Guimarães

Things to Do in Guimarães

The Guimarães Castle is the symbol of the city and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. Built in the 10th century and renovated in the 13th century, the story goes that it was the birthplace of the country's first king, Afonso Henriques.

Next to the castle is the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, an imposing 15th-century palace that looks like something out of a fairy tale. If you go inside you can discover its rooms, full of furniture and decorative pieces of the 17th and 18th centuries. You can also see its Gothic cloister and admire the banqueting halls.

The historic center welcomes visitors with a sign on the remains of the old wall of Guimarães that reads “Aqui nasceu Portugal” (“Portugal was born here”). 

To get to know the city and all its palaces, castles, and monumental churches, check out this tour of Guimarães that includes a wine tasting of northern Portuguese wines to make this visit even more special. 

Guimarães Tour + Wine Tasting

How to Get to Guimarães

The city is worth visiting because of its proximity to Porto, just over 50 kilometers (35 miles) away. It can easily be seen in just one day. Most of the monuments are close to each other and can be visited on foot (or in a tuk-tuk for more fun). There are different options to get to Guimarães:

Day Trip

This is the most recommended option. For only € 59 (US$ 61.54) you can enjoy transport to your destination and a guided tour to help you admire the whole medieval city, from the Castle to the Palace. In addition, with this tour, you'll also make a stop at the quaint town of Braga.

Guimarães & Braga Day Trip

Train

Another option if you decide to spend the day and even a night. For less than € 4 (US$ 4.17) you can go from Sao Bento station to Guimarães in just 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are departures throughout the day, but it's advisable to plan the way back, especially on weekends as the interval of departures is longer.