Top Things to do in Guimaraes
10 Things to do in Guimaraes That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Guimaraes, Portugal including Igreja e Convento de Sao Francisco, Centro Historico de Guimaraes, Paco dos Duques de Braganca, Largo da Oliveira, Citania de Briteiros, Montanha- Parque da Penha, Santuario da Penha, Largo Republica do Brasil, Teleferico de Guimaraes, Guimaraes Castle.
Restaurants in Guimaraes
1. Igreja e Convento de Sao Francisco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Reviewed By iolandaa21 - Lisbon, Portugal
The medieval remains of the Convent of S. Francisco de Guimarães said to still be visible in the high altar of the church are of historical importance, though what I feel really impresses the viewers is the guilded wood carving (which is stunning) surrounded by the 18th century blue and white glazed tiles. The trompe d'oeil ceiling over the church aile is also eye catching.
2. Centro Historico de Guimaraes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,021 reviews
Reviewed By maude52
It’s a beautiful city. The real Portugal. Lots to see. Very walkable. Great restaurants. They light the city at night. It’s like Christmas
3. Paco dos Duques de Braganca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,845 reviews
Reviewed By iolandaa21 - Lisbon, Portugal
Built in the first quarter of the 15th century its inner space is divided in several rooms, whose artifacts are just stunning - such as those in the Banquet Hall or the Hall of the lost steps, to mention just a few. The roof designed as the interior wooden keel of a boat is worth being admired. I was fortunate enough to have equally watched a temporary exhibit on Medieval torture instruments in one of the upper floor rooms.
4. Largo da Oliveira
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 940 reviews
Reviewed By Bozeman-Dublin - Trim, Ireland
A stunner of a square, thr nicest in the whole old town although the Sao Tiago right next door through the arches runs it close! The beguiling Padrao Do Salado draws the eye, a lovely monument to those who died in the 14th century battle of Solado against Muslim forces. It has a big cross inside a gothic style portico. Behind it the Oliveira Church is a masterpiece. Its wonderfully intricate inside and out, such a peaceful place with beautiful stonework and sunshine pouring in the windows. All atound the Square there are restaurants with outdoor seating. It's a wonderful atmospheric area, one of my favourite places in Guimaraes. Dobt miss the old town hall at the far end from the Padrao, the one with the arches and the reddish hue.
5. Citania de Briteiros
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By ottawahound
About 10 km past Bom Jesus on the winding N309 heading southeast from Braga towards Guimarães, Citânia de Briteiros makes for a fascinating visit of a well-developed civilization from the Iron Age, one which the Romans chose to not attempt to conquer. The visitor centre provides a good self-guided tour map. One of the final stops that should not to be missed is the ruins of a public bath, discovered during road construction in the 1930s. Artifacts from the site are on display both at the Museu Da Cultura Castreja in the village of Briteiros and at the Martins Sarmento Society Archaeological Museum in Guimarães.
6. Montanha- Parque da Penha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 552 reviews
Reviewed By jezzc_13 - Hethersett, United Kingdom
Really did not think that the trip up the mountain in the cable car €7.50 return per person, would be soo good. Yes we did pick a sunny day, but we enjoyed a 2 hour trek up through the park enjoying all the nooks and crannies between the boulders. The shrines were a delight along with the viewpoints which were fantastic of the city and the surrounding countryside. Totally worth it and a real highlight winding in and out of the giant boulders.
7. Santuario da Penha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 235 reviews
Reviewed By FGG-DXB - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Beautiful and cozy church on top of the mountain, in the Penha national park. Even though it is accessible by car, taking the cable car ride from town is a lot more fun. The views from the park around the church are spectacular. Bring a good zoom for the visit. A must see when in Guimaraes.
8. Largo Republica do Brasil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
One of the most attractive Baroque churches in Portugal is an organic ensemble with a geometrically laid out garden on Largo do Brasil. It's hard to believe, but this harmony is built at different times. The Church of Our Lady of Consolation and the Holy Steps was built in the early 18th century. Two flanking bell towers were built a century later. And the design of the garden, judging by the photos, is changed annually. Excellent visual perspective is obtained. Although if you stand at the beginning of the garden with a view of the church, you can see that a perfectly straight line cutting through the rhombuses of the garden and the center of the church did not work.
9. Teleferico de Guimaraes
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 705 reviews
Reviewed By tonys570 - Dersingham, United Kingdom
Great visit, found mums phone! Really enjoyed the trip and they found mums phone when she left it in a car!
10. Guimaraes Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,498 reviews
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
Guimaraes castle became my last of the seven wonders of Portugal after the Ierónimos Monastery, Tower of Belem, Pena Palace, the Castle of Obidos, Alcobaça Monastery and Batalha Monastery. Interestingly, among the 7 wonders identified by the survey of citizens of the country, it is the oldest, but took first place in terms of the number of votes. This is logical, because the castle is considered the birthplace of Portugal. Afonso I the Great, the first king of Portugal, was born in the castle in 1109, and 19 years later won a victory near Guimaraes over the troops of his mother Teresa, freeing Portugal from dependence on Leon and Castile. However, the fortress on the hill of Monte Largo, on the site of today's Guimaraes Castle, has existed since the seventh century-since the time of the Visigoths. The castle was built three centuries later on the orders of the Countess of Portugal Mumadona Dias to protect against the Moors from the south and the Vikings from the sea. Surprisingly, this order, dated December 958, has survived to this day. The castle itself consisted of only a single donjon surrounded by a defensive wall.The whole village was surrounded by a 2 km defensive wall in the XIV century . Eight 28-meter towers with gates controlled access to the castle. Today, only the eastern 1-km section with four towers and several gates has been preserved from the old city wall. There is also a suspended wooden bridge connecting the western wall and the central gate. It takes only 10 minutes to get to the First Miracle of Portugal from the center. The castle is open from 10 to 18. The pleasure of going inside, climbing the walls and taking a photo of the city costs only 2€. Agree, this is not much...
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