Hola! Welcome to Guimaraes, one of the most remarkable towns in northern Portugal. Often called the birthplace of the nation, this beautiful town is full of charm – think cobbled streets lined with medieval-style houses, vibrant squares, and impressive landmarks that take you back in time to the Middle Ages. Despite its importance in Portuguese history, Guimarães still feels like a hidden gem, full of character and an authentic vibe. Whether you’re planning a day trip from Porto or looking for an interesting stop on your Portugal itinerary, this town is absolutely worth a visit. Vamos, let us show you great things to do in Guimaraes, Portugal!
Interesting fact. Guimaraes was the first capital of Portugal before Lisbon took its place!
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Guimaraes, Portugal FAQ
Guimarães is located in Northern Portugal in the Alto Minho region in the Braga District. The town is a short drive from popular nearby places like Braga, Porto, Ponte de Lima, or Peneda-Geres National Park.
Guimaraes is best known as the birthplace of the Kingdom of Portugal, thanks to the fact that the country’s first king, Afonso Henrique, was born here. Nowadays, Guimaraes is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal, and its historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Yes, Guimaraes is absolutely worth visiting! Its medieval old town, full of charming streets and lively squares, a well-preserved castle, and many cultural and historical attractions, are all waiting for you, offering an unforgettable chance to step back in time.
Things to do in Guimaraes, Portugal
Guimaraes Old Town
It’s a pure delight to slowly stroll around Guimaraes’ old town, one of the most beautiful and authentic historic centers you’ll find in Portugal. Narrow streets, old stone houses with typical medieval wooden upper parts, and lively squares will make you feel like stepping back in time. What’s more, Guimarães’ old town is named a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a well-deserved recognition for such a charming place! Exploring this area is definitely one of the most memorable things to do in Guimaraes – don’t hesitate to see for yourself!
In Guimaraes’ old tow,n you’ll find points of interest like square Largo da Oliveira with the Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira and Padrão do Salado shrine, squares Largo de São Tiago and Largo do Toural, Guimaraes Castle, Santa Maria street, Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, or medieval walls. We’ll take a closer look at them in a moment.
Guimaraes Tourist Office is located in a small square of Largo Cónego José Maria Gomes, right behind Largo de São Tiago square.
Square Largo da Oliveira
If you’re after old-world charm, you’ll find it in the Largo da Oliveira. It’s a very atmospheric and lively square, surrounded by an array of old colorful medieval buildings that will instantly transport you back in time. It’s also home to plenty of restaurants and cafés—perfect for a quick break with a cup of coffee or a glass of local Vinho Verde. Is exploring Largo da Oliveira one of the best things to do in Guimarães? We won’t deny it!
Square got its name after a centuries-old olive tree (pt. oliveira). According to the legend, an olive tree was planted in the square, in front of the church, to supply olive oil for the altar lamps. When it got sick and stopped bearing fruits, a local merchant placed a cross on the site and a real miracle happened… The olive tree came back to life! This happened in 1342, and that was when the square got its name. Unfortunately, in the 19th century, the original olive tree was cut down, and the one you can admire today was planted only in 1985.
There are three noteworthy places in the square:
- Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Church (pt. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira) – a late 15th-century Gothic church with a baroque interior. It also houses the religious-art Alberto Sampaio Museum. Entrance to the church is free, but the museum is paid.
- Padrao do Salado – a gothic monument with 4 arches and a cross, located right in front of the Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Church. It commemorates the victorious Battle of Río Salado that took place in 1340 near Tarifa between Portuguese and Castilian armies against the Moors.
- Old Town Hall (pt. Antiga Camara Municipal) – a beautiful, mostly 16th-century building, with 14th-century arches on the ground that separates Largo da Oliveira and Largo da São Tiago.
Square Largo da Sao Tiago
Largo da São Tiago is another very atmospheric square in Guimarães. It’s located right next to the Largo da Oliveira, just behind the Old Town Hall arches. Here you’ll find quaint old houses made of stone and wood, along with even more inviting restaurants and cafés. Square looks like it hasn’t changed a bit since the Middle Ages, which is truly remarkable! In our opinion, spending some time on Largo da São Tiago is the number one thing to do in Guimaraes.
Street Rua de Santa Maria
Rua de Santa Maria is one of the oldest, and now one of the most visited, streets in Guimarães. It was built in the 12th century to connect the castle in the upper part of the town with the Santa Clara Convent located in the lower part. Once, this street was home to Guimaraes’s wealthy families and clergymen.
As you stroll along Rua de Santa Maria, you’ll come across traces of the past, like buildings dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries (look for Casa do Arco – no. 28, Casa dos Peixotos – no. 39, or Casa de Valadares de Carvalho – no. 9), Santa Clara Convent, or the picturesque archway. Today, the street is also home to a few charming independent shops, perfect for buying a nice Portuguese souvenir.
Square Largo do Toural
Largo do Toural is another beautiful square in Guimarães that deserves attention. It’s quite a big area located on the border between the old and new town, which until the 18th century sat outside the city walls and served as a commercial square and a livestock market. Today, you’ll find there beautiful 18th-century buildings, a 16th-century fountain, and St. Peter’s Basilica (pt. Basílica de São Pedro).
Interesting fact. Just a few steps from Largo do Toural, on Rue do Anjo, you’ll find the medieval tower with the inscription “Aqui nasceu Portugal”, which means “Portugal was born here”.
Guimaraes Castle
One of the best things to do in Guimaraes is to visit Guimaraes Castle (pt. Castelo de Guimarães). It’s one of the town’s most iconic landmarks that sits on a small hill overlooking the town and its surroundings. It was built in the mid-10th century and served as a military fortification to protect villagers and monks from Moorish attacks.
Over the following centuries, it underwent several modifications and reconstructions and played an important role in many battles. Nowadays, Guimaraes Castle is one of the most complete and well-preserved medieval castles in Portugal and has been listed as a National Monument since 1881.
Guimaraes Castle looks spectacular from the outside, but to be honest, there is not much to see inside. You can walk the ramparts and towers and admire amazing panoramic views. You can also visit Torre de Menagem, the highest tower in the centre of the fortifications – inside, you’ll find a small museum showcasing medieval military techniques and combat weapons.
Entrance to Guimaraes Castle costs €5 for a normal ticket, €2.5 for a reduced one, and is free for children under 12 years old (December 2025). You can also buy a combined ticket, with the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, for €8/€4. For current prices, opening hours, and online tickets, visit the pacodosduques.gov.pt website.
Palace of the Dukes of Braganza
While near Guimaraes Castle, you can also visit the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (pt. Palace Duques de Bragança). It’s a medieval palace built in the first half of the 15th century for Alfonso, the 1st Duke of Bragança. In the 16th century, after the Braganza family moved their seat to Vila Viçosa, the palace was abandoned. In the 19th century, it became a military barracks, and later was restored in the 20th century to become the official residence of Portugal’s President Salazar in the North of the country.
Since 1959, the palace has been open to the public and now serves as a museum. Inside, you’ll find an impressive collection of tapestries, ceramics, paintings, and medieval weapons. The rooms are filled with antique pieces, allowing you to easily imagine what life was like when the palace was inhabited.
Entrance to the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza costs €5 for a normal ticket, €2.5 for a reduced one, and is free for children under 12 years old (December 2025). You can also buy a combined ticket, with the Guimaraes Castle, for €8/€4. For current prices, opening hours, and online tickets, visit the pacodosduques.gov.pt website.
São Miguel do Castelo Church
Between Guimaraes Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, you’ll find São Miguel do Castelo church (pt. Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo). It’s a small and modest medieval Romanesque church constructed of granite. What makes this place special is the fact that the first Portugal king, Afonso Henriques, was baptized here. And up to this day, on the king’s birthday, a mass is celebrated here. To be honest, it’s not one of the most important things to do in Guimaraes, but if you’re nearby, it’s worth a quick stop to appreciate its history.
Medieval Walls
In the 13th century, Guimaraes was surrounded by defensive walls to protect the town and its inhabitants. The fortifications enclosed both the upper town, where the castle stands, and the lower part, dominated by the Santa Maria Collegiate Church. The wall originally had eight gates, three of which were topped with towers.
Today, you can still enjoy a short and free walk along a preserved section of these historic walls. From there, you’ll catch nice views of the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and the town.
Churches of Guimaraes
As befits a Portuguese town, Guimaraes also boasts a big number of churches. So if you’re interested in visiting them, here are some of the most interesting ones:
- Church of Saint Francis (pt. Igreja de São Francisco) is mostly famous for its 18th-century beautiful blue and white azulejos decorating the exterior walls.
- Church of Our Lady of Consolation (pt. Igreja e Oratórios de Nossa Senhora da Consolação) is from the 18th century, and now it’s one of the most beautiful churches in Guimarães. It’s located on Largo República do Brasil, which, thanks to the garden with colorful flowers in front of the church became one of the most popular photo spots in the city.
- Sanctuary of Penha (pt. Santuário da Penha) is located outside the Guimaraes Old Town, on the top of Penha Mountain (620m a.s.l). It can offer fantastic views over the town and its surroundings. You can reach this place by car, on foot or by funicular.
How to get to Guimaraes, Portugal?
Guimaraes is located about 55km from Porto, 80km from Viana do Castelo, 60km from Ponte de Lima, and 25km from Braga. The most convenient way to get to Guimaraes is by car or bus.
Where to park in Guimaraes?
There are some paid parking lots in the Guimaraes center to choose from. If you don’t want to pay, you can leave your car for free 1km from the old town on José Luís de Pina street or one of the neighboring streets.
Airports near Guimaraes
The closest airport to Guimaraes is located in Porto (55km away), and the next one is located in Vigo in Spain (115km away). From each airport, you can get to Guimaraes by public transport. To check the connections that interest you, visit the rome2rio.com website.
To Guimaraes by bus
You can quite easily get to Guimaraes by bus. For example, the trip from Porto will take about 45 minutes, 1 hour from Ponte de Lima, and 35 minutes from Braga. To learn more about bus connections that interest you, visit the rome2rio.com website.
To Guimaraes by train
From some places, you can also reach Guimaraes by train. There are connections available from cities like Porto, Caminha, or Lisbon. Here you can find a map of Portugal’s train connections.
Camping Guimaraes
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Parque Campismo da Penha or GarfePark Camping might interest you. They are located near Guimaraes.
To Guimaraes with an organized tour
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, you can always take advantage of the guided tours and let someone else take care of all the details. If you’re staying in Porto, you can take part in this well-rated Braga and Guimarães Full-Day Trip from Porto. And if you’re only interested in an on-site guided tour, this Guimarães Experience will be an excellent choice. For a wide selection of tour options visit GetYourGuide and Viator websites.
Explore local attractions
Things to do in Guimaraes, Portugal – Summing up
Guimaraes is such an amazing town in northern Portugal, isn’t it? A charming old town filled with colorful medieval buildings and lively squares, a well-preserved castle, and several other historical landmarks makes an unforgettable combination! With all of that, it’s easy to see why many consider Guimarães one of the most beautiful places in Portugal. We hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we did, and that our guide to great things to do in Guimaraes will help you plan an incredible trip!
Our opinion about Guimaraes
For us, a visit to Guimaraes was a day trip from nearby Ponte da Barca, where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it in early May, starting in the early morning hours, and it took us about 6 hours to see all the places we wanted without rushing. During that time of the year, Guimaraes was still sleepy without many other tourists around, and mostly locals going on with their lives.
Guimaraes won our hearts in the blink of an eye and quickly topped the list of our favorite cities in Portugal. We enjoyed our time there, and until today we have fond memories of wandering through its old town. There’s nothing to complain about, really! We suspect that’s all because Guimaraes reminded us of one of our favorite towns in the United Kingdom – beautiful, medieval York.
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Guimaraes?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Guimaraes:
