If you’re visiting Portugal, you can’t miss out on all there is to see in Guimaraes. Considered one of the most beautiful cities in the country, it is within easy reach of many other tourist attractions in Portugal.
Guimaraes is located in the north of the country and was made a World Heritage Site, mainly due to the amazing preservation of its medieval character. It is considered the cradle of Portugal as it was its first capital. The town has a wide range of culture and history on offer for you to enjoy. Due to its small size you can see its most important features in a day trip, so read on to find out more!
To organise your trip we recommend using the Passporter app. Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers and add the places that interest you to the route map. You can also keep all important documents in one place such as travel tickets or hotel reservations, among many other features, completely free of charge.
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Things to see in Guimaraes
See Guimaraes Castle
Considered one of the Seven Wonders to see in Portugal, the Guimaraes Castle has to be at the top of your list of things to see in the city. This impressive infrastructure was built in the 10th century to protect the monks from Arab attacks.
Although it was originally made of mud and wood, it was rebuilt in stone and is still standing to this day. As well as enjoying the amazing architecture, the inside is also interesting to visit. As if that weren’t enough, you can climb the Homage Tower and enjoy breathtaking views. Visiting hours are from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
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Church of São Miguel
The Church of São Miguel is an important structure of Guimaraes, located between two other monuments of equal importance: the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança and the Castle of Guimaraes.
This church, previously considered a National Monument, has a beautiful Romanesque façade; however, the most interesting part can be found inside. D. Alfonso Herniques was baptised here, the proof of which is inscribed on a tombstone. Despite being a simple landmark, it is an enjoyable visit.
Walking along Rua de Santa María
The Rua de Santa Maria, or Santa Maria Street, is one of the most popular and visited streets in Guimaraes. It connects the Palace of the Dukes and Largo da Oliveira Square, providing a route between different tourist spots in the city.
We recommend a pleasant stroll along this beautiful pedestrian street where nobles and clergymen used to live. Along the way, you’ll come across several of the city’s emblematic medieval buildings, such as the Casa del Arco, the Municipal Chamber and the Casa de los Voladores. You will be enchanted by the great variety of typical houses and feel the traditional atmosphere along the whole street. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful streets in Guimaraes.
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Praça de Santiago
Located in the heart of the historic centre of Guimaraes, Praça de Santiago is one of the most beautiful squares in the city, especially for its beautifully preserved medieval features.
You can enjoy a stroll around the area or, better still, sit in one of the bars and enjoy the entertainment in the square, especially at night. This square is completely cobbled and is also surrounded by old stone houses with their typical wooden balconies, creating a scene worth admiring. From this square you have direct access to Largo da Oliveira. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s free wifi.
The Palace of the Dukes of Braganza
The Palace of the Dukes of Bragança is another of the main spots to see in Guimaraes. This impressive fortress was built in the early 15th century by Alfonso I, in order to meet one of his mistresses.
The palace was originally built in the Burgundian architectural style, but was later restored in a different style. Fortunately, it has been possible to conserve some of its elements, such as the chimneys and turrets. Once you have finished admiring its impressive facade, you can take a stroll inside. You will discover an incredible Banqueting Hall, the Gothic cloister and the central chapel. We 100% recommend visiting!
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Visit the Alberto Sampaio Museum of Guimaraes
There are plenty of outdoor activities to do in Guimaraes, but a visit to the most interesting museum in Guimaraes is a must on any trip. In this case, you can’t miss the Alberto Sampaio Museum.
The museum is in the main church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, and has a truly spectacular setting, however the best part of the museum is inside. On your visit to the museum you can see different religious objects from different churches in the country, including some items of great historical value for Portugal. And, as if that weren’t enough, there are occasional exhibitions of modern art. This is not one to miss.
Santuario da Penha
Located in the heart of the Penha Mountain, the Penha Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful places to see in Guimaraes. On top of being a very important pilgrimage site in the country, once you are at the top you will understand why it was so worth a visit.
The way to get to the Sanctuary is by taking the funicular railway up to the top of the mountain. The views from the top will leave you speechless, to say the least. As well as overlooking the whole city of Guimaraes, you will find a beautiful bell tower and its staircase. Once you’re done exploring, you can take a hike along one of the trails whilst surrounded by breathtaking nature. You won’t regret it!
Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolaçao
The Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolaçao is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and emblematic buildings to see in Guimaraes. This beautiful church was built in the 18th century and has a characteristic architectural mix between baroque and rococo.
Although its entire facade is impressive, the most striking features are undoubtedly the beautiful garden and its two enormous towers visible from any point in the city. As one of the main churches in the city of Guimaraes, you cannot skip a visit to this beautiful blend of nature and architecture. You can find it at Largo da República do Brasil, so don’t hesitate to go!
See Largo do Toural Guimaraes
Largo do Toural is a huge square with no buildings around it, which was completely renovated in 1873, creating an enclosed garden. It is considered to be the commercial square of Guimaraes, located on the border between the old town and the new town.
What will fascinate you most about this square is undoubtedly its beautiful gardens and the large fountain, Monumental do Toural. In addition, the surrounding buildings give the square a unique atmosphere. If that were not enough, you can see the famous Church of San Pedro, one of the most important monuments in Guimaraes. You will love it.
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Largo da Oliveira Square
Largo da Oliveira Square is, without a doubt, one of the most important and beautiful squares to see in Guimaraes. In addition to being in the heart of the old town, this square has a lively atmosphere.
It is located next to the impressive Church of Nossa Senhora de Oliveira, so you can enjoy a drink or a meal in the square while taking in the breathtaking views of this landmark. Another symbolic element found in this square is the Padrao do Salado – don’t hesitate to take a stroll around this square on your trip to Guimaraes!
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Guimaraes?
Visit Braga
If you travel to Guimaraes, do not miss the beautiful city of Braga. Like many other places in Portugal, this destination holds great history and culture, as well as numerous activities that will make your visit to Braga a unique experience.
Braga is home to the oldest cathedral in the country, so it’s no surprise that it’s considered the religious centre of Portugal. You can stroll through its many small streets while you get to know its Gothic churches. And despite being the third largest city in Portugal, it manages to avoid overcrowding, so you can wander around the city and enjoy the peace and quiet.
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Pena Aventura Park
This park is a multi-adventure centre located in Ribeira de Pena, in the north of Portugal. It is the ideal destination for a different kind of day out in nature, especially if you are travelling with children.
You can enjoy an infinite number of adrenaline-fuelled activities in an incomparable natural environment. These include sliding down the Alpine Coaster, a small roller coaster among the trees, or launching yourself like a bird down the Fastasticable zip line, one of the largest in Europe. They also have a high altitude circuit or paintballing. You can make your reservation for a very affordable price, it’s impossible to get bored!
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What to see in Guimaraes in 1 day?
- See Guimaraes castle
- Walk down Rua de Santa María
- Wander around Praça de Santiago
- Go into the Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolaçao
- Discover Largo da Oliveira Square
What to see in Guimaraes in 2 days?
- Spend a day of fun in Pena Aventura Park
- Walk through Largo do Toural Square
- Go to the Santuario da Penha
- Visit the Alberto Sampaio Museum
- Admire the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza
- Discover the Church of São Miguel
Frequenty Asked Questions Trip to Guimaraes
Guimaraes belongs to the District of Braga, and is located in the north of Portugal.
To get to Pena Aventura Park, take the A7 from Guimaraes and drive east for 40 minutes.
There are several ways to get to Guimaraes, depending on where you leave from.
– You can take a train from Porto-Campanha station in Porto to Guimaraes. The journey takes approximately one hour.
– You can go by car, and the duration of the journey will vary depending on your point of departure.
Guimaraes contains the essence of Portugal in its purest form, and this also applies to its gastronomy, offering some of the country’s most traditional dishes.
First of all, we recommend you to visit the Templo da Gula Restaurant, where you can try different typical Portuguese dishes with seasonal products.
If you’re more interested in meat dishes, you can’t miss a meal at Duho Restaurant, where you can enjoy a good roast veal among other dishes.
Finally, another place not to be missed is the Cor de Tangerina Restaurant, where you will not only find typical Portuguese dishes but also dishes from all over Europe, and its location is unbeatable.
How to plan your itinerary of places to see in Guimaraes?
If you don’t know how to organise your trip, or where to start when visiting all interesting places in Guimaraes, download the Passporter App and we will help you.
- Search for inspiration from the experiences of other travellers
- Create your personalised itinerary with suggestions from the app
- Add all the places of interest, including the restaurants or bars where you want to eat.
- Organise your route according to your location.
- Check your travel budget with the app depending on your stops, restaurants and activities.
- Share your experience by posting your photos on your traveller profile in the app and share it with other users.
If you have any doubts on how to do it, you can check out our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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