Guimaraes Tourism And Travel Guide

A hidden gem in the northern half of Portugal, it is no surprise that Guimaraes gets the love and attention that it always has. The city is the cradle of Portugal itself, a city so steeped in history that it has become a massive tourist attraction as well. It is easily reachable by road or rail, the former being the best way to get there. Porto Airport is the closest to the city which doesn't have its own domestic airport. The weather is well-balanced. Tourism in the city reaches its peak mainly during the spring and summer when the climatic conditions are at their very best. In terms of places to visit these range from the historic like Guimaraes Castle to the natural like Monte de Penha to even the cultural, like Guimaraes Museum. There is always something to do here to satisfy a variety of visitor requirements. Visitors really feel a part of something special when they come to this city. To further explore Guimaraes, this travel guide should provide further insights. 

By Air:

For visitors flying into Portugal internationally, the closest and best option is to land at Porto's Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport which is approximately 150 kms away. 

By Road:

This is both, the best and most popular mode of transportation to get to Guimaraes efficiently. There are numerous bus and taxi services available for tourists to choose from.

By Rail:

An equally good way to reach Guimaraes, the only downside is that the journey via train tends to take longer and involves switching trains once or twice.

Spring Sesaon (March - May):

Spring is the most highly recommended time for travel to Guimaraes due to the high visibility, pleasant climate and lively atmosphere that are major highlights of this period.

Summer Season (June - August):

Tourism tends to peak in the summer, with visitors travelling from all over the world to soak up the sun and explore the city.

Autumn Season (September - November):

Uncertain weather conditions mean that heavy rainfall and winds can occur anytime during this period. Hence, most visitors avoid travel during autumn.

Winter Season (December - February):

Winters are again a dicey time for travel as heavy snowfall and gusts of wind are a possibility due to the city's geographic location.

Palace of the Dukes of Braganza:

A stunning piece of architecture, the palace interiors and curated surrounding gardens are truly unmissable and make for a glorious family outing.

Historic Guimaraes:

The old-world charm of this area sees visitors returning year after year to embrace the deep history and wonder of this heritage part of town.

Guimaraes Castle:

This is where the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques was born and visitng this monument is a must-do tourist activity.

Monte de Penha:

Scaling this incredible hilltop is one of the best things to do for lovers of nature and history. It is a great spot to visit on a clear, sunny day for its incredible views. 

Portugese cuisine is a mixture of different European dishes and flavours and nowhere is this more pronounced than in Guimaraes. The historic city has a diverse combination of flavours that make a fun place to eat. Traditional dishes involve locally sourced meats, seafood and even breads and wine. Brac is a lovely and affordable non-vegetarian restaurant in the city for that typical Portugese cuisine like steak and eggs. Caldo Verde or Green Soup is a must-try dish for vegetarians. Deserts here usually involve fresh fruits that are native to the country and are another highlight of an already buzzing culinary scene. 

The city of Guimaraes is not really known for its unique shopping like some of the other major commercial cities like Lisbon and Porto. However there are some shopping complexes here that have pretty much all the latest local and international brands that one could think of. This includes places like Espaco Guimaraes, Centro Comercial Sao Francisco which are world-class centres to spend the day at for all the shopaholics. The old town is where visitors can find more boutique stores selling local handicrafts and artefacts.