Guimarães day trip from Porto

Guimarães Castle

Guimarães Castle stands at the top of the old town, first built in the 10th century. It’s the centre of the town’s claim to be Portugal’s birthplace: the road to independence, it says, began here, with the battle of São Mamede in 1128.

The keep, the tall tower in the middle, is closed to the public for now. Next to the castle, the small 13th-century church of São Miguel do Castelo is where tradition says Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s first king, was baptised, and the same ticket takes you in.

The Paço dos Duques de Bragança

Close to the castle, the Paço dos Duques dates from the 15th century, built for the first Duke of Braganza, whose family later became Portugal’s royal house. It served as army barracks from 1807 to 1935 and was restored between 1937 and 1959.

It’s being refurbished now, so some rooms are closed and the lift may not be working. While the works last, the Paço costs €5, or €8 with the castle.

Guimarães old town and Largo da Oliveira

From the palace, the old town runs downhill to Largo da Oliveira and Praça de Santiago, two squares lined with cafés. On Largo da Oliveira stand the Padrão do Salado, a small Gothic shrine, and the collegiate church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira.

The historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, and in 2023 the listing grew to take in the Couros district, where the old tanneries were.

On the way out of the old town, a stretch of the medieval wall carries the words “Aqui Nasceu Portugal”, Portugal was born here. They aren’t medieval: the sign was painted in 1976.

The Penha cable car above Guimarães

Above the town, a cable car opened in 1995 climbs to the hill of Penha. From 25 October, on winter hours, it runs every day from 10:00 to 17:30, with the last trip at 17:15. Walking up takes about 30 minutes.

Porto to Guimarães by train

Guimarães has its own CP urban line, which starts at São Bento. It’s outside the Andante network, so the Andante Tour doesn’t cover the trip.

Trains leave São Bento at 20 past most hours, and the quickest is the 9:20, in at 10:25. There’s none between 12:20 and 14:20, and at weekends only 10 run, so note the times back before you go.

Guimarães tours from Porto, with Braga

The tours from Porto pair Guimarães with Braga, in 8 or 9 hours. All three include Guimarães Castle; the one with most reviews adds São Miguel church, and the one with lunch adds the Paço dos Duques.