Top Things to do in Guimaraes
Things to do in Guimaraes, Northern Portugal: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Discover the best top things to do in Guimaraes, Portugal including GUIMARAES, Igreja e Convento de Sao Francisco, Centro Historico de Guimaraes, Capelas dos Passos da Paixao de Cristo, Paco dos Duques de Braganca, Padrao do Salado, Largo da Oliveira, Citania de Briteiros, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Consolacao e Santos Passos, Santuario da Penha.
Restaurants in Guimaraes
1. GUIMARAES
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By msgoldman1 - Leeds, United Kingdom
What a really beautiful place. We did a walking tour. Great history, beautiful medieval town centre, atmospheric squares, lovely palaces and gardens and great coffee shops. The medieval square is especially beautiful Well worth a few hours of your time from Porto We got train from Sao Bento on a Sunday. Return £3!!!
2. 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.
3. 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
4. Capelas dos Passos da Paixao de Cristo
5. 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.
6. Padrao do Salado
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Reviewed By KimGTravels - Pacific Grove, United States
Located within the Largo da Oliveiras Square, just outside of the Igreja da Colegiada de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Church, stands this lovely Gothic Shrine. Construction of the Gothic monument was ordered by Afonso IV to commemorate the Battle of Salado in 1340. A cross stands within this beautiful architectural shrine, one of the many sites within this central historic hub of Guimaraes. Within the Largo da Oliveiras are numerous cafes offering inside and alfresco dining. I would recommend having lunch or a refreshment in this area, to absorb all that this Square has to offer, and to more thoroughly inspect this moving structure.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Consolacao e Santos Passos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
This fabulous Baroque church draws half its appeal from an organic ensemble with a geometrically laid out garden on Largo do Brasil. The Church of Our Lady of Consolation and the Holy Steps has the middle name San Gualter in honor of a Franciscan monk, a local saint. The church itself began to be built at the beginning of the XVIII century on the site of a chapel of the sixteenth century. Architect Andres Soares completed the construction of the church in 1785 in the then fashionable Baroque style. Two flanking bell towers, built in the middle of the XIX century by an architect from Porto, complete the fabulous image of San Gualter. The staircase balustrade and altar of the main chapel date from the late 18th century. The interior is designed in an impressive neoclassical style.
10. 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.
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