Guimarães

Guimarães is a city that is well-connected by urban train to Porto. The journey takes about one hour and 15 minutes from the São Bento train station in Porto. Trains depart more or less every hour except in the afternoon, then it might be less frequent.

Guimarães offers quite a large old town in which you can walk around. Compared to Braga this city has in my opinion more atmosphere. So if you have to choose for a day tour try Guimarães. In Porto, day tours are offered to visit Braga and Guimarãeres in one day. If you don’t have to hurry skip these organised day tours and spend a day in Braga and Guimarães.

The old town of Guimarãres offers old historic buildings, churches, and monasteries. A least one sight not to miss is the Castle of Guimarães and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza. Both are located next to each other and can be visited with a combined ticket. The castle offers panoramic views and is outdoors. The Palace of the Dukes of Braganza houses a museum about the history of Guimarães and its castles.