henri de Bourgogne and Dona Teresa. Then you will head to Bom Jesus Sanctuary, a hilltop pilgrimage site. The 581 steps that the pilgrims climb up to the top of Bom Jesus are one of the most glorious stairways in Portugal. After a visit to these landmarks of faith in the country you head back to Porto.

From Porto: Peneda-Gerês Park Kayaking and Waterfall Hike

5. From Porto: Peneda-Gerês Park Kayaking and Waterfall Hike

Discover one of Portugal’s hidden treasures on a full-day excursion to Gerês National Park. Experience the beauty of this unique landscape thorugh a day of of hiking, kayaking, and swimming. Savor local food with the included traditional Portuguese lunch. Enjoy the convenience of being picked up at your door in Porto and travel to the park in an air-conditioned van. Reach the lake, where you’ll begin your tour by kayaking over its calm waters. Afterwards, relax on a sandy beach and try to stand up paddle before returning to the van. Stop at a local restaurant with amazing views of Rio Cavado, and refill with mouth-watering local cuisine paired with delectable wine. In the afternoon, visit a waterfall and lagoon, where you can swim and relax. Visit the old village of Fafiao, and learn more about Portuguese lifestyle in the countryside. Return to your accommodation in Porto at the end of your tour.

From Porto: Braga and Guimarães Full-Day Tour

6. From Porto: Braga and Guimarães Full-Day Tour

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Porto or Vila Nova de Gaia, and then discover the "Cradle of Portugal" on a day trip to Guimarães and Braga. Upon arrival in Guimarães, visit the birthplace of Portugal's first king at the medieval Castle of Guimarães. See the Chapel of St. Michael where he was baptized, and discover the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança. Continue to the Church of Our Lady of Consolation (Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira) and the Holy Steps. Then, discover a favorite meeting point for several generations in Guimarães on Praça da Oliveira. Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of the historic center, including the beautiful Town Hall. Venture down one of the oldest streets of Guimarães on Rua de Santa Maria, and contemplate the Convent of Santa Clara before you take a break for lunch and soak up the city's youthful vibe on Praça de Santiago. Continue in the afternoon at the old city of Braga. Visit Praça da República, admire the unique façade of the Igreja dos Congregados, discover the House of Riddles and the famous A Brasileira café. Go to the fortified tower of the Torre de Menagem and see the 18th-century fountain of the Largo do Paço. Admire the cathedral that survived many earthquakes to emerge as one of Portugal's most important monuments. Then, head to Monte do Bom Jesus, 6 kilometers from the city center, and see the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Braga to experience the most famous religious sanctuary in Portugal. Depart Braga as the sun begins to set, and return to Porto to get dropped off at your hotel.

Porto: Green Wine Wineries and Guimarães Tour

7. Porto: Green Wine Wineries and Guimarães Tour

Vinho Verde or Green Wine. Most people know it, a lot of them have tried it and everyone loves it. On our daily tours to the Douro Valley we noticed this from our guests who keep asking if we are going to taste Green Wine during that tour. Thinking about them, and about you, we decided to create this experience. We’ll start in the morning with a medium size producer located in a lovely manor house which was built between the 12th and the 18th century. After a tour around the house, your first taste will take place: one “alvarinho” and one white “vinho verde” will be paired with some local delicious treats. A short drive to the second winery will follow and there you are going to experience an authentic small producer located in a picturesque property where the owner himself will welcome you warmly and will tell you precious information about green wine. We’ll head then to Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal and a Unesco heritage site. This is where we’re going to have a truly genuine Portuguese lunch, with delightful meal options and, of course, green wine. A nice digestive walk through the narrow streets of Guimarães will complete our journey before we head back to Porto. By the end you’ll understand better Green Wine and why it is not green and you will be knowing much more about the first steps of Portugal as an independent kingdom and nation.

Porto: Braga & Guimarães FD Tour

8. Porto: Braga & Guimarães FD Tour

You will be picked you up at your hotel in the morning and follow in a air-conditioned minivan towards "Bracara Augusta" (Braga). In Braga will begin the visit to the sanctuary of Bom Jesus where you will get there in a water-powered funicular built in 1882. From the top of the hill you will sight the entire city to where you will continue soon after. Reaching the center of Braga, still on the outside of the old medieval wall where you will visit the church of Congregados and then continue towards its most imposing monument, the Sé cathedral (optional visit) built in Romanesque style with finishing in Gothic style. Braga being the city of the archbishops its cathedral is indeed one of the most spectacular. Still you will remain some churches to visit, so the old castle tower or a the new avenue designed in the early twentieth century where the famous Teatro Circo is. You will end the visit at the prestigious Astoria Café, one of the most beautiful and old of the city. Here you can glimpse part of the old Wall. Towards Guimarães, its time to have some lunch! After tasting the local delicacies, it is time to visit Guimarães. In this walking tour through the historic center, you first visit the castle, but first a brief visit to the Romanesque church of St. Miguel, where was baptized the first king. A little further down you'll visit the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança (optional visit), an imposing building built in the fifteenth century to house the Royal family. In this museum space you can see much of the furniture, weapons or tapestries and crockery sources as diverse as the number of sites visited in the maritime expeditions. But there's still so much more to discover in your way to the historical center in the lower part of town. Get to know the beautiful narrow streets heading to Padrão do Salado and to the Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Church then to immediately descend into the outskirts of the ancient city where the weekly fair happens, today Toural Square to sample the sweets, convent specialties in a typical pastry shop if you feel like indulge in the traditional pastry.

From Porto: Braga & Guimarães Full-Day Tour with Lunch

9. From Porto: Braga & Guimarães Full-Day Tour with Lunch

Depart from Porto to see medieval Guimarães and the historic center. Guimarães, the so-called Cradle of Portugal is one of the most important Portuguese historical cities, and a historic center considered a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site. Spend a beautiful morning in a beautiful place. After lunch, explore historic Braga and the old Cathedral of Sé. Visit the nearby Bom Jesus Sanctuary and experience the most famous religious sanctuary in Portugal. After visiting Rome, Archbishop Diogo de Sousa drew a city where the squares and churches abound as they are in Rome, which became Braga. Discover this city of traditions and cultures.

Barcelos, Braga and Guimarães Private Tour from Porto

10. Barcelos, Braga and Guimarães Private Tour from Porto

Take an amazing tour through the history of Portugal on a private tour of Braga and Guimarães, with round-trip transportation from Porto. Benefit from pickup at your accommodation, and then travel in air-conditioned comfort to one of the oldest cities, known as Bracara Augusta during the Roman Empire when it was the capital of the province of Gallaecia. See landmark monuments, such as the Sé Cathedral and sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. Marvel at the grandeur of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro as you make your way to the medieval city of Guimarães, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval architecture. Walk the streets of the historic center to see sights such as the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and Guimarães Castle, built in the 10th century as a defense against the Moors. See the medieval Church of São Miguel do Castelo before getting dropped off at your accommodation in Porto.

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What people are saying about Guimaraes

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 1,919 reviews

We had a fabulous day with our guy Ricardo! He is amazing. He is attentive and knowledgeable. He was able to answer all our questions and explain the history. He gave us enough time to explore. We never felt rushed. He called the restaurant ahead and arranged delicious vegetarian meal for my friend. And of course the non vegetarian meal was also delicious. He picked a nice restaurant. He was very flexible and accommodating. when he realized that I wanted to climb the 500 steps at Braga Bom Jesus, he dropped me off at the bottom of the hill instead of his normal stopping point mid way. He kept the entire trip entertaining. I love the experience and highly recommended!

Paolo Castro was a wonderful tour leader. He was welcoming, knowledgeable, attentive to the older tourists in our group who needed a hand climbing up and down stairs, he was a safe driver which I felt was very important, and he was patient with those who kept missing the meetup times. The tour was wonderful overall, the 3, course lunch and wine was delicious and the portions were very big. I would strongly recommend this particular tour for anyone who is considering it. Book without hesitation! :)

the day was well organised with pickup taking place on time. The guide Sergio , was friendly and knowledgeable. Travelling with a small group is the best way to your, money well spent. I was kept in the loop at all times and knew exactly what to expect.

Rodrigo was amazing. Best tour and great kind. Speaks English perfectly and made sure we enjoyed the tour. He’s a real asset to the tour company. We have done many tours in Porto and his was the best.

Very good tour, well organized. Sylvia was fantastic. The van was very comfortable. Overall a very pleasant experience.