9 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Guimaraes, Portugal

Porto is the most famous destination in northern Portugal, but it’s just one of many in the region. Take Guimaraes, another delightful destination for those willing to scratch the surface of what Portugal has to offer. This small city is an easy day trip from Porto, but there are more than enough things to do in Guimaraes to warrant a separate visit.

Visiting Guimaraes, you can look forward to a mix of big landmarks, historic architecture, and brilliant scenery to keep you busy. That’s what you get when you visit a place often dubbed “the Birthplace of the Portuguese Nation“. Admit it, doesn’t that sound like a place you might want to experience for yourself? Let’s look at what to do in Guimaraes so that you’ll feel like you made the right choice to visit.

How to get there

Guimaraes is an easy place to get to, removing one of your main reasons not to visit. You’re most likely to be coming from Porto, which is good, as you can get to Guimaraes by both train and bus.

To come by train, hop aboard an urban service (not intercity) at Campanhã Station and in under an hour you’ll be at Guimaraes Station. Walk 10 minutes from the station and you’re in the historic centre, all for a few euros.

By bus, it’s maybe even a little quicker coming from Porto. Various bus companies operate from the Porto Bus Station behind Campanhã Station to the Guimaraes Bus Station inside a shopping mall about as far from the centre as the train station. Go with Flixbus though, they’re the cheapest.

How to get around

It’s worth saying that Guimaraes is a small city. Throughout my visit, I only ever needed to walk to get places. You won’t have much alternative in the narrow streets of the old town area, but even going out to the cable car I just walked. There are city buses, but I never used them.

If you really don’t feel like walking, you do have a fun option open to you. Visitors can book a tuk-tuk tour of Guimaraes, where you can ride around in an electric tuk-tuk and enjoy the scenery as you zoom along.

Where to stay in Guimaraes

The small size of Guimaraes not only helps you get around the city but also limits your options for where to stay. There’s really only one place you need to look for accommodation – the historical centre of Guimaraes and around its edges. This is where nearly every hotel, hostel, and guesthouse is.

It’s unclear whether the hotel I stayed at still exists, so here are the best-reviewed hotels in Guimaraes that I could find:

• Hotel da Oliveira – 4-star hotel
• GuimaGold – Old Town apartment
• Casa de Couros – affordable apartment
• Dom José Alojamentos – guesthouse

How to do a day trip to Guimaraes

Now, I did say that a Guimaraes day trip from Porto is one way to visit the city. Since you know how to get here from Porto, you can see how easy it would be to a day trip here independently. There are actually quite a few easy day trips from Porto that you can do.

I will say that with a day trip, you may run out of time to go up Mount Penha on the cable car. If that doesn’t bother you, then there’s nothing stopping you.

But you also don’t have to visit Guimaraes by yourself, worrying about the transport and logistics on your own. Instead, take this tour from Porto as many people have done before, allowing you to visit both Guimaraes and Braga in just one day.

The things to do in Guimaraes

Having covered the logistics of getting to Guimaraes in great length, let’s finally look at where you should go when you arrive. Most Guimaraes things to do revolve around the city’s old town, with the trip up to Mount Penha providing a nice change of pace.

1. Visit the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza

Given my unending love of castles and palaces, what else could I put first? Sitting on a hilltop overlooking the old quarter of the city sits the unconventional Palace of the Dukes of Braganza.

I say unconventional because although it was built as a palace and residence in the 15th century, it sure looks like a box-shaped castle. And let’s not forget the many unusual chimneys that pop out of its rooftops.

Anyway, this medieval palace is a must-see when in Guimaraes because it explores an interesting part of the city’s history. Built by local Count Afonso, it soon became the seat of one of the first and most important Duchies in Portugal, the Dukes of Braganza.

While it fell into disrepair over the centuries, it is quite interesting to learn about some local history as you explore its vast halls and intimate chapels.

2. Climb Guimaraes Castle

Wait, there’s a palace and a castle too? Yes, Guimaraes has the good fortune of having both right next to each other. Just up the hill from the Ducal Palace, you’ll find the very medieval Guimaraes Castle.

One look at the jagged crenulations of its walls and towers and you’ll be conjuring up mental images of knights on horseback and siege warfare. Dating from the 10th century, this fortification was built to defend a nearby monastery from various outside forces like the Moors and Vikings.

While not a gargantuan castle, the medieval castle is pretty darn photogenic from below. And then there’s the views once you climb up onto its walls.

The castle walls are one of (see below) the best viewpoints in Guimaraes, as you get to see the hilly countryside surrounding the city, not to mention the Ducal Palace nearby. The combined ticket for both castles cost 6€ as of April 2017.

3. Take photos in Largo do Toural

A great place to start when exploring the centre of Guimaraes is the Largo do Toural Square. Lying on the edge of the old quarter and adjacent to a pleasant park, the square gives you an idea of what you’re in for with Guimaraes.

Surrounding are quaint, traditional buildings with typical Portuguese architecture. Those looking for a classy restaurant for later in the day should look to Restaurante Café Oriental – good food, but a bit upmarket for my tastes.

Just on the square’s corner, you’ll find a large sign that reads “Aqui Nasceu Portugal” which translates to “Portugal Was Born Here“. This motto refers back to the city’s claim as the “the Birthplace of Portuguese Nation“. So where does this claim come from?

Well, firstly Portugal’s first king Afonso Henriques is believed to have been born in the city in the early 12th century. Secondly, it was the scene for a defining battle that brought about Portuguese independence, the Battle of São Mamedein 1128. This battle was won by, you guessed it, Afonso Henriques also known as Afonso I.

4. Wander through the Old Quarter

Now while it may be one of my favourite things to do in any city, there’s another reason why you should wander through the Guimaraes city centre. As it turns out, the extremely walkable Old Quarter of Guimaraes is recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage-listed site. If that’s not a guarantee of quality, I don’t know what is.

As you stroll through the old quarter, you’ll be treated to narrow cobblestone streets and plenty of charming, old stone houses. For lovers of Portuguese tiles, you’ll find plenty of those here.

Other wonderful little touches include the old street lamps, the little herald-shaped street signs and the occasional archway. Given its size, there’s a lot of character packed into this small area.

5. Admire Old Houses in Praça De São Tiago

If the houses in the streets of the Old Quarter aren’t doing it for you, make your way to Praça De São Tiago. This square is lined with plenty of quaint houses that look like they haven’t changed since the Middle Ages. These traditional houses of stone and wood sit at random levels and angles, often with washing hanging from their windows. If you’re after old-world charm, you’ll find it here.

6. See the Sights of Largo da Oliveira

At the centre of Guimarães lies Largo da Oliveira, a small square with plenty to see. One of the more interesting buildings is the Old Town Council Chambers pictured above.

Their style of architecture and the open-air arcade beneath make for a distinctive landmark. Another is the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, a church with a very moody-looking cloister. Next to the church is the Padrão do Salado, an eye-catching monument to a battle fought in 1340.

Much like the nearby Praça De São Tiago, you’ll find plenty of traditional houses, although the ones here look in much better shape. The square also hosts numerous restaurants, popular with tourists.

7. Go to Largo Republica do Brasil

One of the first photos that brought Guimarães to my attention was the above view of Largo Republica do Brasil.

With its immaculately manicured gardens leading up to the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos, the temptation to get my shot was too much. The avenue starts right on the edge of the Old Quarter, so it’s an easy spot to get to for that quick photo, too.

8. Lookout over Guimaraes from Mount Penha

If you look at the photo of Largo Republica do Brasil earlier, you’ll spot some hills in the distance. That is Mount Penha, a nearby hill/mountain that overlooks the entire city. This is where you find the best views of Guimaraes.

Accessible by the Teleferico cable car from the city for just 3€ one-way, you’ll feel removed from the city and treated to some spectacular scenery. Alternatively, you can hike your way up but best to have a map for that, as I got a bit lost trying to take the trails down.

9. Explore the Park of Mount Penha

Once you’re up on Mount Penha, you may as well explore it there, right? The walk up from the top of the cable car takes you between giant boulders draped in moss and you feel like you’re passing through an enchanted forest.

Once at the top and finished with the viewpoints, there are some cafes, and several churches to admire. But in the end, the most fun part is wandering the trails nearby that pass over and under the incredible boulders that litter the hilltop.

Other places to visit in Guimaraes

Beyond the spots mentioned above, there are plenty of other things to do and see in Guimaraes. For starters, there’s the incredibly modern International Arts Centre and the nearby Archaeological Museum.

Then there are the picturesque houses and the disused leather tanning pools south of Jardim Público da Alameda. I’m sure there’s more I failed to uncover during my visit too. Safe to say, there’s more than a day’s worth of sights to see in Guimaraes.

If you’ve been, what would you say are the things to do in Guimaraes? Where would you start if you were to visit Guimaraes? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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