On my recent trip to Porto, Portugal, I spent several days exploring the surrounding areas on a series of day trips. Of the nearby cities that I visited, Guimaraes was easily my favorite. There are so many things to do in Guimaraes in one day that you may end up wishing you’d stayed overnight (I did!). At the same time, though, the historic center has lots of small-town charm and allows for exploration at a relaxed pace.
In this guide, I am going to lay out the best things to do in Guimaraes in one day in an order that makes sense if you’re arriving at the Guimaraes train station. If you’re coming by car or are staying in Guimaraes overnight, it might make sense to shuffle the order of this activities and sights to reduce your walking time.
That being said, I thought Guimaraes was lovely for strolling around and wouldn’t be bothered retracing my steps throughout the day.
Note from Carly: The correct spelling of Guimaraes is Guimarães, with a tilde accent on the second “a”. However, I know that a lot of computers and phones don’t show that symbol correctly, so I will be omitting it throughout this post.
#1 – Vila Flor Cultural Center
The first beautiful thing you’ll see as you walk into Guimaraes is the Vila Flor Cultural Center, located on Avenida Dom Afonso Henriques. At the time of my arrival they hadn’t yet opened for the day, but depending on when you are in Guimaraes they may have art exhibitions, musical performances or other cultural activities going on.
Vila Flor also has beautiful gardens, which you’ll pass as you walk down the street towards the historic center. There are several recent reviews that say it’s free to enter the gardens, but I wasn’t able to find an entrance (it might have been too early in the morning). If you find the entrance, please let me know in the comments!
#2 – Aqui Nasceu Portugal (Portugal Was Born Here)
As you reach the end of the main street leading to the historic center, you’ll see a large wall with a sign that reads Aqui Nasceu Portugal, or Portugal Was Born Here.
There are two reasons that Guimaraes is often considered to be the birthplace of the nation-state of Portugal. First, it was the birthplace of Afonso Henriques, he of the aforementioned street and also the first king of Portugal. Second, in 1128 the Battle of Sao Mamede was fought in Guimaraes. In this historic battle Afonso Henriques opposed his own mother and her lover (how is this not an HBO show?), eventually winning and claiming full independence from (what is now) Spain.
#3 – Historic Center of Guimaraes
You’ve now arrived in the historic center of Guimaraes, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Dating back to the twelfth century, the well-preserved historic center still showcases original architecture, traditional building materials and significant monuments.
Many of the important buildings in the Guimaraes are well-signed in both English and Portuguese. These signs explain the history of the building and any recent reconstruction efforts.
Even though I was only in Guimaraes for one day, I actually took more than 250 photos. The historic center of this Portuguese town is so pretty that you’ll have a hard time putting your camera away. I could have shared a million more photos, but I thought it would be nice to keep some of the prettiest facades, streets, arches and plazas to myself, so you can discover them for yourself when you visit!
#4 – Largo da Oliveira
To me, it felt like the heart of Guimaraes was Largo da Oliveira. This pretty plaza is lined with historical buildings, cafes, and one of the town’s most important churches. At its center are two important monuments: the Padrão do Salado Gothic archway, and an actual olive tree. That tree dates back to the 1300s, and it was transplanted to the center of Guimaraes from a nearby monastery. The move caused the tree to die, but years later it came back to life… one of the first of many miracles that locals attribute to the plant.
When you’re standing in the square, look on the side of the church wall for a unique piece of history. A metal box once held a rope that connected to a bell atop the church. The front of the box is inscribed with the names of local streets, landmarks and villages, and a number associated with each. If a fire broke out, the rope could be used to ring the bell the number of times that corresponded with the location of the fire, so that help could be dispatched.
#5 – Nossa Senhora de Oliveira Church (Our Lady of the Olive Tree)
Admission to this tenth-century church on the Largo de Oliveira is €2 and it’s definitely worth the admission fee! I think that most people visit to see the spectacular golden altar, or the large pipe organ, but my favorite thing was the views of Largo da Oliveira from the second-floor windows.
Most of the important artifacts from the church have been moved to the nearby Alberto Sampaio Museum. I didn’t visit this purpose-built church that houses hundreds of religious artifacts, but I probably should have as I’ve heard that the beautiful cloister alone is worth the admission fee (even if you skip all the religious artifacts).
#6 – Sweets from the Santa Clara Monastery
As you walk up the Rua de Santa Maria you will pass a number of shops, bakeries and cafes selling baked goods. These are made by the nuns who live in the Santa Clara Monastery, and are typically found only here in Guimaraes.
I highly recommend trying the Torta de Guimaraes, which is a crispy pastry filled with a mixture of egg yolks, almond paste and spaghetti squash! This trio of ingredients is featured in many of the local delicacies, and I won’t judge you if you try them all!
#7 – Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church
As you walk through the historic center towards the hill that houses the castle and ducal palace, you’ll pass by the church dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It’s free to enter this small Baroque church, but the real highlight is the beautiful azulejo tile work on the exterior wall.
#8 – Church of São Miguel do Castelo
This tiny medieval church is situated on the hill between the Castle of Guimaraes and the Ducal Palace. The inside is bare, except for the floor where you can see the stones that mark the graves of the knights who died defending Portugal during the medieval era.
#9 – Guimaraes Castle
You can’t miss the The Castle of Guimarães, built atop a hill in the historic centre of town. It was built in the 900s, back when Guimaraes was under constant attack from both Moors and Norsemen.
Although you can’t tell from my photo, the castle was undergoing extensive repairs at the time of my visit in August 2023. While it was free to walk around the castle and to enter part of the interior courtyard, the rest of the castle was off-limits.
The exception to this is a virtual reality experience called Afonso 360, which costs €6 and sees visitors put on virtual reality goggles to experience a ten-minute recreation of the battle that led to Portuguese independence. The reviews of Afonso 360 aren’t bad, but it didn’t interest me so I skipped it.
#10 – Paço dos Duques / The Ducal Palace of Guimaraes
One of my favorite things to do in Guimaraes was to visit the Ducal Palace (Paco dos Duques). Tickets only cost €5 – you can buy them at the ticket office or you can purchase online for the morning or afternoon window. I bought my ticket online and then squeezed past all of the people in the queue to the entrance to the first room, where my QR code was scanned and I was allowed to enter.
The building itself dates back to the early 1400s, but during the 1950s it underwent extensive renovations and upgrades that some historians believe are a fair bit fancier than what stood here originally.
I spent about one hour in the Ducal Palace. There is a clear pathway through the palace, and each room has signage in Portuguese, French, Spanish and English that explains the purpose of the room and the significance of the items on display. Of particular note are the many tapestries (including noteworthy pieces from Istanbul and the rest of the Ottoman Empire), ceramics and paintings.
#11 – Lunch in Guimaraes
After you finish touring the Ducal Palace of Guimaraes, it’s a good time to stop for lunch. Guimaraes has lots of restaurants, representing a wide range of cuisines and prices. Here are a few options that aren’t too far of a walk from the palace:
- Cor de Tangerina – This is where I had lunch in Guimaraes. It’s a vegetarian restaurant with a pretty garden terrace and indoor seating in a converted old home. Portions are on the small side and service is a bit slow, but I was happy to rest and relax over a light meal after all that walking (and after that Torta de Guimaraes that I had earlier!).
- A Cozhina – Open for lunch from Tuesday to Saturday, this Michelin-starred restaurant features tasting menus where traditional Portuguese dishes are given modern interpretations.
- Casa Amarela – Somewhere between the two restaurants listed above, this popular restaurant serves typical Portuguese dishes, as well as vegetarian options and a kids’ menu.
#12 – Convent of Santo Antonio dos Capuchos
If you eat lunch at Cor de Tangerina, you’ll finish just as the nearby Convent of Santo Antonio dos Capuchos opens for afternoon visitors. The building served as both a convent and a hospital, but your visit will focus on the religious history of the site.
With your €2 ticket you will receive access to several rooms in the old convent, the bell tower (you have to duck through a small arch and climb some questionable stairs to get to the roof, but it’s worth it!) and the chapel (including the upper levels). It’s quite pretty and certainly worth 20-30 minutes of your time.
#13 – Walk Along the Guimaraes City Walls
A few blocks away you’ll find what remains of the old city walls in Guimaraes. Unlike the ancient walls of Obidos, which are in their original (vertigo-inducing) state, the walls here have undergone modernizations and feature a smooth metallic walkway, safe access via stairs, and railings to keep you from falling off!
You only need about five minutes to walk the length of the wall. The entrance point is just behind City Hall (Camara Municipal) and you’ll end up almost exactly at the gardens shown in the photo below.
#14 – The Church of Our Lady of Consolation
Perhaps the most iconic image of Guimaraes is that of the Our Lady of Consolation church overlooking the zig-zag gardens leading to her doorsteps. It’s free to enter the church, which is good since I personally didn’t find the small interior particularly noteworthy.
#15 – Guimaraes Teleferico (Cable Car)
While you’re here, you can detour behind the church to the cable car (teleferico) that ascends Mount Penha. For visitors, a return ticket costs €7.50 and it zips you along a 1.5 kilometer route, rising more than 600 meters.
At the top you’ll find panoramic views of Guimaraes, scenic walking trails and the Santuario da Penha, a church built in the 1940s by the same architect who designed the Sao Bento train station in Porto. Prior to that a hermit had lived atop this mountain, followed by a group of Discalced Carmelites (an order of nuns and friars who live in relative isolation, devoted solely to prayer). Thus, there are several chapels, grottos and icons dotted around the mountaintop as well.
Unfortunately I didn’t have time to ride up to the top of Mount Penha, but I would have made it a priority if I’d had two days in Guimaraes.
#16 – Zona de Couros -The Old Tannery Quarter in Guimaraes
About four blocks away from the Our Lady of Consolation church you’ll find the Zona de Couros, or Guimaraes’ old tannery district. This is where animal skins were dried, dyed and treated to make the leather goods that Portugal is so well-known for.
Guimaraes’ leather industry began to decline in the 1960s, and today the neighborhood is an open-air memorial to an earlier time. You can still see the huge stone tanning tanks, the old water wheels and chimneys, and the factory buildings. Portugal has submitted this neighborhood to UNESCO for consideration as a World Heritage Site in its own right.
If you’re in Guimaraes with children, you may want to visit the Living Science Museum located in this district. It features hands-on, interactive exhibits related to engineering, robotics and history that are specifically designed to engage young minds.
Guimaraes Travel Tips
Have I convinced you to spend a day in Guimaraes? If so, here are a few bonus travel tips that will make your visit easier, whether you’re coming by train for one day, driving to Guimaraes by car, or opting for an organized tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where is Guimaraes?
Guimaraes is located in northern Portugal. It is fifty kilometers northeast of Porto and twenty kilometers southeast of Braga. The historic center of Guimaraes is located about 750 meters north of the train station.
How to take the Porto to Guimaraes train?
The train from Porto to Guimaraes is considered to be part of the urban rail network rather than the national rail network. This means that you may have to look around the site a bit to find the schedule (I recommend doing a Google search for “porto guimaraes train” and looking for the PDF timetable near the top of the results.
Generally speaking, trains run about once an hour from Porto Sao Bento to Guimaraes, stopping at Porto Campanha five minutes into the trip. The train from Porto to Guimaraes takes about 70 minutes, and as an urban train it makes many stops in small villages along the way.
In August 2023, the cost of a train ticket on the urban train from Porto to Guimaraes was €3.50. To buy a return ticket, use the machine on the left in the photo above to pay for two journeys. You can pay with cash or credit card (if the machine is working properly) and there is a round button to switch the language to English.
Once you have the ticket, you need to validate it before each journey. Tap your card against the machine shown on the right in the photo before you leave Porto, and tap it again before you get on the return train. Keep the card with you for the duration of the trip as there are many ticket inspectors on Portuguese trains.
Where to Stay in Guimaraes
I only visited Guimaraes for the day, so I didn’t stay overnight. However, while I was wandering around town I noticed a few hotels that looked nice, and I actually regretted not staying overnight. Here are a few Guimaraes hotels worth checking out:
- Casa do Juncal – This upscale local guesthouse has a great location in the historic center, within easy walking distance of the train station. Guests rave about the home-cooked breakfast served each morning here.
- Alojamenta Local F&B – Of the affordable guesthouses in Guimaraes, I think this one looks the best. It’s just one block away from the pretty public square at Largo da Oliveira and the host is a wealth of local information and recommendations.
- Ana’s Houses – If you’re looking for an apartment rental in the historic center of Guimaraes, this would be a great options. There is free public parking nearby and the comfortable apartments have fully-equipped kitchens and a lovely outdoor terrace.
The Best Tours to Guimaraes from Porto
I recommend visiting Guimaraes independently, as it really is a very easy day trip from Porto. Most organized tours also stop in Braga, which means you will have less time to really explore Guimaraes. However, if you want to see both cities on an organized day trip from Porto, here are some options to consider:
- Day Trip From Porto to Braga & Guimaraes – This is a well-known tour company in Portugal. With their large tour volume, they can offer some of the lowest prices on day trips in the region. Their full-day tour departs from Porto, spends the morning in Guimaraes, and then continues to Braga for lunch and more sightseeing.
- Braga and Guimarães Small Group Tour – This small-group tour is more expensive, but you’ll receive more personalized service when you travel in small luxury van, rather than a larger tour bus. This route departs from Porto for Braga. You’ll spend the morning exploring and then having a typical Portuguese lunch before departing for Guimaraes in the afternoon.
Is Guimaraes worth visiting?
Yes, Guimaraes is definitely worth visiting! Even if you only have three or four days in Porto, I would recommend that you include a day trip to this charming small town in your itinerary. My day in Guimaraes was one of my favorite days on my Portugal trip – it was lovely to escape the crowds (and the hills!) of Porto for a more tranquil and pedestrian-friendly destination.
Another unmissable day trip from Porto is a Douro Valley Wine tour. Click through to see exactly which tour I recommend (and why!).
I also have a list of my favorite tours and excursions across Portugal – just the best ones!
If you like the looks of Guimaraes, you’ll probably also love Obidos. This small town in the south part of Portugal can be visited as an easy day trip by bus from Lisbon.
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