Guimarães, Portugal

Guimarães

The 'birthplace of Portugal', with a castle and a medieval centre.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
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Things to do

2 days in Guimarães

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit the castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza with its brick chimneys.
  2. AfternoonWalk the medieval streets around the Largo da Oliveira and the Praça de Santiago.
  3. EveningHave dinner on the old squares as students gather on the terraces.

Day 2

Ride the cable car up Penha mountain for the views.

What to eat

Toucinho do céu, a rich almond cake, and vinho verde.

Local tips

Make the most of Guimarães

Beat the crowds

Calm most of the year, lively on weekend evenings.

Best photo spot

The castle on its hill, and the medieval Largo da Oliveira square.

Getting there

Trains from Porto take about 1.25 hours.

Don't miss nearby

Braga and the Penha mountain, reached by cable car.

Good to know

Look for the sign 'Aqui nasceu Portugal' (Portugal was born here) on the old wall.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Guimarães

Our most hidden places around Guimarães: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Guimarães to take with you.

33 km away
68 km away
94 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Guimarães

Getting there

  • Porto Airport (OPO)40 km away
  • Vigo Airport (VGO)90 km away
  • Braga16 km away
  • Porto40 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeHidden town
Good forOld towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryPortugal

Questions

Guimarães: good to know

Is Guimarães worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. The 'birthplace of Portugal', with a castle and a medieval centre.

How many days do you need in Guimarães?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Guimarães?

You can visit all year. Calm most of the year, lively on weekend evenings.

How do you get to Guimarães?

The nearest airport is Porto Airport (OPO), about 40 km away. Trains from Porto take about 1.25 hours.

What is there to see near Guimarães?

Nearby hidden places include Braga (16 km), Porto (42 km) and Cíes Islands (100 km).

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