Guimarães is a small town located in northern Portugal, not far from Porto and Braga. This town is famous for its historic city center, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Touring the palace, strolling the picturesque streets, and riding the gondola to Penha Park top the list of things to do in Guimarães.
This is one of our favorite towns in Portugal. The city center is compact and a delight to stroll through, with its medieval streets and architecture, bustling squares, and historic landmarks.
Guimarães makes a great day trip destination from Porto and can easily be combined with Braga, which we’ll get to later in this guide. If you enjoy visiting small, historic cities, this is a great one to add to your Portugal itinerary.
Table of Contents
Best Things to Do in Guimarães
1. Tour the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza
This palace (Paço dos Duques de Bragança in Portuguese) is the former residence of the first Dukes of Braganza. It was built in the 15th century by Afonso, Count of Barcelos and the future Duke of Braganza.
In the 17th century, the palace began to slowly decline and by the late 1800’s, was in a state of ruin. In the mid-20th century, the palace was renovated.
The palace sits on top of Monte Latito, a hill that sits just outside of the medieval city center. It’s about a 6-minute walk from Largo da Oliveira, one of the most famous squares in Guimarães.
Palace of the Dukes of Braganza
It takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours to tour the palace, depending on how quickly you move. You will walk through the furnished rooms of the palace. There are tapestries in many of the rooms and the woodwork and stained glass in the chapel are very impressive.
There is a small fee to tour the palace. Get hours and pricing on the official website.
2. Guimarães Castle
Also sitting on Monte Latito are the Guimarães Castle and the next item on our list, the Church of São Miguel do Castelo. The castle was built in the 10th century to defend the nearby monastery from attacks by Norsemen and Moors. It is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.
During our visit in 2023, the castle was not open to visitors. However, it is a very nice, short walk around the perimeter of the castle, as you are walking through a parklike setting.
Guimarães Castle
3. Church of São Miguel do Castelo
This small stone chapel sits between the Guimarães Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza. It was consecrated in 1239. It is believed that Afonso Henriques, the first Portuguese king, was baptized here. It is free to enter.
Church of São Miguel do Castelo
4. Stroll through the Historic City Center
One of the best things to do in Guimarães is to stroll through the city center. This town is incredibly photogenic, with its colorful squares, vibrantly painted medieval buildings, and quiet side streets.
Rua de Santa Maria
Rua de Santa Maria is a narrow street that runs through the heart of Guimarães, from Largo da Oliveira to Jardim do Carmo (not far from the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza).
Later in this article, we have a walking tour of Guimarães which includes these scenic streets.
Side street in Guimarães
5. Praça de São Tiago
This is one of the prettiest squares in Guimarães. It is lined with colorful medieval buildings and sitting in the square are the tables of outdoor cafes. Our photos were taken around 10 am, when the streets are still relatively quiet.
Praça de São Tiago | Things to Do in Guimarães
6. Largo da Oliveira
This famous square sits next to Praça de São Tiago. This is a busy square, with its outdoor cafes and shops and people paying a visit to the Church of Our Lady of Oliveira.
Sitting on Largo da Oliveira is Padrão do Salado, a Gothic monument that commemorates the Battle of Salado in 1340.
Padrão do Salado, Largo da Oliveira
7. The Church of Our Lady of Oliveira
This church (Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira in Portuguese) is a one of the most significant examples of Gothic architecture in northern Portugal. For a small fee (cash only), you can view the interior of the church. Be sure to climb the stairs to the second level to see the organ up close. There is a bell tower but this was not open to visitors in 2023.
8. Try the Sweets from the Convent of Santa Clara
Like many Portuguese towns, Guimarães has a few specialties to try.
Tortas de Guimarães are pastries filled with a mixture of egg yolks, almonds, and spaghetti squash. Douradinhas de Guimarães are egg yolks, almonds, and spaghetti squash in a crunchy pastry. And Toucinho-do-ceu de Guimarães are egg yolks, crushed almonds, and spaghetti squash pressed into balls, cooked, and served dusted with flour.
Divina Gula is a small pastry shop on Rua de Santa Maria that sells all of these pastries and more.
9. Sculpture of Afonso Henriques
Sitting on Largo da Misericordia is the famous sculpture of Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. It was placed in the square in 2001 and was created by Joao Cutileiro.
Sculpture of Afonso Henriques
10. Largo do Toural & Aqui Nasceu Portugal
Largo do Toural is one of the largest squares in Guimarães. It sits on the outskirts of the historic city center. Sitting on the square is St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica de São Pedro) and the Aqui Nasceu Portugal sign, which translates to “Portugal was born here.”
Largo do Toural
11. Garden of Largo Republic of Brazil
This photogenic square sits just outside of the historic city center. At the far end of the square is the Church of Our Lady of Consolation and on the distant hillside is Penha Park.
Garden of Largo Republic of Brazil
12. Church of Our Lady of Consolation
The Church of Our Lady of Consolation (Igreja e Oratórios de Nossa Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos in Portuguese) sits on one end of the Garden of Largo Republic of Brazil. It is exquisitely beautiful on the outside and surprisingly plain on the inside (at least for a church in Portugal), with the exception of the stunning stained-glass windows.
Stained glass in the Church of Our Lady of Consolation
13. Church of St. Francis
This church is a little out of the way but well worth the walk. The interior is the most spectacular of the churches in Guimarães.
Outside, it doesn’t look like much. It is covered with blue tiles, but you haven’t seen anything yet.
Step inside to view the walls covered with blue and white azulejos (tiles) and the main altar that is covered in gold leaf. There is a side altar dedicated to St. Francis.
There is a small fee to enter, cash only.
Church of Saint Francis | Things to Do in Guimarães
Church of Saint Francis
14. Penha Park & the Sanctuary of Penha
Penha Park sits 7 km outside of Guimarães. This forested hilltop park was once a pilgrimage site. The Sanctuary of Penha is a church that was completed in 1947 and it was designed by Jose Marques da Silva, the same person who designed the São Bento Station in Porto.
On a visit to Penha Park, you can stroll the trails through the forests, visit the sanctuary and the viewpoint that overlooks Guimarães (Miradouro Penha), and walk to the highest point in Pena Park for 360° views. There are shops and restaurants near the main parking area.
The view from the highest point (Vista Panoramica de Guimarães)
Sanctuary of Penha
The view of Guimarães and the cable car from Miradouro Penha
To get to Penha Park, you can either drive here from Guimarães or ride the cable car (Teleférico de Guimarães). The lower station is located just outside the city center of Guimarães, a 5-minute walk from the Church of Our Lady of Consolation. The upper station is located near the Sanctuary of Penha. Both stations are marked on our map below. Get hours and pricing here.
A visit here lasts 30 minutes (if you just visit the Sanctuary and Miradouro Penha) or several hours, if you walk the trails and have lunch or dinner here.
Things to Do in Guimarães: On a Map
How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (points of interest and the walking route). You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest.
If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Interesting Facts about Guimarães
As just stated, Guimarães is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic city center. The medieval city center is very well-preserved and a great example of how a city evolves from a medieval settlement into a modern town.
Guimarães was first settled in the 9th century. It is commonly referred to as the “birthplace of Portugal” because Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques, was born here. The Battle of Sao Mamede was fought nearby, and this battle is considered to be an important event for the foundation of the Kingdom of Portugal.
How to Get to Guimarães
Guimarães is accessible by car, train, and bus.
If you have a rental car, Guimarães is a 50-minute drive from Porto and a 25-minute drive from Braga. In Guimarães, we parked at Estacionamento Camoes, a parking garage that sits just outside of the city center, near Largo do Toural.
Trains run frequently between Guimarães and Porto. If you are planning to use public transportation and also visit Braga on the same day, it’s best to travel by bus between Guimarães and Braga.
If you prefer to take a tour that includes your transportation, this day trip from Porto includes Guimarães, Braga, and Bom Jesus.
How Much Time Do You Need in Guimarães?
A half of a day is just enough time to visit the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, stroll the city streets, visit a few churches, and try a few pastries. Penha Park adds another 1 to 2 hours, depending on how much time you spend in the park.
If you keep your visit to half of a day, you can use the other half day to visit nearby Braga. We provide the details on how to do this later in this guide.
Where to Eat in Guimarães
There are a lot of restaurants in Guimarães that get rave reviews.
If you want Portuguese food, we recommend Monte dos Leitões, A Cozinho por Antonio Loureiro (a Michelin-star restaurant), and Solar do Arco Restaurante.
Casa Amarela also gets great reviews and has an outdoor setting on a small square in the city center.
Buxa serves Mediterranean and Portuguese food and is located on Largo da Oliveira.
Guimarães Walking Loop
This short walking loop starts at Estacionamento Camoes, a convenient parking garage located just outside of the city center. If you are arriving by train, the train station is on the southern side of town, an 800-meter (12-minute) walk to Largo do Toural.
You can see the walking route on the map above.
From the parking garage and train station, walk to Largo do Toural. Walk through the square, to the northeast corner, and continue to the sculpture of Afonso Henriques and Largo da Misericordia. Walk to the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, tour the palace, see the castle and the Church of Sao Miguel do Castelo. Then, walk through town, visiting Divina Gula for sweet treats and then Praça de São Tiago and Largo da Oliveira.
Continue on the loop to the Garden of Largo Republic of Brazil and the Church of St. Francis. Walk to the parking garage or the Guimarães bus station if you plan to visit Braga next using public transportation.
If you plan to ride the cable car to Penha Park, do this after seeing the Garden of Largo Republic of Brazil.
Praça de São Tiago | Things to Do in Guimarães
Things to Do Near Guimarães
Citânia de Briteiros
This archaeological site dates back to the first and second century BCE. The remains include a walled village and hill fort, ramparts, and baths. It is 17 km north of Guimarães (about a 25-minute drive) and would make a nice stop on the way to Braga, if you have an interest in archaeological sites.
Braga & Bom Jesus
Braga is a Portuguese town that is famous for the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a Portuguese Catholic shrine. It is a Christian pilgrimage site and its white Baroque stairway is one of Portugal’s most famous landmarks. Braga is a small city and worth a quick stroll, but we liked Guimarães more.
Bom Jesus do Monte
Amarante
Amarante is a tiny town that sits roughly 50 km southeast of Guimarães. We visited Amarante on the drive between Porto and the Douro Valley but because of its close proximity to Guimarães, can be visited from here as well.
This picturesque town sits on the banks of the Tâmega River, a tributary of the Douro River. Amarante has a short to-do list, with strolling across Ponte de São Gonçalo and the city streets, visiting the market, and dining on a Bolos de São Gonçalo (a phallic-shaped pastry) topping the list.
Amarante
Bolos de São Gonçalo and Pastel de Nata in Amarante
Guimarães and Braga Day Trip from Porto
Since these two towns sit near one another, they make a great day trip from Porto.
Start your day in Guimarães. You can drive here (about 50 minutes) or take the train (about 1 hour, check the timetable and prices here).
Spend the morning in Guimarães, starting at the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and the castle, then working your way through town. At the end of your visit, if you are doing well on time, you have the option to add on Penha Park, which is worth it if you like the idea of getting panoramic views from the viewpoints in the park.
Midday, travel to Braga, by car or by bus. Buses leave frequently and take about 25 to 45 minutes to get to Braga. If you have a rental car, this takes about 25 minutes.
We ate a late lunch at O Filho da Mãe in Braga and we highly recommend it. Check hours on Google before you go since they are not open 7 days a week and close in the early afternoon (3:00 pm) on the days that they are open.
Spend an hour or two strolling through Braga and then end your visit at Bom Jesus do Monte (we cover what to do in our Guide to Braga). Since we had a rental car, we drove here but you can also get here on the local Braga bus #2.
Return to Porto by car or by train (get timetables and prices here).
This tour from Porto visits Guimarães, Braga, and Bom Jesus and includes your transportation, entry fees, and lunch.
Braga
Where to Stay in and around Guimarães
We stayed in Porto and visited Guimarães on a day trip from Porto. You can also stay in Braga and day trip to Guimarães.
However, if you plan to spend the night in Guimarães, here are a few options.
Vale de São Torcato Hotel Rural is located a few kilometers outside of Guimarães. It has a lovely rural setting, with an indoor and outdoor pool. Rooms are double rooms and suites. It is one of the highest rated properties in the area.
Conquistador Palace is located in Guimarães, is beautifully decorated, gets exceptional reviews, and also has an outdoor swimming pool.
If you are traveling as a family or small group, take a look at Apartamentos com Historia. These one-bedroom apartments come with a kitchenette and are located in the city center.
If you are traveling on a budget, take a look at Guimaraes Living Hostel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a visit to Guimarães worth it?
This is one of our favorite towns in Portugal. The city center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is compact and a delight to stroll through, with its medieval streets and architecture, bustling squares, and historic landmarks. Guimarães makes a great day trip destination from Porto and can easily be combined with Braga.
Which is better, Guimarães or Braga?
Guimarães is a small, compact city famous for its medieval architecture, picturesque streets, palace, and castle. It’s a joy to explore and photograph. We liked it a little bit more than Braga, which doesn’t have quite the same amount of charm as Guimarães. However, in Braga, it is well worth it to visit Bom Jesus do Monte, a famous landmark in Portugal.
What is the best way to visit Guimarães?
Guimarães needs about half of a day of your time, to visit the highlights. It is typically visited on a day trip from Porto (along with the nearby town of Braga). From Porto, you can drive here (if you will have a rental car) or can get here by train. For those who don’t want the hassle of arranging transportation, there are also tours of Guimarães from Porto.
If you have any questions about the best things to do in Guimarães, let us know in the comment section below.
More Portugal Travel Guides
BEST OF PORTO: Porto Bucket List: 30 Best Things to Do in Porto
PORTO ITINERARY: 2 Days in Porto: Best Itinerary for First Time Visitors
PORTO WINE LODGES: Wine Cellars in Porto: Port Tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia
BRAGA: How to Visit Braga & Bom Jesus do Monte
DOURO VALLEY: How to Plan a Douro Valley Day Trip from Porto
PORTUGAL ITINERARY: 10 Days in Portugal: Lisbon, Porto & the Algarve
We have TONS more information about Portugal in our Portugal Travel Guide, including Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, the Algarve, the Douro Valley, and Madeira.
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