Portugal was born here.
Not metaphorically, not loosely, but literally in 1128, on a battlefield just outside the town walls, when Afonso Henriques defeated his mother's forces and forged the kingdom. Nearly nine centuries later, the Portuguese speak of Guimarães with pride, and the words "Aqui Nasceu Portugal" (Portugal was born here) stand on the town walls.

Of all the towns in northern Portugal, Guimarães is my favourite, and the first place I take any friend or family member who visits us in Porto. The 10th-century castle still stands on its hilltop, the chapel where Afonso was baptised still holds its original font, and the grand Palace of the Dukes of Braganza still keeps watch over the rooftops. Yet you will not find a town frozen in reverence for its past. The UNESCO-listed historic centre is a working, lived-in place of cobbled lanes and granite plazas, where the cafés on the Largo da Oliveira fill with locals long before they fill with tourists.

What I like most about Guimarães is that it is small enough to walk in a morning, yet has enough to see that you will want to stay all day. You can follow the founding story of a nation in the medieval quarter, lunch in a traditional tasca, and ride the cable car up to Mount Penha for views across the whole region.

Having travelled in Portugal since 2001 and lived here for the past six years, my Portuguese wife and I rate Guimarães as the highlight of the north. Let us show you a town we love. This guide draws on our first-hand knowledge and local insight to help you plan a trip that does justice to both the town and the region around it.

 

 

The Castelo de Guimarães

Constructed in the 10th century to defend against the Moors, this was the birthplace of Afonso Henriques, and it later served as his royal court. The castle was greatly strengthened during the 13th century, and these fortifications are what we see today.

The Praça de São Tiago and Largo da Oliveira

The two medieval plazas at the heart of Guimarães are the most characterful areas of the city. The plazas contain many of Guimarães’ oldest buildings, such as the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira and the Antiga Câmara Municipal.

The Paço dos Duques de Bragança

This imposing 15th-century palace houses a fascinating collection of 17th-century furniture and tapestries. The palace was extensively restored (and almost rebuilt!) in the 1940s and is probably much grander today than it was originally.

Monte da Penha

A forest-covered hill (613m) to the east of Guimarães, with giant boulders, tranquil footpaths and stunning views over the region. A cable car connects Guimarães with the Santuário da Penha, the modern church complex at the top of the hill.
Related article: Sights of Guimarães

The majority of tourists visit Guimarães as a day trip from Porto, and one full day is enough to see the city properly.

A typical day in Guimarães divides into three sections: the medieval quarter, the Paço dos Duques and Castelo de Guimarães area, and Penha hill (Monte da Penha).

The city's delightful medieval quarter is focused around three squares: the Largo da Oliveira, the Largo República do Brasil and the Largo do Toural. Most visitors begin here, as it is closest to the train station. The area also contains the largest selection of restaurants, cafés and shops, making it the perfect place to stop for lunch. Allow around three hours, or closer to five if you wish to explore all of the museums and religious buildings. Guimarães is compact, but it has a surprising number of squares and narrow streets that are easy to get lost in, which can make the city feel much larger than it actually is.

The Paço dos Duques palace and Castelo de Guimarães sit at the top of Monte Latito, to the north of the medieval quarter. While in this area, do also visit the Santo António convent and the Igreja de São Miguel, the church where Afonso Henriques was baptised.

The final tourist area is Penha hill. I recommend visiting this last, and only adding it to your day trip if you have the energy or time to spare. A cable car connects the city to the summit, where you will find the Santuário da Penha and pleasant forested footpaths nestled between huge boulders. Allow around 90 minutes to explore Parque da Penha and ride the cable car both ways.

The wealth of attractions on offer makes Guimarães an ideal day trip from Porto, but it can be a very long day. The train takes 70 minutes each way (details later in this article), so you may prefer to spend the night. There are many excellent hotels to choose from within the city.

Below is an interactive map for a suggested day trip to Guimarães. The tour starts from the train station, and the Penha hill section is marked in yellow. (Note: zoom out to see all of the markers.)

Sights of Guimarães: 1) Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Consolação 2) Largo República do Brasil 3) Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira 4) Largo da Oliveira 5) The Old town hall Antiga câmara municipal 6) Praça de São Tiago 7) Convento de Santa Clara 8) Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo 9) Paço dos Duques de Bragança 10) Igreja de São Miguel 11) Castelo de Guimarães 12) Estátua a Dom Afonso Henriques 13) Convento de Santo António dos Capuchos 14) Largo do Toural 15) “Here was born Portugal” city walls 16) Capela de São Francisco
Sights of Penha hill: 17) Santuário da Penha 18) Monte de Santa Catarina (viewpoint) 19) Summit of Penha hill (613m) 20) Miradouro do Penha (viewpoint) 21) Nossa Senhora do Carmo grotto

A group tour of Guimarães?
An organised tour is a great way to discover Guimarães, especially if you are limited for time or don't want the hassle of public transport.
We have worked with GetYourGuide.com for the past seven years, and a selection of their best tours of Guimarães includes:

The links above are affiliate links. If you book through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I really appreciate it, as it helps me keep this site free and running.

Sights of a day trip

Antiga Câmara Municipal, the Old Town Hall on the Largo da Oliveira

The Jardim do Largo Condessa do Juncal

The pretty Largo da Oliveira, named after the olive tree that grows in its centre

The Nossa Senhora da Consolação church on the Largo República do Brasil

The Praça de São Tiago

The 17th century tapestries hanging in the Paço dos Duques de Bragança

The Teleférico da Penha, the cable car that connects Guimarães with Penha hill

The view from the Monte de Santa Catarina

The famed "Here Portugal was Born" inscription on the city walls

Guimarães and Braga are both popular destinations for day trips from Porto.

Braga is known as the religious capital of Portugal, and was the site of Portugal's first cathedral. Close to Braga is the beautiful Bom Jesus do Monte, with its decorative Baroque stairway.

Both cities are fantastic day trips, but we would recommend visiting Guimarães before Braga. Guimarães has more varied sights and is prettier, with its medieval streets and architecture.

Advice: If you are limited for time, you may be tempted to squeeze both Guimarães and Braga into a single day trip. We would advise against this, as both cities need at least one day to fully explore and are best visited separately, unless you join an organised tour.
Related articles: Braga guide - Day trips from Porto

Although many visit Guimarães as a day trip, the city serves as an excellent base for exploring the region. Beyond its sightseeing appeal, the city offers a wide selection of restaurants and shops, along with an abundance of Portuguese charm that suits a longer stay.

Guimarães offers accommodation to suit every preference, from luxurious hotels to budget-friendly apartments.

The historic Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães, set in a 12th-century monastery, stands as the city's premier luxury choice, featuring elegant cloisters and a spectacular outdoor pool with views of the city.

The contemporary Hotel da Oliveira sits in the heart of the historic centre, with a boutique atmosphere and an excellent restaurant serving regional cuisine. For magnificent views of the castle, the Hotel de Guimarães provides comfortable rooms and a well-equipped spa facility.

In the mid-range category, the Santa Luzia ArtHotel and Hotel Fundador offer reliable comfort and authentic Portuguese hospitality, both within walking distance of the main attractions.

Through our partnership with Booking.com, we provide an up-to-date map of accommodation options in Guimarães. Simply adjust your dates to view current prices and availability for your intended stay.

Guimarães is 43km to the northeast of Porto and is served by a direct rail service. In Porto, the train departs from the São Bento train station and a return ticket costs €7.20. The Guimarães to Porto line is an 'urban' route, meaning it stops at many stations, which stretches the journey to tedious 70 minutes.

The latest timetable can be found on the Comboios de Portugal (CP) website:
https://www.cp.pt/StaticFiles/timetables/oporto-guimaraes-urban-trains.pdf
This is a PDF, so it may download on mobile phones.
Warning: Warning: do check train times for the return journey (Guimarães to Porto), especially at weekends, as there can be gaps of over two hours between departures.

Guimarães train station is to the south of the city, and is a 10-minute walk to the historic centre. On exiting Guimarães station, turn right and walk to the city centre via the Avenida Dom João IV; this is the more scenic route.
Related article: Porto to Guimarães

The train to Guimarães waiting in São Bento train station

Guimarães is known as the birthplace of Portugal, as it was here that the first king of Portugal (Afonso Henriques) was born in 1109.

Afonso was baptised in the Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo, one of the oldest churches in Portugal. This small chapel stands in front of the castle, and the baptismal font can still be found in its original position.

The Battle of São Mamede in 1128, which set Portugal on the path to independence, was fought just outside Guimarães. This battle pitted Afonso Henriques against his mother, Teresa of Portugal, and the Kingdom of León.

After Afonso's victory, Guimarães became the capital of the newly established kingdom, but after 20 years the capital was relocated to Coimbra.

The Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo